Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) Sets New 52-Week Low After Analyst Downgrade

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Wednesday after Citigroup lowered their price target on the stock from $41.00 to $38.00. Citigroup currently has a neutral rating on the stock. Valvoline traded as low as $33.27 and last traded at $34.25, with a volume of 1212775 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $34.09.

VVV has been the subject of several other reports. TD Cowen assumed coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Friday, April 4th. They set a “buy” rating and a $40.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Valvoline from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Valvoline from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Morgan Stanley reissued an “equal weight” rating and issued a $38.00 price target (down from $42.00) on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $42.67.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Julie Marie O’daniel sold 6,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.41, for a total transaction of $224,460.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 15,305 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $572,560.05. This represents a 28.16 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 0.66% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valvoline

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Alps Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Valvoline in the first quarter valued at approximately $346,000. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in Valvoline by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC now owns 47,717 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,661,000 after acquiring an additional 1,156 shares during the period. VELA Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Valvoline by 36.9% during the first quarter. VELA Investment Management LLC now owns 115,392 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $4,017,000 after acquiring an additional 31,119 shares in the last quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Valvoline in the first quarter worth $248,000. Finally, Teacher Retirement System of Texas purchased a new position in shares of Valvoline in the first quarter valued at $620,000. 96.13% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Valvoline Stock Performance

The business has a 50 day moving average of $34.76 and a 200-day moving average of $37.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.39, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.70. The company has a market capitalization of $4.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.39 and a beta of 1.32.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.01. Valvoline had a net margin of 16.34% and a return on equity of 143.64%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Valvoline Inc. will post 1.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valvoline Company Profile

Valvoline Inc engages in the operation and franchising of vehicle service centers and retail stores in the United States and Canada. The company, through its service centers, provides fluid exchange for motor oil, transmission and differential fluid, and coolant; parts replacement for batteries, filters, wiper blades, and belts; and safety services, such as tire inflation and rotation, bulbs, and safety checks.