KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Decreases Stock Holdings in Valvoline (NYSE:VVV)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS cut its holdings in Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) by 6.2% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 24,100 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after selling 1,600 shares during the quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS’s holdings in Valvoline were worth $839,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its position in Valvoline by 13.8% during the fourth quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 9,411 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $341,000 after purchasing an additional 1,142 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC raised its position in shares of Valvoline by 26.5% during the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 33,872 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,225,000 after buying an additional 7,097 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 12,893,648 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $466,492,000 after acquiring an additional 101,834 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Valvoline in the 4th quarter valued at about $54,114,000. Finally, Pictet Asset Management Holding SA grew its position in Valvoline by 26.1% in the fourth quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 21,434 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $775,000 after acquiring an additional 4,438 shares in the last quarter. 96.13% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Valvoline Stock Down 0.2%

NYSE:VVV opened at $35.80 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $4.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.38 and a beta of 1.18. Valvoline has a twelve month low of $31.01 and a twelve month high of $47.08. The company has a current ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.23. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $36.63 and a 200-day simple moving average of $35.98.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.36 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $403.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $405.38 million. Valvoline had a return on equity of 106.36% and a net margin of 15.97%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.37 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Valvoline will post 1.63 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VVV has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Cfra Research upgraded Valvoline to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, July 7th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Valvoline from $41.00 to $39.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 9th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Valvoline from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 28th. TD Securities assumed coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Friday, April 4th. They set a “buy” rating and a $40.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Valvoline from $41.00 to $38.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $42.54.

Insider Buying and Selling at Valvoline

In other news, CEO Lori Ann Flees acquired 3,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 27th. The shares were bought at an average price of $33.78 per share, with a total value of $101,340.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 46,614 shares in the company, valued at $1,574,620.92. This trade represents a 6.88% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.66% of the company’s stock.

About Valvoline

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.