Gotham Asset Management LLC Raises Holdings in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV)

Gotham Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) by 17.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 98,211 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after buying an additional 14,720 shares during the quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC owned approximately 0.08% of Valvoline worth $3,553,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Huntington National Bank raised its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 1,004.9% in the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 895 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 814 shares during the last quarter. Centricity Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Valvoline in the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new position in Valvoline in the 4th quarter valued at about $49,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valvoline during the 4th quarter worth about $73,000. Finally, Atala Financial Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Valvoline during the fourth quarter worth about $77,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.13% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on VVV shares. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Valvoline from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 28th. 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 research note on Friday, May 9th. TD Cowen began coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research note on Friday, April 4th. They set a “buy” rating and a $40.00 price objective for the company. TD Securities began coverage on shares of Valvoline in a report on Friday, April 4th. They set a “buy” rating and a $40.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Piper Sandler restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $44.00 target price (down from $45.00) on shares of Valvoline in a report on Friday, May 9th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $42.33.

Valvoline Stock Performance

Shares of Valvoline stock opened at $34.90 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.39, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.70. Valvoline Inc. has a 1 year low of $31.02 and a 1 year high of $48.27. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $34.39 and its 200-day simple moving average is $36.87. The firm has a market cap of $4.44 billion, a PE ratio of 16.70 and a beta of 1.20.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.36 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $403.20 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $405.38 million. Valvoline had a return on equity of 143.64% and a net margin of 16.34%. 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. Equities analysts forecast that Valvoline Inc. will post 1.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Valvoline

In other news, insider Julie Marie O’daniel sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the insider now directly owns 15,305 shares in the company, valued at approximately $572,560.05. This represents a 28.16% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.66% of the company’s stock.

Valvoline 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.