Valhi (NYSE:VHI) Stock Passes Below Two Hundred Day Moving Average – Should You Sell?

Valhi, Inc. (NYSE:VHI)’s stock price crossed below its two hundred day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $16.48 and traded as low as $15.56. Valhi shares last traded at $15.75, with a volume of 4,836 shares changing hands.

Valhi Stock Performance

The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $16.34 and its 200 day simple moving average is $16.48. The company has a current ratio of 2.83, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $445.58 million, a P/E ratio of 4.59 and a beta of 1.17.

Valhi (NYSE:VHI) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The basic materials company reported $0.03 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.76 by ($0.73). Valhi had a net margin of 4.69% and a return on equity of 7.02%. The firm had revenue of $540.40 million during the quarter.

Valhi Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 5th were issued a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, September 5th. Valhi’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.33%.

Institutional Trading of Valhi

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. CWA Asset Management Group LLC increased its stake in Valhi by 11.2% in the first quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 18,512 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $301,000 after acquiring an additional 1,870 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in Valhi by 6,670.8% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,625 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 1,601 shares during the last quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC bought a new stake in Valhi during the fourth quarter worth about $315,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its stake in Valhi by 105.8% during the fourth quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 2,488 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $58,000 after purchasing an additional 1,279 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Millennium Management LLC bought a new stake in Valhi during the fourth quarter worth about $203,000. 3.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Valhi Company Profile

Valhi, Inc engages in the chemicals, component products, and real estate management and development businesses in Europe, North America, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company’s Chemicals segment produces and markets titanium dioxide pigments (TiO2), which are white inorganic pigments used in various applications by paint, plastics, decorative laminate, and paper manufacturers.