251,391 Shares in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) Acquired by Confluence Investment Management LLC

Confluence Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 251,391 shares of the basic materials company's stock, valued at approximately $9,095,000. Confluence Investment Management LLC owned about 0.20% of Valvoline at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Natixis Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Valvoline by 1.1% in the second quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 391,328 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $16,905,000 after buying an additional 4,136 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its position in shares of Valvoline by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 419,267 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $18,112,000 after purchasing an additional 13,168 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in Valvoline by 2.0% during the second quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 27,158 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $1,173,000 after purchasing an additional 537 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System grew its stake in Valvoline by 1.6% during the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 34,481 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $1,490,000 after purchasing an additional 544 shares during the period. Finally, Ballentine Partners LLC bought a new stake in Valvoline in the second quarter worth approximately $270,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.13% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CTO Robert Travis Dobbins sold 1,914 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total transaction of $76,560.00. Following the sale, the chief technology officer now owns 14,956 shares in the company, valued at $598,240. This represents a 11.35 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Lori Ann Flees acquired 2,500 shares of Valvoline stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 27th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $39.64 per share, with a total value of $99,100.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 38,428 shares in the company, valued at $1,523,285.92. This represents a 6.96 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.66% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Valvoline Stock Performance

VVV stock traded down $0.03 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $35.81. The company had a trading volume of 1,303,417 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,294,109. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.77, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 0.72. The firm has a market cap of $4.59 billion, a PE ratio of 22.11 and a beta of 1.43. Valvoline Inc. has a 12 month low of $33.86 and a 12 month high of $48.26. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $39.24 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $41.19.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Mizuho reduced their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $50.00 to $46.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of Valvoline from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Stephens assumed coverage on Valvoline in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $49.00 target price for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on Valvoline from $52.00 to $46.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Valvoline has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $45.78.

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.