Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) Stake Boosted by Fox Run Management L.L.C.

Fox Run Management L.L.C. increased its stake in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) by 767.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 56,340 shares of the basic materials company's stock after buying an additional 49,842 shares during the period. Valvoline comprises about 0.4% of Fox Run Management L.L.C.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest position. Fox Run Management L.L.C.'s holdings in Valvoline were worth $2,038,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Centricity Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Valvoline during the 4th quarter worth $36,000. Prospera Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Valvoline in the third quarter worth about $41,000. ORG Partners LLC increased its holdings in Valvoline by 466.7% in the fourth quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 1,275 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 1,050 shares during the last quarter. Atala Financial Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Valvoline during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $77,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in Valvoline by 90.5% during the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,538 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $92,000 after acquiring an additional 1,206 shares during the period. 96.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Mizuho dropped their target price on Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Morgan Stanley restated an "equal weight" rating and issued a $38.00 target price (down previously from $42.00) on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on Valvoline in a report on Friday, December 20th. They set a "hold" rating and a $42.00 price target on the stock. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Valvoline currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $44.40.

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Valvoline Price Performance

VVV traded down $1.05 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $34.88. The stock had a trading volume of 510,161 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,272,888. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $36.87 and a two-hundred day moving average of $38.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.68 and a beta of 1.48. Valvoline Inc. has a 1-year low of $33.90 and a 1-year high of $48.27.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.31 by $0.01. Valvoline had a return on equity of 143.64% and a net margin of 16.34%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Valvoline Inc. will post 1.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Valvoline

In other Valvoline news, insider Julie Marie O'daniel sold 6,000 shares of Valvoline stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.41, for a total value of $224,460.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 15,305 shares in the company, valued at approximately $572,560.05. The trade was a 28.16 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.66% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.