GSA Capital Partners LLP Invests $1.18 Million in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV)

GSA Capital Partners LLP bought a new stake in shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 28,151 shares of the basic materials company's stock, valued at approximately $1,178,000.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sculptor Capital LP increased its position in Valvoline by 187.6% in the 2nd quarter. Sculptor Capital LP now owns 1,879,500 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $81,194,000 after purchasing an additional 1,226,000 shares during the last quarter. Fiera Capital Corp bought a new stake in shares of Valvoline during the 3rd quarter worth $25,538,000. F M Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Valvoline in the second quarter worth about $11,992,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. bought a new position in Valvoline in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $9,974,000. Finally, Tyro Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Valvoline during the 1st quarter valued at $9,627,000. Institutional investors own 96.13% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have commented on VVV. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Valvoline from $50.00 to $46.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Robert W. Baird initiated coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $48.00 price target for the company. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Valvoline from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, July 19th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on Valvoline from $54.00 to $48.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Finally, Stephens initiated coverage on Valvoline in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $49.00 price target on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $47.75.

Valvoline Price Performance

Valvoline stock traded down $0.57 on Friday, reaching $42.29. The company's stock had a trading volume of 878,608 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,173,314. Valvoline Inc. has a twelve month low of $33.86 and a twelve month high of $48.26. The company has a market cap of $5.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.36 and a beta of 1.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.57, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.73. The business's fifty day moving average price is $41.31 and its 200 day moving average price is $42.04.

Valvoline declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Tuesday, July 30th that authorizes the company to repurchase $400.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the basic materials company to repurchase up to 7.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are usually an indication that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued.

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.