Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Acquires 36,814 Shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV)

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lifted its holdings in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) by 118.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 67,948 shares of the basic materials company's stock after purchasing an additional 36,814 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans owned approximately 0.05% of Valvoline worth $2,844,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 6.6% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 554,316 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $24,707,000 after purchasing an additional 34,467 shares during the last quarter. Caxton Associates LP acquired a new stake in shares of Valvoline in the first quarter valued at approximately $309,000. Tidal Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Valvoline by 97.6% during the first quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 29,843 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $1,330,000 after acquiring an additional 14,739 shares during the last quarter. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. purchased a new stake in Valvoline in the 1st quarter valued at $122,000. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Valvoline during the 1st quarter worth $259,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.13% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Baird R W raised shares of Valvoline to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Stephens began coverage on Valvoline in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $49.00 target price for the company. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on Valvoline from $52.00 to $46.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on shares of Valvoline from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $46.25.

Valvoline Stock Performance

VVV traded up $1.31 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $40.10. The stock had a trading volume of 1,315,887 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,203,307. The firm has a market cap of $5.15 billion, a PE ratio of 24.75 and a beta of 1.46. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $41.24 and a 200-day simple moving average of $41.84. The company has a current ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.77. Valvoline Inc. has a 12 month low of $33.86 and a 12 month high of $48.26.

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 purchase up to 7.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often an indication that the company's management believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Charles M. Sonsteby bought 10,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, November 25th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $39.50 per share, for a total transaction of $395,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 26,437 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,044,261.50. This trade represents a 60.84 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 1.34% 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.