Valhi (NYSE:VHI) Shares Up 6% - Still a Buy?

Valhi, Inc. (NYSE:VHI - Get Free Report) traded up 6% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $24.55 and last traded at $24.27. 13,961 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 9% from the average session volume of 15,415 shares. The stock had previously closed at $22.90.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have commented on VHI. Barclays boosted their price objective on Valhi from $11.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. StockNews.com downgraded Valhi from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, November 11th.

Valhi Stock Up 5.6 %

The firm's 50 day moving average price is $24.58 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $26.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $684.03 million, a PE ratio of 7.75 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a quick ratio of 1.65, a current ratio of 2.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39.

Valhi Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 29th were issued a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 29th. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.32%. Valhi's dividend payout ratio is presently 10.26%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valhi in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,409,000. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. increased its holdings in Valhi by 107.9% in the third quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 32,975 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $1,100,000 after buying an additional 17,112 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its holdings in Valhi by 10.1% during the 3rd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 138,849 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $4,633,000 after buying an additional 12,720 shares during the last quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valhi in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $408,000. Finally, Greenwood Gearhart Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Valhi in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $268,000. 3.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Valhi

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.

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