Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) Given Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) has earned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the ten research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, seven have given a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $45.33.

VVV has been the subject of several research reports. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research note on Friday, December 20th. They issued a "hold" rating and a $42.00 price objective for the company. Stephens started coverage on Valvoline in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $49.00 price target for the company. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on Valvoline from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Valvoline from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 20th.

Insider Buying and Selling at Valvoline

In related news, Director Charles M. Sonsteby purchased 10,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, November 25th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $39.50 per share, with a total value of $395,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, 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 document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CTO Robert Travis Dobbins sold 1,914 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total value of $76,560.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief technology officer now directly owns 14,956 shares of the company's stock, valued at $598,240. The trade was a 11.35 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.66% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 92.1% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 630 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 302 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in Valvoline during the 2nd quarter valued at $34,000. Prospera Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Valvoline during the 3rd quarter worth $41,000. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in Valvoline by 83.0% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,332 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $58,000 after acquiring an additional 604 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of Valvoline by 46.5% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,465 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $61,000 after acquiring an additional 465 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.13% of the company's stock.

Valvoline Price Performance

NYSE:VVV traded down $0.58 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $34.83. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,577,184 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,397,321. Valvoline has a twelve month low of $33.86 and a twelve month high of $48.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.77, a current ratio of 0.72 and a quick ratio of 0.61. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $39.10 and a 200-day simple moving average of $41.13. The company has a market capitalization of $4.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.50 and a beta of 1.45.

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.