Analysts Set Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) PT at $44.89

Shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by the ten ratings firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, six have assigned a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $44.89.

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Mizuho cut 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. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on Valvoline from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on shares of Valvoline in a report on Friday, December 20th. They issued a "hold" rating and a $42.00 target price for the company. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an "equal weight" rating and issued a $38.00 price target (down previously from $42.00) on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st.

Insider Buying and Selling at Valvoline

In other news, CTO Robert Travis Dobbins sold 1,914 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total transaction of $76,560.00. Following the transaction, the chief technology officer now owns 14,956 shares in the company, valued at $598,240. This represents a 11.35 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Charles M. Sonsteby purchased 10,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $39.50 per share, for a total transaction of $395,000.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 26,437 shares in the company, valued at $1,044,261.50. This represents a 60.84 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.66% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valvoline

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. South Dakota Investment Council lifted its position in shares of Valvoline by 157.4% in the fourth quarter. South Dakota Investment Council now owns 102,955 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $3,725,000 after buying an additional 62,955 shares during the last quarter. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. raised its stake in shares of Valvoline by 71.4% in the 4th quarter. Hudson Edge Investment Partners Inc. now owns 21,582 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $781,000 after acquiring an additional 8,987 shares in the last quarter. Centricity Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Valvoline in the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new stake in Valvoline during the fourth quarter worth approximately $223,000. Finally, TimesSquare Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Valvoline by 766.6% during the fourth quarter. TimesSquare Capital Management LLC now owns 644,980 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $23,335,000 after purchasing an additional 570,550 shares during the last quarter. 96.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valvoline Price Performance

Shares of NYSE VVV traded down $0.03 during trading on Friday, hitting $36.63. The company had a trading volume of 2,131,489 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,451,349. Valvoline has a 52 week low of $33.86 and a 52 week high of $48.26. The business's 50-day moving average is $37.14 and its 200 day moving average is $40.05. The company has a market cap of $4.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.61 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.77, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 0.72.

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.