Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. Increases Stake in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV)

Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. grew its holdings in shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) by 8.5% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,227,535 shares of the basic materials company's stock after buying an additional 96,615 shares during the period. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. owned approximately 0.95% of Valvoline worth $51,371,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in shares of Valvoline by 92.1% during the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 630 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 302 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of Valvoline by 57.9% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 728 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 267 shares during the period. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valvoline during the second quarter worth approximately $34,000. Mather Group LLC. raised its position in shares of Valvoline by 1,617.0% during the second quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 807 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 760 shares during the period. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in shares of Valvoline by 46.5% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,465 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 465 shares during the period. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Valvoline Price Performance

Shares of NYSE VVV traded down $0.54 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $42.32. 878,608 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 935,598. The company has a market capitalization of $5.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.41 and a beta of 1.46. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.57. Valvoline Inc. has a 52-week low of $33.86 and a 52-week high of $48.26. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $41.37 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $42.03.

Valvoline declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Tuesday, July 30th that authorizes the company to repurchase $400.00 million in outstanding 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 a sign that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

VVV has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Baird R W raised Valvoline to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target 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 Valvoline in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $48.00 price target for the company. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on Valvoline from $54.00 to $48.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Finally, Stephens initiated coverage on Valvoline in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $49.00 target price for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Valvoline presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $47.75.

Valvoline Company Profile

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.