Geode Capital Management LLC Raises Stock Position in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV)

Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) by 2.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,226,769 shares of the basic materials company's stock after purchasing an additional 54,545 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC owned about 1.73% of Valvoline worth $93,215,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. UMB Bank n.a. increased its stake 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 valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 302 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in Valvoline by 57.9% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 728 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 267 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Valvoline during the 2nd quarter valued at $34,000. Prospera Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in Valvoline in the 3rd quarter worth $41,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position 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 purchasing an additional 465 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 96.13% of the company's stock.

Valvoline Stock Up 0.8 %

Valvoline stock traded up $0.28 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $36.55. The company had a trading volume of 2,993,256 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,238,125. Valvoline Inc. has a 12 month low of $33.86 and a 12 month high of $48.26. The company has a current ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.77. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $40.31 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $41.52. The company has a market capitalization of $4.69 billion, a PE ratio of 22.56 and a beta of 1.43.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Valvoline from $52.00 to $46.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on Valvoline in a research report on Friday. They set a "hold" rating and a $42.00 price objective on the stock. Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on Valvoline from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Stephens started 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. Finally, Mizuho reduced their price target on Valvoline from $50.00 to $46.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $45.78.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CTO Robert Travis Dobbins sold 1,914 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total transaction of $76,560.00. Following the transaction, the chief technology officer now directly owns 14,956 shares of the company's stock, valued at $598,240. This represents a 11.35 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Charles M. Sonsteby acquired 10,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $39.50 per share, for a total transaction of $395,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 26,437 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,044,261.50. The trade was a 60.84 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 1.34% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Valvoline 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.