Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) Coverage Initiated by Analysts at Stifel Nicolaus

Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on shares of Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Free Report) in a research report sent to investors on Friday, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm issued a hold rating and a $42.00 price objective on the basic materials company's stock.

VVV has been the topic of a number of other reports. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on shares of Valvoline from $52.00 to $46.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Stephens started coverage on Valvoline in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $49.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Mizuho cut their price objective on Valvoline from $50.00 to $46.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $45.78.

Valvoline Stock Up 0.8 %

VVV stock traded up $0.28 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $36.55. The company had a trading volume of 2,993,256 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,238,125. Valvoline has a 52 week low of $33.86 and a 52 week high of $48.26. The company has a market capitalization of $4.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.56 and a beta of 1.43. 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 50 day simple moving average of $40.39 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $41.55.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Lori Ann Flees bought 2,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 27th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $39.64 per share, for a total transaction of $99,100.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 38,428 shares in the company, valued at $1,523,285.92. The trade was a 6.96 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Charles M. Sonsteby bought 10,000 shares of Valvoline stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $39.50 per share, for a total transaction of $395,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now 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 1.34% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valvoline

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in shares of Valvoline by 92.1% in the 3rd 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 in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in Valvoline by 57.9% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 728 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 267 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Valvoline during the second quarter worth $34,000. Prospera Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valvoline in the 3rd quarter valued at $41,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings 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 valued at $61,000 after purchasing an additional 465 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 96.13% of the company's stock.

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.