Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) Sets New 12-Month Low - Here's Why

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $33.28 and last traded at $33.99, with a volume of 86107 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $34.47.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Valvoline from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "equal weight" rating and issued a $38.00 target price (down previously from $42.00) on shares of Valvoline in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, February 7th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Friday, April 4th. They set a "buy" rating and a $40.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Mizuho cut their target price on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Valvoline presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $43.67.

Valvoline Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.39, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.70. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $36.32 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $38.19. The stock has a market cap of $4.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.08 and a beta of 1.32.

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Valvoline (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.32 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.01. Valvoline had a return on equity of 143.64% and a net margin of 16.34%. Analysts forecast that Valvoline Inc. will post 1.63 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Valvoline

In other Valvoline news, insider Julie Marie O'daniel sold 6,000 shares of Valvoline stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.41, for a total transaction of $224,460.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 15,305 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $572,560.05. The trade was a 28.16 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.66% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Valvoline

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Valvoline during the fourth quarter valued at $54,114,000. Fiduciary Management Inc. WI increased its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 35.1% during the fourth quarter. Fiduciary Management Inc. WI now owns 4,221,275 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $152,726,000 after buying an additional 1,096,486 shares in the last quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of Valvoline by 11.1% in the fourth quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 10,818,256 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $391,405,000 after acquiring an additional 1,080,114 shares during the last quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 653.5% in the 4th quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 1,147,254 shares of the basic materials company's stock worth $41,508,000 after acquiring an additional 994,988 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Champlain Investment Partners LLC bought a new stake in Valvoline during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,051,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.