Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) Trading Down 5.1% - Here's Why

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV - Get Free Report)'s stock price fell 5.1% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $37.60 and last traded at $37.68. 877,561 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 47% from the average session volume of 1,665,098 shares. The stock had previously closed at $39.68.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently commented on VVV. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "equal weight" rating and set a $38.00 target price (down from $42.00) on shares of Valvoline in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Robert W. Baird cut their target price on shares of Valvoline from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. 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 note on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $44.40.

Valvoline Trading Down 3.8 %

The company's fifty day moving average price is $37.07 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $39.52. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.39. The firm has a market cap of $4.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.46 and a beta of 1.45.

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

Insider Transactions at Valvoline

In related news, CEO Lori Ann Flees purchased 2,500 shares of Valvoline stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $39.64 per share, for a total transaction of $99,100.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 38,428 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,523,285.92. This represents a 6.96 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CTO Robert Travis Dobbins sold 1,914 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated 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 approximately $598,240. The trade was a 11.35 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.66% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VVV. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of Valvoline by 83.0% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,332 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $58,000 after acquiring an additional 604 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates raised its position in shares of Valvoline by 10.6% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 199,152 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $8,335,000 after acquiring an additional 19,091 shares during the period. Lecap Asset Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Valvoline in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $988,000. Mount Yale Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Valvoline by 14.0% in the 3rd quarter. Mount Yale Investment Advisors LLC now owns 18,125 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $759,000 after acquiring an additional 2,221 shares during the period. Finally, Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Valvoline by 21.3% in the 3rd quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 8,981 shares of the basic materials company's stock valued at $376,000 after acquiring an additional 1,575 shares during the period. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.