Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) Raised to Hold at Wall Street Zen

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) was upgraded by research analysts at Wall Street Zen from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report released on Monday.

A number of other brokerages also recently weighed in on VVV. Stephens increased their price target on Valvoline from $40.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Valvoline from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price target for the stock from $40.00 to $45.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 3rd. Piper Sandler increased their price target on Valvoline from $44.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, September 8th. Cfra Research upgraded Valvoline to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, July 7th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Valvoline from $42.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $42.77.

Valvoline Stock Performance

NYSE VVV opened at $40.66 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $5.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.91 and a beta of 1.21. Valvoline has a twelve month low of $31.01 and a twelve month high of $43.74. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $38.17 and a 200 day simple moving average of $36.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.37.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.47 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.46 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $439.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $436.35 million. Valvoline had a return on equity of 84.85% and a net margin of 16.43%.Valvoline’s quarterly revenue was up 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.45 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Valvoline will post 1.63 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Valvoline news, CFO J Kevin Willis purchased 12,725 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 14th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $39.41 per share, with a total value of $501,492.25. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 12,725 shares in the company, valued at $501,492.25. The trade was a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.66% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valvoline

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Maseco LLP purchased a new stake in Valvoline in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Valvoline in the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. American National Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in Valvoline in the 1st quarter valued at about $40,000. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its stake in Valvoline by 221.8% in the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,181 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 814 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Valvoline in the 2nd quarter valued at about $43,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.13% of the company’s stock.

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.