Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) Shares Acquired by GAMMA Investing LLC

GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) by 6,913.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 75,538 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after purchasing an additional 74,461 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC’s holdings in Valvoline were worth $2,629,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Huntington National Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 1,004.9% during the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 895 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 814 shares during the last quarter. Centricity Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valvoline during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 221.8% during the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,181 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 814 shares during the last quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Valvoline during the 4th quarter worth approximately $49,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valvoline during the 4th quarter worth approximately $73,000. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valvoline Stock Up 1.2%

Shares of NYSE VVV opened at $36.42 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $4.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.43 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.39. Valvoline Inc. has a 52-week low of $31.02 and a 52-week high of $48.27. The business’s 50 day moving average is $34.41 and its two-hundred day moving average is $35.99.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The basic materials company reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.36 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $403.20 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $405.38 million. Valvoline had a return on equity of 143.64% and a net margin of 16.34%. The business’s revenue was up 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.37 EPS. Research analysts predict that Valvoline Inc. will post 1.63 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup lowered their target price on Valvoline from $41.00 to $38.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 29th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Valvoline from $44.00 to $42.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Valvoline from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their price target for the company from $40.00 to $45.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 3rd. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Valvoline from $41.00 to $39.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Finally, TD Securities started coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Friday, April 4th. They set a “buy” rating and a $40.00 price target on the stock. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $42.54.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Valvoline news, CEO Lori Ann Flees purchased 3,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 27th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $33.78 per share, for a total transaction of $101,340.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 46,614 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,574,620.92. The trade was a 6.88% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.66% 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.