Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) Shares Purchased by Wasatch Advisors LP

Wasatch Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) by 16.8% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 9,738,142 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after buying an additional 1,398,310 shares during the period. Valvoline accounts for about 2.0% of Wasatch Advisors LP’s portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest position. Wasatch Advisors LP owned approximately 0.08% of Valvoline worth $407,541,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sculptor Capital LP grew its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 187.6% during the second quarter. Sculptor Capital LP now owns 1,879,500 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $81,194,000 after buying an additional 1,226,000 shares in the last quarter. Geneva Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Valvoline in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,670,000. Fiera Capital Corp acquired a new position in Valvoline in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,538,000. F M Investments LLC acquired a new position in Valvoline in the 2nd quarter valued at $11,992,000. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can lifted its stake in shares of Valvoline by 438.7% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 308,699 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $12,919,000 after purchasing an additional 251,398 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.13% of the company’s stock.

Valvoline Price Performance

Valvoline stock opened at $39.71 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $41.18 and a 200-day moving average of $41.81. Valvoline Inc. has a 52-week low of $33.86 and a 52-week high of $48.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.51 and a beta of 1.46.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Charles M. Sonsteby bought 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $39.50 per share, for a total transaction of $395,000.00. Following 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 purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 1.34% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective 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. Mizuho decreased their target price on shares of Valvoline from $50.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Baird R W raised shares of Valvoline to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Finally, Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Valvoline from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $46.25.

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.