Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) Shares Acquired by Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P.

Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. boosted its position in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) by 8.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,227,535 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after acquiring an additional 96,615 shares during the quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. owned 0.95% of Valvoline worth $51,371,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. UMB Bank n.a. increased its position in shares of Valvoline by 92.1% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 630 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 302 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. increased its holdings in Valvoline by 57.9% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 728 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 267 shares during the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Valvoline in the second quarter valued at $34,000. Mather Group LLC. lifted its holdings in Valvoline by 1,617.0% during the 2nd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 807 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 760 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of Valvoline by 46.5% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,465 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $61,000 after acquiring an additional 465 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.13% of the company’s stock.

Valvoline Trading Down 1.3 %

NYSE VVV opened at $42.32 on Friday. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $41.37 and its two-hundred day moving average is $42.03. Valvoline Inc. has a one year low of $33.86 and a one year high of $48.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.57, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.73. The firm has a market cap of $5.45 billion, a PE ratio of 34.41 and a beta of 1.46.

Valvoline declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, July 30th that authorizes the company to repurchase $400.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the basic materials company to buy up to 7.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on VVV shares. Baird R W raised Valvoline to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Stephens initiated coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $49.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Valvoline from $50.00 to $46.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on shares of Valvoline from $54.00 to $48.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Finally, Robert W. Baird assumed coverage on Valvoline in a report on Thursday, August 15th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $48.00 price objective on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $47.75.

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.