Stifel Nicolaus Begins Coverage on Valvoline (NYSE:VVV)

Stock analysts at Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on shares of Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) in a research note issued to investors on Friday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The brokerage set a “hold” rating and a $42.00 price target on the basic materials company’s stock. Stifel Nicolaus’ price objective suggests a potential upside of 15.80% from the company’s current price.

VVV has been the topic of several other reports. Stephens assumed coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $49.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Valvoline from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on Valvoline from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Mizuho cut their price objective on Valvoline from $50.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $45.78.

Valvoline Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:VVV opened at $36.27 on Friday. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $4.66 billion, a PE ratio of 22.39 and a beta of 1.43. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $40.39 and its 200-day moving average price is $41.55. Valvoline has a twelve month low of $33.86 and a twelve month high of $48.26.

Insider Activity

In other Valvoline news, CEO Lori Ann Flees purchased 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $39.64 per share, with a total value of $99,100.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 38,428 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,523,285.92. This trade represents a 6.96 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Charles M. Sonsteby purchased 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 25th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $39.50 per share, with a total value of $395,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 26,437 shares in the company, valued at $1,044,261.50. This trade represents a 60.84 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 1.34% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Valvoline

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 92.1% during 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. lifted its position in shares of Valvoline by 57.9% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 728 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 267 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in Valvoline during the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Prospera Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Valvoline during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in Valvoline by 46.5% in 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 during the last quarter. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.