Valhi (NYSE:VHI) Stock Price Down 3.4% – Time to Sell?

Valhi, Inc. (NYSE:VHI)’s stock price was down 3.4% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $21.44 and last traded at $21.44. Approximately 2,183 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 84% from the average daily volume of 13,292 shares. The stock had previously closed at $22.19.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently commented on VHI shares. StockNews.com cut Valhi from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, November 11th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Valhi from $11.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 25th.

Valhi Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a current ratio of 2.79. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $27.36 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $25.76. The firm has a market cap of $647.39 million, a PE ratio of 7.33 and a beta of 1.20.

Valhi Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 19th. Investors of record on Friday, November 29th were paid a dividend of $0.08 per share. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.40%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 29th. Valhi’s payout ratio is 10.26%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valhi

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VHI. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC bought a new stake in shares of Valhi in the 3rd quarter worth about $1,409,000. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Valhi by 107.9% in the third quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 32,975 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $1,100,000 after buying an additional 17,112 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its holdings in Valhi by 10.1% during the 3rd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 138,849 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $4,633,000 after acquiring an additional 12,720 shares during the period. CWA Asset Management Group LLC purchased a new position in Valhi during the 3rd quarter valued at $408,000. Finally, Greenwood Gearhart Inc. bought a new position in Valhi in the 3rd quarter valued at $268,000. 3.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Valhi Company Profile

Valhi, Inc engages in the chemicals, component products, and real estate management and development businesses in Europe, North America, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company’s Chemicals segment produces and markets titanium dioxide pigments (TiO2), which are white inorganic pigments used in various applications by paint, plastics, decorative laminate, and paper manufacturers.