Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) Trading Down 4.9% – Should You Sell?

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV)’s stock price traded down 4.9% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $40.24 and last traded at $40.24. 294,887 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 75% from the average session volume of 1,172,952 shares. The stock had previously closed at $42.33.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Baird R W upgraded shares of Valvoline to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. Robert W. Baird cut their target price on shares of Valvoline from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on shares of Valvoline from $52.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Mizuho cut their target price on shares of Valvoline from $50.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Valvoline has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $46.25.

Valvoline Stock Down 0.4 %

The firm has a market cap of $4.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.75 and a beta of 1.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.77, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.72. The business’s 50-day moving average is $41.43 and its 200-day moving average is $41.99.

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valvoline

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in VVV. UMB Bank n.a. increased its position 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 worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 302 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in shares of Valvoline by 57.9% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 728 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 267 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valvoline during the 2nd quarter worth about $34,000. Mather Group LLC. grew 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 acquiring an additional 760 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Prospera Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in Valvoline during the 3rd quarter worth about $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.13% 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.