Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) Stock Price Down 4.9% – Time to Sell?

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on VVV shares. Baird R W upgraded Valvoline to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $50.00 to $46.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Robert W. Baird started coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $48.00 price objective for the company. Stephens began coverage on Valvoline in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $49.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price 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. One 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $47.75.

Valvoline Price Performance

The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $41.44 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $42.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.92 and a beta of 1.46. The company has a current ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.57.

Valvoline declared 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 outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the basic materials company to purchase up to 7.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually an indication that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Trading of Valvoline

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in shares of Valvoline by 57.9% in the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 728 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 267 shares during the period. MAI Capital Management grew its holdings in Valvoline by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 11,624 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $486,000 after purchasing an additional 268 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings in 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 in the last quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D grew its holdings in Valvoline by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 47,602 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,992,000 after purchasing an additional 313 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Evergreen Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Valvoline by 6.1% during the 2nd quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 6,292 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $272,000 after purchasing an additional 359 shares in the last quarter. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.