Wells Fargo & Company Has Lowered Expectations for Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) Stock Price

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) had its target price lowered by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $44.00 to $42.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an “overweight” rating on the basic materials company’s stock. Wells Fargo & Company‘s target price indicates a potential upside of 23.28% from the company’s previous close.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on the stock. Mizuho decreased their target price on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Morgan Stanley restated an “equal weight” rating and set a $38.00 price objective (down from $42.00) on shares of Valvoline in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. TD Securities initiated coverage on shares of Valvoline in a report on Friday, April 4th. They set a “buy” rating and a $40.00 price objective for the company. TD Cowen started coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Friday, April 4th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $40.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given 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 “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $42.67.

Valvoline Stock Down 0.7 %

VVV stock opened at $34.07 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.39, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.70. The company has a market capitalization of $4.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.30 and a beta of 1.32. Valvoline has a fifty-two week low of $31.02 and a fifty-two week high of $48.27. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $34.80 and a 200-day moving average of $37.40.

Valvoline (NYSE:VVV) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.01. Valvoline had a net margin of 16.34% and a return on equity of 143.64%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Valvoline will post 1.63 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Julie Marie O’daniel sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.41, for a total value of $224,460.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 15,305 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $572,560.05. This trade represents a 28.16 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.66% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Valvoline

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Huntington National Bank increased its position in shares of Valvoline by 1,004.9% during the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 895 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 814 shares during the period. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Valvoline during the first quarter worth approximately $35,000. Centricity Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Valvoline in the fourth quarter valued at $36,000. American National Bank & Trust purchased a new position in shares of Valvoline in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc raised its holdings in Valvoline by 221.8% during the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,181 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 814 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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.