Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) Sees Large Drop in Short Interest

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) saw a significant drop in short interest in November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 6,060,000 shares, a drop of 16.9% from the November 15th total of 7,290,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,240,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.9 days. Currently, 4.8% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Insider Transactions at Valvoline

In related news, Director Charles M. Sonsteby purchased 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 acquisition, the director now directly owns 26,437 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,044,261.50. This trade represents a 60.84 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CTO Robert Travis Dobbins sold 1,914 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total transaction of $76,560.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief technology officer now directly owns 14,956 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $598,240. This represents a 11.35 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.34% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valvoline

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Tyro Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Valvoline by 0.6% during the third quarter. Tyro Capital Management LLC now owns 346,228 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $14,490,000 after purchasing an additional 2,100 shares in the last quarter. Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas bought a new stake in Valvoline in the 3rd quarter valued at $2,554,000. Tidal Investments LLC lifted its position in Valvoline by 20.1% in the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 54,364 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $2,275,000 after acquiring an additional 9,089 shares in the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC lifted its position in Valvoline by 25.5% in the 3rd quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 9,060 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $349,000 after acquiring an additional 1,838 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invst LLC lifted its position in Valvoline by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. Invst LLC now owns 15,931 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $667,000 after acquiring an additional 563 shares in the last quarter. 96.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently weighed in on VVV shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Stephens began coverage on shares of Valvoline in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $49.00 target price for the company. Mizuho lowered their target price on shares of Valvoline from $50.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on shares of Valvoline from $52.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. One equities 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 company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $46.25.

Valvoline Trading Down 1.4 %

Shares of NYSE VVV opened at $38.36 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $40.70 and its 200-day moving average is $41.65. The stock has a market cap of $4.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.68 and a beta of 1.43. Valvoline has a twelve month low of $33.86 and a twelve month high of $48.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.77.

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.