GSA Capital Partners LLP Invests $1.18 Million in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV)

GSA Capital Partners LLP purchased a new stake in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 28,151 shares of the basic materials company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,178,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in VVV. Sculptor Capital LP grew its holdings in Valvoline by 187.6% during the 2nd quarter. Sculptor Capital LP now owns 1,879,500 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $81,194,000 after buying an additional 1,226,000 shares in the last quarter. Fiera Capital Corp bought a new stake in Valvoline during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,538,000. F M Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Valvoline in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $11,992,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. bought a new position in Valvoline in the 2nd quarter valued at $9,974,000. Finally, Tyro Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Valvoline during the 1st quarter valued at $9,627,000. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Valvoline Stock Up 0.6 %

VVV stock opened at $42.86 on Friday. Valvoline Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $33.86 and a fifty-two week high of $48.26. The company has a market capitalization of $5.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.85 and a beta of 1.46. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $41.25 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $42.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.57, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.73.

Valvoline declared that its board has initiated a share repurchase program on Tuesday, July 30th that permits the company to repurchase $400.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the basic materials company to reacquire up to 7.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are typically an indication that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently commented on VVV. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Valvoline from $45.00 to $48.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 19th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $54.00 to $48.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Stephens initiated 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. Robert W. Baird assumed coverage on Valvoline in a research note on Thursday, August 15th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $48.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Baird R W raised Valvoline to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $47.75.

Valvoline Company Profile

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.