TimesSquare Capital Management LLC Has $23.34 Million Stock Position in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV)

TimesSquare Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) by 766.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 644,980 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after acquiring an additional 570,550 shares during the quarter. TimesSquare Capital Management LLC owned approximately 0.50% of Valvoline worth $23,335,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Prospera Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Valvoline in the 3rd quarter valued at about $41,000. ORG Partners LLC raised its holdings in Valvoline by 466.7% during the 4th quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 1,275 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 1,050 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 83.0% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,332 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 604 shares during the last quarter. Vestor Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valvoline in the third quarter valued at approximately $69,000. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Valvoline in the third quarter valued at approximately $97,000. Institutional investors own 96.13% of the company’s stock.

Valvoline Stock Performance

Shares of VVV stock opened at $38.06 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.84 billion, a PE ratio of 18.21 and a beta of 1.45. Valvoline Inc. has a one year low of $33.90 and a one year high of $48.26. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $37.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $39.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.39, a current ratio of 0.70 and a quick ratio of 0.58.

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on VVV shares. Morgan Stanley reissued an “equal weight” rating and issued a $38.00 target price (down from $42.00) on shares of Valvoline in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Valvoline from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on Valvoline from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on Valvoline in a research note on Friday, December 20th. They set a “hold” rating and a $42.00 target price for the company. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $44.40.

Insider Transactions at Valvoline

In other Valvoline news, CEO Lori Ann Flees bought 2,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 27th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $39.64 per share, with a total value of $99,100.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 38,428 shares in the company, valued at $1,523,285.92. This trade represents a 6.96 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Charles M. Sonsteby bought 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $39.50 per share, with a total value of $395,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 26,437 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,044,261.50. The trade was a 60.84 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.66% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Valvoline 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.