Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) Short Interest Update

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 6,060,000 shares, a decline of 16.9% from the November 15th total of 7,290,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,240,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.9 days. Approximately 4.8% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Insider Activity

In related news, CTO Robert Travis Dobbins sold 1,914 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.00, for a total transaction of $76,560.00. Following the transaction, the chief technology officer now directly owns 14,956 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $598,240. The trade was a 11.35 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Lori Ann Flees acquired 2,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $39.64 per share, with a total value of $99,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 38,428 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,523,285.92. This trade represents a 6.96 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 1.34% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valvoline

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of VVV. Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in shares of Valvoline by 57.9% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 728 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 267 shares during the period. MAI Capital Management increased its position in Valvoline by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 11,624 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $486,000 after buying an additional 268 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. increased its position in Valvoline by 92.1% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 630 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 302 shares during the period. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D lifted its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 0.7% during the third quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 47,602 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $1,992,000 after buying an additional 313 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Evergreen Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Valvoline by 6.1% in the second quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 6,292 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $272,000 after acquiring an additional 359 shares during the period. 96.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Valvoline Price Performance

NYSE VVV opened at $38.36 on Friday. Valvoline has a 1 year low of $33.86 and a 1 year high of $48.26. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $40.64 and a 200 day simple moving average of $41.64. The company has a current ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.77. The company has a market cap of $4.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.68 and a beta of 1.43.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Mizuho cut their target price on shares of Valvoline from $50.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Stephens began coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $49.00 target price for the company. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on shares of Valvoline from $52.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $46.25.

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.