Blueshift Asset Management LLC Acquires 18,054 Shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV)

Blueshift Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) by 364.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 23,013 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after acquiring an additional 18,054 shares during the period. Blueshift Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Valvoline were worth $963,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in Valvoline by 57.9% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 728 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 267 shares during the period. MAI Capital Management increased its stake in shares of Valvoline by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 11,624 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $486,000 after acquiring an additional 268 shares during the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in shares of Valvoline by 92.1% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 630 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 302 shares during the period. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D raised its holdings in Valvoline by 0.7% in 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 purchasing an additional 313 shares during the period. Finally, Evergreen Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Valvoline by 6.1% during the 2nd quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 6,292 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $272,000 after buying an additional 359 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 96.13% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other Valvoline news, Director Charles M. Sonsteby purchased 10,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction 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 acquisition, the director now directly owns 26,437 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,044,261.50. This trade represents a 60.84 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 1.34% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

VVV has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on Valvoline from $52.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Baird R W upgraded Valvoline to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Valvoline from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on Valvoline from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” 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 given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Valvoline currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $46.25.

Valvoline Stock Down 1.8 %

NYSE:VVV opened at $38.79 on Wednesday. Valvoline Inc. has a twelve month low of $33.86 and a twelve month high of $48.26. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.94 and a beta of 1.46. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.77. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $41.26 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $41.85.

Valvoline declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, July 30th that authorizes the company to repurchase $400.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the basic materials company to repurchase up to 7.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

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.