Financial Management Professionals Inc. Reduces Stake in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV)

Financial Management Professionals Inc. reduced its holdings in Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) by 33.4% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,968 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after selling 987 shares during the quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc.’s holdings in Valvoline were worth $71,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. MAI Capital Management boosted its holdings in Valvoline by 2.4% in the third quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 11,624 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $486,000 after purchasing an additional 268 shares during the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its holdings in Valvoline by 92.1% in the third 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 boosted its holdings in shares of 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 buying an additional 313 shares during the last quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Valvoline by 6.1% during the 2nd 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. Finally, Park Place Capital Corp raised its holdings in Valvoline by 29.3% in the 3rd quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 1,608 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $67,000 after purchasing an additional 364 shares during the period. 96.13% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Valvoline from $46.00 to $44.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on shares of Valvoline from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Stephens began coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $49.00 price objective for the company. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on Valvoline in a research report on Friday, December 20th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $42.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on Valvoline from $48.00 to $46.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Two analysts have 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 MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $45.33.

Insider Activity

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

Valvoline Trading Down 0.7 %

Valvoline stock opened at $36.23 on Monday. Valvoline Inc. has a 52 week low of $33.86 and a 52 week high of $48.26. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $38.02 and a 200 day moving average price of $40.68. 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 company has a market capitalization of $4.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.36 and a beta of 1.45.

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.