Mawer Investment Management Ltd. Acquires 13,662 Shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV)

Mawer Investment Management Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Valvoline Inc. (NYSE:VVV) by 3.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 437,989 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after buying an additional 13,662 shares during the quarter. Mawer Investment Management Ltd.’s holdings in Valvoline were worth $18,330,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Quest Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Valvoline by 110.6% during the 3rd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 41,711 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $1,746,000 after purchasing an additional 21,907 shares in the last quarter. MAI Capital Management lifted its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 11,624 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $486,000 after acquiring an additional 268 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lifted its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 118.2% during the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 67,948 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $2,844,000 after acquiring an additional 36,814 shares during the period. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 13.4% during the 3rd quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 161,225 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $6,747,000 after acquiring an additional 19,107 shares during the period. Finally, Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. lifted its holdings in shares of Valvoline by 8.5% during the 3rd quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. now owns 1,227,535 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $51,371,000 after acquiring an additional 96,615 shares during the period. 96.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Valvoline Price Performance

Valvoline stock traded up $0.19 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $42.51. 17,181 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,168,129. The company’s fifty day moving average is $41.37 and its 200-day moving average is $42.03. The firm has a market cap of $5.48 billion, a PE ratio of 34.41 and a beta of 1.46. Valvoline Inc. has a 52 week low of $33.86 and a 52 week high of $48.26. 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 of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Tuesday, July 30th that allows the company to repurchase $400.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the basic materials company to repurchase up to 7.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

VVV has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Baird R W upgraded shares of Valvoline to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, August 15th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Valvoline from $50.00 to $46.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Stephens initiated coverage on shares of Valvoline in a research 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 shares of Valvoline in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $48.00 target price for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada cut their price target on shares of Valvoline from $54.00 to $48.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target 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.