Valvoline turns the corner

Article Excerpt

VALVOLINE INC. $20 is a spinoff buy for aggressive investors. The company (New York symbol VVV; Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 185.0 million; Market cap: $3.7 billion; Dividend yield: 2.4%; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; www.valvoline.com) is a leading maker of motor oil, lubricants and other automotive chemicals such as antifreeze. The company also operates 1,400 Quick Lubes oil change centres in the U.S. and Canada. In September 2016, Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (New York symbol ASH) sold a 17% stake in Valvoline through an IPO at $22.00 a share. In May 2017, Ashland handed out its remaining VVV shares to its own investors. The COVID-19 pandemic hurt demand for its products and services, but Valvoline’s outlook is now improving as more countries reopen their economies. In May 2020, its overall sales jumped 38% compared to April. That’s mainly due to a 33% rise in lubricant volumes. As well, same-store sales at Quick Lubes fell 5.6% for the month. However, same-store sales have risen each week…