Valhi (NYSE:VHI) Sees Large Volume Increase – Still a Buy?

Valhi, Inc. (NYSE:VHI) saw strong trading volume on Thursday . 73,465 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 248% from the previous session’s volume of 21,084 shares.The stock last traded at $18.91 and had previously closed at $18.60.

Valhi Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $505.74 million, a PE ratio of 5.68 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a quick ratio of 1.65, a current ratio of 2.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The company has a 50-day moving average of $19.84 and a 200-day moving average of $25.82.

Valhi (NYSE:VHI) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.80 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.60 by $0.20. Valhi had a return on equity of 6.90% and a net margin of 4.29%. The business had revenue of $480.90 million for the quarter.

Valhi Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 17th will be given a $0.08 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 17th. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.79%. Valhi’s dividend payout ratio is currently 8.47%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its position in shares of Valhi by 12.2% during the 4th quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 4,325 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $101,000 after buying an additional 469 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. lifted its position in shares of Valhi by 8.7% during the 4th quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 8,845 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $207,000 after buying an additional 707 shares during the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its position in shares of Valhi by 105.8% during the 4th quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 2,488 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $58,000 after buying an additional 1,279 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its position in shares of Valhi by 3.6% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 37,586 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,254,000 after buying an additional 1,307 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Valhi by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 53,827 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,796,000 after buying an additional 1,794 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 3.83% of the company’s stock.

Valhi Company Profile

Valhi, Inc engages in the chemicals, component products, and real estate management and development businesses in Europe, North America, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company’s Chemicals segment produces and markets titanium dioxide pigments (TiO2), which are white inorganic pigments used in various applications by paint, plastics, decorative laminate, and paper manufacturers.