Valhi (NYSE:VHI) Shares Gap Up – Still a Buy?

Valhi, Inc. (NYSE:VHI)’s share price gapped up prior to trading on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $17.36, but opened at $18.03. Valhi shares last traded at $17.86, with a volume of 2,115 shares changing hands.

Valhi Stock Up 1.9 %

The firm has a market cap of $500.71 million, a P/E ratio of 5.70 and a beta of 1.19. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $19.52 and its 200 day moving average price is $25.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 2.79 and a quick ratio of 1.65.

Valhi (NYSE:VHI) last released its earnings results on Thursday, March 6th. The basic materials company reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.60 by $0.20. Valhi had a return on equity of 6.90% and a net margin of 4.29%. The company 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 issued a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.81%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 17th. Valhi’s dividend payout ratio is presently 8.47%.

Institutional Trading of Valhi

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew 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. Rhumbline Advisers grew its holdings in shares of Valhi by 12.2% during the fourth quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 4,325 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $101,000 after purchasing an additional 469 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC raised its position in shares of Valhi by 322.8% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 3,129 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $104,000 after purchasing an additional 2,389 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Valhi by 276.3% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,565 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $130,000 after purchasing an additional 4,086 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets acquired a new position in Valhi during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $202,000. 3.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Valhi

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.