StockNews.com Initiates Coverage on Valhi (NYSE:VHI)

StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Valhi (NYSE:VHI) in a research report report published on Monday. The firm issued a buy rating on the basic materials company’s stock.

Valhi Stock Performance

Shares of Valhi stock opened at $15.15 on Monday. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $15.31 and its two-hundred day moving average is $14.23. Valhi has a 52 week low of $10.80 and a 52 week high of $17.61. The company has a quick ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 2.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $428.59 million, a P/E ratio of -36.07 and a beta of 1.42.

Valhi (NYSE:VHI) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 7th. The basic materials company reported $0.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Valhi had a negative return on equity of 0.95% and a negative net margin of 0.63%. The company had revenue of $453.00 million for the quarter.

Valhi Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 26th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 11th were given a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 8th. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.11%. Valhi’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -76.19%.

Institutional Trading of Valhi

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Valhi stock. Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in Valhi, Inc. (NYSE:VHI) by 8.1% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 117,129 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after buying an additional 8,750 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC owned 0.41% of Valhi worth $2,012,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. 3.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.