Valhi (NYSE:VHI) Shares Gap Up – Here’s Why

Shares of Valhi, Inc. (NYSE:VHI) gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $17.33, but opened at $17.99. Valhi shares last traded at $18.46, with a volume of 6,366 shares changing hands.

Valhi Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 2.79 and a quick ratio of 1.65. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $20.11 and a 200-day simple moving average of $26.02. The company has a market capitalization of $521.90 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.91 and a beta of 1.19.

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

Valhi Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 17th will be given a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.73%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 17th. Valhi’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 8.47%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valhi

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of VHI. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC purchased a new position in shares of Valhi during the third quarter worth $1,409,000. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Valhi by 3.4% in 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 purchasing an additional 1,794 shares in 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 worth $1,254,000 after purchasing an additional 1,307 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC lifted its holdings in 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 buying an additional 2,389 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Martingale Asset Management L P purchased a new stake in Valhi during the third quarter worth approximately $217,000. 3.83% of the stock is currently 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.