Alpha Acquisitions: The Case for Insiders Purchasing at Peak Prices Over Buying the Dip
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 28 2025
0mins
Source: Benzinga
Insider Trading Patterns: Corporate insiders typically buy shares when prices are low, reflecting confidence in future growth; however, buying near highs can signal significant information and potential profitability.
Behavioral Biases: Insiders often exhibit biases like anchoring, leading to purchases at lows and sales at highs; when they deviate from this pattern, it may indicate valuable insights into the company's future.
Market Performance: Insider trades that go against common patterns (buying high or selling low) tend to outperform the market, with returns exceeding 3% over 30 days for high buys and underperformance of about 1% for low sells.
Recent Insider Activity: Notable insider purchases include Hilltop Holdings, Valvoline, and Republic Services, where executives bought shares close to their 52-week highs, suggesting positive expectations for these companies.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy VVV?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on VVV
Wall Street analysts forecast VVV stock price to rise
13 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 37.500
Low
30.00
Averages
39.15
High
44.00
Current: 37.500
Low
30.00
Averages
39.15
High
44.00
About VVV
Valvoline Inc. provides automotive preventive maintenance services, convenient and trusted services in its retail stores throughout the United States and Canada. The Company's service includes 15-minute stay-in-your-car oil changes; battery, bulb and wiper replacements; tire rotations, and other manufacturer-recommended maintenance services. It has 2,300 franchised and Company-operated service centers across the United States and Canada. The vehicle maintenance services offered by the Company include air filter replacement, battery replacement, differential fluid, fuel system cleaning, headlight and taillight replacement, radiator service, tire rotation, transmission service, air conditioning, and wiper blade replacement. The Company’s services are offered to a range of vehicle types, serving both consumers and commercial customers, such as hybrid electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles, medium duty and passenger car motor oil light duty.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Eminence Capital Acquires Valvoline Shares Worth $122.41 Million
- Share Acquisition: Eminence Capital disclosed in an SEC filing dated February 17, 2026, that it purchased 4,212,293 shares of Valvoline (VVV) valued at approximately $122.41 million, indicating strong confidence in the company.
- Asset Management Proportion: This acquisition represents 1.94% of Eminence Capital's reportable AUM, highlighting the strategic positioning of Valvoline within its diversified investment portfolio.
- Market Performance: As of March 3, 2026, Valvoline shares traded at $37.50, reflecting a 1.64% increase over the past year, yet underperforming the S&P 500 by 13 percentage points, suggesting cautious market sentiment regarding its growth potential.
- Future Growth Potential: Valvoline aims to increase its store count from 2,380 to over 3,500, with annual sales growth of approximately 9%, and possesses a competitive edge in offering products for hybrid and electric vehicles, indicating sustainable long-term growth prospects.
See More
Eminence Capital Acquires Valvoline Shares Worth $122.41 Million
- Acquisition Scale: Eminence Capital acquired 4,212,293 shares of Valvoline, with an estimated trade value of $122.41 million, reflecting confidence in the automotive maintenance products market.
- Asset Allocation: The new stake represents 1.94% of Eminence Capital's reportable assets under management (AUM), indicating a significant interest in Valvoline despite not being among the top five holdings.
- Market Performance: Valvoline's stock price rose from $29 at the time of acquisition to $37.50, with a 1.64% annual increase, although it underperformed the S&P 500 by 13 percentage points, suggesting room for improvement in market competitiveness.
- Growth Potential: Valvoline aims to increase its store count from 2,380 to over 3,500, with annual sales growth of approximately 9% and a high Net Promoter Score of 80, indicating strong potential in customer service and market expansion.
See More
Wasatch Advisors Cuts Valvoline Stake by Over $66 Million
- Share Reduction Details: According to a February 12, 2026 SEC filing, Wasatch Advisors reduced its Valvoline holdings by 2,082,251 shares in Q4 2025, with an estimated transaction value of $66.85 million, indicating a potential decline in confidence in the stock.
- Ownership Percentage Shift: Following this sale, Wasatch's stake in Valvoline now represents only 1.4% of its reportable assets under management, reflecting a decreased emphasis on Valvoline within its investment strategy, which may influence future decisions.
- Market Performance Comparison: Despite Valvoline's recent Q1 revenue of $462 million, an 11% year-over-year increase, its stock has only risen 6% over the past year, significantly underperforming the S&P 500's 13% gain, suggesting market skepticism regarding its growth prospects.
- Investor Confidence Analysis: While Valvoline operates steadily in the automotive maintenance sector, concerns over integration costs and margin pressures have led to cautious investor sentiment; thus, Wasatch's reduction may be viewed as a rebalancing act rather than a signal of fundamental deterioration.
See More
Wasatch Advisors Reduces Valvoline Stake
- Stake Reduction: Wasatch Advisors sold 2,082,251 shares of Valvoline in Q4 2025, with an estimated trade value of $66.85 million, indicating a strategic response to market volatility.
- Decline in Position Value: The quarter-end position value decreased by $130.56 million, reflecting the dual impact of trading activity and share price fluctuations, highlighting the uncertainty in the market environment.
- Performance Comparison: Despite Valvoline posting first-quarter revenue of $462 million, an 11% year-over-year increase, Wasatch's reduction appears to align with a cautious outlook on future growth.
- Investor Confidence Consideration: Valvoline's stock has only gained about 6% over the past year, lagging behind broader market performance, suggesting that Wasatch's reduction may be viewed as a rebalancing of its stable operating model rather than a signal of fundamental deterioration.
See More
Vision One Acquires New Position in Valvoline
- New Investment Disclosure: On February 17, 2026, Vision One Management Partners disclosed a new position by acquiring 393,303 shares of Valvoline, valued at approximately $11.43 million, reflecting confidence in the company's prospects.
- Significant Stake: This acquisition represents 6.41% of Vision One's reportable 13F AUM, indicating a strategic emphasis on Valvoline within a diversified investment portfolio.
- Strong Performance Growth: Valvoline reported first-quarter sales of $462 million, an 11% year-over-year increase, with same-store sales rising 5.8%, showcasing its stable performance and growth potential in the automotive maintenance market.
- Network Expansion Strategy: Valvoline added 200 net stores in the quarter, including 162 from the Breeze acquisition, bringing its total to 2,380 locations, which enhances its competitive edge and recurring revenue streams in the quick-lube service market.
See More
Valvoline Supports Children's Health Event in Arizona
- Event Support: Valvoline Inc. proudly supports the 'Concours in the Hills' car show, now in its twelfth year, aimed at raising funds for children's health, particularly benefiting the Phoenix Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
- Fundraising Achievement: Since 2018, the event has raised over $2.3 million for children's health, advancing innovative research and child-friendly programs that significantly improve patient care and outcomes.
- Community Engagement: Valvoline's partnership with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals spans sixteen years, ensuring local hospitals have the necessary resources to provide exceptional care through employee engagement and corporate giving.
- Service Network: Valvoline operates over 2,300 service centers across the U.S. and Canada, completing more than 30 million services annually, committed to meeting the evolving needs of customers through quick and convenient automotive maintenance.
See More
Eminence Capital Acquires Valvoline Shares Worth $122.41 Million
- Share Acquisition: Eminence Capital disclosed in an SEC filing dated February 17, 2026, that it purchased 4,212,293 shares of Valvoline (VVV) valued at approximately $122.41 million, indicating strong confidence in the company.
- Asset Management Proportion: This acquisition represents 1.94% of Eminence Capital's reportable AUM, highlighting the strategic positioning of Valvoline within its diversified investment portfolio.
- Market Performance: As of March 3, 2026, Valvoline shares traded at $37.50, reflecting a 1.64% increase over the past year, yet underperforming the S&P 500 by 13 percentage points, suggesting cautious market sentiment regarding its growth potential.
- Future Growth Potential: Valvoline aims to increase its store count from 2,380 to over 3,500, with annual sales growth of approximately 9%, and possesses a competitive edge in offering products for hybrid and electric vehicles, indicating sustainable long-term growth prospects.
See More
Eminence Capital Acquires Valvoline Shares Worth $122.41 Million
- Acquisition Scale: Eminence Capital acquired 4,212,293 shares of Valvoline, with an estimated trade value of $122.41 million, reflecting confidence in the automotive maintenance products market.
- Asset Allocation: The new stake represents 1.94% of Eminence Capital's reportable assets under management (AUM), indicating a significant interest in Valvoline despite not being among the top five holdings.
- Market Performance: Valvoline's stock price rose from $29 at the time of acquisition to $37.50, with a 1.64% annual increase, although it underperformed the S&P 500 by 13 percentage points, suggesting room for improvement in market competitiveness.
- Growth Potential: Valvoline aims to increase its store count from 2,380 to over 3,500, with annual sales growth of approximately 9% and a high Net Promoter Score of 80, indicating strong potential in customer service and market expansion.
See More
Wasatch Advisors Cuts Valvoline Stake by Over $66 Million
- Share Reduction Details: According to a February 12, 2026 SEC filing, Wasatch Advisors reduced its Valvoline holdings by 2,082,251 shares in Q4 2025, with an estimated transaction value of $66.85 million, indicating a potential decline in confidence in the stock.
- Ownership Percentage Shift: Following this sale, Wasatch's stake in Valvoline now represents only 1.4% of its reportable assets under management, reflecting a decreased emphasis on Valvoline within its investment strategy, which may influence future decisions.
- Market Performance Comparison: Despite Valvoline's recent Q1 revenue of $462 million, an 11% year-over-year increase, its stock has only risen 6% over the past year, significantly underperforming the S&P 500's 13% gain, suggesting market skepticism regarding its growth prospects.
- Investor Confidence Analysis: While Valvoline operates steadily in the automotive maintenance sector, concerns over integration costs and margin pressures have led to cautious investor sentiment; thus, Wasatch's reduction may be viewed as a rebalancing act rather than a signal of fundamental deterioration.
See More
Wasatch Advisors Reduces Valvoline Stake
- Stake Reduction: Wasatch Advisors sold 2,082,251 shares of Valvoline in Q4 2025, with an estimated trade value of $66.85 million, indicating a strategic response to market volatility.
- Decline in Position Value: The quarter-end position value decreased by $130.56 million, reflecting the dual impact of trading activity and share price fluctuations, highlighting the uncertainty in the market environment.
- Performance Comparison: Despite Valvoline posting first-quarter revenue of $462 million, an 11% year-over-year increase, Wasatch's reduction appears to align with a cautious outlook on future growth.
- Investor Confidence Consideration: Valvoline's stock has only gained about 6% over the past year, lagging behind broader market performance, suggesting that Wasatch's reduction may be viewed as a rebalancing of its stable operating model rather than a signal of fundamental deterioration.
See More
Vision One Acquires New Position in Valvoline
- New Investment Disclosure: On February 17, 2026, Vision One Management Partners disclosed a new position by acquiring 393,303 shares of Valvoline, valued at approximately $11.43 million, reflecting confidence in the company's prospects.
- Significant Stake: This acquisition represents 6.41% of Vision One's reportable 13F AUM, indicating a strategic emphasis on Valvoline within a diversified investment portfolio.
- Strong Performance Growth: Valvoline reported first-quarter sales of $462 million, an 11% year-over-year increase, with same-store sales rising 5.8%, showcasing its stable performance and growth potential in the automotive maintenance market.
- Network Expansion Strategy: Valvoline added 200 net stores in the quarter, including 162 from the Breeze acquisition, bringing its total to 2,380 locations, which enhances its competitive edge and recurring revenue streams in the quick-lube service market.
See More
Valvoline Supports Children's Health Event in Arizona
- Event Support: Valvoline Inc. proudly supports the 'Concours in the Hills' car show, now in its twelfth year, aimed at raising funds for children's health, particularly benefiting the Phoenix Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
- Fundraising Achievement: Since 2018, the event has raised over $2.3 million for children's health, advancing innovative research and child-friendly programs that significantly improve patient care and outcomes.
- Community Engagement: Valvoline's partnership with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals spans sixteen years, ensuring local hospitals have the necessary resources to provide exceptional care through employee engagement and corporate giving.
- Service Network: Valvoline operates over 2,300 service centers across the U.S. and Canada, completing more than 30 million services annually, committed to meeting the evolving needs of customers through quick and convenient automotive maintenance.
See More
