Valvoline's sales and operating revenue for the quarter ending September 2009 was $414 million, 9 percent below the September 2008 quarter. While total lubricant volume decreased by 3 percent versus the prior-year quarter, primarily due to lower private-label sales, U.S.-branded lubricants volume increased 3 percent.

Same-store sales at Valvoline Instant Oil Change increased 7 percent over the prior year.

Gross profit improved to 35.5 percent of sales in the September 2009 quarter, driven by a combination of pricing actions that began in 2008, lower raw materials costs in the quarter, cost-savings initiatives and a continued shift in mix toward sales of premium brands. The sequential reduction in gross profit percent was primarily due to higher raw material costs, including base oil. SG&A expenses rose 6 percent over the year-ago quarter, largely the result of higher advertising expenses in support of the Valvoline Engine Guarantee(SM) program announced in June.

Overall, Valvoline's quarterly EBITDA was $79 million, as compared with $22 million in the year-ago quarter, and represented 19.1 percent of sales as compared with 4.8 percent in the prior-year quarter.