Green Plains (NASDAQ:GPRE) Shares Down 7% - Here's Why

Key Points

• Green Plains shares fell 7% in mid-day trading to about $15.11, with trading volume substantially below the stock’s average daily volume.
• Analyst views remain mixed, with an overall “Hold” consensus and an average price target of $15.43; several firms recently raised targets to $20, while others maintained neutral ratings.
• The company reported quarterly EPS of $0.83, beating estimates of $0.54, though revenue of $446.22 million came in below expectations of $542.38 million.

Green Plains, Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE - Get Free Report)'s share price traded down 7% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $15.21 and last traded at $15.1130. 184,298 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 88% from the average session volume of 1,497,066 shares. The stock had previously closed at $16.25.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently commented on GPRE. Stephens upped their price objective on shares of Green Plains from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Green Plains from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Saturday, August 8th. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Green Plains from $12.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Oppenheimer reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $20.00 price target on shares of Green Plains in a report on Friday, May 8th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reissued a "market perform" rating on shares of Green Plains in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $15.43.

Green Plains Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 1.99 and a quick ratio of 1.58. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.36 and a beta of 1.17. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $16.03 and its 200 day simple moving average is $15.69.

Green Plains (NASDAQ:GPRE - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.54 by $0.29. The company had revenue of $446.22 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $542.38 million. Green Plains had a net margin of 6.78% and a return on equity of 14.52%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned ($1.09) EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Green Plains, Inc. will post 2.04 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Green Plains

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GPRE. Nykredit A S bought a new position in shares of Green Plains in the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. WINTON GROUP Ltd bought a new stake in Green Plains during the 2nd quarter valued at $61,000. Quarry LP acquired a new position in Green Plains during the third quarter worth $67,000. Aquatic Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Green Plains during the third quarter worth $95,000. Finally, Marex Group plc bought a new position in shares of Green Plains in the fourth quarter valued at $98,000.

Green Plains Company Profile

Green Plains Inc is a leading producer of fuel-grade ethanol and related co-products in the United States. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, the company operates an integrated network of biorefineries that convert corn and other grains into renewable fuels. Through its production facilities, Green Plains supplies ethanol to domestic fuel markets and export channels, supporting efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote cleaner-burning transportation options.

Beyond ethanol, Green Plains manufactures a range of co-products that add value throughout the agricultural supply chain.

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