Green Plains (NASDAQ:GPRE) Stock Price Down 7.3% - Here's Why

Key Points

• Green Plains' stock price fell by 7.3% to $9.53, with a trading volume of approximately 858,104 shares, significantly lower than its average volume of 1,925,575 shares.
• Analyst ratings for Green Plains show a mixed outlook, with upgrades to "buy" from Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. and Oppenheimer, while Bank of America maintained an "underperform" rating with a target price of $7.00.
• In its latest earnings report, Green Plains missed consensus estimates, reporting a loss of ($0.41) per share and revenue of $552.83 million, falling short of expectations of $578.18 million.

Green Plains, Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE - Get Free Report)'s stock price dropped 7.3% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $9.54 and last traded at $9.53. Approximately 858,104 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 55% from the average daily volume of 1,925,575 shares. The stock had previously closed at $10.28.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently commented on GPRE. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. upgraded Green Plains from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $14.00 target price on the stock in a report on Monday. Bank of America reiterated an "underperform" rating and issued a $7.00 target price (up from $4.50) on shares of Green Plains in a report on Thursday, August 14th. Zacks Research upgraded Green Plains to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, August 11th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "sell (d-)" rating on shares of Green Plains in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Oppenheimer upgraded Green Plains from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $14.00 target price on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Green Plains currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $9.57.

Green Plains Price Performance

The business has a fifty day moving average of $9.36 and a 200-day moving average of $6.66. The firm has a market cap of $622.26 million, a PE ratio of -3.95 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a current ratio of 1.47, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58.

Green Plains (NASDAQ:GPRE - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 11th. The specialty chemicals company reported ($0.41) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.28) by ($0.13). Green Plains had a negative net margin of 6.34% and a negative return on equity of 13.65%. The business had revenue of $552.83 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $578.18 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned ($0.38) EPS. The business's revenue was down 10.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that Green Plains, Inc. will post -0.5 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Green Plains

In related news, insider Michelle Mapes sold 30,954 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.51, for a total transaction of $294,372.54. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 60,558 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $575,906.58. This trade represents a 33.83% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Green Plains

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of GPRE. Rhumbline Advisers increased its stake in shares of Green Plains by 1.3% during the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 100,159 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $604,000 after buying an additional 1,246 shares during the period. WealthPlan Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Green Plains by 15.0% in the second quarter. WealthPlan Investment Management LLC now owns 11,666 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 1,519 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in Green Plains by 19.0% in the second quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 10,122 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 1,619 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its stake in Green Plains by 46.5% in the second quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 5,789 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 1,838 shares during the period. Finally, Creative Planning grew its stake in Green Plains by 6.9% in the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 42,977 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $259,000 after purchasing an additional 2,759 shares during the period.

Green Plains Company Profile

Green Plains Inc produces low-carbon fuels in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Ethanol Production, Agribusiness and Energy Services, and Partnership. The Ethanol Production segment produces ethanol, distillers grains, and ultra-high protein and renewable corn oil.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.