Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) Receives Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) has been assigned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the nine brokerages that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $29.33.

Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. UBS Group dropped their price target on Green Plains from $31.00 to $28.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, May 20th. Bank of America reduced their target price on Green Plains from $29.00 to $26.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, May 7th. Craig Hallum dropped their price target on Green Plains from $37.00 to $34.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, May 6th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on shares of Green Plains from $25.00 to $22.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, May 6th. Finally, Roth Mkm cut their price target on shares of Green Plains from $55.00 to $40.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, May 6th.

Green Plains Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:GPRE opened at $17.55 on Tuesday. Green Plains has a 52 week low of $14.35 and a 52 week high of $36.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.13 billion, a P/E ratio of -14.27 and a beta of 1.58. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $16.45 and its two-hundred day moving average is $19.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54.

Green Plains (NASDAQ:GPRE) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 3rd. The specialty chemicals company reported ($0.81) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.33) by ($0.48). The company had revenue of $597.20 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $654.40 million. Green Plains had a negative return on equity of 7.86% and a negative net margin of 2.43%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 28.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted ($1.20) earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Green Plains will post -0.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Green Plains

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its stake in Green Plains by 11.7% in the second quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 13,917 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $221,000 after purchasing an additional 1,456 shares in the last quarter. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltd grew its stake in shares of Green Plains by 31.3% in the 2nd quarter. IQ EQ FUND MANAGEMENT IRELAND Ltd now owns 63,297 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $1,004,000 after buying an additional 15,095 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in shares of Green Plains by 6.7% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 517,415 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $8,206,000 after buying an additional 32,666 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System increased its holdings in Green Plains by 2.2% in the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 32,500 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $515,000 after buying an additional 700 shares during the last quarter. Finally, California State Teachers Retirement System raised its position in Green Plains by 6.1% during the first quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 60,799 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $1,406,000 after acquiring an additional 3,504 shares in the last quarter.

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.