Green Plains (NASDAQ:GPRE) Downgraded by Zacks Research to Strong Sell

Zacks Research cut shares of Green Plains (NASDAQ:GPRE) from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report report published on Thursday morning,Zacks.com reports.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on the company. BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating on shares of Green Plains in a research note on Friday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Green Plains in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Oppenheimer restated an “outperform” rating and set a $20.00 price target on shares of Green Plains in a research report on Friday, May 8th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Green Plains from $12.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Finally, Stephens raised their target price on Green Plains from $18.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $15.43.

Green Plains Trading Down 3.6%

GPRE stock opened at $14.65 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.99, a quick ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. Green Plains has a 12-month low of $7.07 and a 12-month high of $19.65. The stock has a market cap of $1.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.21 and a beta of 1.17. The business’s 50-day moving average is $15.94 and its 200 day moving average is $15.38.

Green Plains (NASDAQ:GPRE) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The specialty chemicals company reported $0.83 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.54 by $0.29. The business had revenue of $446.22 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $542.38 million. Green Plains had a return on equity of 14.52% and a net margin of 6.78%.During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned ($1.09) earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Green Plains will post 1.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Green Plains

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Green Plains by 3.3% during the fourth quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 34,606 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $339,000 after acquiring an additional 1,095 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in Green Plains by 6.7% in the fourth quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 17,936 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $175,000 after purchasing an additional 1,128 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its position in Green Plains by 1.3% in the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 100,159 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $604,000 after purchasing an additional 1,246 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLC lifted its position in Green Plains by 11.7% in the fourth quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 12,275 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $120,000 after purchasing an additional 1,290 shares during the period. Finally, Quarry LP boosted its holdings in Green Plains by 22.9% in the 4th quarter. Quarry LP now owns 9,304 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock valued at $91,000 after purchasing an additional 1,736 shares in the last quarter.

Green Plains News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Green Plains this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Green Plains reported second-quarter adjusted earnings of $0.83 per share, well above consensus expectations, compared with a $1.09-per-share loss a year earlier. Net income attributable to the company was $67.1 million versus a $72.2 million loss in the prior-year quarter. Green Plains Reports Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management highlighted growth in its carbon platform and margin expansion, suggesting that higher-value carbon-related operations are improving profitability even as the broader business generates less revenue. GPRE Q2 deep dive: Carbon platform growth and margin expansion amid revenue decline
• Positive Sentiment: The company is targeting approximately 95% facility utilization in 2026 and expects annual sustaining capital expenditures of about $25 million. Higher utilization could support operating leverage and cash generation. Green Plains outlines $25m annual sustaining capex as it targets 95 percent 2026 utilization
• Neutral Sentiment: Management’s earnings presentation and conference call provided additional detail on second-quarter results, carbon initiatives, utilization targets and capital allocation, but did not eliminate concerns about declining top-line performance. Green Plains Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue fell to $446.2 million from $552.8 million a year earlier and missed analysts’ $542.4 million estimate by a wide margin. The revenue shortfall indicates weaker volume, pricing or product mix despite the earnings beat. Green Plains misses Q2 2026 revenue estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks added Green Plains to its Rank #5, or Strong Sell, list on August 7. The rating may reinforce investor concerns about the company’s revenue trajectory and still-negative net margin. New Strong Sell Stocks for August 7th

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.