Green Plains (NASDAQ:GPRE) Trading Up 3.8% - Time to Buy?

Shares of Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE - Get Free Report) shot up 3.8% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $10.29 and last traded at $10.02. Approximately 151,484 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 87% from the average daily volume of 1,196,741 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.65.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

GPRE has been the topic of a number of research reports. Stephens upgraded Green Plains to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, December 2nd. Truist Financial cut their price target on shares of Green Plains from $25.00 to $18.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Green Plains from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, December 6th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $25.50.

Green Plains Price Performance

The company's 50-day simple moving average is $10.26 and its 200-day simple moving average is $12.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 1.78 and a quick ratio of 1.16. The company has a market cap of $663.31 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -27.00, a P/E/G ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 1.46.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Green Plains

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of Green Plains by 2.9% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 3,910,245 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $52,945,000 after acquiring an additional 111,501 shares in the last quarter. Wolf Hill Capital Management LP grew its stake in Green Plains by 13.7% during the 2nd quarter. Wolf Hill Capital Management LP now owns 1,994,539 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $31,633,000 after purchasing an additional 240,849 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Green Plains by 16.0% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,150,738 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $15,581,000 after purchasing an additional 159,147 shares during the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its holdings in Green Plains by 1,122.1% during the 4th quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 704,125 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock worth $6,675,000 after purchasing an additional 646,507 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Asset Management L.P. raised its position in shares of Green Plains by 29.5% in the 3rd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 556,095 shares of the specialty chemicals company's stock valued at $7,530,000 after purchasing an additional 126,795 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.