Van ECK Associates Corp Has $1.46 Million Stock Holdings in Vertex Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:VTNR)

Van ECK Associates Corp raised its stake in Vertex Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:VTNR) by 33.2% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 430,699 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after buying an additional 107,400 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp owned 0.46% of Vertex Energy worth $1,460,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. First Eagle Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Vertex Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at $3,022,000. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Vertex Energy by 30.5% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,094,415 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $22,670,000 after purchasing an additional 1,191,692 shares during the last quarter. Swiss National Bank grew its holdings in shares of Vertex Energy by 31.8% during the third quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 184,500 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $821,000 after purchasing an additional 44,500 shares during the last quarter. Numerai GP LLC bought a new stake in shares of Vertex Energy during the third quarter worth about $78,000. Finally, Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Vertex Energy by 12.1% during the third quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 262,042 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $1,166,000 after purchasing an additional 28,220 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 42.99% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently weighed in on VTNR. HC Wainwright reduced their price target on Vertex Energy from $8.00 to $3.50 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Northland Securities cut Vertex Energy from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and set a $2.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a “hold” rating and issued a $4.00 price objective on shares of Vertex Energy in a research note on Monday, April 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $4.88.

Vertex Energy Stock Down 17.4 %

Vertex Energy stock opened at $1.14 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $1.29 and its 200 day moving average is $2.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18. Vertex Energy, Inc. has a one year low of $0.95 and a one year high of $7.28.

Vertex Energy Profile

Vertex Energy, Inc, an energy transition company, that focuses on the production and distribution of conventional and alternative fuels. The company engages in refining and distributing petroleum products comprising the mobile refinery and related operations. It sells ferrous and non-ferrous recyclable metal products, and markets Group III base oils and other petroleum-based products, as well as provides transportation and marine salvage services.