Zacks Investment Research downgraded shares of Bunge Ltd (NYSE:BG) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note published on Thursday, Marketbeat.com reports.

According to Zacks, “Bunge Ltd. is an integrated global agribusiness and food company spanning the farm-to-consumer food chain. Bunge processes, produces, moves, distributes and markets food on five continents. “

Shares of Bunge (NYSE:BG) opened at 60.08 on Thursday. Bunge has a 1-year low of $57.91 and a 1-year high of $93.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.56 billion and a P/E ratio of 17.91. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $64.20 and its 200 day moving average price is $71.84.

Bunge (NYSE:BG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 29th. The company reported $1.24 EPS for the quarter, missing the Zacks’ consensus estimate of $1.56 by $0.32. The business earned $10.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.74 billion. Bunge’s quarterly revenue was down 21.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.31 EPS. Analysts expect that Bunge will post $5.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 2nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 17th will be issued a $0.38 dividend. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.53%. This is a positive change from Bunge’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.27. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 12th.

Several other research analysts have also recently commented on the company. Bank of America reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $67.00 price target (down previously from $80.00) on shares of Bunge in a research note on Wednesday. Goldman Sachs cut their price target on Bunge from $93.00 to $90.00 in a research note on Friday, January 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. The company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $90.10.

In other news, Director L Patrick Lupo acquired 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 2nd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $65.89 per share, with a total value of $197,670.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 27,232 shares in the company, valued at $1,794,316.48. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

Several institutional investors recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund raised its position in Bunge by 2.0% in the fourth quarter. Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund now owns 40,852 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,789,000 after buying an additional 793 shares during the period. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System raised its position in Bunge by 1.1% in the fourth quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 181,020 shares of the company’s stock valued at $12,360,000 after buying an additional 1,911 shares during the period. Simplex Trading raised its position in Bunge by 18.5% in the fourth quarter. Simplex Trading now owns 13,078 shares of the company’s stock valued at $892,000 after buying an additional 2,040 shares during the period. Accident Compensation Corp bought a new position in Bunge during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $328,000. Finally, Neuberger Berman Group LLC raised its position in Bunge by 20.9% in the fourth quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 29,558 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,018,000 after buying an additional 5,101 shares during the period.

Bunge Limited is an agribusiness and food company with integrated operations that stretch from the farm field to consumer foods. The Company operates through five segments: The Agribusiness segment is involved in the purchase, storage, transport, processing and sale of agricultural commodities and commodity products. Edible oil products and milling products segments include businesses that produce and sell edible oil based products, including oils, shortenings, margarines and mayonnaise and milled grain products such as wheat flours, corn-based products and rice. The sugar and bioenergy segment produces and sells sugar and ethanol derived from sugarcane, as well as energy derived from their production process, through its operations in Brazil. The fertilizer segment is involved in producing, blending and distributing fertilizer products for the agricultural industry in South America, with assets and operations primarily in Argentina and port facilities in Brazil and Argentina.

12 Month Chart for NYSE:BG

Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on Bunge (BG)

For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

Receive News & Ratings for Bunge Ltd Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bunge Ltd and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.