Green Plains Inc. (GPRE) shares plunged 13.63% in the pre-market session on Friday, February 7, after the biofuel producer reported a wider-than-expected loss for the fourth quarter of 2024, weighed down by weak ethanol production margins.

The Nebraska-based company reported a net loss of $54.9 million, or $0.86 per share, for the October-December quarter, significantly missing analysts' estimates of a loss of $0.32 per share. Revenues declined 18% year-over-year to $584 million, below expectations of $631.8 million.

The disappointing results were primarily driven by lower margins in the company's ethanol production segment. Green Plains cited lower weighted average selling prices for ethanol, distillers grains, and renewable corn oil, as well as lower volumes sold, as key factors impacting the segment's performance. The company also faced sustained localized margin pressure from flooding in certain regions.