Augustine Asset Management Has Upped Merck & Co (Mrk) (MRK) Holding By $1.22 Million; Renewable Energy Group (REGI) Sellers Increased By 1.76% Their Shorts

August 7, 2017 - By Vivian Park

Renewable Energy Group Incorporated (NASDAQ:REGI) had an increase of 1.76% in short interest. REGI’s SI was 9.74M shares in August as released by FINRA. Its up 1.76% from 9.57 million shares previously. With 395,900 avg volume, 25 days are for Renewable Energy Group Incorporated (NASDAQ:REGI)’s short sellers to cover REGI’s short positions. The SI to Renewable Energy Group Incorporated’s float is 28.83%. The stock decreased 5.51% or $0.7 on August 4, reaching $12. About shares traded. Renewable Energy Group Inc (NASDAQ:REGI) has risen 22.06% since August 7, 2016 and is uptrending. It has outperformed by 5.36% the S&P500.

Augustine Asset Management Inc increased Merck & Co (Mrk) (MRK) stake by 33.25% reported in 2016Q4 SEC filing. Augustine Asset Management Inc acquired 20,982 shares as Merck & Co (Mrk) (MRK)’s stock declined 2.46%. The Augustine Asset Management Inc holds 84,086 shares with $4.95 million value, up from 63,104 last quarter. Merck & Co (Mrk) now has $172.59 billion valuation. The stock decreased 0.60% or $0.38 on August 4, reaching $63.1. About shares traded. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) has risen 16.86% since August 7, 2016 and is uptrending. It has outperformed by 0.16% the S&P500.

Among 4 analysts covering Renewable Energy (NASDAQ:REGI), 2 have Buy rating, 0 Sell and 2 Hold. Therefore 50% are positive. Renewable Energy had 10 analyst reports since August 5, 2015 according to SRatingsIntel. The company was maintained on Thursday, July 27 by Canaccord Genuity. The company was upgraded on Friday, May 5 by Canaccord Genuity. Zacks upgraded the shares of REGI in report on Friday, August 7 to “Hold” rating. PiperJaffray downgraded Renewable Energy Group Inc (NASDAQ:REGI) on Thursday, November 3 to “Neutral” rating. The firm has “Hold” rating given on Wednesday, August 5 by Canaccord Genuity. The rating was maintained by Canaccord Genuity on Thursday, June 8 with “Buy”. On Thursday, November 3 the stock rating was downgraded by Piper Jaffray to “Neutral”. The stock has “Buy” rating by Roth Capital on Tuesday, June 13. The rating was maintained by Piper Jaffray on Friday, July 21 with “Hold”.

Renewable Energy Group, Inc. is focused on providing cleaner, lower carbon intensity services and products. The company has market cap of $463.13 million. The Firm is a producer of biomass diesel in North America. It currently has negative earnings. The Company’s divisions include Biomass diesel, Services, Renewable Chemicals and Corporate and other activities.

Investors sentiment increased to 1.24 in Q4 2016. Its up 0.54, from 0.7 in 2016Q3. It is positive, as 14 investors sold Renewable Energy Group Inc shares while 40 reduced holdings. 30 funds opened positions while 37 raised stakes. 36.60 million shares or 2.18% more from 35.82 million shares in 2016Q3 were reported. Nationwide Fund Advsr accumulated 174,527 shares or 0.01% of the stock. Schroder Inv Mngmt Gp, a Maine-based fund reported 523,670 shares. Commercial Bank Of America De invested 0% in Renewable Energy Group Inc (NASDAQ:REGI). Acadian Asset Limited Liability Company has 0% invested in Renewable Energy Group Inc (NASDAQ:REGI). Barclays Public Limited Company holds 0% of its portfolio in Renewable Energy Group Inc (NASDAQ:REGI) for 53,544 shares. Walleye Trading Limited Liability reported 500 shares. Engineers Gate Manager Ltd Partnership accumulated 29,487 shares. 27,400 are owned by Alliancebernstein Lp. Parametric Limited Com holds 0% in Renewable Energy Group Inc (NASDAQ:REGI) or 86,743 shares. First Heartland Consultants has 106,600 shares for 0.31% of their portfolio. Los Angeles Capital Mngmt And Equity Research invested in 52,469 shares or 0% of the stock. Aqr Cap Management Lc reported 0% stake. Invesco Limited invested 0% in Renewable Energy Group Inc (NASDAQ:REGI). The Connecticut-based Trexquant Investment Lp has invested 0.08% in Renewable Energy Group Inc (NASDAQ:REGI). Deutsche Comml Bank Ag has invested 0% in Renewable Energy Group Inc (NASDAQ:REGI).

Among 20 analysts covering Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK), 15 have Buy rating, 1 Sell and 4 Hold. Therefore 75% are positive. Merck & Co. Inc. had 49 analyst reports since August 13, 2015 according to SRatingsIntel. Piper Jaffray maintained the stock with “Buy” rating in Friday, July 28 report. Deutsche Bank maintained the shares of MRK in report on Monday, July 17 with “Hold” rating. Barclays Capital maintained it with “Overweight” rating and $72 target in Friday, September 9 report. BMO Capital Markets maintained Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) rating on Monday, June 12. BMO Capital Markets has “Buy” rating and $7400 target. Berenberg initiated Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) on Tuesday, November 24 with “Buy” rating. The stock of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) earned “Buy” rating by Societe Generale on Wednesday, April 6. The company was upgraded on Thursday, January 12 by Piper Jaffray. The firm earned “Buy” rating on Friday, August 4 by BMO Capital Markets. The stock of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) earned “Overweight” rating by Morgan Stanley on Thursday, January 12. The stock of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) earned “Market Perform” rating by BMO Capital Markets on Monday, July 18.