World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Stock Rating Lowered by StockNews.com

StockNews.com downgraded shares of World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Saturday.

World Acceptance Stock Performance

Shares of WRLD opened at $140.55 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 22.46 and a current ratio of 22.46. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $126.34 and a two-hundred day moving average of $125.15. The stock has a market cap of $807.74 million, a P/E ratio of 9.81 and a beta of 1.29. World Acceptance has a one year low of $101.85 and a one year high of $161.63.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The credit services provider reported $8.13 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.42 by $1.71. World Acceptance had a return on equity of 19.03% and a net margin of 14.41%. The firm had revenue of $165.27 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $154.52 million. As a group, research analysts predict that World Acceptance will post 14 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other World Acceptance news, SVP Jason E. Childers sold 500 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $143.58, for a total transaction of $71,790.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 8,039 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,154,239.62. This trade represents a 5.86 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 488 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.19, for a total value of $73,292.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 14,760 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,216,804.40. This trade represents a 3.20 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 2,988 shares of company stock valued at $445,523 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 43.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 72.1% in the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 265 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of World Acceptance by 570.9% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 369 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new position in shares of World Acceptance during the 4th quarter worth approximately $56,000. Amundi lifted its position in shares of World Acceptance by 195.7% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 1,591 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $180,000 after buying an additional 1,053 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN lifted its position in shares of World Acceptance by 48.8% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,643 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $185,000 after buying an additional 539 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.63% of the company’s stock.

World Acceptance Company Profile

World Acceptance Corporation engages in consumer finance business in the United States. The company provides short-term small installment loans, medium-term larger installment loans, related credit insurance, and ancillary products and services to individuals. It offers income tax return preparation and filing services; and automobile club memberships.