Alps Advisors Inc. Purchases New Stake in World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD)

Alps Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 2,910 shares of the credit services provider's stock, valued at approximately $368,000. Alps Advisors Inc. owned about 0.05% of World Acceptance at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its position in shares of World Acceptance by 2.4% in the 1st quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 16,162 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $2,045,000 after buying an additional 386 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in World Acceptance by 570.9% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 369 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 314 shares during the last quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC grew its position in World Acceptance by 6.1% during the 1st quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC now owns 4,743 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $600,000 after purchasing an additional 273 shares during the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its position in World Acceptance by 72.1% during the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 265 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Numerai GP LLC lifted its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 155.4% in the 4th quarter. Numerai GP LLC now owns 6,412 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $721,000 after acquiring an additional 3,901 shares during the period. 83.63% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Darrell E. Whitaker sold 2,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.73, for a total value of $389,325.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 5,074 shares in the company, valued at approximately $790,174.02. The trade was a 33.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 1,010 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total transaction of $151,500.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 10,315 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,547,250. This trade represents a 8.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 3,560 shares of company stock valued at $548,875. 43.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

World Acceptance Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ WRLD traded down $1.63 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $164.79. The company had a trading volume of 54,367 shares, compared to its average volume of 33,201. The company has a quick ratio of 19.32, a current ratio of 19.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02. World Acceptance Corporation has a twelve month low of $101.85 and a twelve month high of $177.25. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $159.11 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $139.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $875.03 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.07 and a beta of 1.35.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The credit services provider reported $8.13 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $1.71. The firm had revenue of $165.27 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $154.52 million. World Acceptance had a net margin of 15.89% and a return on equity of 21.02%. Equities research analysts anticipate that World Acceptance Corporation will post 14 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of World Acceptance from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, July 12th.

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.