D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. Purchases 4,329 Shares of World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD)

D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. lifted its stake in World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD - Free Report) by 14.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 33,632 shares of the credit services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 4,329 shares during the quarter. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. owned approximately 0.58% of World Acceptance worth $3,782,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of WRLD. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 49.6% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 21,774 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $2,569,000 after acquiring an additional 7,223 shares during the last quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC boosted its holdings in World Acceptance by 6.5% in the fourth quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 11,521 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $1,295,000 after purchasing an additional 708 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its holdings in World Acceptance by 5.0% in the fourth quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 22,497 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $2,530,000 after purchasing an additional 1,067 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in World Acceptance by 1.1% in the fourth quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 15,776 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $1,774,000 after purchasing an additional 176 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its holdings in World Acceptance by 10.6% in the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 32,681 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $3,675,000 after purchasing an additional 3,141 shares in the last quarter. 83.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

World Acceptance Stock Performance

WRLD stock traded up $0.66 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $143.45. 25,057 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 29,190. The company has a quick ratio of 22.46, a current ratio of 22.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31. World Acceptance Co. has a 52 week low of $101.85 and a 52 week high of $161.63. The business has a 50-day moving average of $131.36 and a two-hundred day moving average of $127.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $824.41 million, a PE ratio of 10.02 and a beta of 1.29.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The credit services provider reported $8.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $6.42 by $1.71. World Acceptance had a net margin of 14.41% and a return on equity of 19.03%. The company had revenue of $165.27 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $154.52 million. As a group, equities analysts predict that World Acceptance Co. will post 14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at World Acceptance

In related news, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 1,010 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total value of $151,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 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 transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 43.20% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of World Acceptance from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Sunday, May 18th.

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.