Vanguard Group Inc. Has $44.20 Million Stock Position in World Acceptance Corporation $WRLD

Key Points

• Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD) by 2.2% during Q1, holding approximately $44.20 million worth of shares.
• A recent report from Wall Street Zen downgraded World Acceptance's stock rating from "strong-buy" to "hold," with a consensus target price of $10.00.
• World Acceptance's latest quarterly earnings revealed a missed consensus estimate of $2.44 EPS, reporting only $0.25, despite achieving revenues of $132.45 million.

Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD - Free Report) by 2.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 349,238 shares of the credit services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 7,429 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. owned approximately 6.08% of World Acceptance worth $44,196,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of WRLD. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in World Acceptance by 84,803.6% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 46,697 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $5,910,000 after acquiring an additional 46,642 shares in the last quarter. Voleon Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of World Acceptance during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,728,000. Northern Trust Corp raised its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 13.4% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 64,584 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $7,262,000 after purchasing an additional 7,622 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP raised its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 122.3% during the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 10,871 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $1,222,000 after purchasing an additional 5,980 shares in the last quarter. Finally, D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. raised its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 14.8% during the 4th quarter. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. now owns 33,632 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $3,782,000 after purchasing an additional 4,329 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.63% of the company's stock.

World Acceptance Stock Performance

Shares of WRLD stock traded up $1.19 during trading on Thursday, reaching $173.53. 25,536 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 44,832. The company has a quick ratio of 17.83, a current ratio of 17.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $165.90 and its 200-day moving average price is $146.85. World Acceptance Corporation has a twelve month low of $104.99 and a twelve month high of $177.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $945.74 million, a PE ratio of 11.71 and a beta of 1.33.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 24th. The credit services provider reported $0.25 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.44 by ($2.19). World Acceptance had a net margin of 14.29% and a return on equity of 18.95%. The firm had revenue of $132.45 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $122.38 million. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that World Acceptance Corporation will post 14 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at World Acceptance

In other World Acceptance news, Director Charles D. Way sold 402 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.00, for a total value of $64,320.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 15,395 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,463,200. This represents a 2.54% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Darrell E. Whitaker sold 2,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the director directly owned 5,074 shares in the company, valued at approximately $790,174.02. This represents a 33.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 7,656 shares of company stock valued at $1,211,983 in the last ninety days. 41.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Wall Street Zen cut World Acceptance from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, July 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $10.00.

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.