World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Insider Sells $60,000,424.32 in Stock

Key Points

• Prescott General Partners LLC has sold 347,064 shares of World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD) at an average price of $172.88, resulting in a transaction worth approximately $60 million and an 89.25% decrease in their ownership.
• World Acceptance reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.25 for the last quarter, significantly missing the consensus estimate of $2.44, despite achieving revenue of $132.45 million.
• Analysts from Wall Street Zen have downgraded World Acceptance shares from a "strong-buy" to a "hold" rating, with a consensus price target of $10.00.

World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) insider Prescott General Partners Llc sold 347,064 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $172.88, for a total transaction of $60,000,424.32. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 41,804 shares in the company, valued at $7,227,075.52. This represents a 89.25% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink.

World Acceptance Price Performance

Shares of WRLD stock traded down $4.31 on Friday, reaching $165.19. The company's stock had a trading volume of 27,409 shares, compared to its average volume of 36,743. The company has a market capitalization of $900.29 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.15 and a beta of 1.28. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $166.86 and its 200-day simple moving average is $148.80. World Acceptance Corporation has a 1 year low of $104.99 and a 1 year high of $177.25. The company has a current ratio of 17.83, a quick ratio of 17.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The credit services provider reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.44 by ($2.19). World Acceptance had a return on equity of 18.95% and a net margin of 14.29%.The business had revenue of $132.45 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $122.38 million. Analysts forecast that World Acceptance Corporation will post 14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Versant Capital Management Inc grew 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 during the period. 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 acquiring an additional 314 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in World Acceptance by 103.2% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 569 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $94,000 after acquiring an additional 289 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 876.2% in the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 820 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $104,000 after purchasing an additional 736 shares during the period. Finally, KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS raised its stake in World Acceptance by 60.0% during the 2nd quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS now owns 800 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $132,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.63% of the company's stock.

About World Acceptance

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.