World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Share Price Crosses Above 200-Day Moving Average - Here's Why

Key Points

• World Acceptance shares briefly crossed above their 200-day moving average of $174.50, reaching $176.59 before last trading at $172.33; the stock was down 2.8% overall.
• Analyst sentiment is neutral: recent research changes resulted in an average “Hold” rating, with two analysts currently covering the stock at that rating.
• The company beat quarterly EPS expectations, reporting $2.12 versus the $0.58 consensus, though revenue of $127.79 million fell short of estimates; insiders have also sold $25.75 million worth of shares over the past quarter.

World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) shares passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday. The stock has a 200-day moving average of $174.50 and traded as high as $176.59. World Acceptance shares last traded at $172.33, with a volume of 49,858 shares.

Analyst Ratings Changes

WRLD has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of World Acceptance from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, August 10th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "hold (c)" rating on shares of World Acceptance in a research report on Monday, September 21st. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of World Acceptance to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, October 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, World Acceptance currently has an average rating of "Hold".

World Acceptance Trading Down 2.8%

The company has a market capitalization of $803.06 million, a P/E ratio of 20.37 and a beta of 1.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 13.49 and a current ratio of 13.49. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $183.20 and a 200 day moving average of $174.50.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 24th. The credit services provider reported $2.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $1.54. The business had revenue of $127.79 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $143.90 million. World Acceptance had a return on equity of 12.13% and a net margin of 6.71%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that World Acceptance Corporation will post 13.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at World Acceptance

In related news, SVP Jason E. Childers sold 2,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $190.74, for a total transaction of $381,480.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 12,799 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,441,281.26. The trade was a 13.51% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider John L. Calmes, Jr. sold 2,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $186.00, for a total value of $372,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 48,334 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,990,124. This trade represents a 3.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 137,199 shares of company stock valued at $25,753,600 over the last quarter. 38.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On World Acceptance

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new stake in shares of World Acceptance during the 2nd quarter valued at $4,577,000. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 97.5% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 20,545 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $2,774,000 after buying an additional 10,140 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new position in shares of World Acceptance during the 2nd quarter valued at $1,239,000. Jennison Associates LLC bought a new position in World Acceptance in the 1st quarter worth $680,000. Finally, Squarepoint Ops LLC boosted its holdings in World Acceptance by 82.5% in the 2nd quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 7,004 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $1,568,000 after buying an additional 3,166 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 83.63% of the company's stock.

World Acceptance Company Profile

World Acceptance Corporation NASDAQ: WRLD is a consumer finance company that provides small, short-term installment loans to individuals, primarily serving consumers who may have limited access to traditional forms of credit. The company operates through a network of branch offices and digital channels.

Its products and services generally include personal installment loans, related credit insurance and other ancillary offerings. World Acceptance has also provided tax return preparation and electronic filing services in some of its markets.

Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, World Acceptance primarily serves customers in selected regions of the United States, including parts of the Southeast, Southwest and Midwest.

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