World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Rating Increased to Strong-Buy at Wall Street Zen

Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Free Report) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report issued on Saturday.

World Acceptance Stock Performance

NASDAQ:WRLD traded down $4.46 on Friday, hitting $170.60. The company's stock had a trading volume of 76,667 shares, compared to its average volume of 32,999. The company has a current ratio of 19.32, a quick ratio of 19.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02. World Acceptance has a one year low of $101.85 and a one year high of $177.25. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $155.97 and a two-hundred day moving average of $137.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $905.37 million, a P/E ratio of 10.43 and a beta of 1.35.

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

Insider Transactions at World Acceptance

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

Institutional Trading of World Acceptance

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Versant Capital Management Inc increased 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 buying an additional 111 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 570.9% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 369 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new position in shares of World Acceptance in the fourth quarter valued at about $56,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its position in World Acceptance by 876.2% during the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 820 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $104,000 after acquiring an additional 736 shares during the period. Finally, Amundi raised its stake in World Acceptance by 195.7% in the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 1,591 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $180,000 after purchasing an additional 1,053 shares in the last quarter. 83.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.