World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Reaches New 52-Week High - Still a Buy?

Shares of World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $162.99 and last traded at $162.99, with a volume of 34244 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $156.73.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of World Acceptance from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday.

World Acceptance Price Performance

The company's 50-day moving average is $136.70 and its two-hundred day moving average is $129.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 22.46 and a quick ratio of 22.46. The firm has a market cap of $864.99 million, a P/E ratio of 11.38 and a beta of 1.35.

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other 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 transaction, the senior vice president now owns 10,315 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,547,250. This represents a 8.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Darrell E. Whitaker sold 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.73, for a total transaction of $389,325.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 5,074 shares of the company's stock, valued at $790,174.02. This trade represents a 33.01% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 43.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 72.1% in the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 265 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 111 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings 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 worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 314 shares during the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new position in shares of World Acceptance in the fourth quarter worth about $56,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 876.2% in 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 last quarter. Finally, Amundi lifted its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 195.7% in the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 1,591 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $180,000 after acquiring an additional 1,053 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.63% of the company's stock.

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.

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