World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Reaches New 52-Week High - What's Next?

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Wall Street Zen lowered World Acceptance from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd.

World Acceptance Trading Up 0.1%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 22.46 and a current ratio of 22.46. The stock has a market cap of $837.39 million, a P/E ratio of 11.02 and a beta of 1.35. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $138.03 and a 200-day moving average price of $130.27.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last announced its 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 net margin of 14.41% and a return on equity of 19.03%. The business had revenue of $165.27 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $154.52 million. On average, equities research analysts expect that World Acceptance Co. will post 14 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 1,010 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total value of $151,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 10,315 shares in the company, valued at $1,547,250. The trade was a 8.92% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Darrell E. Whitaker sold 2,500 shares of the company'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 value of $389,325.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 5,074 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $790,174.02. This represents a 33.01% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 43.20% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 4.1% in the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 23,422 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $2,964,000 after purchasing an additional 925 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its stake in World Acceptance by 4.0% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 2,044 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $259,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC boosted its position in World Acceptance by 2.2% during the first quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 43,522 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $5,508,000 after buying an additional 925 shares during the period. PDT Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 1.6% during the first quarter. PDT Partners LLC now owns 4,894 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $619,000 after buying an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Magnetar Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of World Acceptance in the first quarter worth about $308,000. 83.63% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.