World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Sees Large Volume Increase - Here's What Happened

World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 42,791 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 37% from the previous session's volume of 31,170 shares.The stock last traded at $163.88 and had previously closed at $159.36.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Wall Street Zen cut shares of World Acceptance from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 3rd.

World Acceptance Price Performance

The company's fifty day moving average is $147.12 and its two-hundred day moving average is $133.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 19.32 and a current ratio of 19.32. The firm has a market cap of $897.92 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.34 and a beta of 1.35.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The credit services provider reported $8.13 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 company had revenue of $165.27 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $154.52 million. Equities research analysts forecast that World Acceptance Corporation will post 14 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at World Acceptance

In related news, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 1,010 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total transaction of $151,500.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 10,315 shares of the company's stock, 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 accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Darrell E. Whitaker sold 2,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 2nd. The shares were 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 approximately $790,174.02. The trade was a 33.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 3,560 shares of company stock worth $548,875. 43.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of WRLD. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its position 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 in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in shares of World Acceptance by 570.9% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 369 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new stake in shares of World Acceptance in the fourth quarter worth $56,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its holdings in World Acceptance by 876.2% in the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 820 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $104,000 after acquiring an additional 736 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amundi raised its holdings in World Acceptance by 195.7% in the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 1,591 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $180,000 after acquiring an additional 1,053 shares in the last quarter. 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.