World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Reaches New 52-Week High - Should You Buy?

World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Thursday . The company traded as high as $173.56 and last traded at $173.24, with a volume of 152863 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $169.09.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

World Acceptance Price Performance

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 company's fifty day moving average price is $151.29 and its 200 day moving average price is $135.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $927.87 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.68 and a beta of 1.35.

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 1,010 shares of World Acceptance 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 sale, the senior vice president directly owned 10,315 shares in the company, valued at $1,547,250. This trade represents a 8.92% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Darrell E. Whitaker sold 2,500 shares of the business'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 transaction, the director directly owned 5,074 shares of the company's stock, valued at $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. Insiders have sold a total of 3,560 shares of company stock valued at $548,875 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 43.20% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On World Acceptance

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in World Acceptance by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 15,776 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $1,774,000 after buying an additional 176 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in World Acceptance by 10.6% during the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 32,681 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $3,675,000 after acquiring an additional 3,141 shares during the period. Proficio Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of World Acceptance in the fourth quarter worth $1,504,000. Amundi increased its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 195.7% during the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 1,591 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $180,000 after purchasing an additional 1,053 shares during the period. Finally, Royce & Associates LP increased its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 60.7% during the fourth quarter. Royce & Associates LP now owns 8,535 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $960,000 after purchasing an additional 3,223 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.