World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Sets New 1-Year High - Still a Buy?

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

World Acceptance Stock Performance

The firm's fifty day moving average price is $152.10 and its 200-day moving average price is $135.79. The company has a current ratio of 19.32, a quick ratio of 19.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02. The company has a market cap of $927.87 million, a P/E ratio of 10.68 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 (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $1.71. World Acceptance had a net margin of 15.89% and a return on equity of 21.02%. The company had revenue of $165.27 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $154.52 million. As a group, research analysts forecast that World Acceptance Corporation will post 14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

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 sale, the senior vice president owned 10,315 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,547,250. The trade was a 8.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 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 sale, the director directly owned 5,074 shares in the company, valued at approximately $790,174.02. The trade was a 33.01% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 3,560 shares of company stock worth $548,875. Insiders own 43.20% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of World Acceptance

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in World Acceptance by 11.0% in the fourth quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 53,014 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $5,961,000 after buying an additional 5,245 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp lifted its position in shares of World Acceptance by 13.4% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 64,584 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $7,262,000 after purchasing an additional 7,622 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in shares of World Acceptance by 84,803.6% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 46,697 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $5,910,000 after purchasing an additional 46,642 shares in the last quarter. Amundi lifted its position 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 worth $180,000 after purchasing an additional 1,053 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in shares of World Acceptance by 10.6% during the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 32,681 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $3,675,000 after purchasing an additional 3,141 shares in the last quarter. 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.