World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Sets New 1-Year High - What's Next?

World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $176.19 and last traded at $172.67, with a volume of 95891 shares. The stock had previously closed at $173.28.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Wall Street Zen upgraded World Acceptance from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Saturday.

World Acceptance Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $905.89 million, a P/E ratio of 10.43 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $155.97 and a 200-day simple moving average of $137.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 19.32 and a quick ratio of 19.32.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The credit services provider reported $8.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 analyst estimates of $154.52 million. On average, equities analysts forecast that World Acceptance Corporation will post 14 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Darrell E. Whitaker sold 2,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.73, for a total transaction of $389,325.00. Following 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 transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 1,010 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the senior vice president owned 10,315 shares in the company, valued at $1,547,250. This represents a 8.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 3,560 shares of company stock worth $548,875. 43.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On World Acceptance

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WRLD. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in World Acceptance by 10.6% in 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 last quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in World Acceptance during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,504,000. Amundi boosted its holdings in World Acceptance by 195.7% during the 4th 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 during the period. Royce & Associates LP lifted its holdings in World Acceptance by 60.7% in the 4th quarter. Royce & Associates LP now owns 8,535 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $960,000 after buying an additional 3,223 shares during the period. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in World Acceptance by 11.0% in the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 53,014 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $5,961,000 after buying an additional 5,245 shares during the period. 83.63% of the stock is currently owned by 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.