World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Hits New 1-Year High - Here's What Happened

Shares of World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading 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.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

World Acceptance Trading Up 1.3%

The firm has a market cap of $929.09 million, a P/E ratio of 10.69 and a beta of 1.35. The business's 50-day moving average is $153.43 and its two-hundred day moving average is $136.50. 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 announced its quarterly earnings data 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 net margin of 15.89% and a return on equity of 21.02%. As a group, analysts predict that World Acceptance Corporation will post 14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Darrell E. Whitaker sold 2,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 directly owned 5,074 shares in the company, valued at $790,174.02. This represents a 33.01% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 1,010 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 10,315 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,547,250. This trade 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 sold 3,560 shares of company stock valued at $548,875. 43.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of WRLD. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its holdings in World Acceptance by 72.1% during the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 265 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 111 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake 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 acquiring an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new position in shares of World Acceptance during the fourth quarter worth approximately $56,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 876.2% in the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 820 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $104,000 after buying an additional 736 shares during the period. Finally, Amundi boosted 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. 83.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.