World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Sets New 52-Week High - What's Next?

World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report)'s share price reached 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 traded. The stock had previously closed at $173.28.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

World Acceptance Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $929.57 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.70 and a beta of 1.35. 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 stock's 50-day simple moving average is $155.22 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $137.22.

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

Insider Transactions at World Acceptance

In other news, 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 owned 5,074 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $790,174.02. This represents a 33.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, 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 transaction of $151,500.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 10,315 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,547,250. This represents a 8.92% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 3,560 shares of company stock valued at $548,875 in the last ninety days. 43.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its position in shares of World Acceptance by 72.1% during the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 265 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 111 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in World Acceptance by 570.9% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 369 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new position in World Acceptance in the fourth quarter worth about $56,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its position 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 worth $104,000 after purchasing an additional 736 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Amundi raised its position in World Acceptance by 195.7% in 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. 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.