World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Shares Down 7.7% on Disappointing Earnings

World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report)'s share price dropped 7.7% during trading on Thursday following a dissappointing earnings announcement. The company traded as low as $147.44 and last traded at $158.16. Approximately 32,872 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 10% from the average daily volume of 36,458 shares. The stock had previously closed at $171.30.

The credit services provider reported $0.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.44 by ($2.19). World Acceptance had a return on equity of 18.95% and a net margin of 14.29%. The firm had revenue of $132.45 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $122.38 million.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Wall Street Zen cut World Acceptance from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Darrell E. Whitaker sold 2,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.73, for a total value 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 ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 1,010 shares of the business'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 value of $151,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, 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. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 3,560 shares of company stock valued at $548,875. Corporate insiders own 41.60% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On World Acceptance

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 2.2% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 349,238 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $44,196,000 after buying an additional 7,429 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp boosted its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 13.4% in the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 64,584 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $7,262,000 after buying an additional 7,622 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in World Acceptance by 17.0% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 62,019 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $7,849,000 after purchasing an additional 9,005 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in 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 valued at $5,910,000 after purchasing an additional 46,642 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bridgeway Capital Management LLC raised its position in World Acceptance by 2.2% during the first quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 43,522 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $5,508,000 after purchasing an additional 925 shares in the last quarter. 83.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

World Acceptance Trading Up 2.0%

The firm has a market capitalization of $884.59 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.95 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 17.83 and a quick ratio of 19.32. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $160.46 and its 200 day simple moving average is $141.61.

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.