World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Shares Down 5% - Time to Sell?

World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) dropped 5% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $156.79 and last traded at $149.92. Approximately 38,620 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 29% from the average daily volume of 30,008 shares. The stock had previously closed at $157.79.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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 Stock Performance

The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $139.67 and its 200 day simple moving average is $130.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 22.46 and a current ratio of 22.46. The company has a market capitalization of $817.70 million, a PE ratio of 10.76 and a beta of 1.35.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The credit services provider reported $8.13 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $1.71. The firm 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 14.41% and a return on equity of 19.03%. As a group, research analysts expect that World Acceptance Co. will post 14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Darrell E. Whitaker sold 2,500 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction dated 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 now directly owns 5,074 shares in the company, valued at $790,174.02. This trade represents a 33.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 1,010 shares of World Acceptance 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 transaction, the senior vice president now owns 10,315 shares in the company, valued at $1,547,250. This trade represents a 8.92% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 3,560 shares of company stock worth $548,875. Company insiders own 43.20% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of World Acceptance

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WRLD. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its position in World Acceptance by 5.0% in the fourth quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 22,497 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $2,530,000 after purchasing an additional 1,067 shares during the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its position in shares of World Acceptance by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 15,776 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $1,774,000 after purchasing an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in World Acceptance by 10.6% during 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 bought a new stake in shares of World Acceptance in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,504,000. Finally, Amundi lifted its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 195.7% in the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 1,591 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $180,000 after purchasing an additional 1,053 shares during the period. 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.