World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Trading Down 5% - Should You 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 mid-day trading, an increase of 29% from the average daily volume of 30,008 shares. The stock had previously closed at $157.79.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

World Acceptance Stock Down 2.1%

The company has a market capitalization of $800.24 million, a P/E ratio of 10.53 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a quick ratio of 22.46, a current ratio of 22.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $140.41 and a 200-day simple moving average of $131.04.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $6.42 by $1.71. The business had revenue of $165.27 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $154.52 million. World Acceptance had a return on equity of 19.03% and a net margin of 14.41%. On average, equities research analysts expect that World Acceptance Co. will post 14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at World Acceptance

In related news, Director Darrell E. Whitaker sold 2,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated 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 now owns 5,074 shares in the company, valued at approximately $790,174.02. This represents a 33.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 1,010 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction 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 sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 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 sold 3,560 shares of company stock valued at $548,875 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 43.20% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On World Acceptance

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of WRLD. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in World Acceptance by 2.2% in the 1st 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 last quarter. Northern Trust Corp boosted its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 13.4% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 64,584 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $7,262,000 after acquiring an additional 7,622 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in shares of World Acceptance by 17.0% in 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 during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of 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 worth $5,910,000 after purchasing an additional 46,642 shares during the period. Finally, Bridgeway Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of 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 worth $5,508,000 after purchasing an additional 925 shares during the period. 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.