World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Stock Rating Upgraded by Wall Street Zen

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) was upgraded by research analysts at Wall Street Zen from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday.

World Acceptance Stock Up 1.6%

NASDAQ WRLD traded up $2.41 during trading on Monday, reaching $155.01. 22,216 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 29,175. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 22.46 and a quick ratio of 22.46. The firm has a market cap of $890.84 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.82 and a beta of 1.29. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $132.79 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $127.78. World Acceptance has a 12-month low of $101.85 and a 12-month high of $161.63.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results 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 business had revenue of $165.27 million for 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, sell-side analysts forecast that World Acceptance will post 14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other World Acceptance news, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 1,010 shares of the firm'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 now directly owns 10,315 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,547,250. This trade represents a 8.92% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 43.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On World Acceptance

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WRLD. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of World Acceptance by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 349,238 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $44,196,000 after acquiring an additional 7,429 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in World Acceptance by 13.4% in the 4th 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 holdings in World Acceptance by 17.0% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 62,019 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $7,849,000 after buying an additional 9,005 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in World Acceptance by 84,803.6% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 46,697 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $5,910,000 after buying an additional 46,642 shares during the period. Finally, Bridgeway Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in World Acceptance by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 43,522 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $5,508,000 after buying an additional 925 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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.