Wall Street Zen Upgrades World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) to "Strong-Buy"

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

World Acceptance Trading Up 5.3%

Shares of World Acceptance stock traded up $7.67 on Monday, reaching $151.12. 23,224 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 29,166. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $132.25 and a 200-day moving average price of $127.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $868.49 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.55 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a current ratio of 22.46, a quick ratio of 22.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31. World Acceptance has a fifty-two week low of $101.85 and a fifty-two week high of $161.63.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last announced 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 company had revenue of $165.27 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $154.52 million. World Acceptance had a return on equity of 19.03% and a net margin of 14.41%. On average, analysts expect that World Acceptance will post 14 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at World Acceptance

In related news, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 1,010 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total transaction of $151,500.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 10,315 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,547,250. The trade was a 8.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 43.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On World Acceptance

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its position in shares of World Acceptance by 72.1% in the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 265 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in World Acceptance by 570.9% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 369 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new stake in shares of World Acceptance during the 4th quarter valued at $56,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 876.2% during the 1st quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 820 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $104,000 after buying an additional 736 shares during the period. Finally, Amundi boosted its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 195.7% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 1,591 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $180,000 after buying an additional 1,053 shares during the period. 83.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.