World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Upgraded at Wall Street Zen

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 research note issued to investors on Monday.

World Acceptance Stock Performance

World Acceptance stock traded down $0.70 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $155.52. 3,089 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 29,127. The firm has a market capitalization of $825.32 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.86 and a beta of 1.29. The business has a 50 day moving average of $133.30 and a two-hundred day moving average of $128.00. World Acceptance has a 12 month low of $101.85 and a 12 month high of $161.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 22.46 and a quick ratio of 22.46.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The credit services provider reported $8.13 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $1.71. World Acceptance had a net margin of 14.41% and a return on equity of 19.03%. The business had revenue of $165.27 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $154.52 million. As a group, research analysts predict that World Acceptance will post 14 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at World Acceptance

In related news, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 1,010 shares of World Acceptance 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 transaction, the senior vice president now owns 10,315 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,547,250. The trade was a 8.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 43.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On World Acceptance

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of WRLD. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its holdings in World Acceptance by 4.0% during the fourth quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 1,966 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $221,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. PDT Partners LLC increased its stake in World Acceptance by 1.6% during the first quarter. PDT Partners LLC now owns 4,894 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $619,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Comerica Bank grew its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 3.8% in the fourth quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 2,513 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $283,000 after buying an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its stake 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 valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in 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 in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.63% of the company's stock.

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.