World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Stock Rating Lowered by StockNews.com

StockNews.com downgraded shares of World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Saturday morning.

World Acceptance Price Performance

NASDAQ:WRLD opened at $127.01 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $729.93 million, a PE ratio of 8.87 and a beta of 1.48. World Acceptance has a 1-year low of $101.85 and a 1-year high of $161.63. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $134.04 and a 200 day simple moving average of $122.81. 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 (NASDAQ:WRLD) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The credit services provider reported $2.45 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.23 by $1.22. World Acceptance had a net margin of 14.41% and a return on equity of 19.03%. On average, research analysts expect that World Acceptance will post 14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at World Acceptance

In other World Acceptance news, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 600 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total value of $90,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 15,248 shares in the company, valued at $2,287,200. The trade was a 3.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Scott Mcintyre sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.22, for a total transaction of $300,440.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 7,183 shares in the company, valued at $1,079,030.26. The trade was a 21.78 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 4,188 shares of company stock worth $619,409 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 43.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Principal Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in World Acceptance by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 15,776 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,774,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC increased its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 282.9% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 7,657 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $903,000 after purchasing an additional 5,657 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in World Acceptance by 10.0% during the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 1,791 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $211,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its stake in World Acceptance by 24.0% in the 3rd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 8,271 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $976,000 after purchasing an additional 1,601 shares during the period. Finally, Amundi grew its holdings in 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 buying an additional 1,053 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.