World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Rating Lowered to Buy at StockNews.com

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) was downgraded by analysts at StockNews.com from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday.

World Acceptance Trading Down 3.8 %

World Acceptance stock opened at $127.01 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $134.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $122.72. The company has a market capitalization of $729.93 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.87 and a beta of 1.48. World Acceptance has a 52 week low of $101.85 and a 52 week high of $161.63. The company has a quick ratio of 22.46, a current 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 the consensus estimate of $1.23 by $1.22. World Acceptance had a net margin of 14.41% and a return on equity of 19.03%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that World Acceptance will post 14 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 488 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.19, for a total transaction of $73,292.72. Following the sale, the insider now owns 14,760 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,216,804.40. This trade represents a 3.20 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 600 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $139.81, for a total transaction of $83,886.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 8,524 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,191,740.44. This trade represents a 6.58 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 4,188 shares of company stock valued at $619,409. Company insiders own 43.20% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On World Acceptance

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new stake in World Acceptance in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $56,000. FMR LLC grew its stake in World Acceptance by 19.0% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 822 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $97,000 after acquiring an additional 131 shares during the period. Amundi increased 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 worth $180,000 after acquiring an additional 1,053 shares in the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its position in World Acceptance by 48.8% during the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,643 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $185,000 after acquiring an additional 539 shares during the period. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in World Acceptance by 10.0% during the third quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 1,791 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $211,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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.