JPMorgan Chase & Co. Boosts Stock Position in World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD)

JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in shares of World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD) by 49.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 21,774 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after buying an additional 7,223 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned about 0.38% of World Acceptance worth $2,569,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in WRLD. Barclays PLC raised its position in shares of World Acceptance by 282.9% in the 3rd 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 last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its stake 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 valued at $211,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC raised its holdings in World Acceptance by 24.0% in the third quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 8,271 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $976,000 after buying an additional 1,601 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 125.2% in the second quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 22,184 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $2,741,000 after buying an additional 12,333 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FMR LLC grew its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 19.0% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 822 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $97,000 after buying an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. 83.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

WRLD has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. StockNews.com upgraded shares of World Acceptance from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, January 13th. Stephens began coverage on World Acceptance in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $10.00 price target for the company.

World Acceptance Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ WRLD opened at $127.34 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 19.53, a current ratio of 19.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $116.77 and its 200-day moving average price is $118.13. World Acceptance Co. has a 52-week low of $101.85 and a 52-week high of $149.31. The company has a market cap of $732.21 million, a PE ratio of 8.66 and a beta of 1.44.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 550 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.30, for a total transaction of $62,865.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,370 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,299,591. This represents a 4.61 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 43.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.