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

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

World Acceptance Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:WRLD opened at $127.01 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $729.93 million, a P/E 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. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $134.04 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $122.72.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The credit services provider reported $2.45 earnings per share 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, analysts expect that World Acceptance will post 14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

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

Institutional Trading of World Acceptance

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in WRLD. Intech Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in World Acceptance in the third quarter valued at about $275,000. Quantbot Technologies LP increased its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 53.3% during the third quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 1,997 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $236,000 after acquiring an additional 694 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC raised its position in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. PDT Partners LLC acquired a new stake in World Acceptance in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $830,000. Finally, ClearAlpha Technologies LP purchased a new stake in World Acceptance during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $265,000. 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.