World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD) Sees Significant Drop in Short Interest

World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD) saw a large drop in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 363,300 shares, a drop of 14.1% from the December 15th total of 422,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 21,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 17.1 days. Approximately 7.4% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on WRLD. Stephens started coverage on shares of World Acceptance in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $10.00 price target on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded shares of World Acceptance from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 550 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the insider now directly owns 11,370 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,299,591. This represents a 4.61 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 43.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in World Acceptance by 49.6% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 21,774 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $2,569,000 after purchasing an additional 7,223 shares during the period. Barclays PLC raised its position in shares of World Acceptance by 282.9% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 7,657 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $903,000 after buying an additional 5,657 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of 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 worth $976,000 after acquiring an additional 1,601 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 10.0% in the third quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 1,791 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $211,000 after acquiring an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Centiva Capital LP boosted its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 16.5% in the third quarter. Centiva Capital LP now owns 4,038 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $476,000 after acquiring an additional 572 shares in the last quarter. 83.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

World Acceptance Stock Performance

Shares of WRLD stock opened at $123.54 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $116.60 and a 200 day simple moving average of $118.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 19.53 and a quick ratio of 19.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $710.36 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.40 and a beta of 1.44. World Acceptance has a 12-month low of $101.85 and a 12-month high of $149.31.

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.