World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Shares Cross Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average – Should You Sell?

World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD)’s share price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $122.01 and traded as high as $122.95. World Acceptance shares last traded at $121.47, with a volume of 20,031 shares traded.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com raised World Acceptance from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 13th.

World Acceptance Trading Up 3.9 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 22.46 and a current ratio of 22.46. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $131.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $122.01. The company has a market cap of $698.09 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.48 and a beta of 1.48.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last released its earnings results 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 return on equity of 19.03% and a net margin of 14.41%. As a group, equities analysts predict that World Acceptance Co. will post 14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP Scott Mcintyre sold 2,000 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.22, for a total value of $300,440.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 7,183 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,079,030.26. This trade represents a 21.78 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 600 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 31st. The shares were 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 $1,191,740.44. This represents a 6.58 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 4,188 shares of company stock worth $619,409. Company insiders own 43.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Principal Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in World Acceptance by 1.1% in 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 period. Barclays PLC increased its position in World Acceptance by 282.9% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 7,657 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $903,000 after buying an additional 5,657 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC grew its stake 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 worth $211,000 after acquiring an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC increased its stake in World Acceptance by 24.0% during 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of World Acceptance during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,504,000. 83.63% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.