World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Sets New 1-Year High After Earnings Beat

World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD)’s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The stock traded as high as $161.63 and last traded at $150.39, with a volume of 93631 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $129.35.

The credit services provider reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.23 by $1.22. World Acceptance had a net margin of 15.02% and a return on equity of 19.85%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently issued reports on WRLD. Stephens initiated 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 for the company. StockNews.com raised shares of World Acceptance from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, January 13th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 600 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total value of $90,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 15,248 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,287,200. This trade represents a 3.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 43.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of World Acceptance

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its position in World Acceptance by 5.0% during the fourth quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 22,497 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $2,530,000 after buying an additional 1,067 shares during the period. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC lifted its position in World Acceptance by 6.5% during the fourth quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 11,521 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $1,295,000 after buying an additional 708 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in World Acceptance by 49.6% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 21,774 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $2,569,000 after buying an additional 7,223 shares during the period. Barclays PLC lifted its position in World Acceptance by 282.9% during the third 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 during the period. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC lifted its position in World Acceptance by 24.0% during the third quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 8,271 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $976,000 after buying an additional 1,601 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.63% of the company’s stock.

World Acceptance Trading Down 4.1 %

The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $119.01 and a 200-day moving average price of $118.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 19.53 and a current ratio of 19.53. The stock has a market cap of $829.15 million, a PE ratio of 9.80 and a beta of 1.44.

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.