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

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have issued reports on WRLD. Stephens began coverage on shares of World Acceptance in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $10.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com raised shares of World Acceptance from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 13th.

World Acceptance Trading Down 1.5 %

Shares of NASDAQ:WRLD opened at $141.16 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $811.67 million, a PE ratio of 9.86 and a beta of 1.44. World Acceptance has a 1 year low of $101.85 and a 1 year high of $161.63. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $119.97 and a 200 day moving average price of $118.70. The company has a current ratio of 22.46, a quick ratio of 19.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The credit services provider reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) 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%. Analysts expect that World Acceptance will post 13.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at World Acceptance

In other World Acceptance news, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 600 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 28th. The stock was 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 of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,287,200. This represents a 3.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 43.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On World Acceptance

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Point72 DIFC Ltd acquired a new position in World Acceptance in the second quarter worth about $47,000. FMR LLC raised its position in World Acceptance by 19.0% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 822 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $97,000 after purchasing an additional 131 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. acquired a new position in World Acceptance in the second quarter worth about $140,000. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its position in 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 purchasing an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP raised its position in World Acceptance by 53.3% in the third quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 1,997 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $236,000 after purchasing an additional 694 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.63% of the company’s stock.

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.