World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Upgraded to Strong-Buy by StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report report published on Tuesday morning.

World Acceptance Trading Up 1.1 %

Shares of WRLD stock opened at $126.47 on Tuesday. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $129.44 and its 200-day simple moving average is $131.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 15.98 and a quick ratio of 15.98. World Acceptance has a 1-year low of $94.57 and a 1-year high of $160.07. The firm has a market cap of $739.22 million, a P/E ratio of 9.54 and a beta of 1.38.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 2nd. The credit services provider reported $6.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.35 by $1.74. The firm had revenue of $159.27 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $149.00 million. World Acceptance had a return on equity of 18.88% and a net margin of 13.49%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that World Acceptance will post 13.69 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On World Acceptance

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new position in shares of World Acceptance during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $242,000. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System acquired a new stake in World Acceptance in the fourth quarter valued at $222,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in World Acceptance by 21.4% during the 4th quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 2,093 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $273,000 after acquiring an additional 369 shares during the last quarter. BOKF NA acquired a new position in World Acceptance during the 1st quarter worth $310,000. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in shares of World Acceptance by 4.8% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 2,329 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $338,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. 83.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About World Acceptance

World Acceptance Corporation engages in consumer finance business in the United States. The company offers short-term small installment loans, medium-term larger installment loans, related credit insurance, and ancillary products and services to individuals. It also provides income tax return preparation and filing services; and automobile club memberships.