World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Sees Large Volume Increase – Still a Buy?

Shares of World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 25,906 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 9% from the previous session’s volume of 28,489 shares.The stock last traded at $130.50 and had previously closed at $125.40.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

World Acceptance Price Performance

The company’s 50 day moving average is $133.41 and its 200 day moving average is $122.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $737.34 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.01 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a quick ratio of 22.46, a current ratio of 22.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The credit services provider reported $2.45 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.23 by $1.22. World Acceptance had a return on equity of 19.03% and a net margin of 14.41%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that World Acceptance Co. will post 14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at World Acceptance

In other news, SVP Scott Mcintyre sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.22, for a total transaction of $300,440.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 7,183 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,079,030.26. This represents a 21.78 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 600 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total transaction of $90,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 15,248 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,287,200. This represents a 3.79 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 4,188 shares of company stock worth $619,409. Corporate insiders own 43.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On World Acceptance

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WRLD. Numerai GP LLC raised its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 155.4% during the fourth quarter. Numerai GP LLC now owns 6,412 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $721,000 after acquiring an additional 3,901 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its position in World Acceptance by 4.0% during the fourth quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 1,966 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $221,000 after buying an additional 76 shares during the period. Deutsche Bank AG lifted its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 50.2% during the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 3,164 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $356,000 after purchasing an additional 1,057 shares during the last quarter. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. boosted its position in shares of World Acceptance by 14.8% in the 4th quarter. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. now owns 33,632 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $3,782,000 after purchasing an additional 4,329 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bridgeway Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 42,597 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $4,790,000 after buying an additional 1,067 shares during 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.