World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Rating Lowered to “Buy” at StockNews.com

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) was downgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report released on Monday.

World Acceptance Stock Up 0.0 %

Shares of NASDAQ:WRLD opened at $122.11 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $129.77 and a 200 day simple moving average of $123.08. World Acceptance has a 52 week low of $101.85 and a 52 week high of $161.63. 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 company has a market cap of $701.77 million, a PE ratio of 8.53 and a beta of 1.35.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last released its 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 return on equity of 19.03% and a net margin of 14.41%. As a group, research analysts expect that World Acceptance will post 14 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at World Acceptance

In related news, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 600 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total transaction of $90,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly 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 legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, SVP Scott Mcintyre sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.22, for a total value of $300,440.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 7,183 shares in the company, valued at $1,079,030.26. This trade represents a 21.78 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 4,188 shares of company stock valued at $619,409 in the last 90 days. 43.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On World Acceptance

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in WRLD. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised 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 acquiring an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Comerica Bank increased its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 2,513 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $283,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 72.1% during the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 265 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC raised its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 19.0% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 822 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $97,000 after purchasing an additional 131 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 10.0% in the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 1,791 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $211,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. 83.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.