World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Cut to Buy at StockNews.com

StockNews.com cut shares of World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Saturday.

World Acceptance Stock Down 0.4 %

WRLD opened at $126.55 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $134.03 and a 200 day moving average price of $123.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 22.46 and a current ratio of 22.46. World Acceptance has a twelve month low of $101.85 and a twelve month high of $161.63. The firm has a market cap of $727.28 million, a P/E ratio of 8.84 and a beta of 1.48.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The credit services provider reported $2.45 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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%. Research analysts forecast that World Acceptance will post 14 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at World Acceptance

In related news, SVP Jason E. Childers sold 500 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $143.58, for a total transaction of $71,790.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 8,039 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,154,239.62. This trade represents a 5.86 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 600 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 15,248 shares in the company, valued at $2,287,200. The trade was a 3.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 4,188 shares of company stock worth $619,409 over the last three months. Company insiders own 43.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of World Acceptance

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of World Acceptance during the fourth quarter valued at $1,878,000. Voleon Capital Management LP bought a new position in World Acceptance in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,728,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in World Acceptance in the 4th quarter worth $1,504,000. Integrated Quantitative Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of World Acceptance during the fourth quarter worth about $1,082,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 42.2% in the fourth quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 30,968 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $3,482,000 after purchasing an additional 9,194 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.