Short Interest in World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD) Drops By 14.4%

World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 236,980 shares, a decrease of 14.4% from the January 15th total of 276,988 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 101,130 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.3 days. Currently, 8.1% of the company’s stock are short sold. Currently, 8.1% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 101,130 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.3 days.

Insider Activity at World Acceptance

In other news, insider John L. Calmes, Jr. sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.21, for a total value of $149,210.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 54,395 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,116,277.95. This represents a 1.81% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Daniel Clinton Dyer sold 8,857 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.00, for a total transaction of $1,319,693.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 33,640 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,012,360. This represents a 20.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 9,946 shares of company stock valued at $1,482,253 over the last three months. Insiders own 41.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in WRLD. iSAM Funds UK Ltd bought a new position in shares of World Acceptance during the third quarter worth approximately $30,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its stake in World Acceptance by 241.2% during the 3rd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 331 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $56,000 after acquiring an additional 234 shares during the period. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 103.2% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 569 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $94,000 after purchasing an additional 289 shares in the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS increased its position in shares of World Acceptance by 60.0% in the second quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS now owns 800 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $132,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. Finally, Aquatic Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of World Acceptance in the third quarter worth $138,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.63% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on WRLD shares. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of World Acceptance in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research upgraded World Acceptance from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, World Acceptance has an average rating of “Hold”.

World Acceptance Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ WRLD traded up $3.50 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $134.65. 95,118 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 97,065. The stock has a market capitalization of $665.17 million, a P/E ratio of 17.24 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a quick ratio of 25.01, a current ratio of 25.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $137.63 and its 200-day simple moving average is $152.23. World Acceptance has a twelve month low of $104.99 and a twelve month high of $185.48.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The credit services provider reported ($0.19) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.58 by ($0.77). World Acceptance had a return on equity of 10.80% and a net margin of 7.46%.The company had revenue of $128.47 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $133.49 million. As a group, research analysts predict that World Acceptance will post 14 earnings per share for the current year.

About World Acceptance

World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ: WRLD) is a consumer finance company headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. Founded in 1972, the company provides credit solutions to underserved customers who may have limited access to traditional banking services. Over the decades, World Acceptance has built a reputation for tailored lending that emphasizes responsible underwriting and personalized customer service.

The company’s core product offerings include short-term installment loans designed to meet the immediate financial needs of its clients.