Vestcor Inc Decreases Stake in World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD)

Vestcor Inc reduced its stake in World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD) by 40.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,036 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after selling 714 shares during the period. Vestcor Inc’s holdings in World Acceptance were worth $116,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. FMR LLC increased its stake in World Acceptance by 19.0% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 822 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $97,000 after purchasing an additional 131 shares during the period. Amundi increased its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 195.7% during the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 1,591 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $180,000 after buying an additional 1,053 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 10.0% during the third quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 1,791 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $211,000 after buying an additional 163 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP increased its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 53.3% during the third quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 1,997 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $236,000 after buying an additional 694 shares during the period. Finally, ClearAlpha Technologies LP purchased a new position in shares of World Acceptance during the third quarter valued at approximately $265,000. 83.63% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

World Acceptance Price Performance

Shares of WRLD stock opened at $121.75 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $699.70 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.50 and a beta of 1.48. The business’s fifty day moving average is $132.24 and its 200 day moving average is $122.10. World Acceptance Co. has a twelve month low of $101.85 and a twelve month high of $161.63. 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 issued its quarterly earnings results 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 expect that World Acceptance Co. will post 14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 600 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, January 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $139.81, for a total value of $83,886.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 8,524 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,191,740.44. This represents a 6.58 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 488 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.19, for a total value of $73,292.72. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 14,760 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,216,804.40. The trade was a 3.20 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. 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 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 43.20% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

World Acceptance Company Profile

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.