World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD) Holdings Decreased by Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership

Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership trimmed its holdings in World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD - Free Report) by 29.2% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,962 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 8,241 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership owned 0.35% of World Acceptance worth $2,245,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WRLD. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in World Acceptance by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 15,776 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $1,774,000 after acquiring an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC lifted its position in World Acceptance by 282.9% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 7,657 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $903,000 after buying an additional 5,657 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its stake in World Acceptance by 10.0% in the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 1,791 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $211,000 after buying an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in World Acceptance by 11.0% in the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 53,014 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $5,961,000 after buying an additional 5,245 shares during the period. Finally, Amundi increased its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 195.7% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 1,591 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $180,000 after acquiring an additional 1,053 shares during the last quarter. 83.63% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

World Acceptance Trading Up 1.4 %

WRLD stock traded up $1.70 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $123.79. 5,325 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 29,238. The firm has a market capitalization of $711.42 million, a PE ratio of 8.57 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 22.46 and a quick ratio of 22.46. The business's 50 day moving average price is $130.18 and its 200-day moving average price is $123.08. World Acceptance Co. has a 52-week low of $101.85 and a 52-week high of $161.63.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The credit services provider reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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, sell-side analysts forecast that World Acceptance Co. will post 14 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of World Acceptance from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 488 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.19, for a total transaction of $73,292.72. Following the sale, the insider now owns 14,760 shares in the company, valued at $2,216,804.40. This trade represents a 3.20 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 600 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Friday, January 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $139.81, for a total transaction of $83,886.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 8,524 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,191,740.44. This trade represents a 6.58 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 4,188 shares of company stock valued at $619,409. Company insiders own 43.20% 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.