Norges Bank Buys New Stake in World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD)

Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 16,700 shares of the credit services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,878,000. Norges Bank owned about 0.29% of World Acceptance as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in WRLD. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its position 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 worth $1,774,000 after purchasing an additional 176 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC boosted its stake in World Acceptance by 282.9% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 7,657 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $903,000 after buying an additional 5,657 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its holdings 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 worth $211,000 after buying an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position 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 worth $5,961,000 after buying an additional 5,245 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Amundi lifted its stake in World Acceptance by 195.7% in the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 1,591 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $180,000 after purchasing an additional 1,053 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.63% of the company's stock.

World Acceptance Stock Performance

NASDAQ WRLD traded up $1.61 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $123.71. 29,487 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 29,427. The company has a current ratio of 22.46, a quick ratio of 22.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $710.96 million, a P/E ratio of 8.64 and a beta of 1.35. World Acceptance Co. has a 52 week low of $101.85 and a 52 week high of $161.63. The business's fifty day moving average price is $129.36 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $123.07.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The credit services provider reported $2.45 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.23 by $1.22. World Acceptance had a net margin of 14.41% and a return on equity of 19.03%. Equities research analysts predict that World Acceptance Co. will post 14 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other World Acceptance news, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 600 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $139.81, for a total transaction of $83,886.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 8,524 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,191,740.44. The trade was a 6.58 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 488 shares of the business's stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the insider now owns 14,760 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,216,804.40. This represents a 3.20 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 4,188 shares of company stock valued at $619,409 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 43.20% of the company's stock.

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.