World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD) Sees Large Decline in Short Interest

World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 363,300 shares, a drop of 14.1% from the December 15th total of 422,700 shares. Approximately 7.4% of the company's shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 21,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 17.1 days.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other World Acceptance news, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 550 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.30, for a total value of $62,865.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,370 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,299,591. The trade was a 4.61 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 43.20% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On World Acceptance

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of WRLD. Quest Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 2.7% in the third quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 3,519 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $415,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in World Acceptance by 19.0% during the third 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 last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC increased 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 valued at $211,000 after buying an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp lifted its position in World Acceptance by 12.7% during the 2nd quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp now owns 1,815 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $224,000 after buying an additional 205 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 4.8% during the 2nd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 7,395 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $914,000 after buying an additional 340 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.63% of the company's stock.

World Acceptance Stock Up 3.0 %

Shares of WRLD traded up $3.56 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $123.54. The stock had a trading volume of 22,789 shares, compared to its average volume of 19,819. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 19.53 and a quick ratio of 19.53. The firm has a market cap of $710.36 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.40 and a beta of 1.44. World Acceptance has a twelve month low of $101.85 and a twelve month high of $149.31. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $116.60 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $118.18.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently issued reports on WRLD. Stephens assumed coverage on World Acceptance in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $10.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com upgraded shares of World Acceptance from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday.

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.