World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Hits New 12-Month High Following Earnings Beat

Shares of World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock traded as high as $161.63 and last traded at $150.39, with a volume of 93631 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $129.35.

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%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on WRLD. Stephens began coverage on shares of World Acceptance in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $10.00 price objective on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded World Acceptance from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, January 13th.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other World Acceptance news, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 600 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total value of $90,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 15,248 shares in the company, valued at $2,287,200. The trade was a 3.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 43.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of WRLD. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 38.0% during the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 40,475 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $5,002,000 after purchasing an additional 11,135 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in World Acceptance by 5.0% during the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 22,497 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $2,530,000 after acquiring an additional 1,067 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 125.2% in the second quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 22,184 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $2,741,000 after purchasing an additional 12,333 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 49.6% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 21,774 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $2,569,000 after buying an additional 7,223 shares during the period. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in World Acceptance by 1.1% during 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 during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.63% of the company's stock.

World Acceptance Stock Performance

The stock's 50 day moving average is $119.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $118.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 22.46 and a quick ratio of 19.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $811.67 million, a P/E ratio of 9.86 and a beta of 1.44.

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.