World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Downgraded to "Buy" Rating by StockNews.com

StockNews.com cut shares of World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Saturday morning.

World Acceptance Price Performance

NASDAQ WRLD traded down $0.46 during trading on Friday, hitting $126.55. 53,004 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 29,648. 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 has a 12-month low of $101.85 and a 12-month high of $161.63. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $134.04 and a 200-day simple moving average of $122.90. The company has a market capitalization of $727.28 million, a P/E ratio of 8.84 and a beta of 1.48.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last announced 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 net margin of 14.41% and a return on equity of 19.03%. As a group, analysts predict that World Acceptance will post 14 EPS for the current year.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 488 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.19, for a total value of $73,292.72. Following the sale, the insider now owns 14,760 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,216,804.40. This represents a 3.20 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Jason E. Childers sold 500 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $143.58, for a total transaction of $71,790.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 8,039 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,154,239.62. This represents a 5.86 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 4,188 shares of company stock valued at $619,409 over the last ninety days. 43.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of World Acceptance

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of World Acceptance in the fourth quarter worth about $1,878,000. Voleon Capital Management LP purchased a new position in shares of World Acceptance during the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,728,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of World Acceptance during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,504,000. Integrated Quantitative Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of World Acceptance in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,082,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in World Acceptance by 42.2% in the fourth quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 30,968 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $3,482,000 after purchasing an additional 9,194 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.63% 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.