World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Sees Large Volume Increase - Still a Buy?

World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 44,065 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 50% from the previous session's volume of 29,411 shares.The stock last traded at $119.66 and had previously closed at $112.54.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of World Acceptance from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Sunday, April 6th.

World Acceptance Trading Down 1.2 %

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 cap of $690.79 million, a PE ratio of 8.39 and a beta of 1.35. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $130.58 and a 200 day moving average price of $122.96.

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, SVP Scott Mcintyre sold 2,000 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction on Friday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.22, for a total value of $300,440.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 7,183 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,079,030.26. The trade was a 21.78 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 488 shares of the company'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 completion of the sale, the insider now owns 14,760 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,216,804.40. This trade represents a 3.20 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 4,188 shares of company stock worth $619,409 in the last quarter. 43.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of World Acceptance

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 72.1% during the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 265 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares during the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new position in World Acceptance in the 4th quarter valued at $56,000. FMR LLC raised its position in World Acceptance by 19.0% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 822 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $97,000 after buying an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. Amundi lifted its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 195.7% in the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 1,591 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $180,000 after acquiring an additional 1,053 shares during the period. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN boosted its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 48.8% in the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,643 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $185,000 after acquiring an additional 539 shares in the last quarter. 83.63% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.