World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume - Here's Why

Shares of World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Tuesday . 25,906 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 9% from the previous session's volume of 28,489 shares.The stock last traded at $130.50 and had previously closed at $125.40.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of World Acceptance from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday.

World Acceptance Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 22.46 and a current ratio of 22.46. The stock has a market cap of $729.93 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.87 and a beta of 1.48. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $134.04 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $122.72.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 19.03% and a net margin of 14.41%. Analysts expect that World Acceptance Co. will post 14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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Insider Activity at World Acceptance

In related news, SVP Jason E. Childers sold 500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $143.58, for a total transaction of $71,790.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 8,039 shares in the company, valued at $1,154,239.62. The trade was a 5.86 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 600 shares of the company'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 completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 15,248 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,287,200. The trade was a 3.79 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 4,188 shares of company stock valued at $619,409 in the last quarter. Insiders own 43.20% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of World Acceptance

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new position in World Acceptance in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $56,000. FMR LLC increased its position in World Acceptance by 19.0% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 822 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $97,000 after acquiring an additional 131 shares during the period. Amundi raised its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 195.7% during the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 1,591 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $180,000 after acquiring an additional 1,053 shares during the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN lifted its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 48.8% during the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,643 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $185,000 after purchasing an additional 539 shares during the period. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 10.0% in the third quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 1,791 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $211,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. 83.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.