World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Share Price Passes Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average - Time to Sell?

World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $118.37 and traded as high as $146.03. World Acceptance shares last traded at $144.53, with a volume of 25,781 shares changing hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. StockNews.com raised World Acceptance from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, January 13th. Stephens assumed coverage on World Acceptance in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $10.00 price objective on the stock.

World Acceptance Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $875.44 million, a P/E ratio of 10.63 and a beta of 1.46. The company has a current ratio of 22.46, a quick ratio of 19.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31. The company has a 50-day moving average of $124.65 and a 200-day moving average of $119.16.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The credit services provider reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that World Acceptance Co. will post 14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at World Acceptance

In other news, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 600 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $139.81, for a total value of $83,886.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 8,524 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,191,740.44. This trade represents a 6.58 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible 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 value of $71,790.00. Following the completion of 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 trade represents a 5.86 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 1,700 shares of company stock valued at $245,676. Corporate insiders own 43.20% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of World Acceptance

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WRLD. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new stake in World Acceptance in the 4th quarter valued at about $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 buying an additional 131 shares in the last quarter. Amundi increased its position in World Acceptance by 195.7% in the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 1,591 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $180,000 after buying an additional 1,053 shares in the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its position in World Acceptance by 48.8% in the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,643 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $185,000 after buying an additional 539 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC increased its position 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 in the last quarter. 83.63% of the stock is owned by 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.