World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Upgraded at StockNews.com

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a note issued to investors on Sunday.

World Acceptance Stock Performance

Shares of WRLD traded down $4.55 on Friday, reaching $121.63. 43,813 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 29,379. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $130.98 and its 200-day moving average price is $122.92. The firm has a market cap of $699.01 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.49 and a beta of 1.35. World Acceptance has a 12 month low of $101.85 and a 12 month high of $161.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 22.46 and a quick ratio of 22.46.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The credit services provider reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.23 by $1.22. World Acceptance had a net margin of 14.41% and a return on equity of 19.03%. Equities analysts forecast that World Acceptance will post 14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at World Acceptance

In other World Acceptance news, SVP Scott Mcintyre sold 2,000 shares of the 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 sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 7,183 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,079,030.26. This trade represents a 21.78 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 600 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total value of $90,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 15,248 shares in the company, valued at $2,287,200. The trade was a 3.79 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 4,188 shares of company stock valued at $619,409. 43.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On World Acceptance

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in WRLD. Northern Trust Corp boosted its holdings in World Acceptance by 13.4% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 64,584 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $7,262,000 after purchasing an additional 7,622 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 11.0% in the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 53,014 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $5,961,000 after buying an additional 5,245 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 84,803.6% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 46,697 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $5,910,000 after buying an additional 46,642 shares during the last quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 2.6% in the fourth quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 42,597 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $4,790,000 after buying an additional 1,067 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its holdings in World Acceptance by 5.3% during the fourth quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 34,400 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $3,868,000 after buying an additional 1,734 shares during the last quarter. 83.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.