World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Sees Strong Trading Volume – Still a Buy?

World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD) shares saw strong trading volume on Tuesday . 25,906 shares traded hands during 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.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded World Acceptance from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, January 13th.

World Acceptance Price Performance

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 company’s 50 day moving average is $133.41 and its 200-day moving average is $122.40. The stock has a market cap of $737.34 million, a PE ratio of 9.01 and a beta of 1.48.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The credit services provider reported $2.45 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%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that World Acceptance Co. will post 14 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at World Acceptance

In related news, SVP Jason E. Childers sold 500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $143.58, for a total value of $71,790.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 8,039 shares in the company, valued at $1,154,239.62. The trade was a 5.86 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, 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 $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 a total of 4,188 shares of company stock worth $619,409 in the last ninety days. 43.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On World Acceptance

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its position in World Acceptance by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 15,776 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $1,774,000 after buying an additional 176 shares during the period. Barclays PLC boosted its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 282.9% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 7,657 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $903,000 after acquiring an additional 5,657 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its position 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 valued at $211,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC raised its holdings in World Acceptance by 24.0% in the 3rd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 8,271 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $976,000 after acquiring an additional 1,601 shares during the period. Finally, Amundi lifted its position in shares of World Acceptance by 195.7% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 1,591 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $180,000 after purchasing an additional 1,053 shares during 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.