World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Rating Lowered to “Buy” at StockNews.com

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) was downgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report released on Saturday.

World Acceptance Stock Down 3.8 %

NASDAQ:WRLD opened at $127.01 on Friday. 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 firm has a market cap of $729.93 million, a P/E ratio of 8.87 and a beta of 1.48. World Acceptance has a fifty-two week low of $101.85 and a fifty-two week high of $161.63. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $134.04 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $122.90.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last announced its quarterly earnings results 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 net margin of 14.41% and a return on equity of 19.03%. Analysts predict that World Acceptance will post 14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 600 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total transaction of $90,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 15,248 shares in the company, valued at $2,287,200. This represents a 3.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Scott Mcintyre sold 2,000 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.22, for a total transaction of $300,440.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 7,183 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,079,030.26. This trade represents a 21.78 % 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 valued at $619,409 over the last ninety days. 43.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of World Acceptance

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of WRLD. Intech Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of World Acceptance during the 3rd quarter valued at about $275,000. Quantbot Technologies LP boosted its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 53.3% in the third quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 1,997 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $236,000 after buying an additional 694 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC grew its position in World Acceptance by 19.0% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 822 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $97,000 after buying an additional 131 shares during the period. PDT Partners LLC purchased a new stake in World Acceptance during the third quarter valued at approximately $830,000. Finally, ClearAlpha Technologies LP bought a new position in World Acceptance in the third quarter worth approximately $265,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.63% of the company’s stock.

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.