World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Downgraded by Wall Street Zen to Buy

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) was downgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report issued on Tuesday.

World Acceptance Stock Up 0.7%

Shares of NASDAQ:WRLD opened at $155.54 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $825.45 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.86 and a beta of 1.29. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $134.33 and its 200-day simple moving average is $128.64. The company has a quick ratio of 22.46, a current ratio of 22.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31. World Acceptance has a fifty-two week low of $101.85 and a fifty-two week high of $161.63.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The credit services provider reported $8.13 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $1.71. The business had revenue of $165.27 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $154.52 million. World Acceptance had a net margin of 14.41% and a return on equity of 19.03%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that World Acceptance will post 14 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at World Acceptance

In related news, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 1,010 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total value of $151,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 10,315 shares in the company, valued at $1,547,250. This trade represents a 8.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 43.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of World Acceptance

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of WRLD. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 84,803.6% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 46,697 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $5,910,000 after purchasing an additional 46,642 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of World Acceptance in the fourth quarter valued at about $1,878,000. Voleon Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of World Acceptance in the fourth quarter valued at about $1,728,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of World Acceptance in the fourth quarter valued at about $1,504,000. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in shares of World Acceptance in the first quarter valued at approximately $1,356,000. 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.