World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD) Sees Large Decrease in Short Interest

World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD) was the target of a large decrease in short interest during the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 236,980 shares, a decrease of 14.4% from the January 15th total of 276,988 shares. Approximately 8.1% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 101,130 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.3 days. Based on an average daily volume of 101,130 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.3 days. Approximately 8.1% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have commented on WRLD. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of World Acceptance in a report on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research raised World Acceptance from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold”.

Insider Activity at World Acceptance

In other World Acceptance news, insider Daniel Clinton Dyer sold 8,857 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $149.00, for a total transaction of $1,319,693.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 33,640 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,012,360. The trade was a 20.84% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider John L. Calmes, Jr. sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.21, for a total transaction of $149,210.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 54,395 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,116,277.95. This trade represents a 1.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders sold 9,946 shares of company stock valued at $1,482,253. Company insiders own 41.60% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On World Acceptance

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its position in World Acceptance by 4.0% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 2,044 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $259,000 after buying an additional 78 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 4.1% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 23,422 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $2,964,000 after acquiring an additional 925 shares during the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS boosted its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 60.0% during the 2nd quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS now owns 800 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $132,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its position in shares of World Acceptance by 163.4% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 848 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $140,000 after acquiring an additional 526 shares during the period. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 47.0% in the 2nd quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 3,528 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $583,000 after purchasing an additional 1,128 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.63% of the company’s stock.

World Acceptance Price Performance

WRLD stock opened at $135.30 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 25.01 and a current ratio of 25.01. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $137.29 and a 200-day moving average price of $151.97. World Acceptance has a 52-week low of $104.99 and a 52-week high of $185.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $668.38 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.32 and a beta of 1.20.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The credit services provider reported ($0.19) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.58 by ($0.77). World Acceptance had a return on equity of 10.80% and a net margin of 7.46%.The company had revenue of $128.47 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $133.49 million. Equities research analysts forecast that World Acceptance will post 14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About World Acceptance

World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ: WRLD) is a consumer finance company headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. Founded in 1972, the company provides credit solutions to underserved customers who may have limited access to traditional banking services. Over the decades, World Acceptance has built a reputation for tailored lending that emphasizes responsible underwriting and personalized customer service.

The company’s core product offerings include short-term installment loans designed to meet the immediate financial needs of its clients.