American Century Companies Inc. Grows Stock Holdings in World Acceptance Corporation $WRLD

American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD) by 14.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 85,622 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 10,649 shares during the quarter. American Century Companies Inc. owned 1.57% of World Acceptance worth $14,482,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 103.2% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 569 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $94,000 after acquiring an additional 289 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in World Acceptance during the third quarter valued at $215,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company bought a new position in World Acceptance in the second quarter valued at about $215,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in World Acceptance by 22.1% in the second quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 1,461 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $240,000 after acquiring an additional 264 shares during the period. Finally, Jump Financial LLC purchased a new position in World Acceptance in the second quarter worth about $242,000. Institutional investors own 83.63% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have issued reports on WRLD. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of World Acceptance in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research raised shares of World Acceptance from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, World Acceptance has an average rating of “Hold”.

Insider Transactions at World Acceptance

In other World Acceptance news, insider John L. Calmes, Jr. sold 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $141.88, for a total transaction of $141,880.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 50,334 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,141,387.92. This trade represents a 1.95% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Daniel Clinton Dyer sold 8,857 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction that occurred 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 in the company, valued at $5,012,360. This represents a 20.84% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 10,946 shares of company stock worth $1,624,133. Insiders own 41.60% of the company’s stock.

World Acceptance Price Performance

Shares of World Acceptance stock opened at $135.15 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $667.24 million, a P/E ratio of 17.30 and a beta of 1.20. 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 stock’s fifty day moving average is $134.40 and its 200 day moving average is $149.02. World Acceptance Corporation has a one year low of $104.99 and a one year high of $185.48.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last released 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). The company had revenue of $128.47 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $133.49 million. World Acceptance had a net margin of 7.46% and a return on equity of 10.80%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that World Acceptance Corporation will post 14 earnings per share for the current 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.