World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Trading Down 8% – Here’s Why

Shares of World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD) fell 8% on Monday . The stock traded as low as $138.86 and last traded at $137.4350. 37,492 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 47% from the average session volume of 70,668 shares. The stock had previously closed at $149.35.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

World Acceptance Trading Down 7.1%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.60, a current ratio of 24.16 and a quick ratio of 24.16. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $144.03 and a 200-day moving average price of $159.06. The company has a market capitalization of $699.38 million, a P/E ratio of 13.28 and a beta of 1.12.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The credit services provider reported ($0.38) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.87 by ($2.25). World Acceptance had a return on equity of 13.65% and a net margin of 10.00%.The business had revenue of $120.12 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $127.85 million. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that World Acceptance Corporation will post 14 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at World Acceptance

In other news, insider Daniel Clinton Dyer sold 8,857 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the insider directly owned 33,640 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,012,360. This represents a 20.84% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing 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 dated 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 in the company, valued at approximately $8,116,277.95. The trade was a 1.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 9,946 shares of company stock worth $1,482,253 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 41.60% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On World Acceptance

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. CX Institutional purchased a new stake in shares of World Acceptance in the 3rd quarter worth about $6,258,000. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of World Acceptance by 33.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC now owns 57,928 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $9,565,000 after purchasing an additional 14,406 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in World Acceptance by 51.1% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 41,380 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $6,833,000 after acquiring an additional 13,999 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in World Acceptance by 20.9% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 74,973 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $12,380,000 after purchasing an additional 12,954 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 95.3% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 24,400 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $4,127,000 after acquiring an additional 11,905 shares in the last quarter. 83.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

World Acceptance Company Profile

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.