World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD) Stake Boosted by Empowered Funds LLC

Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in shares of World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD) by 5.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 22,497 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,067 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC’s holdings in World Acceptance were worth $2,530,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WRLD. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC lifted its stake in World Acceptance by 52.5% during the third quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 10,813 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,276,000 after purchasing an additional 3,721 shares during the last quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC lifted its stake in World Acceptance by 8.8% in the third quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC now owns 4,481 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $529,000 after buying an additional 362 shares during the last quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP lifted its stake in World Acceptance by 27.4% in the third quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 11,663 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $1,376,000 after buying an additional 2,511 shares during the last quarter. Royce & Associates LP bought a new stake in World Acceptance in the third quarter valued at $627,000. Finally, Quest Partners LLC lifted its stake in World Acceptance by 2.7% in the third quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 3,519 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $415,000 after buying an additional 93 shares during the last quarter. 83.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. StockNews.com upgraded World Acceptance from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, January 13th. Stephens assumed coverage on shares of World Acceptance in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $10.00 price objective on the stock.

World Acceptance Price Performance

NASDAQ:WRLD opened at $150.09 on Friday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $124.04 and its 200 day moving average price is $118.95. The firm has a market cap of $863.02 million, a P/E ratio of 10.48 and a beta of 1.46. World Acceptance Co. has a 52-week low of $101.85 and a 52-week high of $161.63. The company has a quick ratio of 19.53, a current ratio of 22.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The credit services provider reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.23 by $1.22. World Acceptance had a return on equity of 19.03% and a net margin of 14.41%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that World Acceptance Co. will post 14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other World Acceptance news, SVP Jason E. Childers sold 500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $143.58, for a total transaction of $71,790.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 8,039 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,154,239.62. This trade represents a 5.86 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 600 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total value of $90,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 15,248 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,287,200. This represents a 3.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 1,700 shares of company stock valued at $245,676. 43.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.