Short Interest in World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD) Declines By 14.1%

World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 363,300 shares, a decrease of 14.1% from the December 31st total of 422,700 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 21,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 17.1 days. Currently, 7.4% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

World Acceptance Trading Down 4.1 %

Shares of WRLD stock opened at $144.20 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $119.01 and a two-hundred day moving average of $118.50. The firm has a market cap of $829.15 million, a PE ratio of 9.80 and a beta of 1.44. World Acceptance has a 1-year low of $101.85 and a 1-year high of $161.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, a current ratio of 19.53 and a quick ratio of 19.53.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The credit services provider reported $2.45 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.23 by $1.22. World Acceptance had a net margin of 15.02% and a return on equity of 19.85%. On average, analysts predict that World Acceptance will post 12.88 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently commented on WRLD shares. StockNews.com raised shares of World Acceptance from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 13th. Stephens began coverage on World Acceptance in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $10.00 price target on the stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 600 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total transaction of $90,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 15,248 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,287,200. This trade represents a 3.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 43.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Millennium Management LLC increased its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 125.2% during the second quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 22,184 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $2,741,000 after buying an additional 12,333 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in World Acceptance by 38.0% in the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 40,475 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $5,002,000 after acquiring an additional 11,135 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in shares of World Acceptance by 49.6% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 21,774 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $2,569,000 after purchasing an additional 7,223 shares during the period. PDT Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of World Acceptance in the third quarter valued at approximately $830,000. Finally, Barclays PLC grew its position in World Acceptance by 282.9% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 7,657 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $903,000 after purchasing an additional 5,657 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.63% of the company’s stock.

World Acceptance Company Profile

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.