Principal Financial Group Inc. Purchases 261 Shares of World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD)

Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD) by 1.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 21,601 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 261 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned 0.36% of World Acceptance worth $3,132,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of WRLD. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System bought a new stake in World Acceptance during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $222,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC bought a new stake in World Acceptance in the first quarter valued at approximately $242,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC boosted its position in World Acceptance by 21.4% during the 4th quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 2,093 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $273,000 after buying an additional 369 shares during the period. Jump Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of World Acceptance in the fourth quarter worth about $326,000. Finally, Teacher Retirement System of Texas purchased a new position in World Acceptance during the 4th quarter valued at about $343,000. 83.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com raised World Acceptance from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday.

World Acceptance Stock Down 1.5 %

Shares of NASDAQ:WRLD traded down $1.93 during trading on Friday, reaching $124.15. 5,284 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 39,870. World Acceptance Co. has a 52-week low of $94.57 and a 52-week high of $160.07. The stock has a market cap of $725.04 million, a P/E ratio of 9.51 and a beta of 1.38. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $128.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $131.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 15.98 and a current ratio of 15.98.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 2nd. The credit services provider reported $6.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.35 by $1.74. World Acceptance had a net margin of 13.49% and a return on equity of 18.88%. The company had revenue of $159.27 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $149.00 million. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that World Acceptance Co. will post 13.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

World Acceptance Company Profile

World Acceptance Corporation engages in consumer finance business in the United States. The company offers short-term small installment loans, medium-term larger installment loans, related credit insurance, and ancillary products and services to individuals. It also provides income tax return preparation and filing services; and automobile club memberships.