World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Cut to “Buy” at StockNews.com

StockNews.com lowered shares of World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning.

World Acceptance Stock Up 2.4 %

Shares of NASDAQ WRLD opened at $141.52 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $826.48 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.67 and a beta of 1.38. World Acceptance has a 52-week low of $94.57 and a 52-week high of $160.07. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $128.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $131.59. The company has a quick ratio of 15.98, a current ratio of 15.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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. The firm had revenue of $159.27 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $149.00 million. World Acceptance had a net margin of 13.49% and a return on equity of 18.88%. Equities analysts predict that World Acceptance will post 13.69 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On World Acceptance

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its stake in World Acceptance by 80.9% during the fourth quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 3,988 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $521,000 after purchasing an additional 1,783 shares during the period. New York State Teachers Retirement System increased its stake in World Acceptance by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 7,223 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $943,000 after buying an additional 229 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System purchased a new stake in World Acceptance during the 4th quarter worth approximately $222,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC increased its stake 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 worth $273,000 after buying an additional 369 shares during the period. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC increased its stake in World Acceptance by 7.2% during the 4th quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 18,292 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $2,388,000 after buying an additional 1,235 shares during the period. 83.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.