Short Interest in World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD) Decreases By 14.4%

World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 236,980 shares, a drop of 14.4% from the January 15th total of 276,988 shares. Approximately 8.1% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 101,130 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.3 days. Based on an average daily volume of 101,130 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.3 days. Approximately 8.1% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of World Acceptance from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of World Acceptance in a report on Monday, December 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat, World Acceptance has an average rating of “Hold”.

World Acceptance Stock Up 2.7%

Shares of NASDAQ:WRLD traded up $3.50 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $134.65. 95,118 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 97,065. World Acceptance has a fifty-two week low of $104.99 and a fifty-two week high of $185.48. The company has a quick ratio of 25.01, a current ratio of 25.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $137.63 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $152.23. The firm has a market cap of $665.17 million, a PE ratio of 17.24 and a beta of 1.20.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The credit services provider reported ($0.19) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.58 by ($0.77). World Acceptance had a return on equity of 10.80% and a net margin of 7.46%.The company had revenue of $128.47 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $133.49 million. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that World Acceptance will post 14 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other World Acceptance news, insider Daniel Clinton Dyer sold 8,857 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction on 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 completion of the sale, the insider owned 33,640 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,012,360. The trade was a 20.84% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider John L. Calmes, Jr. sold 1,000 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.21, for a total value of $149,210.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 54,395 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,116,277.95. This trade represents a 1.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 9,946 shares of company stock valued at $1,482,253 over the last three months. Company insiders own 41.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On World Acceptance

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of WRLD. Squarepoint Ops LLC acquired a new stake in shares of World Acceptance in the second quarter valued at approximately $941,000. CX Institutional bought a new position in World Acceptance in the third quarter valued at $6,258,000. Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its stake in World Acceptance by 47.0% in the 2nd quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 3,528 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $583,000 after buying an additional 1,128 shares during the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas lifted its position in World Acceptance by 231.1% during the 2nd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 10,248 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,692,000 after buying an additional 7,153 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in World Acceptance by 20.9% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 74,973 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $12,380,000 after buying an additional 12,954 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.63% of the company’s stock.

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.