Principal Financial Group Inc. Grows Stock Position in World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD)

Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD) by 1.2% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 21,601 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 261 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in World Acceptance were worth $3,132,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. New York State Teachers Retirement System lifted its holdings in World Acceptance by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 7,361 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $1,067,000 after purchasing an additional 138 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC acquired a new position in shares of World Acceptance during the 1st quarter valued at about $242,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 11.0% during the 1st quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 20,301 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $2,943,000 after acquiring an additional 2,009 shares during the last quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd increased its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 277.9% during the 4th quarter. Quadrature Capital Ltd now owns 12,594 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $1,647,000 after acquiring an additional 9,261 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quest Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of World Acceptance during the 4th quarter valued at about $690,000. 83.63% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

World Acceptance Stock Down 1.5 %

NASDAQ:WRLD traded down $1.93 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $124.15. The stock had a trading volume of 5,284 shares, compared to its average volume of 39,870. The company has a current ratio of 15.98, a quick ratio of 15.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17. World Acceptance Co. has a 1-year low of $94.57 and a 1-year high of $160.07. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $128.98 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $131.50. The company has a market cap of $725.04 million, a PE ratio of 9.51 and a beta of 1.38.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 2nd. The credit services provider reported $6.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 the consensus estimate of $149.00 million. Analysts predict that World Acceptance Co. will post 13.69 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

World Acceptance 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.