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

World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD) was the target of a large decline in short interest in the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 363,300 shares, a decline of 14.1% from the December 31st total of 422,700 shares. Approximately 7.4% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 21,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 17.1 days.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Luke J. Umstetter sold 600 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total transaction of $90,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, 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 sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 43.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of World Acceptance

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Point72 DIFC Ltd purchased a new stake in World Acceptance during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $47,000. FMR LLC raised its stake in World Acceptance by 19.0% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 822 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $97,000 after purchasing an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new position in World Acceptance in the 2nd quarter valued at $140,000. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its stake in World Acceptance by 10.0% during the 3rd quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 1,791 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $211,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP grew its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 53.3% during the third quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 1,997 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $236,000 after buying an additional 694 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.63% of the company’s stock.

World Acceptance Stock Performance

Shares of WRLD stock opened at $144.20 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 19.53, a quick ratio of 19.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. World Acceptance has a 12-month low of $101.85 and a 12-month high of $161.63. The business’s 50 day moving average is $119.01 and its two-hundred day moving average is $118.50. The company has a market capitalization of $829.15 million, a P/E ratio of 9.80 and a beta of 1.44.

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

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.