Royce & Associates LP Purchases 3,223 Shares of World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD)

Royce & Associates LP increased its position in World Acceptance Co. (NASDAQ:WRLD) by 60.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 8,535 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after buying an additional 3,223 shares during the quarter. Royce & Associates LP owned 0.15% of World Acceptance worth $960,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of WRLD. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in World Acceptance by 10.6% in the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 32,681 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $3,675,000 after purchasing an additional 3,141 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its position in World Acceptance by 5.0% in the fourth quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 22,497 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $2,530,000 after purchasing an additional 1,067 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in World Acceptance by 49.6% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 21,774 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $2,569,000 after purchasing an additional 7,223 shares during the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in World Acceptance by 1.1% in the fourth quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 15,776 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $1,774,000 after purchasing an additional 176 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in World Acceptance in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,504,000. Institutional investors own 83.63% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded World Acceptance from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 13th.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Scott Mcintyre sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.22, for a total transaction of $300,440.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 7,183 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,079,030.26. The trade was a 21.78 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 600 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, January 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $139.81, for a total value of $83,886.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 8,524 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,191,740.44. The trade was a 6.58 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 4,188 shares of company stock valued at $619,409. Company insiders own 43.20% of the company’s stock.

World Acceptance Price Performance

WRLD opened at $125.40 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 22.46 and a current ratio of 22.46. World Acceptance Co. has a 52-week low of $101.85 and a 52-week high of $161.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $720.67 million, a PE ratio of 8.76 and a beta of 1.48. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $133.04 and its 200-day moving average price is $122.19.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The credit services provider reported $2.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.23 by $1.22. World Acceptance had a return on equity of 19.03% and a net margin of 14.41%. On average, equities research analysts predict that World Acceptance Co. will post 14 EPS for the current year.

World Acceptance 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.