Principal Financial Group Inc. Has $2.05 Million Stock Holdings in World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD)

Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of World Acceptance Corporation (NASDAQ:WRLD) by 2.4% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 16,162 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 386 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in World Acceptance were worth $2,045,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its position in World Acceptance by 72.1% during the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 265 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of World Acceptance by 570.9% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 369 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new position in shares of World Acceptance during the 4th quarter valued at $56,000. Amundi lifted its stake in shares of World Acceptance by 195.7% in the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 1,591 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $180,000 after purchasing an additional 1,053 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its position in World Acceptance by 48.8% during the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,643 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $185,000 after buying an additional 539 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.63% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other World Acceptance news, SVP Alice Lindsay Caulder sold 1,010 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total transaction of $151,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 10,315 shares in the company, valued at $1,547,250. This represents a 8.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Darrell E. Whitaker sold 2,500 shares of World Acceptance stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.73, for a total value of $389,325.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 5,074 shares in the company, valued at $790,174.02. The trade was a 33.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 3,560 shares of company stock valued at $548,875. Company insiders own 43.20% of the company’s stock.

World Acceptance Stock Down 1.0%

Shares of World Acceptance stock opened at $164.79 on Friday. World Acceptance Corporation has a 12-month low of $101.85 and a 12-month high of $177.25. The company has a quick ratio of 19.32, a current ratio of 19.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $159.11 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $139.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $875.03 million, a P/E ratio of 10.07 and a beta of 1.35.

World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The credit services provider reported $8.13 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.42 by $1.71. World Acceptance had a net margin of 15.89% and a return on equity of 21.02%. The business had revenue of $165.27 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $154.52 million. Equities analysts expect that World Acceptance Corporation will post 14 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Wall Street Zen raised World Acceptance from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, July 12th.

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.