World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) Upgraded by StockNews.com to “Strong-Buy” Rating

StockNews.com upgraded shares of World Acceptance (NASDAQ:WRLD) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note published on Sunday morning.

World Acceptance Price Performance

Shares of WRLD opened at $152.21 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $874.75 million, a PE ratio of 10.63 and a beta of 1.29. The company’s 50-day moving average is $128.91 and its 200-day moving average is $126.35. World Acceptance has a fifty-two week low of $101.85 and a fifty-two week high of $161.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 22.46 and a quick ratio of 22.46.

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, beating the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $1.71. The company had revenue of $165.27 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $154.52 million. World Acceptance had a net margin of 14.41% and a return on equity of 19.03%. Equities analysts forecast that World Acceptance will post 14 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On World Acceptance

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of WRLD. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in World Acceptance by 49.6% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 21,774 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $2,569,000 after buying an additional 7,223 shares in the last quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC raised its holdings in World Acceptance by 6.5% in the 4th quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 11,521 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $1,295,000 after buying an additional 708 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its position in shares of World Acceptance by 5.0% in the 4th quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 22,497 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $2,530,000 after purchasing an additional 1,067 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of World Acceptance by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 15,776 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,774,000 after purchasing an additional 176 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in shares of World Acceptance by 10.6% in the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 32,681 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $3,675,000 after purchasing an additional 3,141 shares during the period. 83.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About World Acceptance

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.