WRLD
Financial ServicesWorld Acceptance Corporation · Financial - Credit Services · $790M
What is World Acceptance Corporation?
World Acceptance Corporation is a small-loan consumer finance company serving individuals who have limited access to traditional credit sources. Operating across sixteen U.S. states, it has built a branch-heavy lending network since its founding.
The company originates short- and medium-term installment loans to underserved borrowers, earning revenue through interest and fees. Alongside lending, it sells credit-related insurance products and offers income tax preparation and electronic filing services. Automobile club memberships are also marketed to its borrower base, creating modest ancillary revenue streams beyond core lending.
World Acceptance Corporation was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina.
- Short- and medium-term installment loans
- Credit life, accident, health, and property insurance
- Income tax preparation and e-filing services
- Automobile club memberships
Is WRLD a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates WRLD as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful headwinds across several key dimensions.
The Valuation pillar stands out as the relative bright spot, rated Good — suggesting the market may already be pricing in many of the company's challenges. The Quality pillar registers as Neutral, indicating neither a clear advantage nor a severe structural flaw in near-term fundamentals.
The Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars all carry Weak ratings, pointing to limited competitive differentiation, constrained expansion prospects, and elevated exposure to credit and regulatory risk.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does WRLD pay dividends?
No — World Acceptance Corporation does not currently pay a dividend.
World Acceptance Corporation does not currently pay a dividend. For a consumer lender operating in the subprime installment space, capital is typically retained to fund loan origination growth and maintain regulatory capital buffers rather than returned to shareholders through distributions.
When does WRLD report earnings?
World Acceptance Corporation reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for U.S.-listed financial companies.
Results tend to reflect shifts in credit quality, charge-off trends, and loan demand among its underserved borrower base. Regulatory developments and macroeconomic conditions affecting lower-income consumers can meaningfully influence reported outcomes quarter to quarter.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance commentary, visit World Acceptance Corporation's investor relations page directly.
WRLD Price History
-8.0% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in World Acceptance Corporation?
Based on World Acceptance Corporation's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
WRLD Long-term Outlook
The UQS Growth and Risk pillars both register as Weak, suggesting the fundamental outlook carries more uncertainty than opportunity in the near term. Loan demand among underserved borrowers can be cyclically sensitive, and credit losses tend to rise during economic stress. The Good Valuation rating indicates downside may be partially reflected in the current price, but a durable recovery would require improvement in credit performance and a clearer growth path.
Growth drivers
- Potential branch network expansion into underserved markets
- Ancillary revenue from insurance and tax services
- Demand for non-bank credit among consumers with limited alternatives
Key risks
- Elevated credit and charge-off risk in the subprime lending segment
- Regulatory scrutiny of high-rate consumer lending practices
- Macroeconomic pressure on lower-income borrowers constraining repayment capacity
WRLD vs Peers
World Acceptance operates in a fragmented corner of consumer finance, where it competes with a range of non-bank and fintech-adjacent lenders.
Green Dot focuses on prepaid debit cards and banking-as-a-service rather than installment lending, targeting a similar underserved demographic through a digital-first model.
NewtekOne operates as a business development company with a broader small-business lending mandate, differentiating itself from WRLD's consumer-only installment focus.
Lufax is a China-based fintech lender serving small business and consumer borrowers, representing an international alternative in the non-bank credit space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does World Acceptance Corporation do?
World Acceptance Corporation provides small installment loans to individuals who lack access to traditional credit sources like banks or credit unions. It also sells credit-related insurance products, offers income tax preparation services, and markets automobile club memberships through its branch network across sixteen U.S. states.
Does WRLD pay dividends?
No, World Acceptance Corporation does not currently pay a dividend. The company retains capital to fund its lending operations and manage credit risk rather than distributing cash to shareholders. Income-focused investors should factor this into their assessment.
When does WRLD report earnings?
WRLD reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for U.S.-listed financial companies. For exact reporting dates and recent results, check the investor relations section of World Acceptance Corporation's official website.
Is WRLD a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates WRLD as Below Average, driven by Weak ratings across the Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars. The Valuation pillar is rated Good, which may reflect that challenges are partially priced in. Investors should weigh those risks carefully before making a decision.
Is WRLD overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for WRLD is rated Good, suggesting the stock does not appear expensive relative to its fundamentals at current levels. However, a favorable valuation alone does not offset the Weak ratings in Growth, Moat, and Risk. The full valuation metrics are available to Pro members.
How does WRLD compare to its competitors?
World Acceptance competes in non-bank consumer lending alongside companies like Green Dot, NewtekOne, and Lufax. Unlike digital-first or business-focused peers, WRLD relies on a physical branch network and face-to-face lending relationships. See the UQS competitor comparison for a side-by-side quality assessment.
What is WRLD's market cap bracket?
World Acceptance Corporation is classified as a small-cap company. This means it carries characteristics typical of smaller public companies — including potentially lower liquidity and higher sensitivity to sector-specific or macroeconomic shocks compared to large- or mega-cap peers.
Who founded World Acceptance Corporation?
World Acceptance Corporation was founded in 1991. For detailed founding history and leadership background, the company's official investor relations materials and public filings are the most reliable sources.
Is WRLD a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, the UQS Score rates WRLD as Below Average. Weak Moat and Growth ratings suggest limited durable competitive advantage and constrained expansion potential. Long-term quality investors typically look for stronger scores across multiple pillars before committing capital over an extended horizon.
What is the main competitive advantage of World Acceptance Corporation?
WRLD's primary advantage is its established branch network and long-standing relationships with underserved borrowers who have few alternatives. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, indicating it may not be sufficiently durable or defensible against digital lending competitors and regulatory pressure.
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Pro Analysis
WRLD — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2026 | 37.4 | 45.2 | 19.0 | 31.7 | 29.7 | 70.6 | -0.2 |
| May 18, 2026 | 37.6 | 45.2 | 19.0 | 31.7 | 29.7 | 71.5 | -0.4 |
| May 7, 2026 | 38.0 | 51.9 | 19.0 | 27.1 | 36.6 | 62.8 | 0.0 |
| May 4, 2026 | 38.0 | 51.9 | 19.0 | 27.1 | 36.6 | 62.3 | +0.7 |
| May 3, 2026 | 37.3 | 51.9 | 19.0 | 24.5 | 36.6 | 61.6 | -0.1 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 37.4 | 51.9 | 19.0 | 24.5 | 36.6 | 61.7 | -0.3 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 37.7 | 51.9 | 19.0 | 24.5 | 36.6 | 63.7 | 0.0 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 37.7 | 51.9 | 19.0 | 24.5 | 36.6 | 64.2 | -3.5 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 41.2 | 51.9 | 19.0 | 24.5 | 36.6 | 87.5 | +0.4 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 40.8 | 51.9 | 19.0 | 24.5 | 36.6 | 84.8 | -0.4 |
WRLD — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 45.2/100 (25%)World Acceptance Corporation has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 31.7/100 (20%)World Acceptance Corporation faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 29.7/100 (15%)World Acceptance Corporation presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 70.6/100 (15%)World Acceptance Corporation trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 19/100 (25%)World Acceptance Corporation operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for WRLD.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the WRLD UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for World Acceptance Corporation is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses World Acceptance Corporation's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether World Acceptance Corporation is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.