Insider Trading March 11, 2026

World Acceptance Executive Sells $141,880 in Stock Amid Buyback Activity and Operational Changes

CFO and Treasurer John L. Calmes Jr. trimmed 1,000 shares as the company reports a Q3 EPS miss, approves a $50 million repurchase plan and names a new COO

By Derek Hwang WRLD
World Acceptance Executive Sells $141,880 in Stock Amid Buyback Activity and Operational Changes
WRLD

World Acceptance Corp insider John L. Calmes Jr. sold 1,000 shares of company stock on March 10, 2026, at $141.88 per share for a total of $141,880, leaving him with 50,334 shares directly owned. The transaction coincides with management-led repurchases highlighted by InvestingPro and follows the company's third fiscal quarter of 2026 earnings miss, a revenue beat, board approval of a $50 million share buyback program, and the appointment of J. Tobin Turner as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

Key Points

  • John L. Calmes Jr. sold 1,000 shares on March 10, 2026 at $141.88 per share, totaling $141,880; he now directly owns 50,334 shares.
  • World Acceptance reported a Q3 2026 EPS of -0.19 versus an expected 0.78, a negative surprise of 124.36%, while revenue was $141.25 million, 5.81% above estimates.
  • The Board approved a share repurchase program authorizing up to $50 million in buybacks; timing and quantity will depend on stock price and market conditions, and InvestingPro notes active management buybacks and lists the stock among most undervalued based on its Fair Value analysis.

Insider sale and ownership position

According to a Form 4 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, John L. Calmes Jr., who serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial & Strategy Officer, and Treasurer of World Acceptance Corp (NASDAQ: WRLD), sold 1,000 shares of company stock on March 10, 2026. The shares changed hands at $141.88 each, producing proceeds of $141,880. After the transaction, Calmes is recorded as directly owning 50,334 shares of World Acceptance Corp.

Context from company activity and third-party research

The insider sale occurred against a backdrop of management share repurchases. An InvestingPro note cited in company commentary indicates that World Acceptance management has been actively repurchasing shares. Additionally, InvestingPro’s Fair Value analysis places the stock on its Most Undervalued list. For investors seeking a broader dataset, InvestingPro publishes a Pro Research Report that includes WRLD along with coverage of more than 1,400 U.S. equities.

Recent financial results and board action

World Acceptance’s fiscal third-quarter 2026 results showed a notable earnings shortfall. The company reported an earnings-per-share (EPS) figure of -0.19, compared with a consensus projection of 0.78, representing a negative surprise of 124.36%. Revenue for the quarter was $141.25 million, which exceeded expectations by 5.81%.

Following the quarter, the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program allowing the company to buy back up to $50 million of outstanding common stock. Company disclosures note that the timing and volume of any repurchases will be determined by factors including the market price of the shares and prevailing market conditions.

Leadership change

World Acceptance also announced an executive appointment: J. Tobin Turner, previously Senior Vice President of Strategy and Analytics, has been elevated to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In his new role Turner will oversee the company’s branch network and day-to-day operations.


What this report covers

This report summarizes the insider sale by an officer of World Acceptance, the company’s most recent quarterly operating results and revenue, the board-authorized repurchase program, and a named change in the senior operating team. It also notes third-party commentary from InvestingPro regarding management buybacks and relative valuation as determined by InvestingPro’s Fair Value framework.

Risks

  • Earnings volatility - The company reported an EPS shortfall in Q3 2026, which indicates potential near-term volatility in profitability that could affect investors and the financials sector.
  • Repurchase execution uncertainty - The approved $50 million buyback program does not specify timing or share count; execution will depend on market conditions and stock price, introducing uncertainty for capital allocation outcomes that could impact equity markets.
  • Operational transition risk - The appointment of a new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer to oversee branch operations introduces the typical execution risk associated with a leadership change in day-to-day operations.

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