MFIN
Medallion Financial Corp.
Financial - Credit Services
Market Cap$221M
5Y Perf.+303.9%
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Stock Comparison
MFIN vs WRLD
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
WRLD
World Acceptance Corporation
Financial - Credit Services
Market Cap$751M
5Y Perf.+124.2%
MFIN vs WRLD — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | MFIN | WRLD |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Financial - Credit Services | Financial - Credit Services |
| Market Cap | $221M | $751M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $353M | $565M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $47M | $43M |
| Gross Margin | 96.7% | 70.0% |
| Operating Margin | 50.5% | 28.1% |
| Forward P/E | 7.8x | 21.1x |
| Total Debt | $316M | $526M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $202M | $10M |
MFIN vs WRLD — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
MFIN
WRLD
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medallion Financial… (MFIN) | 100 | 403.9 | +303.9% |
| World Acceptance Co… (WRLD) | 100 | 224.2 | +124.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MFIN vs WRLD
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MFIN leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. World Acceptance Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for profitability and margin quality and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
MFIN
Medallion Financial Corp.
The Banking Pick
MFIN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 4 yrs, beta 1.15, yield 4.8%
- Rev growth 21.1%, EPS growth 17.1%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.15, Low D/E 62.3%, current ratio 27.10x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
WRLD
World Acceptance Corporation
The Banking Pick
WRLD is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding and bank quality.
- 255.0% 10Y total return vs MFIN's 54.5%
- NIM 41.9% vs MFIN's 7.3%
- Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs MFIN's 0.5% (lower = leaner)
Best for: long-term compounding and bank quality
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | MFIN | 21.1% NII/revenue growth vs WRLD's -1.5% |
| Value | MFIN | Lower P/E (7.8x vs 21.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | WRLD | Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs MFIN's 0.5% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | MFIN | Beta 1.15 vs WRLD's 1.27, lower leverage |
| Dividends | MFIN | 4.8% yield; 4-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | WRLD | +13.4% vs MFIN's +8.3% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | WRLD | Efficiency ratio 0.4% vs MFIN's 0.5% |
MFIN vs WRLD — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLMFINLAGGINGWRLD
WRLDWorld Acceptance Corp…
1leads
MFINMedallion Financial C…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs WRLDMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
MFIN3/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
MFIN6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
WRLD5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
MFIN2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MFIN leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WRLD is the larger business by revenue, generating $565M annually — 1.6x MFIN's $353M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 15.9% (WRLD) to 12.2% (MFIN).
| Metric | MFINMedallion Financi… | WRLDWorld Acceptance … |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $353M | $565M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $111M | $61M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $47M | $43M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $126M | $252M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +96.7% | +70.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +50.5% | +28.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +12.2% | +15.9% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +35.7% | +44.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +16.3% | -107.8% |
MFIN leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
MFIN leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 5.3x trailing earnings, MFIN trades at a 42% valuation discount to WRLD's 9.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, MFIN's 1.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than WRLD's 7.5x.
| Metric | MFINMedallion Financi… | WRLDWorld Acceptance … |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $221M | $751M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $336M | $1.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 5.29x | 9.15x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 7.84x | 21.09x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.26x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 1.89x | 7.51x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.63x | 1.33x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.45x | 1.87x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 1.75x | 3.00x |
MFIN leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WRLD leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WRLD delivers a 10.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $11 in annual profit, vs $9 for MFIN. MFIN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.62x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to WRLD's 1.20x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), WRLD scores 9/9 vs MFIN's 7/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | MFINMedallion Financi… | WRLDWorld Acceptance … |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +9.4% | +10.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.6% | +4.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +17.2% | +12.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +10.0% | +16.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 9 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.62x | 1.20x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $115M | $516M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $202M | $10M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $316M | $526M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.07x | 1.13x |
WRLD leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — MFIN and WRLD each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MFIN five years ago would be worth $12,232 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $11,164 for WRLD. Over the past 12 months, WRLD leads with a +13.4% total return vs MFIN's +8.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MFIN at 16.1% vs WRLD's 9.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | MFINMedallion Financi… | WRLDWorld Acceptance … |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -6.4% | +5.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +8.3% | +13.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +56.7% | +32.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +22.3% | +11.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +54.5% | +255.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +16.1% | +9.8% |
Evenly matched — MFIN and WRLD each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MFIN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MFIN is the less volatile stock with a 1.15 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than WRLD's 1.27 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MFIN currently trades 85.5% from its 52-week high vs WRLD's 80.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | MFINMedallion Financi… | WRLDWorld Acceptance … |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.15x | 1.27x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $11.00 | $185.48 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $7.88 | $110.00 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +85.5% | +80.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 51.8 | 46.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 57K | 158K |
MFIN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MFIN as "Hold" and WRLD as "Hold". MFIN is the only dividend payer here at 4.81% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | MFINMedallion Financi… | WRLDWorld Acceptance … |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 9 | 10 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +4.8% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 4 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.45 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.4% | +7.2% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
MFIN leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). WRLD leads in 1 (Profitability & Efficiency). 1 tied.
Best OverallMedallion Financial Corp. (MFIN)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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MFIN vs WRLD: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MFIN or WRLD a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Medallion Financial Corp.
(MFIN) is the stronger pick with 21. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 5% for World Acceptance Corporation (WRLD). Medallion Financial Corp. (MFIN) offers the better valuation at 5. 3x trailing P/E (7. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Medallion Financial Corp. (MFIN) a "Hold" — based on 9 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — MFIN or WRLD?
On trailing P/E, Medallion Financial Corp.
(MFIN) is the cheapest at 5. 3x versus World Acceptance Corporation at 9. 1x. On forward P/E, Medallion Financial Corp. is actually cheaper at 7. 8x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — MFIN or WRLD?
Over the past 5 years, Medallion Financial Corp.
(MFIN) delivered a total return of +22. 3%, compared to +11. 6% for World Acceptance Corporation (WRLD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WRLD returned +255. 0% versus MFIN's +54. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — MFIN or WRLD?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Medallion Financial Corp.
(MFIN) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 15β versus World Acceptance Corporation's 1. 27β — meaning WRLD is approximately 10% more volatile than MFIN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Medallion Financial Corp. (MFIN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 62% versus 120% for World Acceptance Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MFIN or WRLD?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Medallion Financial Corp.
(MFIN) is pulling ahead at 21. 1% versus -1. 5% for World Acceptance Corporation (WRLD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: World Acceptance Corporation grew EPS 23. 6% year-over-year, compared to 17. 1% for Medallion Financial Corp.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — MFIN or WRLD?
World Acceptance Corporation (WRLD) is the more profitable company, earning 15.
9% net margin versus 12. 2% for Medallion Financial Corp. — meaning it keeps 15. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MFIN leads at 50. 5% versus 28. 1% for WRLD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MFIN leads at 96. 7%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is MFIN or WRLD more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Medallion Financial Corp.
(MFIN) trades at 7. 8x forward P/E versus 21. 1x for World Acceptance Corporation — 13. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — MFIN or WRLD?
In this comparison, MFIN (4.
8% yield) pays a dividend. WRLD does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is MFIN or WRLD better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Medallion Financial Corp.
(MFIN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 15), 4. 8% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MFIN: +54. 5%, WRLD: +255. 0%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between MFIN and WRLD?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: MFIN is a small-cap high-growth stock; WRLD is a small-cap deep-value stock. MFIN pays a dividend while WRLD does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(MFIN: 21.1% · WRLD: -1.5%)Net Margin>
%
(MFIN: 12.2% · WRLD: 15.9%)P/E Ratio<
x
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