ATLC vs WRLD

For growth investors, Atlanticus Holdings Corporation (ATLC) is the stronger pick with 53.

3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 5% for World Acceptance Corporation (WRLD). World Acceptance Corporation (WRLD) offers the better valuation at 9. 1x trailing P/E (21. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Atlanticus Holdings Corporation (ATLC) a "Buy" — based on 6 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.

On trailing P/E, World Acceptance Corporation (WRLD) is the cheapest at 9.

1x versus Atlanticus Holdings Corporation at 13. 1x. On forward P/E, Atlanticus Holdings Corporation is actually cheaper at 8. 6x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: World Acceptance Corporation wins at 0. 59x versus Atlanticus Holdings Corporation's 1. 00x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Atlanticus Holdings Corporation (ATLC) delivered a total return of +136.

2%, compared to +11. 6% for World Acceptance Corporation (WRLD). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ATLC returned +24. 8% versus WRLD's +255. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), World Acceptance Corporation (WRLD) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

27β versus Atlanticus Holdings Corporation's 1. 81β — meaning ATLC is approximately 43% more volatile than WRLD relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, World Acceptance Corporation (WRLD) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 120% versus 11% for Atlanticus Holdings Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Atlanticus Holdings Corporation (ATLC) is pulling ahead at 53.

3% versus -1. 5% for World Acceptance Corporation (WRLD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Atlanticus Holdings Corporation grew EPS 24. 9% year-over-year, compared to 23. 6% for World Acceptance Corporation. 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.

Atlanticus Holdings Corporation (ATLC) is the more profitable company, earning 17.

3% net margin versus 15. 9% for World Acceptance Corporation — meaning it keeps 17. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WRLD leads at 28. 1% versus 22. 7% for ATLC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — WRLD leads at 70. 0%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, World Acceptance Corporation (WRLD) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 59x versus Atlanticus Holdings Corporation's 1. 00x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Atlanticus Holdings Corporation (ATLC) trades at 8. 6x forward P/E versus 21. 1x for World Acceptance Corporation — 12. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

In this comparison, ATLC (0.

8% yield) pays a dividend. WRLD does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, World Acceptance Corporation (WRLD) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.

27), +255. 0% 10Y return). Atlanticus Holdings Corporation (ATLC) carries a higher beta of 1. 81 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (WRLD: +255. 0%, ATLC: +24. 8%), 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.

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: ATLC is a small-cap high-growth stock; WRLD is a small-cap deep-value stock. ATLC 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.