EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) Receives Average Recommendation of “Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) have received an average rating of “Buy” from the seven brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $37.25.

Several research firms recently commented on EZPW. Citizens Jmp increased their price objective on EZCORP from $33.00 to $39.00 and gave the company a “market outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, May 11th. Citigroup reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Monday, May 11th. Canaccord Genuity Group set a $44.00 price objective on EZCORP in a research report on Friday, May 8th. Weiss Ratings raised EZCORP from a “buy (b+)” rating to a “buy (a-)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 8th. Finally, Zacks Research raised EZCORP from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, May 8th.

EZCORP Trading Down 1.5%

EZCORP stock opened at $30.44 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 4.71 and a quick ratio of 3.52. EZCORP has a one year low of $12.89 and a one year high of $37.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.87 billion, a PE ratio of 16.54 and a beta of 0.63. The business’s fifty day moving average is $31.68 and its 200 day moving average is $26.06.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 6th. The credit services provider reported $0.58 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.36 by $0.22. EZCORP had a return on equity of 13.45% and a net margin of 9.91%.The company had revenue of $434.90 million for the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts predict that EZCORP will post 2 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other EZCORP news, Director Jason A. Kulas sold 20,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.56, for a total value of $671,200.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 172,948 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,804,134.88. This trade represents a 10.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Pablo Lagos Espinosa sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.00, for a total value of $320,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 217,543 shares in the company, valued at $6,961,376. The trade was a 4.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Company insiders own 2.13% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in EZCORP in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new position in EZCORP in the third quarter worth about $29,000. KBC Group NV purchased a new position in EZCORP in the first quarter worth about $44,000. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its position in EZCORP by 533.5% in the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 2,667 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 2,246 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC boosted its position in EZCORP by 21.2% in the fourth quarter. CWM LLC now owns 4,146 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $81,000 after purchasing an additional 724 shares during the last quarter. 99.83% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

EZCORP Company Profile

EZCORP, Inc is a specialty consumer finance company that provides pawn loans and retail merchandise programs primarily through its EZPAWN and Cash Converters brands. The company offers collateral-based loans secured principally by jewelry, electronics, musical instruments and other personal items, alongside check-cashing, money-transfer and bill-payment services. In addition to its pawn lending operations, EZCORP acquires previously pawned or consumer merchandise for resale through its “Sell-It-Now” platform and retail storefronts.

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, EZCORP operates in two principal geographic markets: the United States and Mexico.