EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) Reaches New 12-Month High – What’s Next?

Shares of EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $29.63 and last traded at $29.61, with a volume of 720274 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $28.69.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently commented on EZPW. Stephens raised their price objective on shares of EZCORP from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of EZCORP from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 7th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of EZCORP from a “buy (b+)” rating to a “buy (a-)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 8th. Citigroup restated an “outperform” rating on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group raised their price objective on shares of EZCORP from $34.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, EZCORP has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $29.50.

EZCORP Stock Down 1.2%

The company has a market capitalization of $1.81 billion, a PE ratio of 18.79 and a beta of 0.52. The company’s 50 day moving average is $26.08 and its two-hundred day moving average is $21.82. The company has a quick ratio of 4.69, a current ratio of 6.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The credit services provider reported $0.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $374.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $363.63 million. EZCORP had a net margin of 9.18% and a return on equity of 12.37%. On average, analysts anticipate that EZCORP, Inc. will post 1.3 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at EZCORP

In related news, insider Ellen H. Bryant sold 20,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.00, for a total transaction of $500,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 147,786 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,694,650. This trade represents a 11.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CRO Nicole Swies sold 24,138 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.75, for a total transaction of $597,415.50. Following the transaction, the executive directly owned 115,266 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,852,833.50. The trade was a 17.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 84,138 shares of company stock valued at $2,102,416. Insiders own 2.13% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On EZCORP

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of EZCORP in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new position in shares of EZCORP in the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Covestor Ltd grew its stake in shares of EZCORP by 239.3% in the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,728 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 1,924 shares in the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG grew its stake in shares of EZCORP by 533.5% in the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 2,667 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 2,246 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of EZCORP by 15,019.0% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 3,175 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $60,000 after buying an additional 3,154 shares in the last quarter. 99.83% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About EZCORP

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.