Jason Kulas Sells 20,000 Shares of EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) Stock

EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) Director Jason Kulas sold 20,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on 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 owned 172,948 shares in the company, valued at $5,804,134.88. This trade represents a 10.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

EZCORP Trading Down 0.6%

Shares of NASDAQ EZPW opened at $32.78 on Friday. EZCORP, Inc. has a twelve month low of $12.85 and a twelve month high of $37.13. The company has a current ratio of 4.71, a quick ratio of 3.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $28.73 and a 200-day simple moving average of $23.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.02 billion, a PE ratio of 17.82 and a beta of 0.65.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The credit services provider reported $0.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 firm had revenue of $434.90 million for the quarter. On average, equities analysts forecast that EZCORP, Inc. will post 2 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings raised shares of EZCORP from a “buy (b+)” rating to a “buy (a-)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 8th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of EZCORP from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, May 8th. Stephens raised their price target 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. Roth Mkm reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $40.00 price objective on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Friday, May 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded EZCORP from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $37.25.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On EZCORP

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in EZCORP in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of EZCORP in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. KBC Group NV acquired a new stake in shares of EZCORP in the 1st quarter valued at $44,000. Covestor Ltd raised its holdings 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 valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 1,924 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG lifted its position in shares of EZCORP by 533.5% during the 4th 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. 99.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.