EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) Reaches New 12-Month High – Still a Buy?

EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW)’s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $26.48 and last traded at $26.29, with a volume of 200584 shares. The stock had previously closed at $25.93.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on EZPW shares. Citizens Jmp upped their target price on EZCORP from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a “market outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Stephens increased their target price on shares of EZCORP from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Roth Mkm restated a “buy” rating and set a $26.00 price target on shares of EZCORP in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of EZCORP from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, February 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, EZCORP has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $28.00.

EZCORP Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $1.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.01 and a beta of 0.53. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $22.34 and its 200-day moving average is $19.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 4.69 and a current ratio of 6.03.

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Pablo Lagos Espinosa sold 20,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.00, for a total transaction of $500,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 208,177 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,204,425. This represents a 8.77% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CRO Nicole Swies sold 24,138 shares of EZCORP stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.75, for a total transaction of $597,415.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive owned 115,266 shares in the company, valued at $2,852,833.50. This trade represents a 17.32% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 84,138 shares of company stock worth $2,102,416. 2.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On EZCORP

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Royal Bank of Canada increased its stake in shares of EZCORP by 23.6% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 19,375 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $286,000 after purchasing an additional 3,705 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of EZCORP in the first quarter valued at approximately $1,646,000. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of EZCORP by 44.6% in the second quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 27,287 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $379,000 after acquiring an additional 8,413 shares during the period. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd grew its stake in shares of EZCORP by 398.4% in the second quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 68,293 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $948,000 after acquiring an additional 54,590 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arkadios Wealth Advisors bought a new position in EZCORP during the second quarter worth $191,000. 99.83% of the stock is currently owned by 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.