Zacks Research downgraded shares of EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW – Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report published on Tuesday morning,Zacks.com reports.
Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Citizens Jmp lifted their price objective on shares of EZCORP from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a “market outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Roth Mkm restated a “buy” rating and issued a $26.00 price objective on shares of EZCORP in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their price objective on shares of EZCORP from $34.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of EZCORP from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, February 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of EZCORP in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $29.50.
Get Our Latest Stock Report on EZPW
EZCORP Price Performance
EZCORP stock opened at $28.44 on Tuesday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $25.48 and its 200-day simple moving average is $21.49. The company has a market capitalization of $1.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.23 and a beta of 0.52. EZCORP has a 1 year low of $12.85 and a 1 year high of $28.90. 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 – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The credit services provider reported $0.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.40 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $374.50 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $363.63 million. EZCORP had a net margin of 9.18% and a return on equity of 12.37%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that EZCORP will post 1.3 earnings per share for the current year.
Insider Buying and Selling at EZCORP
In related news, Director Pablo Lagos Espinosa sold 20,000 shares of EZCORP stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.00, for a total value of $500,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 208,177 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,204,425. The trade was a 8.77% 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 Gary Tillett sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.50, for a total transaction of $255,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 133,483 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,403,816.50. This represents a 6.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, 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
Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of EZCORP in the 4th 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. Covestor Ltd increased its position 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 during the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG increased its position 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 valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 2,246 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its position 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 valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 3,154 shares during 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.
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