EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) Receives $37.25 Average Price Target from Brokerages

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

EZPW has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Wall Street Zen raised EZCORP from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 9th. 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 note on Monday, May 11th. Roth Mkm reissued a “buy” rating and set a $40.00 price objective on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Citigroup reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Monday, May 11th. Finally, Zacks Research raised EZCORP from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 8th.

EZCORP Stock Performance

NASDAQ:EZPW opened at $32.15 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $1.98 billion, a PE ratio of 17.47 and a beta of 0.65. EZCORP has a fifty-two week low of $12.85 and a fifty-two week high of $37.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 3.52 and a current ratio of 4.71. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $30.19 and a 200-day moving average price of $24.76.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 6th. The credit services provider reported $0.58 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.36 by $0.22. The firm had revenue of $434.90 million during the quarter. EZCORP had a return on equity of 13.45% and a net margin of 9.91%. Equities research analysts predict that EZCORP will post 2 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Jason A. Kulas sold 20,000 shares of the firm’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 completion of the sale, the director owned 172,948 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,804,134.88. This trade represents a 10.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 2.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On EZCORP

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in EZCORP during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new position in EZCORP during the third quarter valued at $29,000. KBC Group NV purchased a new position in EZCORP during the first quarter valued at $44,000. Deutsche Bank AG lifted its position in EZCORP by 533.5% during the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 2,667 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 2,246 shares during the period. Finally, Covestor Ltd raised 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 worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 1,924 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.83% of the company’s stock.

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.