EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) Given Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Key Points

• Eight analysts give EZCORP a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" (5 buys, 2 holds, 1 strong buy) with an average 1-year price target of $28.00.
• Company insiders have been selling recently: CRO Nicole Swies sold 24,138 shares at about $24.75 and Ellen H. Bryant sold 20,000 shares at $25, with insiders selling 84,138 shares worth roughly $2.10M in the past 90 days and now owning 2.13% of the stock.
• EZCORP topped expectations in its latest report (Q: $0.55 EPS vs. $0.40 estimate; revenue $374.5M vs. $363.6M) and the stock was trading up ~5.4% at $26.69, near its one-year high of $27.30.

EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW - Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from the eight research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, five have assigned a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $28.00.

EZPW has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Roth Mkm reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $26.00 price objective on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Stephens boosted their target price on EZCORP from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. Citizens Jmp upped their price target on EZCORP from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a "market outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of EZCORP from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, February 7th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group set a $34.00 price objective on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Friday, February 6th.

Insider Activity

In related news, CRO Nicole Swies sold 24,138 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.75, for a total transaction of $597,415.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive directly owned 115,266 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,852,833.50. This represents a 17.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider Ellen H. Bryant sold 20,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the insider owned 147,786 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,694,650. The trade was a 11.92% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 84,138 shares of company stock worth $2,102,416 in the last ninety days. 2.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On EZCORP

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of EZCORP during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of EZCORP in the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Covestor Ltd grew its holdings in EZCORP by 239.3% during the third quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,728 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 1,924 shares during the period. Deutsche Bank AG grew its holdings in EZCORP by 533.5% during the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 2,667 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 2,246 shares during the period. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its position in EZCORP by 15,019.0% in the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 3,175 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $60,000 after acquiring an additional 3,154 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.83% of the company's stock.

EZCORP Trading Up 5.4%

NASDAQ EZPW opened at $26.69 on Tuesday. The firm's fifty day moving average is $23.09 and its two-hundred day moving average is $20.03. EZCORP has a one year low of $12.85 and a one year high of $27.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 4.69 and a current ratio of 6.03. The firm has a market cap of $1.65 billion, a PE ratio of 17.11 and a beta of 0.49.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The credit services provider reported $0.55 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $374.50 million during 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%. Analysts expect that EZCORP will post 1.3 earnings per share for the current year.

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.