EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) Hits New 1-Year High - Here's Why

Key Points

• EZCORP's stock reached a new 12-month high of $16.69, with a market cap of $1.01 billion and a PE ratio of 12.97.
• The company reported $0.33 earnings per share in its last quarter, surpassing analysts' expectations of $0.23, along with revenues of $310.98 million.
• Analysts have mixed ratings for EZCORP, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a target price averaging $18.50.

EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $16.67 and last traded at $16.69, with a volume of 44168 shares. The stock had previously closed at $16.67.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently issued reports on EZPW shares. Wall Street Zen raised EZCORP from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Saturday, June 14th. Stephens reissued an "equal weight" rating and issued a $17.00 price target on shares of EZCORP in a report on Tuesday, May 20th. Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $25.00 price target on shares of EZCORP in a report on Friday, August 1st. Finally, BTIG Research started coverage on EZCORP in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. They issued a "neutral" rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, EZCORP currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $18.50.

EZCORP Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.07 and a beta of 0.63. The business has a fifty day moving average of $14.92 and a 200-day moving average of $14.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 5.00 and a current ratio of 6.31.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The credit services provider reported $0.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.23 by $0.10. EZCORP had a return on equity of 11.85% and a net margin of 7.96%.The business had revenue of $310.98 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $302.25 million. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that EZCORP, Inc. will post 1.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, COO John Blair Jr. Powell sold 3,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.81, for a total transaction of $48,335.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer owned 145,983 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,016,025.23. The trade was a 2.34% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 2.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of EZCORP

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. USA Financial Formulas acquired a new stake in shares of EZCORP in the second quarter valued at $31,000. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in shares of EZCORP by 60.4% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 5,062 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $75,000 after buying an additional 1,906 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI bought a new stake in EZCORP during the first quarter worth approximately $91,000. Quarry LP boosted its holdings in EZCORP by 652.4% during the first quarter. Quarry LP now owns 7,637 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $112,000 after buying an additional 6,622 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management bought a new stake in EZCORP during the second quarter worth approximately $139,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.83% of the company's stock.

About EZCORP

EZCORP, Inc provides pawn services in the United States and Latin America. The company operates through three segments: U.S. Pawn, Latin America Pawn, and Other Investments. The company offers pawn loans collateralized by tangible personal property, jewelry, consumer electronics, tools, sporting goods, and musical instruments.