EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) Reaches New 52-Week High - Here's Why

Key Points

• EZCORP hit a new 52-week high of $33.42 (last traded $33.38) with about 68,108 shares changing hands and a market cap near $2.06 billion.
• Analysts have an average rating of "Moderate Buy" with an average target of $29.50; several firms raised targets (notably Canaccord to $40) while ratings remain mixed (1 Strong Buy, 4 Buy, 3 Hold).
• The company posted an earnings beat — $0.55 EPS vs $0.40 expected and $374.5M revenue vs $363.6M — while insiders sold roughly 84,138 shares (~$2.1M) over the past 90 days.

EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW - Get Free Report)'s share price hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $33.42 and last traded at $33.38, with a volume of 68108 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $32.61.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have weighed in on EZPW. Weiss Ratings upgraded EZCORP from a "buy (b+)" rating to a "buy (a-)" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of EZCORP from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, April 18th. Citizens Jmp increased their price objective on shares of EZCORP from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a "market outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their price objective on EZCORP from $34.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 7th. Finally, 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 report on Friday, February 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, EZCORP has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $29.50.

EZCORP Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $2.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.42 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a fifty day moving average of $27.56 and a 200 day moving average of $22.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 6.03 and a quick ratio of 4.69.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The credit services provider reported $0.55 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 business had revenue of $374.50 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $363.63 million. On average, equities analysts predict that EZCORP, Inc. will post 1.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at EZCORP

In other EZCORP news, Director Gary Tillett sold 10,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.50, for a total value of $255,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 133,483 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,403,816.50. This represents a 6.97% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CRO Nicole Swies sold 24,138 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.75, for a total value of $597,415.50. Following the completion of the sale, the executive owned 115,266 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,852,833.50. This represents a 17.32% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 84,138 shares of company stock valued at $2,102,416 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 2.13% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On EZCORP

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sigma Planning Corp boosted its position in EZCORP by 3.9% in the first quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 13,707 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $348,000 after buying an additional 510 shares in the last quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System acquired a new stake in EZCORP during the 1st quarter valued at $216,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in EZCORP by 3.4% in the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 282,923 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $7,181,000 after purchasing an additional 9,363 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its holdings in shares of EZCORP by 13,001.7% during the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 7,861 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $200,000 after purchasing an additional 7,801 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Saxon Interests Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of EZCORP in the first quarter valued at $207,000. 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.

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.