EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) Sets New 52-Week High - Still a Buy?

Key Points

• EZCORP shares reached a new 52-week high at $17.53 before closing at $17.32, with a trading volume of 42,993 shares.
• Analysts have a positive outlook on EZCORP, with Canaccord Genuity Group setting a price target of $25.00 and an average target price of $18.50.
• EZCORP reported strong earnings with an EPS of $0.33, exceeding expectations, and had a net margin of 7.96% for the last quarter.

EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW - Get Free Report)'s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $17.53 and last traded at $17.32, with a volume of 42993 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $17.04.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently issued reports on EZPW. Canaccord Genuity Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $25.00 price target on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Wall Street Zen upgraded EZCORP from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, June 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $18.50.

EZCORP Stock Down 0.8%

The company has a current ratio of 6.31, a quick ratio of 5.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.86 and a beta of 0.63. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $15.52 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $14.72.

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Matthew W. Appel sold 9,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.03, for a total value of $153,270.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 142,409 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,425,225.27. This trade represents a 5.94% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 2.13% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On EZCORP

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in EZPW. USA Financial Formulas bought a new position in EZCORP in the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position 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 acquiring an additional 1,906 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI bought a new position in shares of EZCORP in the first quarter valued at approximately $91,000. Quarry LP boosted its position in shares of EZCORP by 652.4% in the first quarter. Quarry LP now owns 7,637 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $112,000 after acquiring an additional 6,622 shares during the period. Finally, Sherbrooke Park Advisers LLC bought a new position in shares of EZCORP in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $138,000. 99.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

EZCORP Company Profile

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.