EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Canaccord Genuity Group Analyst Says

Key Points

• Canaccord Genuity raised its price target on EZCORP from $34 to $40 and maintained a "buy" rating, implying roughly a 48% upside from the current stock price.
• EZCORP beat quarterly estimates, reporting $0.55 EPS versus $0.40 expected and $374.5M in revenue versus $363.63M, with analysts forecasting about 1.3 EPS for the year.
• Shares traded around $27 midday, sitting near a 12‑month high of $27.40 (low $12.85) and a market cap of $1.67B with a P/E of 17.3, supported by 50‑ and 200‑day moving averages of $25.07 and $21.32 respectively.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW - Get Free Report) had its price objective raised by analysts at Canaccord Genuity Group from $34.00 to $40.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a "buy" rating on the credit services provider's stock. Canaccord Genuity Group's price target would indicate a potential upside of 48.13% from the stock's current price.

Several other research analysts also recently issued reports on EZPW. Stephens raised their price objective on shares of EZCORP from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b)" rating on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Citigroup reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of EZCORP from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, February 7th. Finally, Roth Mkm restated a "buy" rating and issued a $26.00 target price on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $29.50.

EZCORP Stock Performance

EZCORP stock traded up $0.42 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $27.00. 151,651 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 919,082. EZCORP has a 12-month low of $12.85 and a 12-month high of $27.40. 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 stock has a market cap of $1.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.30 and a beta of 0.52. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $25.07 and its 200 day simple moving average is $21.32.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. The credit services provider reported $0.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 company had revenue of $374.50 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $363.63 million. Equities research analysts predict that EZCORP will post 1.3 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, CRO Nicole Swies sold 24,138 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at approximately $2,852,833.50. This trade represents a 17.32% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Gary Tillett sold 10,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.50, for a total transaction of $255,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 133,483 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,403,816.50. This trade represents a 6.97% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 84,138 shares of company stock worth $2,102,416 over the last quarter. Insiders own 2.13% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of EZCORP

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of EZCORP in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of EZCORP in the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Covestor Ltd lifted its stake in shares of EZCORP by 239.3% in the third quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,728 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 1,924 shares during the period. Deutsche Bank AG lifted its stake in shares of EZCORP by 533.5% in the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 2,667 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 2,246 shares during the period. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of 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 valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 3,154 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.

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