63,635 Shares in EZCORP, Inc. $EZPW Purchased by Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC

Key Points

• Conestoga Capital Advisors initiated a position in EZCORP, buying 63,635 shares worth about $1.89 million, or roughly 0.10% of the company. Institutional investors collectively own 99.83% of EZCORP’s stock.
• Analysts’ consensus rating is “Moderate Buy”, with an average price target of $39; six analysts rate the stock Buy and two rate it Hold.
• EZCORP reported quarterly EPS of $0.47, beating estimates of $0.41, while revenue of $408.4 million fell short of the $425.83 million forecast.

Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW - Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 63,635 shares of the credit services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,894,000. Conestoga Capital Advisors LLC owned about 0.10% of EZCORP at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in EZPW. California State Teachers Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of EZCORP by 38.6% during the first quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 70,725 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $1,795,000 after buying an additional 19,708 shares in the last quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of EZCORP in the third quarter valued at about $562,000. Tidal Investments LLC lifted its stake in shares of EZCORP by 43.8% in the second quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 59,035 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $2,041,000 after buying an additional 17,986 shares in the last quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new position in shares of EZCORP in the first quarter worth about $1,207,000. Finally, Navellier & Associates Inc. boosted its position in EZCORP by 203.0% during the second quarter. Navellier & Associates Inc. now owns 65,347 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $2,259,000 after acquiring an additional 43,780 shares during the last quarter. 99.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on EZPW shares. Wall Street Zen cut shares of EZCORP from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 8th. Weiss Ratings upgraded EZCORP from a "buy (b)" rating to a "buy (b+)" rating in a report on Tuesday. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on EZCORP from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group increased their price target on EZCORP from $44.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, October 15th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $39.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Ellen Bryant sold 30,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.77, for a total transaction of $1,043,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 117,786 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,095,419.22. The trade was a 20.30% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 2.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

EZCORP Trading Up 2.7%

Shares of EZPW stock opened at $29.52 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 4.81 and a quick ratio of 3.45. The firm has a market cap of $1.81 billion, a PE ratio of 14.81 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a 50-day moving average of $31.27 and a two-hundred day moving average of $29.61. EZCORP, Inc. has a 1-year low of $16.50 and a 1-year high of $37.13.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The credit services provider reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.06. EZCORP had a return on equity of 13.99% and a net margin of 9.97%. The company had revenue of $408.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $425.83 million. On average, analysts predict that EZCORP, Inc. will post 2.00 EPS for the current year.

About EZCORP

EZCORP, Inc is a financial services and retail company that provides pawn loans and sells pre-owned merchandise. Through its pawn stores, the company offers short-term, collateral-based loans secured by personal property such as jewelry, electronics, tools and other consumer goods.

In addition to lending, EZCORP purchases and resells previously owned merchandise, giving customers access to used jewelry, electronics, tools, sporting goods and other products. Its retail operations also support the company's pawn-lending model by providing a sales channel for collateral that is not redeemed.

EZCORP serves customers through stores operating under brands that include EZPAWN and Value Pawn in the United States, as well as related brands in Latin American markets.

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