EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) Shares Gap Up on Better-Than-Expected Earnings

EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) shares gapped up before the market opened on Thursday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The stock had previously closed at $21.96, but opened at $23.38. EZCORP shares last traded at $22.5720, with a volume of 483,493 shares traded.

The credit services provider reported $0.55 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $374.50 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $363.63 million. EZCORP had a return on equity of 12.37% and a net margin of 9.18%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

EZPW has been the subject of several research reports. JMP Securities set a $23.00 price target on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Citigroup restated an “outperform” rating on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Citizens Jmp increased their price target on shares of EZCORP from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a “market outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Roth Mkm reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $26.00 price target on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group set a $34.00 price objective on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Friday. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, EZCORP has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $27.00.

Institutional Trading of EZCORP

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of EZPW. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of EZCORP during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new position in shares of EZCORP in the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Covestor Ltd lifted its position 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 acquiring an additional 1,924 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted 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 worth $60,000 after acquiring an additional 3,154 shares during the period. Finally, CWM LLC grew its position in shares of EZCORP by 126.3% during the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,422 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 1,910 shares in the last quarter. 99.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

EZCORP Price Performance

The firm has a 50 day moving average of $20.85 and a 200-day moving average of $18.41. The company has a market cap of $1.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.43 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a current ratio of 6.03, a quick ratio of 4.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48.

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.