EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) Shares Gap Up Following Strong Earnings

EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) gapped up before the market opened on Thursday following a stronger than expected earnings report. 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 changing hands.

The credit services provider reported $0.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $374.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $363.63 million. EZCORP had a net margin of 8.60% and a return on equity of 12.00%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on EZPW shares. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of EZCORP in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Roth Mkm reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $26.00 price target on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. JMP Securities set a $23.00 price objective on EZCORP in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Citizens Jmp upped their target price on EZCORP from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a “market outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group increased their price target on EZCORP from $27.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, EZCORP has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $24.00.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Arizona State Retirement System increased its holdings in EZCORP by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 15,960 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $310,000 after buying an additional 569 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers increased its stake in shares of EZCORP by 0.9% in the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 73,064 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,014,000 after acquiring an additional 648 shares during the period. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. increased its stake in shares of EZCORP by 3.9% in the fourth quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 18,173 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $353,000 after acquiring an additional 685 shares during the period. CWM LLC raised its holdings in shares of EZCORP by 21.2% during the fourth quarter. CWM LLC now owns 4,146 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $81,000 after purchasing an additional 724 shares during the last quarter. Finally, New York State Teachers Retirement System lifted its position in EZCORP by 1.1% during the third quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 80,959 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $1,541,000 after purchasing an additional 860 shares during the period. 99.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

EZCORP Stock Performance

The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $20.65 and its 200 day simple moving average is $18.29. The company has a market capitalization of $1.36 billion, a PE ratio of 15.89 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 5.61 and a quick ratio of 4.37.

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.