EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW – Get Free Report)’s share price fell 6.5% on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $30.71 and last traded at $29.9870. 544,017 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 35% from the average session volume of 837,375 shares. The stock had previously closed at $32.07.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
Several research firms have weighed in on EZPW. Zacks Research raised shares of EZCORP from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Citigroup reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Monday, May 11th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of EZCORP from a “buy (b+)” rating to a “buy (a-)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 8th. Roth Mkm reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $40.00 price target on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of EZCORP from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $37.25.
Check Out Our Latest Research Report on EZPW
EZCORP Trading Up 5.9%
EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 6th. The credit services provider reported $0.58 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.36 by $0.22. The firm had revenue of $434.90 million during the quarter. EZCORP had a net margin of 9.91% and a return on equity of 13.45%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that EZCORP, Inc. will post 2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Insider Activity
In other news, Director Pablo Lagos Espinosa sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.00, for a total transaction of $320,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 217,543 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,961,376. This represents a 4.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Jason A. Kulas sold 20,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.56, for a total transaction of $671,200.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 172,948 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,804,134.88. This trade represents a 10.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 2.13% of the company’s stock.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On EZCORP
Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of EZPW. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in EZCORP in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new position in EZCORP in the third quarter worth about $29,000. KBC Group NV bought a new position in EZCORP in the first quarter worth about $44,000. Deutsche Bank AG raised its stake in EZCORP by 533.5% in the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 2,667 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 2,246 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC raised its stake in EZCORP by 21.2% in the fourth quarter. CWM LLC now owns 4,146 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $81,000 after buying an additional 724 shares in the last quarter. 99.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
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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