EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) Sets New 12-Month High – Time to Buy?

Shares of EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $21.61 and last traded at $21.5650, with a volume of 389555 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $20.22.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have weighed in on EZPW. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. JMP Securities set a $23.00 price objective on EZCORP in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Citigroup reissued a “market outperform” rating on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Canaccord Genuity Group raised their price target on shares of EZCORP from $27.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Finally, Roth Capital reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $26.00 price target on shares of EZCORP in a report on Tuesday. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, EZCORP presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $22.17.

EZCORP Price Performance

The company has a 50-day moving average of $19.09 and a two-hundred day moving average of $17.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.31 billion, a PE ratio of 15.25 and a beta of 0.55. 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 (NASDAQ:EZPW) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The credit services provider reported $0.34 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.29 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $335.90 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $325.09 million. EZCORP had a return on equity of 12.00% and a net margin of 8.60%. Sell-side analysts predict that EZCORP, Inc. will post 1.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On EZCORP

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of EZCORP during the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. USA Financial Formulas acquired a new position in EZCORP in the second quarter valued at $31,000. Covestor Ltd grew its position in EZCORP by 239.3% during 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 during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its stake in EZCORP by 15,019.0% during 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 last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC raised its holdings in shares of EZCORP by 126.3% in the 3rd 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 during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.83% of the company’s stock.

About EZCORP

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.