EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) Sets New 52-Week High – Should You Buy?

EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW)’s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $26.35 and last traded at $25.9350, with a volume of 67949 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $25.63.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have commented on EZPW. Citizens Jmp raised their target price on shares of EZCORP from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a “market outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Citigroup reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of EZCORP in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. JMP Securities set a $23.00 target price on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of EZCORP from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $27.00.

EZCORP Stock Down 1.7%

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.51 billion, a PE ratio of 15.86 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $21.06 and a 200-day moving average price of $18.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 4.69 and a current ratio of 6.03.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The credit services provider reported $0.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.40 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $374.50 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $363.63 million. EZCORP had a net margin of 9.18% and a return on equity of 12.37%. As a group, analysts expect that EZCORP, Inc. will post 1.3 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of EZCORP

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of EZCORP in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new stake in EZCORP during the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Covestor Ltd raised 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 purchasing an additional 1,924 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of EZCORP by 15,019.0% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 3,175 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 3,154 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC boosted 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. 99.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.