Quantbot Technologies LP Reduces Stake in EZCORP, Inc. $EZPW

Quantbot Technologies LP trimmed its holdings in shares of EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) by 43.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 95,603 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after selling 72,937 shares during the quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP’s holdings in EZCORP were worth $1,820,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new position in shares of EZCORP in the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Covestor Ltd grew its position in shares of EZCORP by 239.3% during the third quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,728 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 1,924 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its stake in EZCORP by 15,019.0% during 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 period. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its holdings in EZCORP by 913.5% during the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 4,216 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $79,000 after buying an additional 3,800 shares in the last quarter. 99.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have commented on the stock. Stephens boosted their price target on shares of EZCORP from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Citizens Jmp raised their price target on EZCORP from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a “market outperform” rating in a report 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. Finally, Roth Mkm reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $26.00 price objective on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $28.00.

EZCORP Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of NASDAQ EZPW opened at $26.46 on Thursday. EZCORP, Inc. has a twelve month low of $12.85 and a twelve month high of $27.30. The firm has a market cap of $1.63 billion, a PE ratio of 16.96 and a beta of 0.49. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $22.75 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $19.79. The company has a quick ratio of 4.69, a current ratio of 6.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. 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 9.18% and a return on equity of 12.37%. Analysts expect that EZCORP, Inc. will post 1.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other EZCORP news, insider Ellen H. Bryant sold 20,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.00, for a total value of $500,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 147,786 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,694,650. This trade represents a 11.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Gary Tillett sold 10,000 shares of EZCORP stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.50, for a total transaction of $255,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 133,483 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,403,816.50. This trade represents a 6.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 84,138 shares of company stock worth $2,102,416 over the last ninety days. 2.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.