Miller Global Investments LLC Makes New $1.45 Million Investment in EZCORP, Inc. $EZPW

Miller Global Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm acquired 74,708 shares of the credit services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,451,000. EZCORP comprises about 1.3% of Miller Global Investments LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest position.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in EZPW. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new stake in shares of EZCORP in the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. Covestor Ltd grew its holdings in EZCORP by 239.3% during the 3rd 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 last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its position in 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 worth $60,000 after purchasing an additional 3,154 shares during the period. CWM LLC raised its position 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 during the period. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its stake in EZCORP by 913.5% in the third quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 4,216 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $79,000 after purchasing an additional 3,800 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.83% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at EZCORP

In other news, Director Gary Tillett sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.50, for a total transaction of $255,000.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 133,483 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,403,816.50. This trade represents a 6.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Pablo Lagos Espinosa sold 20,000 shares of EZCORP stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.00, for a total transaction of $500,000.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 208,177 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,204,425. The trade was a 8.77% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 84,138 shares of company stock worth $2,102,416. Company insiders own 2.13% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have issued reports on EZPW. Wall Street Zen upgraded EZCORP from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 7th. Citizens Jmp increased their price target on EZCORP from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a “market outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Roth Mkm restated a “buy” rating and set a $26.00 price objective on shares of EZCORP in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group set a $34.00 price objective on EZCORP in a research report on Friday, February 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, EZCORP presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $28.00.

EZCORP Price Performance

Shares of EZPW stock opened at $25.80 on Friday. EZCORP, Inc. has a twelve month low of $12.85 and a twelve month high of $27.30. The company has a current ratio of 6.03, a quick ratio of 4.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $23.99 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $20.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.54 and a beta of 0.49.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The credit services provider reported $0.55 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.15. EZCORP had a return on equity of 12.37% and a net margin of 9.18%.The firm had revenue of $374.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $363.63 million. On average, analysts predict that EZCORP, Inc. will post 1.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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.