EZCORP, Inc. $EZPW Shares Sold by Stephens Investment Management Group LLC

Stephens Investment Management Group LLC decreased its position in shares of EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) by 5.8% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,540,046 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after selling 94,221 shares during the quarter. Stephens Investment Management Group LLC owned 2.53% of EZCORP worth $29,908,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Independent Advisor Alliance lifted its holdings in shares of EZCORP by 31.3% during the fourth quarter. Independent Advisor Alliance now owns 24,562 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $477,000 after purchasing an additional 5,862 shares during the period. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of EZCORP during the fourth quarter worth about $206,000. Wolverine Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of EZCORP during the fourth quarter worth about $231,000. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of EZCORP by 5.8% during the fourth quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 22,544 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $438,000 after purchasing an additional 1,235 shares during the period. Finally, Elevated Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of EZCORP during the fourth quarter worth about $369,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.83% of the company’s stock.

EZCORP Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:EZPW opened at $33.00 on Monday. EZCORP, Inc. has a 12-month low of $12.85 and a 12-month high of $37.13. The company has a market capitalization of $2.03 billion, a PE ratio of 17.93 and a beta of 0.65. The business has a 50 day moving average of $28.86 and a two-hundred day moving average of $23.78. The company has a current ratio of 4.71, a quick ratio of 3.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The credit services provider reported $0.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.36 by $0.22. EZCORP had a return on equity of 13.45% and a net margin of 9.91%.The company had revenue of $434.90 million during the quarter. As a group, analysts forecast that EZCORP, Inc. will post 2 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Ellen H. Bryant sold 20,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 directly owned 147,786 shares in the company, valued at $3,694,650. The trade was a 11.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CRO Nicole Swies sold 24,138 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.75, for a total value of $597,415.50. Following the completion of the sale, the executive owned 115,266 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,852,833.50. This trade represents a 17.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders sold 104,138 shares of company stock valued at $2,773,616. 2.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Wall Street Zen raised EZCORP from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, May 9th. Citizens Jmp lifted their target price on EZCORP from $33.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock a “market outperform” rating in a report on Monday, May 11th. Zacks Research raised EZCORP from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, May 8th. Weiss Ratings raised EZCORP from a “buy (b+)” rating to a “buy (a-)” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 8th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group set a $44.00 price target on EZCORP in a report on Friday, May 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $37.25.

EZCORP 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.