Zacks Research Upgrades EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) to “Strong-Buy”

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) was upgraded by Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note issued on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on EZPW. JMP Securities set a $23.00 price objective on EZCORP in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Roth Mkm reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $26.00 target price on shares of EZCORP in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Stephens boosted their price target on EZCORP from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of EZCORP in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. One 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 company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $27.00.

EZCORP Trading Down 1.7%

Shares of EZPW stock opened at $24.74 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.86 and a beta of 0.53. EZCORP has a fifty-two week low of $12.85 and a fifty-two week high of $26.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 4.69 and a current ratio of 6.03. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $21.06 and a 200 day moving average price of $18.63.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The credit services provider reported $0.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.40 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $374.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $363.63 million. EZCORP had a net margin of 9.18% and a return on equity of 12.37%. Equities research analysts predict that EZCORP will post 1.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of EZPW. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of EZCORP during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new position in EZCORP during the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Covestor Ltd increased its stake in EZCORP by 239.3% in 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 in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its stake in EZCORP by 15,019.0% in the third 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 in the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC raised its holdings in EZCORP by 126.3% in the third 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.

EZCORP Company 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.