EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) Downgraded to “Buy” Rating by Wall Street Zen

Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note published on Saturday morning.

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on EZPW. JMP Securities set a $23.00 target price on EZCORP in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Canaccord Genuity Group raised their price target on EZCORP from $27.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Roth Capital reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $26.00 price objective on shares of EZCORP in a report on Tuesday. Citizens Jmp initiated coverage on EZCORP in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. They issued a “market outperform” rating and a $23.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $22.17.

EZCORP Price Performance

Shares of EZPW stock opened at $21.37 on Friday. EZCORP has a 1 year low of $11.60 and a 1 year high of $21.99. The company has a current ratio of 5.61, a quick ratio of 4.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $19.37 and its 200-day moving average is $17.34. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.16 and a beta of 0.55.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 13th. The credit services provider reported $0.34 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.29 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $335.90 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $325.09 million. EZCORP had a return on equity of 12.00% and a net margin of 8.60%. Sell-side analysts forecast that EZCORP will post 1.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of EZCORP

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new stake in shares of EZCORP during the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. USA Financial Formulas bought a new position in shares of EZCORP during the second quarter worth approximately $31,000. Covestor Ltd lifted 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 worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 1,924 shares during the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its stake 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 valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 3,154 shares during the period. Finally, CWM LLC boosted its stake in EZCORP by 126.3% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,422 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 1,910 shares during the period. 99.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.