Stephens Investment Management Group LLC Reduces Holdings in EZCORP, Inc. $EZPW

Stephens Investment Management Group LLC trimmed its position in shares of EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) by 5.8% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 1,540,046 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after selling 94,221 shares during the period. Stephens Investment Management Group LLC’s holdings in EZCORP were worth $29,908,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of EZCORP during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of EZCORP during the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Covestor Ltd increased 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. CWM LLC increased its position in shares of EZCORP by 126.3% during 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its position in shares of EZCORP by 913.5% during 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 in the last quarter. 99.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

EZCORP Stock Performance

Shares of EZCORP stock opened at $33.00 on Monday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $28.86 and a 200 day moving average of $23.78. EZCORP, Inc. has a 12 month low of $12.85 and a 12 month high of $37.13. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.93 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 4.71 and a quick ratio of 3.52.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 6th. The credit services provider reported $0.58 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, sell-side analysts forecast that EZCORP, Inc. will post 2 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently commented on EZPW. Roth Mkm reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $40.00 price target on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Friday, May 8th. Zacks Research upgraded EZCORP from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, May 8th. Canaccord Genuity Group set a $44.00 target price on EZCORP in a report on Friday, May 8th. Stephens upped their target price on EZCORP from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, Citizens Jmp upped their target price on EZCORP from $33.00 to $39.00 and gave the company a “market outperform” rating in a report on Monday, May 11th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, EZCORP presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $37.25.

Insider Activity at EZCORP

In other EZCORP news, Director Gary Tillett sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.50, for a total value of $255,000.00. Following 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 position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Ellen H. Bryant sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were 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. This represents a 11.92% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 104,138 shares of company stock worth $2,773,616 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 2.13% of the company’s stock.

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.