Vanguard Group Inc. Increases Position in EZCORP, Inc. $EZPW

Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) by 11.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,610,029 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 369,817 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. owned approximately 0.06% of EZCORP worth $68,735,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Amitell Capital Pte Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of EZCORP in the second quarter valued at approximately $3,668,000. Intech Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in EZCORP by 43.7% during the second quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 160,683 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $2,230,000 after buying an additional 48,831 shares during the last quarter. Fourth Sail Capital LP grew its holdings in EZCORP by 30.7% in the 2nd quarter. Fourth Sail Capital LP now owns 1,251,362 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $17,369,000 after buying an additional 294,100 shares in the last quarter. Divisadero Street Capital Management LP grew its holdings in EZCORP by 39.7% in the 2nd quarter. Divisadero Street Capital Management LP now owns 99,310 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $1,378,000 after buying an additional 28,208 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cresset Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of EZCORP in the 2nd quarter worth $1,468,000. 99.83% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at EZCORP

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 shares were sold at an average price of $25.00, for a total value of $500,000.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 147,786 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,694,650. The trade was a 11.92% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Gary Tillett sold 10,000 shares of the business’s 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 completion of the sale, the director directly owned 133,483 shares in the company, valued at $3,403,816.50. This trade represents a 6.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 84,138 shares of company stock worth $2,102,416. 2.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

EZCORP Price Performance

NASDAQ:EZPW opened at $25.33 on Friday. EZCORP, Inc. has a 52 week low of $12.85 and a 52 week high of $27.30. The company has a quick ratio of 4.69, a current ratio of 6.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The company has a market capitalization of $1.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.24 and a beta of 0.49. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $22.95 and its two-hundred day moving average is $19.90.

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. The business had revenue of $374.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $363.63 million. EZCORP had a return on equity of 12.37% and a net margin of 9.18%. Equities analysts expect that EZCORP, Inc. will post 1.3 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently commented on EZPW shares. Roth Mkm reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $26.00 price target on shares of EZCORP in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Zacks Research raised shares of EZCORP from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. Citigroup restated an “outperform” rating on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, Citizens Jmp increased their price target on shares of EZCORP from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a “market outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $28.00.

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.