Penn Capital Management Company LLC Decreases Stock Position in EZCORP, Inc. $EZPW

Penn Capital Management Company LLC cut its stake in shares of EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) by 31.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 148,941 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after selling 67,107 shares during the quarter. Penn Capital Management Company LLC owned 0.24% of EZCORP worth $2,836,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new stake in EZCORP in the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Covestor Ltd grew its holdings in shares of EZCORP by 239.3% in 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 during the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of 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 worth $60,000 after buying an additional 3,154 shares during the period. CWM LLC increased its stake in shares of 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 buying an additional 1,910 shares during the period. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its holdings in EZCORP by 913.5% during the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 4,216 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $79,000 after buying an additional 3,800 shares during the last quarter. 99.83% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

EZCORP Stock Up 1.4%

Shares of NASDAQ EZPW opened at $26.17 on Wednesday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $23.81 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $20.44. EZCORP, Inc. has a 12 month low of $12.85 and a 12 month high of $27.30. The company has a current ratio of 6.03, a quick ratio of 4.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.61 billion, a PE ratio of 16.78 and a beta of 0.49.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The credit services provider reported $0.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.40 by $0.15. EZCORP had a net margin of 9.18% and a return on equity of 12.37%. The firm had revenue of $374.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $363.63 million. Equities analysts expect that EZCORP, Inc. will post 1.3 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of EZCORP from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. Citizens Jmp increased their target price on shares of EZCORP from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a “market outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Canaccord Genuity Group set a $34.00 target price on EZCORP in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Wall Street Zen upgraded EZCORP from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, February 7th. Finally, Roth Mkm reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $26.00 price target on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. One investment 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 MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $28.00.

Insider Transactions at EZCORP

In other EZCORP news, CRO Nicole Swies sold 24,138 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.75, for a total transaction of $597,415.50. Following the transaction, the executive owned 115,266 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,852,833.50. This represents a 17.32% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Ellen H. Bryant sold 20,000 shares of the firm’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 completion of the transaction, the insider 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 SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 84,138 shares of company stock worth $2,102,416 over the last quarter. Insiders own 2.13% of the company’s stock.

About EZCORP

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.