Capital Research Global Investors Has $40.90 Million Stake in EZCORP, Inc. $EZPW

Capital Research Global Investors grew its position in EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) by 27.7% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 2,148,126 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after buying an additional 465,462 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors’ holdings in EZCORP were worth $40,900,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Rhumbline Advisers raised its stake in EZCORP by 0.9% during the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 73,064 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,014,000 after buying an additional 648 shares during the last quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System boosted its position in EZCORP by 1.1% during the third quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 80,959 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $1,541,000 after acquiring an additional 860 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its holdings in EZCORP by 7.4% during the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 13,362 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $185,000 after acquiring an additional 926 shares during the period. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH raised its position in shares of EZCORP by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH now owns 22,484 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $428,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund raised its position in shares of EZCORP by 9.2% in the 3rd quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 13,013 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $248,000 after acquiring an additional 1,100 shares in the last quarter. 99.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

EZCORP Trading Down 0.8%

NASDAQ EZPW opened at $25.98 on Friday. 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 business has a fifty day simple moving average of $23.49 and a 200 day simple moving average of $20.19. EZCORP, Inc. has a 12 month low of $12.85 and a 12 month high of $27.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.65 and a beta of 0.49.

EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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. 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 the consensus estimate of $363.63 million. On average, analysts predict that EZCORP, Inc. will post 1.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently commented on EZPW. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of EZCORP in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Canaccord Genuity Group set a $34.00 target price on EZCORP in a report on Friday, February 6th. Citigroup reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Citizens Jmp increased their price target on EZCORP from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a “market outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Roth Mkm reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $26.00 price objective on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $28.00.

Insider Activity

In other EZCORP news, 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 owned 147,786 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,694,650. This trade represents a 11.92% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CRO Nicole Swies sold 24,138 shares of EZCORP 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 directly owned 115,266 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,852,833.50. This represents a 17.32% 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 valued at $2,102,416 in the last three months. 2.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.