EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) Reaches New 1-Year High – Time to Buy?

Shares of EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $12.85 and last traded at $12.85, with a volume of 125 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $12.80.

Analyst Ratings Changes

EZPW has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Stephens started coverage on EZCORP in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $13.00 target price for the company. Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $19.00 price objective on shares of EZCORP in a report on Friday, October 4th.

EZCORP Price Performance

The business’s fifty day moving average price is $11.71 and its 200-day moving average price is $11.06. The company has a market capitalization of $684.69 million, a P/E ratio of 11.32 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 2.71, a quick ratio of 1.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Sunil Sajnani sold 34,493 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.42, for a total transaction of $428,403.06. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 66,242 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $822,725.64. This trade represents a 34.24 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 2.13% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On EZCORP

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Philadelphia Financial Management of San Francisco LLC bought a new position in shares of EZCORP during the third quarter valued at about $8,372,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its stake in EZCORP by 44.4% in the 2nd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,460,564 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $15,292,000 after purchasing an additional 449,360 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in EZCORP by 449.3% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 333,539 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $3,739,000 after purchasing an additional 272,815 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in shares of EZCORP by 62.0% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 565,636 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $5,922,000 after purchasing an additional 216,480 shares during the period. Finally, Two Sigma Advisers LP grew its holdings in shares of EZCORP by 25.0% in the third quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 1,009,770 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $11,320,000 after purchasing an additional 201,700 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.83% of the company’s stock.

EZCORP Company Profile

EZCORP, Inc provides pawn services in the United States and Latin America. The company operates through three segments: U.S. Pawn, Latin America Pawn, and Other Investments. The company offers pawn loans collateralized by tangible personal property, jewelry, consumer electronics, tools, sporting goods, and musical instruments.