EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume – Here’s Why

EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) shares saw unusually-strong trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 151,495 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 58% from the previous session’s volume of 359,931 shares.The stock last traded at $12.26 and had previously closed at $12.17.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently commented on EZPW. Stephens initiated coverage on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Wednesday, November 13th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $13.00 target price on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $19.00 price objective on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Friday, October 4th.

EZCORP Price Performance

The stock has a market cap of $666.71 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.03 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 1.99 and a current ratio of 2.71. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $12.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.46.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other EZCORP news, insider Sunil Sajnani sold 34,493 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 owns 66,242 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $822,725.64. The trade was a 34.24 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CRO Nicole Swies sold 10,000 shares of EZCORP stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.47, for a total value of $124,700.00. Following the transaction, the executive now owns 101,813 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,269,608.11. This represents a 8.94 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 2.13% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On EZCORP

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in shares of EZCORP by 62.0% in 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 acquiring an additional 216,480 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC increased its stake in EZCORP by 26.5% during the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 100,793 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,044,000 after acquiring an additional 21,123 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. raised its holdings in EZCORP by 108.0% in the 2nd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 62,672 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $656,000 after acquiring an additional 32,537 shares in the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board lifted its position in shares of EZCORP by 5.7% during the 2nd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 114,311 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $1,197,000 after acquiring an additional 6,186 shares during the period. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new stake in shares of EZCORP during the 2nd quarter worth $1,624,000. 99.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About EZCORP

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.