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Investing.com - Canaccord Genuity raised its price target on EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW) to $25.00 from $24.00 on Thursday, while maintaining a Buy rating on the pawn shop operator’s stock. The company, currently valued at $737 million, is trading at $13.39 with analyst targets ranging from $17 to $24. According to InvestingPro analysis, EZCORP appears undervalued with a low P/E ratio of 8.2 relative to its growth potential.
The price target increase follows Canaccord’s eleventh round of store checks across 85 locations, including 44 EZCORP stores and 41 locations of competitor First Cash Financial (NASDAQ:FCFS) Services. The research firm found that business remains steady during the summer months, with EZCORP’s core customer base continuing to feel financial pressure. This market environment has contributed to the company’s solid 8.14% revenue growth over the last twelve months, as revealed in InvestingPro’s detailed financial analysis.
Canaccord’s store visits revealed new, higher-income customers entering EZCORP locations seeking value, with several store employees commenting on the recent spike in gold prices. The firm also received detailed feedback from a Dallas store manager about robust recent performance.
The research firm modestly raised its Q3 estimates for EZCORP based on improved loan activity, which it noted is more profitable for the company. Canaccord attributed the stock’s recent range-bound performance to the retirement of 2025 convertible notes being more dilutive than market expectations.
Canaccord suggested that share buybacks should be a higher capital allocation priority for EZCORP, noting that approximately 7.5 million shares, representing 9% of the diluted total, could be retired at the current share price with a $100 million repurchase program.
In other recent news, EZCORP, Inc. has expanded its presence in Mexico by acquiring 40 pawn stores across 13 states, further managing seven additional stores with plans to purchase them. This strategic acquisition enhances EZCORP’s footprint in the growing auto pawn segment in Mexico. Meanwhile, Kanen Wealth Management has urged EZCORP to initiate a $100 million share buyback program, criticizing the company’s previous decision to settle convertible notes in equity, which led to share dilution. Kanen argues that a buyback could retire over 7 million shares and bolster shareholder value.
In analyst updates, Canaccord Genuity has maintained its Buy rating for EZCORP, citing a $24 price target. The firm highlighted the company’s strategic capital allocation plans and noted the undervalued performance in Latin America. Conversely, BTIG initiated coverage with a Neutral rating, acknowledging EZCORP’s organic growth but expressing cautious optimism due to the current economic landscape. Lastly, EZCORP has completed the retirement of its 2025 convertible notes, converting a substantial portion into shares and settling the remaining balance in cash.
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