Assenagon Asset Management S.A. Has $1.79 Million Holdings in EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW)

Assenagon Asset Management S.A. cut its position in shares of EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) by 37.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 146,742 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after selling 88,533 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A.’s holdings in EZCORP were worth $1,793,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of EZPW. Hsbc Holdings PLC boosted its stake in shares of EZCORP by 26.5% in the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 100,793 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $1,044,000 after purchasing an additional 21,123 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. lifted its holdings in EZCORP by 108.0% during the 2nd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 62,672 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $656,000 after purchasing an additional 32,537 shares during the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its position in EZCORP by 5.7% in the second quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 114,311 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $1,197,000 after buying an additional 6,186 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP bought a new stake in EZCORP during the second quarter worth about $1,624,000. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC grew its stake in EZCORP by 29.8% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 70,240 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $735,000 after buying an additional 16,132 shares during the last quarter. 99.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

EZCORP Price Performance

Shares of EZCORP stock opened at $12.40 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $12.20 and a 200 day simple moving average of $11.53. The stock has a market cap of $675.43 million, a PE ratio of 11.17 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a quick ratio of 1.99, a current ratio of 2.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. EZCORP, Inc. has a 12 month low of $8.20 and a 12 month high of $12.85.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently weighed in on EZPW. Stephens began coverage on EZCORP in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $13.00 price target for the company. Canaccord Genuity Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $19.00 target price on shares of EZCORP in a research note on Friday, October 4th.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Sunil Sajnani sold 34,493 shares of EZCORP stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $12.42, for a total value of $428,403.06. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 66,242 shares in the company, valued at $822,725.64. This trade represents a 34.24 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CRO Nicole Swies sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.47, for a total transaction of $124,700.00. Following the transaction, the executive now owns 101,813 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $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. 2.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.