Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock's recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the "long context," investors will essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.Even ...

Shares of Ezcorp (EZPW) have gained 9.8% over the past four weeks to close the last trading session at $15.64, but there could still be a solid upside left in the stock if short-term price targets of Wall Street analysts are any indication. Going by the price targets, the mean estimate of $21 indicates a potential upside of 34.3%.The average comprises four short-term price targets ranging from a low of $17.00 to a high of $25.00, with a standard deviation of $3.37. While the lowest estimate indicates an inc ...

Core Insights - EZPAWN has launched an Online Shop to enhance customer convenience and safety while shopping for secondhand items, allowing customers to browse and purchase pre-owned merchandise online and pick it up in-store [1][2][4] Group 1: Online Shop Features - The Online Shop enables customers to search for items by zip code and distance, browse current inventory, view photos, and read product descriptions, offering a curated selection of local merchandise at various price points [2] - Hundreds of new items are added weekly, including electronics, handbags, tools, and shoes, catering to diverse customer needs [2] Group 2: Community Engagement and Services - EZPAWN promotes relationship-based shopping, allowing customers to negotiate deals and access short-term cash through pawn transactions, flexible payment options, and layaway programs [3] - The EZ+ Rewards program allows customers to earn points for additional savings, enhancing customer loyalty and engagement [3] Group 3: Company Background - EZPAWN is part of EZCORP, Inc., a leading provider of pawn services in the U.S. and Latin America, operating in 19 states and focusing on satisfying short-term cash needs [5][6] - EZCORP has been in operation since 1989 and is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol EZPW, being a member of the S&P 1000 Index and Nasdaq Composite Index [6]

Summary of EZCORP (EZPW) FY Conference Call - August 12, 2025 Company Overview - EZCORP operates as a pawn business in the US and Latin America, being the second largest in the region after First Cash [2] - The company has experienced outstanding growth due to a change in management and a focused strategy on the pawn business [2] Key Growth Drivers - Increased average loan sizes, particularly due to rising gold prices, which significantly contribute to the business [3] - Enhanced digital engagement, including online payment options and inventory viewing, along with the introduction of the Easy Reward Program to boost customer engagement [3] - The pawn industry has seen little innovation historically, allowing EZCORP to implement effective strategies that have proven successful in other sectors [3] Customer Base Insights - The core customer base primarily consists of lower-income, unbanked, or underbanked individuals, but the retail side serves a broader demographic [5] - Current economic conditions have created a gap in consumer lending, allowing EZCORP to attract additional customers who need immediate cash [6] Strategic Focus on Lending and Merchandise - The company emphasizes the interconnection between lending and merchandise sales, focusing on maximizing gross profit through pawn service charges and sales margins [8] - Jewelry represents a significant portion of collateral, with gold jewelry accounting for two-thirds of collateral in the US, influencing average loan sizes [10] Risk Management - The management team is prepared to respond quickly to fluctuations in gold prices, adjusting lending practices and inventory management accordingly [10][11] - The company maintains a focus on quality loan balances and efficient inventory turnover to mitigate risks [26] Regional Performance - The US business has shown double-digit growth, while the Latin American segment is about 18-24 months behind in terms of performance improvements [14][15] - Jewelry now represents 40% of the loan balance in Latin America, indicating growth in this segment [15] Margin Improvement Potential - Margins in Latin America are improving, driven by increased sales revenue and lower operational costs, although they are not expected to match US margins [16][18] Market Position and Valuation - Despite recent share price increases, EZCORP trades at a discount compared to larger peers, attributed to historical business diversifications that have since been streamlined [19] - Investor confidence is gradually increasing as the company focuses on its core pawn business and demonstrates growth potential [20] Capital Allocation Strategy - The company has approximately $100 million in extra liquidity, which will be allocated towards growth initiatives, including new store openings and potential acquisitions [21][22] - EZCORP aims to achieve scale through acquisitions, enhancing cash flow and EBITDA margins [22][23] Consumer Health and Economic Outlook - Demand for loans is increasing, indicating that the consumer base is facing more financial strain compared to the previous year [27] - The company does not foresee significant changes in consumer behavior despite potential economic challenges [27] Impact of Tariffs - Tariffs are expected to have a net positive effect on the business, as they may increase the average loan size and pawn service charges, although operational costs may rise [28][29] Conclusion - EZCORP is positioned for continued growth through strategic management, enhanced customer engagement, and a focus on its core pawn business, while navigating potential economic challenges and market dynamics effectively [4][19]

Follow us on social media: About EZCORP Sean Mansouri, CFA Elevate IR EZPW@elevate-ir.com (720) 330-2829 Formed in 1989, EZCORP has grown into a leading provider of pawn transactions in the United States and Latin America. We also sell pre-owned and recycled merchandise, primarily collateral forfeited from pawn lending operations and merchandise purchased from customers. We are dedicated to satisfying the short-term cash needs of consumers who are both cash and credit constrained, focusing on an industry-le ...

Ezcorp (EZPW) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices. The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system. Since a c ...

Core Viewpoint - EZcorp (EZPW) shows potential for significant upside, with a mean price target of $21 indicating a 42.5% increase from its current price of $14.74 [1] Price Targets and Analyst Estimates - The mean estimate consists of four short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $3.37, suggesting variability among analysts [2] - The lowest estimate is $17.00, indicating a 15.3% increase, while the highest estimate is $25.00, suggesting a 69.6% increase [2] - A low standard deviation indicates strong agreement among analysts regarding the stock's price movement [9] Earnings Estimates and Analyst Sentiment - Analysts have shown increasing optimism about EZPW's earnings prospects, with a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions [11] - Over the last 30 days, one estimate has increased, leading to a 2.9% rise in the Zacks Consensus Estimate [12] - EZPW holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimates [13] Conclusion on Price Targets - While the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of the stock's potential gain, it does provide a directional guide for price movement [14]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record third-quarter revenue of $319.9 million, up 14% year over year, with adjusted EBITDA rising 42% to $45.2 million and diluted EPS increasing 38% to $0.33 [3][10][19] - The total pawn loans outstanding (PLO) reached $293.2 million, reflecting a 12% year-over-year increase [17][20] - Cash at the end of the quarter was $472.1 million, down from $505.2 million last quarter, due to capital deployment into store acquisitions [8][9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. pawn segment revenue increased 11% year over year to $220 million, with PLO up 11% and inventory rising 36% [20][24] - Latin American segment revenue grew 21% to $99.9 million, with PLO up 16% [27][29] - Merchandise sales rose 10%, with same-store sales up 9%, supported by strong customer demand [10][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company operates 1,336 pawn stores across the U.S. and Latin America, including 604 in Mexico [4][6] - The U.S. market continues to drive the majority of business, contributing 69% of revenue and 71% of gross profit [12] - In Latin America, the company has expanded its footprint with 791 stores across four countries, focusing on operational best practices [28][29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its store footprint and earning asset base, with a disciplined capital deployment strategy [5][6] - The EZ Plus rewards program has grown to 6.5 million members, accounting for over 70% of known customer transactions [13][14] - The strategy emphasizes investing in the platform, empowering employees, and delivering consistent service at scale [16][17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to scale operations and deliver long-term value for shareholders, citing strong operational execution and a robust balance sheet [33][34] - The company anticipates continued growth in PLO and inventory efficiency, with a focus on capitalizing on acquisition opportunities [30][31] - Management acknowledged the impact of gold prices on margins but emphasized the ongoing demand for cash among consumers [100][101] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $3 million worth of shares during the quarter and provided an additional $3 million in secured loans to Founders One [9] - The acquisition pipeline remains robust, with a focus on both existing and new markets [39][90] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is driving the strong margin performance in U.S. retail? - Management attributed the strong margin performance to increased gold prices and improved lending practices [36][37] Question: Can you discuss the acquisition pipeline and market pricing? - Management indicated a strong balance sheet allows for opportunistic acquisitions, with a robust pipeline across existing and new markets [38][39] Question: Why is the company not buying back more stock? - Management emphasized prioritizing growth and scale over stock buybacks, despite recognizing the undervaluation of shares [47][51] Question: What is the focus on acquisitions in Latin America versus the U.S.? - Management stated that the focus is balanced between both regions, with significant opportunities in existing markets [89][94] Question: How is the digitization of storefronts progressing? - Management noted that while progress has been made, the company is still in the early stages of fully digitizing its storefronts [107][108]

Financial Performance - Total revenue reached $319.9 million, a 14% increase, driven by growth in Pawn Service Charges (PSC), merchandise sales, and scrap revenue[23] - EBITDA increased by 42% to $45.2 million, with an EBITDA margin of 141%, up 280 bps[28] - Diluted EPS increased by 38% to $033[27] - Pawn Loans Outstanding (PLO) reached a record $2932 million, up 12%[29] Segment Performance - U S Pawn segment revenue increased by 11% to $2200 million, with earning assets up 21%[64, 66] - Latin America Pawn segment revenue increased by 21% to $999 million, with earning assets up 18%[87, 90] Store Growth and Acquisitions - The company acquired 40 stores in Mexico under the Monte Providencia and Tu Empeño Efectivo brands[20] - Ten de novo stores were opened in Latin America, including 6 in Mexico, 3 in Guatemala, and 1 in El Salvador[20] - Three stores were acquired in the U S, including one luxury store in Miami Beach[20] Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation - The company's cash balance was $4721 million[18] - Approximately $20 million of shares were repurchased in Q3, with an additional $10 million repurchased in July[20]

Core Insights - Ezcorp reported revenue of $310.98 million for the quarter ended June 2025, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 10.5% and a surprise of +2% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $304.89 million [1] - The company's EPS for the quarter was $0.33, compared to $0.23 in the same quarter last year, resulting in an EPS surprise of +43.48% against the consensus estimate of $0.23 [1] Revenue Breakdown - Merchandise sales reached $168.62 million, exceeding the average estimate of $167.53 million, representing a year-over-year change of +6.6% [4] - Pawn service charges totaled $115.34 million, slightly below the average estimate of $117.04 million, with a year-over-year increase of +7% [4] - Jewelry scrapping sales significantly increased to $26.97 million, surpassing the average estimate of $20.31 million, marking a substantial year-over-year change of +75.2% [4] Stock Performance - Over the past month, Ezcorp's shares have returned -4.7%, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.4% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), indicating potential underperformance relative to the broader market in the near term [3]