Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved record first-quarter revenue of $374.5 million, up 17% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA rising 36% to $70.3 million and diluted EPS improving 34% to $0.55 [9][10] - Net income and EBITDA both grew by more than 35%, reflecting strong operational execution and leverage [4][5] - The company ended the quarter with net earning assets of $554 million, an increase of 17% [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Pawn Loan Outstanding (PLO) increased 12% to $307.3 million, marking an all-time Q1 high, driven by sustained consumer demand [9][10] - Pawn Service Charge (PSC) revenue rose 11% to $129.6 million, in line with PLO growth [10] - Merchandise sales climbed 10% to $205.2 million, with same-store sales up 7% [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the US segment, total revenues increased 16% to $269.8 million, with PLO expanding 9% to $239.9 million [11] - In Latin America, total revenues rose 19% to $104.7 million, with PLO expanding 23% to $67.4 million [13][14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to build scale through disciplined capital deployment, focusing on growth and return on capital while maintaining a conservative balance sheet [18][19] - Recent acquisitions, including Founders One and El Bufalo Pawn, are expected to enhance geographic reach and operational scale [6][7][15] - The company is actively pursuing additional M&A opportunities, particularly in Latin America [16][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management noted favorable pawn demand conditions and challenges in consumer credit for lower and middle-income households, which supports the pawn business [4][5] - The company expects Q2 momentum to remain favorable, driven by tax refund season and continued high gold prices supporting scrap contributions [16][27] Other Important Information - The company has a robust position of $465.9 million in unrestricted cash, enabling it to fund organic expansion and pursue acquisition opportunities [14] - The company is focused on integrating recent acquisitions to maximize profitability and returns [15][19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Why was now the right time to take a controlling stake in SMG? - Management indicated that operational readiness and favorable deal terms made the timing right for the acquisition [23][24] Question: How does the M&A pipeline look after recent acquisitions? - The M&A pipeline remains strong, particularly in Latin America, with a focus on disciplined growth and return on capital [25][26] Question: What are the expectations for loan demand during tax season? - Management is preparing for potential increases in loan paydown but does not expect monumental changes in customer demographics [27][28] Question: How should investors think about the price of gold and its impact on the business? - Management emphasized that while gold prices influence scrap margins, the company manages loans based on long-term trends rather than daily fluctuations [30][32] Question: What growth potential exists in the new geographies from the SMG acquisition? - Puerto Rico represents a significant opportunity, with plans for disciplined growth through new store openings [37][39] Question: How is the company managing expenses related to the integration of SMG? - Management plans to leverage existing teams to minimize integration costs while ensuring operational effectiveness [61][62]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved record first-quarter revenue of $374.5 million, up 17% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA rising 36% to $70.3 million and diluted EPS improving 34% to $0.55 [10][11] - Net income and EBITDA both grew by more than 35%, reflecting strong operational leverage [4][5] - The company ended the quarter with net earning assets of $554 million, an increase of 17% [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Pawn Loan Outstanding (PLO) increased 12% to $307.3 million, marking an all-time Q1 high, driven by sustained consumer demand [10] - Pawn Service Charge (PSC) revenue rose 11% to $129.6 million, in line with PLO growth [10] - Merchandise sales climbed 10% to $205.2 million, with same-store sales up 7% [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the U.S. segment, total revenues increased 16% to $269.8 million, with PLO expanding 9% to $239.9 million [12] - In Latin America, total revenues rose 19% to $104.7 million, with PLO expanding 23% to $67.4 million [14][15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to build scale through disciplined capital deployment, focusing on growth and return on capital while maintaining a conservative balance sheet [20] - Recent acquisitions, including Founders One and El Bufalo Pawn, are expected to enhance geographic reach and operational scale [6][7] - The company is actively pursuing additional M&A opportunities, particularly in Latin America [18][28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that consumer credit conditions remain challenging, particularly for lower and middle-income households, which supports pawn demand [4] - The company expects favorable momentum in Q2, driven by tax refund season and elevated gold prices supporting scrap contributions [18] - Management emphasized the importance of operational execution and customer service in driving growth, independent of macroeconomic factors [80] Other Important Information - The company reported a significant increase in scrap margins from 23% to 34% due to higher gold prices [11] - Inventory turnover improved in both U.S. and Latin America segments, indicating effective inventory management [13][16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Why was now the right time to take a controlling stake in SMG? - Management indicated that operational performance and favorable deal terms made the timing right for the acquisition [25][26] Question: How does the M&A pipeline look after recent acquisitions? - The M&A pipeline remains strong, particularly in Latin America, with a focus on disciplined growth [27][28] Question: What are the expectations for loan demand during tax refund season? - Management anticipates a slight increase in loan paydown but does not expect a monumental change in customer demographics [30][31] Question: How does the company manage scrap and its relation to gold prices? - Scrap management is based on inventory age and sellability rather than solely on gold prices, with a focus on effective inventory management [84][85] Question: What is the growth potential in new geographies from the SMG acquisition? - Puerto Rico is seen as a significant opportunity, with plans for disciplined DeNovo store build-outs in new markets [40][42]

Investor Presentation Q1 2026 NASDAQ: EZPW PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This presentation contains certain forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the company's current expectations as to the outcome and timing of future events. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities or results that the company plans, expects, believes, projects, estimates or anticipates will, should or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. ...

Exceptional Operating Performance Drives Outstanding Earnings GrowthAUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ: EZPW), a leading provider of pawn transactions in the United States and Latin America, today announced results for its first quarter ended December 31, 2025. Unless otherwise noted, all amounts in this release are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and comparisons shown are to the same period in the prior year. FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIG ...

Core Viewpoint - EZCORP has acquired a controlling interest in Founders One, LLC, enhancing its position in the pawn industry and expanding its geographic footprint in key markets [1][2]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition includes EZCORP converting $45 million of preferred equity and $10 million of notes receivable into common equity in Founders, along with an additional cash contribution of $9.4 million [3]. - Following the transaction, EZCORP owns an 87.7% interest in Founders, which controls Simple Management Group, Inc. (SMG) with an 85.1% ownership interest [3]. Financial Impact - The transaction is expected to add immediate earnings accretion to EZCORP's financial results and will allow for the consolidation of SMG's financial results going forward [2][3]. - Founders reported revenue of $127 million and gross profit of $66 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, and $147 million in revenue and $79 million in gross profit for the full fiscal year 2024, reflecting growth of approximately 34% and 29% compared to fiscal 2023 [4]. Market Expansion - The acquisition allows EZCORP to operate a total of 1,488 pawn stores across 16 countries, significantly increasing its market presence [4].

Company Overview - FirstCash Holdings (FCFS) is valued at $7.23 billion and operates over 3,000 pawnshops across the U.S., Latin America, and the U.K. [1] - The company provides retail point-of-sale (POS) payment solutions and has expanded into the U.K. through the acquisition of H&T Group [1]. Technical Performance - FCFS has a 100% "Buy" opinion from Barchart, indicating strong technical momentum [6][7]. - The stock has gained 53.56% over the past year and has recently traded at $163.40, with a 50-day moving average of $157.11 [7]. - FCFS hit an all-time high of $166.08 on November 6 [4]. Market Indicators - The company has a Weighted Alpha of +57.01 and a trailing price-earnings ratio of 19.69x [7]. - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 58.82, with a technical support level around $161.21 [7]. Financial Projections - Revenue is projected to grow by 6.75% this year and by an additional 11.42% next year [8]. - Earnings are estimated to increase by 29.40% this year and by another 16.71% next year [8]. - The company offers a dividend yield of 1.03% [8].

Core Insights - The year 2025 is projected to be favorable for investors in FirstCash (FCFS), with positive developments in pawn operations and point-of-sale financing leading to improved financial results [1] Group 1: Company Performance - FirstCash's pawn operations are expected to perform well in 2025, contributing to overall positive investor sentiment [1] - Shifts in the point-of-sale financing business have also resulted in enhanced reported outcomes for FirstCash [1]

Core Insights - EZPAWN has launched an Instant Quote tool that allows customers to receive fast and accurate online quotes for their electronic items before visiting a store [1][4] - The tool supports 15 key electronics categories, including game consoles, laptops, tablets, smartphones, LED TVs, and smartwatches [2] - Customers can access the tool via the EZPAWN website, where they enter details about their items to receive an estimated value range based on current market trends [7] Company Overview - EZPAWN is part of EZCORP, Inc., a leading provider of pawn services in the United States and Latin America, operating in 19 states [4][5] - The company focuses on satisfying short-term cash needs through pawn transactions and the sale of pre-owned merchandise [5] - EZCORP is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol EZPW and is a member of the S&P 1000 Index and Nasdaq Composite Index [5]

Core Insights - EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) is recognized as a promising small-cap stock, particularly favored by Reddit investors due to its resilience amid rising inflation and credit challenges in the US [1][2] - The stock has experienced a significant increase of 48% year-to-date [1] - The company reported better-than-expected quarterly results, with US pawn revenue showing double-digit growth and an expansion to over 1,300 locations across five countries [2] Company Performance - EZCORP's recent quarterly results exceeded expectations, driven by strong pawn revenue growth in the US [2] - The company is focusing on digital initiatives, omnichannel expansion, and improving inventory efficiency, which are expected to contribute to future growth [2] - The issuance of convertible senior notes was announced to restructure the balance sheet favorably, indicating proactive financial management [3] Market Position - EZCORP is viewed as a defensive stock, attracting investors due to its counter-cyclical demand, especially as discretionary income declines [3] - The company serves as a source of consumer credit, which becomes increasingly important in challenging economic conditions [3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - EZCORP achieved record revenue of $1.3 billion for fiscal 2025, up 12% year over year, with adjusted EBITDA of $191.2 million, up 26% [4] - EBITDA margin expanded to 14.7% from 13%, and net income surged 30% to $110.7 million [4][6] - Cash position increased to $469.5 million from $170.5 million in fiscal 2024, reflecting a $300 million senior notes offering [7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Pawn loan (PLO) of $303.9 million increased 11%, with a same-store basis growth of 9%, driven by higher average loan sizes [12] - Merchandise sales of $176 million increased 9%, with same-store sales up 7%, and merchandise margin remained steady at 35% [12] - In the U.S. pawn segment, total revenues increased 13% to $238.9 million, with PLO growth of 9% on both total and same-store basis [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Latin America, fourth quarter revenues were $96.9 million, up 17%, with PLO up 17% to $70.1 million [16] - Jewelry composition in PLO increased by 450 basis points to 41%, indicating a shift towards higher-value items [16] - The U.S. remains the largest market with 247 stores in Texas, followed by Florida with 95 stores [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its store base and enhancing digital transformation to improve customer engagement [4][10] - Strategic initiatives include a targeted incentive compensation campaign and a robust loyalty program, with EZ Plus Rewards membership up 26% to 6.9 million members [9][10] - The M&A pipeline remains active, with multiple opportunities being evaluated for strategic integration and return on invested capital [20][35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of the business model, stating that the company can adapt quickly to changes in gold prices [26][27] - The company anticipates continued robust revenue growth, particularly outside of scrap sales, despite potential economic pressures [44] - Management highlighted the importance of operational excellence and customer-centric initiatives in driving future growth [8][21] Other Important Information - The company has transformed its earnings profile significantly since fiscal 2021, with net income increasing from $21 million to $110 million [17] - Digital initiatives have led to a 42% year-over-year growth in online payments in the U.S., demonstrating strong customer adoption of digital platforms [10][63] - The company is committed to improving inventory efficiency and scaling operational best practices across all geographies [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about gold prices and their impact on business - Management acknowledged that while rising gold prices are beneficial, the core business remains strong regardless of gold price fluctuations [26][27] Question: Future performance and growth potential in Latin America - Management indicated that there is still significant growth potential in Latin America, particularly in jewelry lending and digital adoption [30][33] Question: Insights on the M&A pipeline and future acquisitions - Management confirmed a robust M&A pipeline with a disciplined approach to acquisitions, focusing primarily on existing markets [35][36] Question: Impact of U.S. consumer behavior on store performance - Management noted strong demand for loan products, indicating that consumer pressure remains high, but specific impacts from external factors like government shutdowns are unclear [74] Question: Changes observed from digital initiatives - Management reported significant growth in online loan payments and customer engagement due to digital initiatives, enhancing store efficiency [62][64]