Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. Purchases 272,815 Shares of EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW)

Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW - Free Report) by 449.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 333,539 shares of the credit services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 272,815 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. owned approximately 0.61% of EZCORP worth $3,739,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in 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 last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP bought a new position in EZCORP in the second quarter valued at about $1,624,000. Fourth Sail Capital LP grew its position in EZCORP by 21.5% in the second quarter. Fourth Sail Capital LP now owns 718,947 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $7,527,000 after acquiring an additional 127,070 shares during the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC bought a new position in EZCORP in the second quarter valued at about $1,243,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC grew its position in EZCORP by 129.9% in the third quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 145,423 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $1,630,000 after acquiring an additional 82,165 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.83% of the company's stock.

EZCORP Price Performance

Shares of EZPW traded down $0.08 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $12.20. 273,707 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 513,651. The stock has a market cap of $664.53 million, a PE ratio of 10.99 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 2.71, a quick ratio of 1.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $11.91 and its 200-day simple moving average is $11.18. EZCORP, Inc. has a 12 month low of $8.20 and a 12 month high of $12.85.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

Insider Activity

In other EZCORP news, insider Sunil Sajnani sold 34,493 shares of EZCORP stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.42, for a total value of $428,403.06. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 66,242 shares of the company's stock, valued at $822,725.64. The trade was a 34.24 % decrease in their position. The sale 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 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 completion of the transaction, the executive now directly owns 101,813 shares in the company, valued at $1,269,608.11. This trade represents a 8.94 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 2.13% of the company's stock.

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.