EZCORP, Inc. (EZPW) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?

A strong stock as of late has been Ezcorp (EZPW). Shares have been marching higher, with the stock up 25.2% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $26.48 in the previous session. Ezcorp has gained 35.9% since the start of the year compared to the 1.4% gain for the Zacks Finance sector and the -12% return for the Zacks Financial - Consumer Loans industry.

What's Driving the Outperformance?

The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on February 4, 2026, Ezcorp reported EPS of $0.55 versus consensus estimate of $0.4.

For the current fiscal year, Ezcorp is expected to post earnings of $1.8 per share on $1.59 in revenues. This represents a 25.87% change in EPS on a 24.38% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $2 per share on $1.75 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 11.11% and 10.41%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Ezcorp may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company has run ahead of itself.

On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). The individual style scores for Value, Growth, Momentum and the combined VGM Score run from A through F. Investors should consider the style scores a valuable tool that can help you to pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.

Ezcorp has a Value Score of A. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are C and C, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 14.7X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 9.9X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 11.1X versus its peer group's average of 7.2X. This is good enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective, making Ezcorp an interesting choice for value investors.

Zacks Rank

We also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this is even more important than the company's VGM Score. Fortunately, Ezcorp currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) thanks to a solid earnings estimate revision trend.

Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Ezcorp fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Ezcorp shares could have a bit more room to run in the near term.

How Does EZPW Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of EZPW have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Aaron's Holdings Company, Inc. (PRG). PRG has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of D, and a Momentum Score of A.

Earnings were strong last quarter. Aaron's Holdings Company, Inc. beat our consensus estimate by 23.33%, and for the current fiscal year, PRG is expected to post earnings of $4.19 per share on revenue of $3.08 billion.

Shares of Aaron's Holdings Company, Inc. have gained 13.6% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 8.79X and a P/CF of 0.83X.

The Financial - Consumer Loans industry is in the top 13% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for EZPW and PRG, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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