Pawnshop chain Ezcorp delivered impressive third-quarter results that significantly surpassed analyst projections, with earnings per share jumping 38 percent to $0.33, well above Wall Street’s expected $0.25. Revenue reached $311 million, exceeding forecasts of $302.51 million. The company’s core business—outstanding pawn loans—hit a record $293.2 million, representing a twelve percent year-over-year increase and highlighting strong demand for Ezcorp’s financial services. This performance comes amid continued expansion efforts, with the company growing from 1,005 locations in fiscal 2020 to 1,336 stores currently. Recent growth includes 40 new Monte Providencia branded locations acquired through takeover and three additional U.S. stores, including a luxury Miami Beach location. Geographically, U.S. operations increased by eleven percent to $673.5 million, while Latin American business surged by 21 percent to $294.9 million.
Digital Strategy and Market Response
Ezcorp’s digital initiatives continue gaining momentum with 6.5 million members now enrolled in the EZ+ rewards program and U.S. online payments reaching $30 million. Nearly 80 percent of American locations now offer the option to view merchandise online and purchase in-store. Despite strong fundamentals, the stock displays volatility—up 27.83 percent over twelve months but down approximately 15 percent in the past quarter. Shares recently closed at $13.32, well below the 52-week high of $16.60 but significantly above the yearly low of $10.26. The Latin American segment shows some potential concerns with trading margins declining from 32.0 to 30.7 percent, though the company achieved an overall EBITDA margin of 14.1 percent, representing a 280 basis point improvement.
