$EZPW (-2,12%)

August 25, 2026

EZCORP (EZPW) significantly exceeded expectations in the third quarter of fiscal year 2026. The U.S. pawnshop group increased its adjusted EBITDA by 48% to $65.6 million, while adjusted diluted earnings per share climbed 47% to $0.47, exceeding analysts’ estimates by $0.06. Consolidated revenue grew by 31% to $408.4 million, while gross profit rose by the same margin to $240.3 million.

The core business was the driving force: Outstanding pawn loans (PLO) reached a record high, up 31%. Pawn fees rose by 29%, and growth in the branch network totaled 13%. The scrap gold contribution normalized as expected: After a gross margin of 38% in the second quarter, it fell to 26%, compared to 29% a year ago. The “scrap gold contribution” is the revenue or profit contribution from these specific scrap sales (i.e., the raw material from melted-down gold), separate from the actual core business (pawn loans and pawn fees) and from the sale of used goods in-store. This contribution is heavily dependent on the price of gold.

In the U.S. pawnbroking business, with 560 branches in 19 states, revenue rose by 14% and segment EBITDA by 23%. In Latin America, where EZCORP now operates 881 branches in four countries, revenue climbed to a record $114.1 million, with segment EBITDA rising by 40%. In April, the company acquired 33 stores in Guatemala, thereby expanding its market leadership.

Another milestone: In July, shortly after the end of the quarter, EZCORP acquired the remaining shares in Simple Money Group and now owns 100% of the chain, which has 108 branches in 12 countries. The balance sheet remains conservative: $311 million in cash, with the first bond maturity not due until December 2029, which provides a buffer against higher financing costs as interest rates rise. Under the $50 million share repurchase program launched in November 2025, EZCORP repurchased $4 million worth of shares during the quarter.

For investors, the stock remains an attractive investment with broad geographic diversification and a growing core business that is insulated from gold price volatility. The P/E ratio of 17 no longer appears cheap, but the stock remains an intriguing opportunity for trend followers.

Good morning my dears,

A few months ago I introduced you to EZCORP $EZPW (-2,12%) here.

( Company presentation: https://getqu.in/3uE47L/ ).

The share continued to perform well after the presentation. That is why there is another company from this sector today.

Like EZCORP, it is a robust share for me, as the 15 out of 15 points in the Traderfox Robustness Check show. Achieving 15 points here is a rarity.

That's why FirstCash $FCFS (-7,21%) could perhaps be a CORE share for you.

As the global market leader in the pawnbroking business, the company is benefiting from economic uncertainty as demand for small loans and cheap second-hand goods increases in times of high inflation and restrictive banking policies. Through aggressive expansion into underserved markets in Latin America and the integration of digital point-of-sale financing (AFF), FirstCash is continuously tapping into new, high-margin customer groups. FirstCash offers a virtually risk-free credit model, while high operating margins are rare in the retail sector.

FirstCash Holdings, Inc. is an international operator of pawnshops with more than 3,000 locations that buy and sell a wide range of jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, musical instruments and other merchandise, and make small, non-recourse pawn loans secured by pledged movable property. Through its wholly owned subsidiary American First Finance (AFF), the company also offers installment plan and financing solutions for consumer goods and services. The company operates in four segments: Pawnbroking in the United States (U.S. Pawn); Pawnbroking in Latin America (LatAm Pawn); Pawnbroking in the United Kingdom (U.K. Pawn); and Retail Point of Sale Payment Solutions (American First Finance or AFF). The company is also a provider of point-of-sale payment solutions for retailers of consumer goods and services. The point-of-sale retail payment solutions business is comprised solely of AFF's operations, which focus on installment plan products and the provision of other payment options for retail finance.

Number of employees: 20,000

FirstCash reports record first quarter results; Revenue up 26%, leading to 30% earnings per share growth; Pawn receivables growth accelerates; 2026 revenue guidance raised

April 23, 2026 06:00 ET | Source: FirstCash, Inc.

FirstCash berichtet über Rekordergebnisse des ersten Quartals;

IR — Investor Relations_May 2026_vFINAL

Revenue distribution by division:

2025 (USD)

U.S. Pawn 1.75 bn.

Latin America Pawn 890 million

U.K. Pawn 151 million

Retail POS Payment Solutions 870 million

Intersegment Eliminations -2.74 million

Geographical distribution of sales:

2024 (USD)

Other Latin America 47.46 million

U.S. 2.58 billion

Mexico 764 million

💬 Juan summary of the key financial figures (2025-2028)

"FCFS delivers a really clean set of figures. Sales are growing at a stable double-digit rate, but the real star is the margin expansionEBIT margin rises from 12% to almost 16%, which is impressive for a deposit/retail hybrid model.

Net profit is following suit and EPS is growing at double-digit rates every year - even +25% in 2028. Free cash flow fluctuates, but the trend is clearly pointing upwards and will end 2028 at a strong level.

Net debt is zero, operationally the model appears robust and cash-strong. Overall: Solid growth story with steady improvement in profitability.

No hype - simply a clean-running cash generator."

Market value 10,214

Number of shares (in thousands) 43,837

Date of publication 05,02,2026

Short summary (Juan style)

"Valuation remains relaxed: P/E ratio falling towards 16xPEG is mostly hovering in the undervalued rangeand the FCF yield rises to over 8%. Dividend is nice, but not the driver. Overall: solid value base with cash flow punch."

Share price: €196.50 13.05.2026 at 9:22 a.m.

$FCFS (-7,21%)

Hello my dears,

I believe this company always profits. Especially in times of uncertainty and inflation.

I'd love to hear your opinion in the comments.

$EZPW (-2,12%)

Gold rush gives wings! Crisis-resistant pawnshop king EZCORP profits!

Job loss, unplanned expenses or growing inflation can all be reasons that cause people to have major money worries.

According to a survey by Capital One, 77% of Americans are worried about their financial situation and not having enough money to retire, cover their living expenses and pay their debts. Dear all, so today I would like to introduce you to EZCORP, the top performer in the Credit Services sector, up 13.66%. In which sector has the company made a name for itself? EZCORP operates pawnbroking businesses in the USA, Mexico and Central America.

EZCORP, Inc. is a provider of pawnbroking services in the United States and Latin America. The company also sells used and recycled merchandise, primarily collateral from pawnbroking operations and merchandise purchased by customers. The U.S. Pawn segment includes the EZPAWN, Value Pawn & Jewelry and other branded pawn businesses in the United States. The Latin America Pawn segment comprises the pawn stores Empeno Facil, Cash Apoyo Efectivo and other branded pawn stores in Mexico as well as the pawn stores GuatePrenda and MaxiEfectivo in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras (GPMX). The Other Investments segment primarily comprises the investment in Cash Converters International Limited (Cash Converters) as well as the investment in and receivables from Founders One, LLC (Founders). In its pawn shops, the company provides cash against the value of collateralized tangible assets and sells goods to customers seeking good value.

Number of employees: 8,500

PURCHASE

EZCORP offers customers the opportunity to instantly turn goods they no longer need into cash. We buy quality pre-owned items ranging from gold and diamond jewelry to electronics, video games, musical instruments, tools, sporting goods and more. We pride ourselves on fair and accurate valuations. Quite simply, we help our customers get more money for their stuff

SALE

In today's economy, more and more consumers are demanding value, and EZCORP delivers. We sell a selection of quality used items at discounted prices. In fact, our customers save up to 70% off regular retail prices every day. Our selection of merchandise is large and ever-changing and includes gold, jewelry, electronics, tools, sporting goods, luxury handbags, shoes and sneakers, music equipment and much more!

On loan

Customers rely on EZCORP for fast, convenient and confidential loans. We go above and beyond to promote responsibility and are guided by the principles of honesty, integrity and fairness. We offer instant cash loans for valuable items including gold and diamond jewelry, electronics, computers, musical instruments, tools, video games, firearms (U.S. only) and more. EZCORP works closely with each client to help them get the cash they need.

Where to operate:

547 x U.S. (547 BUSINESSES IN 19 STATES)

637 x Mexico

153 x Guatemala

20 x El Salvador

26 x Honduras

EZCORP reports results for the first quarter of fiscal 2026

EZCORP, Inc. – EZCORP berichtet Ergebnisse des ersten Geschäftsjahres 2026

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FIRST QUARTER

• Net profit increased by 43 % to 44.3 million US dollars. Adjusted1, net profit increased by 38 % to USD 43.9 million.
• Diluted earnings per share (EPS) rose by 38 % to USD 0.55. Adjusted1, diluted earnings per share rose by 34 % to USD 0.55.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased by 36 % to USD 70.3 million.
• Total revenues increased by 19% to USD 382.0 million, while gross profit increased by 20% to USD 223.0 million.
• Outstanding pawn loans (PLO) increased by 14 % to 314.4 million US dollars.
• We expanded our footprint by 23 branches, including 17 acquired branches, 7 de novo branches and the merger of 1 branch.

EZCORP acquires majority stake in Founders One, LLC and adds 105 pawnshops in 12 countries to its footprint

EZCORP, Inc. – EZCORP erwirbt die Mehrheitsbeteiligung an Founders One, LLC und erweitert seine Präsenz um 105 Pfandhäuser in 12 Ländern

Citizens raises its price target for EZCORP significantly from USD 26 to USD 33 and confirms Market Outperform.

Published on 09.02.2026, 11:31

 The new target means strong upside compared to the previous price of around USD 25.6.

 Background is a very strong operating momentum:

• 12 % jump in share price following positive reactions to store growth and operational improvements.
• Annual performance: +90.8 %, 6-month performance: +67.7 %.

 The valuation is based on a multiplier of ~9x to the expected adjusted EBITDA 2027.

 Management shows high confidence: further efficiency gains, new products, better pricing, stronger customer loyalty.

 Strong quarter:

• Sales +19 %well above expectations.
• Adjusted EBITDA: USD 70 million (vs. 56 million Citizens estimate).

 Other analysts positive:

• Canaccord raises price target to 34 USD (Buy).

 Strategic Expansion:

• Acquisition of a majority stake in Founders One (105 pawnshops in the USA + 11 other countries).
• Strengthens presence in Florida and Puerto Rico.

Earnings Deck - Q1 2026

USD in millions

Estimates

Year Turnover Change

2024 1.162 10,73 %

2025 1.274 9,7 %

2026 1.573 23,47 %

2027 1.745 10.89 %

2028 1.887 8,13 %

Year EBIT Change

2024 112,5 22,12 %

2025 149,2 32,56 %

2026 201,1 34,81 %

2027 223,8 11,31 %

2028 243,8 8,92 %

Year Net result Change

2024 83,1 115,84 %

2025 109,6 31,9 %

2026 145,3 32,56 %

2027 165,1 13,61 %

2028 188,4 14,11 %

Year Net debt CAPEX

2024 148 35,76

2025 48 38,56

2026 115 46,9

2027 172 52,4

2028 57

Year Free cash flow change

2024 77,84 26,79 %

2026 147

2027 137 -6,8 %

2028 143 4,38 %

Year EBIT margin ROE

2024 9,69 % 10,72 %

2025 11,71 % 11,98 %

2026 12,78 % 14 %

2027 12,83 % 14 %

2028 12,92 %

Year Earnings per share Change

2024 1,1 107,55 %

2025 1,42 29,09 %

2026 1,777 25,12 %

2027 2,002 12,66 %

2028 2,295 14,65 %

Year P/E ratio PEG

2023 15,6x

2024 10,2x

2025 13.4x 0.5x

2026 14.3x 0.6x

2027 12.7x 1x

2028 11.1x 0.8x

Market value 1,565

Number of shares (in thousands) 61,697

Date of publication 13,11,2025

Performance

1 week +4.36 %

1 month +19.78 %

6 months +62.21 %

1 year +83.31 %

3 years +178.18 %

5 years +422.02 %

$EZPW (-2,12%)