Atlanticus price target raised to $70 from $55 at Jefferies

Jefferies raised the firm’s price target on Atlanticus (ATLC) to $70 from $55 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. Conditions remain favorable for specialty finance companies, with the macro environment supporting improving credit performance for installment lenders after a lengthy period of credit tightening and demand remaining strong in the U.S. for pawn loans and discount retail, the analyst tells investors in a Q4 preview note.