Ezcorp price target raised to $22 from $16 at Roth Capital

Roth Capital raised the firm’s price target on Ezcorp (EZPW) to $22 from $16 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The company reported fiscal Q2 profits ahead despite revenue headwinds from introducing a long-term layaway option that helped support a 15% increase in new layaways during the quarter, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm says Ezcorp’s technology and growth initiatives continue to deliver results. Customer demand is strong, and precious metals prices are facilitating larger loans at the counter and improved scrapping returns, contends Roth.