EI
EZCORP INC (EZPW)·Q2 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 FY25 delivered record PLO and solid growth: revenues $306.3M (+7% YoY), gross profit $178.5M (+6%), net income $25.4M (+18%), GAAP diluted EPS $0.33 (+14%); adjusted EPS $0.34 (+21%) and adjusted EBITDA $45.1M (+23%) .
- Versus S&P Global consensus: EPS beat (actual $0.34 vs $0.31), while revenue was a slight miss (actual $306.3M vs $310.3M). Bold EPS beat; modest revenue shortfall. Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
- U.S. Pawn drove contribution (+16% YoY to $47.1M), LatAm contribution +30% YoY to $10.6M (43% on constant currency), with strong demand and continued store expansion to 742 LatAm stores .
- Capital structure actions are a positive catalyst: priced and closed $300M senior notes due 2032 (7.375% coupon), and retired $103.4M 2025 converts largely via equity conversion; cash ended Q2 at $505.2M, providing ample liquidity for organic and inorganic growth .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Record Q2 PLO $261.8M (+11% YoY) supporting PSC growth; management emphasized operating leverage from disciplined costs and customer service (“material increase in adjusted EBITDA to $45.1M, up 23%”) .
- U.S. Pawn: segment contribution +16% to $47.1M on higher PSC; average loan size up; continued disciplined cost management .
- LatAm: strong constant-currency growth (revenues +25%, PSC +19%, merchandise sales +21%) and adjusted segment contribution +42% to $11.6M; management highlighted robust demand and execution .
What Went Wrong
- Merchandise sales gross margin contracted to 34% (from 35%), reflecting increased price negotiation at the counter; inventory turnover slowed to 2.5x (from 2.9x) as layaway shifts sales to future quarters .
- G&A expenses +8% YoY, partly from labor and a prior-year lease termination gain; LatAm merchandise margin fell to 30% (from 33%) despite revenue strength .
- FX headwinds impacted reported metrics; constant-currency adjustments were needed to reflect underlying trajectory (e.g., LatAm PLO +17% CC vs +1% reported) .
Financial Results
Segment breakdown (Q2 2025 vs Q2 2024):
KPIs and operating metrics:
Guidance Changes
Note: Management did not issue quantitative revenue or EPS guidance this quarter; commentary focused on margin framework, liquidity, and growth priorities .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- CEO: “Record Q2 PLO… drove strong growth in revenue and pawn service charges… adjusted EBITDA to $45.1M, up 23%… Persistent inflation… customers turning to us for short-term cash and secondhand goods” .
- CFO: “Record-setting Q2 PLO… PSC up 12%; inventory turnover 2.5x vs 2.9x, partly due to expanded layaway and jewelry mix; EBITDA margin increased to 14.1%… Focus remains on improving inventory turns” .
- Capital allocation: “Completed a $300.0M private offering… expanding flexibility… as we retire our 2025 convertible notes” ; “We like to be very liquid… disciplined M&A in U.S. and LatAm” .
Q&A Highlights
- Tax refund seasonality: 9% sequential PLO decline appears “new normal” given modest refund increases and higher living costs .
- Tariffs/inflation: Effects raise GM prices and loan sizes; jewelry and gold prices are key drivers; management sees new faces trading down, with digital and in-store traffic initiatives to drive more customers .
- Merchandise margin vs peers: Company prioritizes maximizing overall gross profit (PSC + merchandise) over headline merchandise margin; negotiation supports PSC growth even if sales margin is lower .
- Capital allocation/use of cash: Post $300M notes, approach remains balanced (scale up operations, maintain high liquidity, disciplined M&A); strong pipeline in U.S. and LatAm .
- Convertible notes outcome: Holders converted ~$97M into ~6.1M shares; ~$6.4M repaid in cash plus interest; conversion price $15.90 .
Estimates Context
Values retrieved from S&P Global.* Actuals for revenue reflect reported GAAP; EPS actual reflects Primary/normalized basis per SPGI. Reported GAAP diluted EPS for Q2 was $0.33 .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- EPS beat with strong profitability despite revenue modestly below consensus; focus remains on operating leverage and inventory optimization—a supportive setup for estimate revisions (EPS upward, revenue mix considerations). Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
- Watch merchandise margin and inventory turns: layaway shifts will likely bolster future sales; near-term turns should normalize as program matures .
- Liquidity and capital structure now de-risked: $300M 2032 notes in place; 2025 converts retired; ample cash ($505.2M) provides dry powder for de novo openings and disciplined M&A .
- U.S. and LatAm momentum: U.S. contribution up double-digits; LatAm strong constant-currency growth and improving EBITDA—continued store adds and operational enhancements are tailwinds .
- Macro supports demand: inflation and tighter credit push value-conscious consumers to pawn; gold price strength lifts average loan size—a positive for PLO/PSC trajectory .
- Digital and loyalty flywheel: EZ+ and online payments deepen engagement and efficiency; expect ongoing transaction capture and sales conversion improvements .
- Near-term trading: Favorable EPS beat and balance-sheet actions are positive catalysts; monitor margins/turns and any FX impact in LatAm; medium-term thesis centers on sustained PLO growth, disciplined costs, and accretive store expansion .
Footnote: *Values retrieved from S&P Global.