This Pawn Shop Stock Has Jumped 135% and One Fund Just Disclosed a New $39 Million Stake

Jonathan Ponciano, The Motley Fool

Tue, May 19, 2026 at 3:41 PM EDT 4 min read

On May 15, 2026, Ophir Asset Management Pty Ltd disclosed a new position in EZCORP (NASDAQ:EZPW), acquiring 1,616,518 shares in a transaction estimated at $38.75 million based on quarterly average pricing.

What happened

According to an SEC filing dated May 15, 2026, Ophir Asset Management Pty Ltd reported the purchase of 1,616,518 shares of EZCORP, marking the initiation of a new position. The estimated value of the purchase was $38.75 million, calculated using the average closing price for the first quarter. The quarter-end value of the stake was $41.03 million, reflecting both the share acquisition and price appreciation.

What else to know

• This is a new position, now accounting for nearly 5% of the fund’s 13F reportable AUM.

• Top holdings after the filing:

  • NYSE: AIR: $59.11 million (6.9% of AUM)

  • NYSE: VVX: $58.03 million (6.8% of AUM)

  • NASDAQ: MRX: $55.57 million (6.5% of AUM)

  • NYSE: SXI: $50.21 million (5.8% of AUM)

  • NASDAQ: EZPW: $41.03 million (4.8% of AUM)

• As of May 14, 2026, EZPW shares were priced at $32.78, up 135% over the past year and well outperforming the S&P 500, which is up about 25% in the same period.

Company overview

Company snapshot

• EZCORP offers pawn loans collateralized by personal property, and sells forfeited and pre-owned merchandise, including jewelry, electronics, and tools.

• The firm generates revenue primarily from pawn lending operations and merchandise sales, with digital platforms (Lana and EZ+) supporting customer engagement and loan management.

• It serves individuals in the United States and Latin America seeking short-term credit solutions, with a retail network spanning over 1,100 pawn stores across multiple countries.

EZCORP is a leading provider of pawn loans and related retail services, operating a large footprint of pawn stores in the United States and Latin America. The company leverages both physical locations and digital platforms to deliver credit and retail solutions to underserved consumer segments. Its scale, geographic diversification, and focus on collateralized lending underpin its competitive positioning in the alternative financial services sector.

What this transaction means for investors