FirstCash Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCFS) Short Interest Update

FirstCash Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCFS) saw a significant increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 594,289 shares, an increase of 21.0% from the December 31st total of 491,220 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 270,539 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.2 days. Currently, 1.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Currently, 1.6% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 270,539 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.2 days.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Randel G. Owen sold 1,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $152.20, for a total value of $228,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 7,651 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,164,482.20. The trade was a 16.39% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO R Douglas Orr sold 2,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $158.45, for a total transaction of $396,125.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 38,234 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,058,177.30. This trade represents a 6.14% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders sold 41,000 shares of company stock valued at $6,481,395. Insiders own 14.77% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On FirstCash

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of FirstCash by 2.1% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,096,956 shares of the company’s stock worth $649,040,000 after acquiring an additional 83,113 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in FirstCash by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 980,738 shares of the company’s stock valued at $132,552,000 after purchasing an additional 11,534 shares in the last quarter. Stephens Investment Management Group LLC increased its holdings in FirstCash by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Stephens Investment Management Group LLC now owns 857,510 shares of the company’s stock worth $135,847,000 after purchasing an additional 8,610 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. increased its holdings in FirstCash by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 742,610 shares of the company’s stock worth $117,644,000 after purchasing an additional 28,704 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners raised its position in shares of FirstCash by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 658,961 shares of the company’s stock valued at $88,871,000 after purchasing an additional 8,503 shares in the last quarter. 80.30% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

FirstCash Trading Down 0.2%

Shares of FirstCash stock traded down $0.41 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $170.58. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 33,049 shares, compared to its average volume of 247,019. The company has a quick ratio of 3.72, a current ratio of 4.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. The company has a market capitalization of $7.53 billion, a PE ratio of 24.53 and a beta of 0.49. The business has a fifty day moving average of $163.81 and a 200 day moving average of $153.41. FirstCash has a 1-year low of $109.51 and a 1-year high of $174.51.

FirstCash announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback plan on Thursday, October 30th that permits the company to repurchase $150.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to reacquire up to 2.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually a sign that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on FCFS. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of FirstCash in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen lowered FirstCash from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, January 10th. Zacks Research downgraded FirstCash from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, January 2nd. Canaccord Genuity Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $205.00 target price on shares of FirstCash in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Finally, TD Cowen reissued a “buy” rating on shares of FirstCash in a research note on Friday, October 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, FirstCash has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $167.00.

FirstCash Company Profile

FirstCash, Inc (NASDAQ: FCFS) is a leading integrated operator of pawn stores and provider of short-term consumer loan services in the United States and Mexico. Through its retail pawn outlets, FirstCash offers collateral-based loans secured by personal property, enabling customers to access liquidity without a credit history or traditional bank account. The company also purchases, trades and sells a broad range of secondhand merchandise, including electronics, jewelry and power tools, through its network of conveniently located stores.

In addition to its pawn-broking activities, FirstCash provides unsecured consumer loans designed to meet urgent cash needs.