Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare PRA Group, Inc. (PRAA) vs EZCORP, Inc. (EZPW) Stock
Analyze side-by-side fundamentals, valuation, growth, and profitability to decide which stock is the better buy.
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Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | PRAA | 37.8% revenue growth vs EZPW's 9.7% |
| Value | PRAA | Lower P/E (6.9x vs 14.8x) |
| Quality / Margins | EZPW | 8.6% net margin vs PRAA's 6.3% |
| Stability / Safety | EZPW | Beta 0.34 vs PRAA's 1.52, lower leverage |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | EZPW | +92.8% vs PRAA's -24.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | EZPW | 6.2% ROA vs PRAA's -6.9%, ROIC 7.1% vs 5.0% |
Who Each Stock Is For
Income & stability
Growth exposure
Long-term compounding (10Y)
Sleep-well-at-night portfolio
Defensive / Recession hedge
Business Model
What each company does and how it makes money
PRA Group is a debt collection company that purchases and collects on defaulted consumer loans — primarily credit card debt, installment loans, and auto loans — from banks and other lenders. It makes money by buying these nonperforming loan portfolios at deep discounts — often pennies on the dollar — and then collecting more than it paid through persistent recovery efforts. The company's competitive advantage lies in its sophisticated data analytics and collection technology, which allows it to efficiently price and recover debt that others might overlook.
EZCORP operates a chain of pawn shops across the United States and Latin America, providing short-term collateralized loans and selling secondhand merchandise. It generates revenue primarily from pawn loan interest and fees (roughly 60-70% of total) and merchandise sales from forfeited collateral and purchased goods (30-40%). The company's competitive advantage lies in its extensive physical store network—over 1,100 locations—and proprietary digital platforms that streamline pawn operations and customer engagement.
Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
Financial Metrics Comparison
Side-by-side fundamentals across 2 stocks. BestLagging
Financial Scorecard
EZPW leads in 4 of 6 categories (Financial Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). PRAA leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook).
Financial Metrics (TTM)
EZPW and PRAA operate at a comparable scale, with $1.3B and $1.1B in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 8.6% (EZPW) to 6.3% (PRAA).
| Metric | PRAAPRA Group, Inc. | EZPWEZCORP, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.1B | $1.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$50M | $201M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$343M | $123M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$37M | $131M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +61.0% | +58.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +30.2% | +11.7% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +6.3% | +8.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -8.8% | +8.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -16.1% | +37.5% |
Valuation Metrics
At 8.8x trailing earnings, PRAA trades at a 53% valuation discount to EZPW's 18.7x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, EZPW's 10.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than PRAA's 11.0x.
| Metric | PRAAPRA Group, Inc. | EZPWEZCORP, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $616M | $1.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.9B | $1.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 8.80x | 18.68x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 6.92x | 14.80x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 11.05x | 10.63x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.55x | 1.28x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.52x | 2.16x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 14.82x |
Profitability & Efficiency
EZPW delivers a 11.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $11 in annual profit, vs $-35 for PRAA. EZPW carries lower financial leverage with a 0.75x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to PRAA's 2.82x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), EZPW scores 6/9 vs PRAA's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | PRAAPRA Group, Inc. | EZPWEZCORP, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -34.9% | +11.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -6.9% | +6.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.0% | +7.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +7.7% | +10.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 2.82x | 0.75x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3.3B | $295M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $106M | $470M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3.4B | $764M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -1.78x | 4.47x |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in EZPW five years ago would be worth $53,704 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $4,293 for PRAA. Over the past 12 months, EZPW leads with a +92.8% total return vs PRAA's -24.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors EZPW at 44.4% vs PRAA's -28.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | PRAAPRA Group, Inc. | EZPWEZCORP, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -9.9% | +32.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -24.7% | +92.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -63.0% | +200.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -57.1% | +437.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -35.5% | +814.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -28.2% | +44.4% |
Risk & Volatility
EZPW is the less volatile stock with a 0.34 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than PRAA's 1.52 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. EZPW currently trades 99.8% from its 52-week high vs PRAA's 71.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | PRAAPRA Group, Inc. | EZPWEZCORP, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.52x | 0.34x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $22.01 | $26.58 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $10.25 | $12.85 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +71.6% | +99.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 51.4 | 74.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 338K | 800K |
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates PRAA as "Hold" and EZPW as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 65.1% upside for PRAA (target: $26) vs 2.7% for EZPW (target: $27).
| Metric | PRAAPRA Group, Inc. | EZPWEZCORP, Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $26.00 | $27.25 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 13 | 15 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.4% |
Historical Charts
Charts are rendered on first load. Hover for details.
Chart 1Total Return — 5 Years (Rebased to 100)
| Stock | Mar 20 | Feb 26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRA Group, Inc. (PRAA) | 100 | 33.39 | -66.6% |
| EZCORP, Inc. (EZPW) | 100 | 449.69 | +349.7% |
EZCORP, Inc. (EZPW) returned +437% over 5 years vs PRA Group, Inc. (PRAA)'s -57%. A $10,000 investment in EZPW 5 years ago would be worth $53,704 today (including dividends reinvested).
Chart 2Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRA Group, Inc. (PRAA) | $832M | $1.1B | +35.1% |
| EZCORP, Inc. (EZPW) | $731M | $1.3B | +74.4% |
EZCORP, Inc.'s revenue grew from $731M (2016) to $1.3B (2025) — a 6.4% CAGR.
Chart 3Net Margin Trend — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRA Group, Inc. (PRAA) | 10.4% | 6.3% | -39.4% |
| EZCORP, Inc. (EZPW) | -11.1% | 8.6% | +177.8% |
EZCORP, Inc.'s net margin went from -11% (2016) to 9% (2025).
Chart 4P/E Ratio History — 9 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRA Group, Inc. (PRAA) | 9.4 | 11.7 | +24.5% |
| EZCORP, Inc. (EZPW) | 19.7 | 13.7 | -30.5% |
PRA Group, Inc. has traded in a 9x–19x P/E range over 7 years; current trailing P/E is ~9x. EZCORP, Inc. has traded in a 11x–216x P/E range over 8 years; current trailing P/E is ~19x.
Chart 5EPS Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRA Group, Inc. (PRAA) | 1.83 | 1.79 | -2.2% |
| EZCORP, Inc. (EZPW) | -1.48 | 1.42 | +195.9% |
EZCORP, Inc.'s EPS grew from $-1.48 (2016) to $1.42 (2025).
Chart 6Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
PRA Group, Inc. generated $-99M FCF in 2024 (-234% vs 2021). EZCORP, Inc. generated $110M FCF in 2025 (+384% vs 2021).
PRAA vs EZPW: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PRAA or EZPW a better buy right now?
PRA Group, Inc. (PRAA) offers the better valuation at 8.8x trailing P/E (6.9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate EZCORP, Inc. (EZPW) a "Buy" — based on 15 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — PRAA or EZPW?
On trailing P/E, PRA Group, Inc. (PRAA) is the cheapest at 8.8x versus EZCORP, Inc. at 18.7x. On forward P/E, PRA Group, Inc. is actually cheaper at 6.9x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — PRAA or EZPW?
Over the past 5 years, EZCORP, Inc. (EZPW) delivered a total return of +437.0%, compared to -57.1% for PRA Group, Inc. (PRAA). A $10,000 investment in EZPW five years ago would be worth approximately $54K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: EZPW returned +814.8% versus PRAA's -35.5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — PRAA or EZPW?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), EZCORP, Inc. (EZPW) is the lower-risk stock at 0.34β versus PRA Group, Inc.'s 1.52β — meaning PRAA is approximately 350% more volatile than EZPW relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, EZCORP, Inc. (EZPW) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 75% versus 3% for PRA Group, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — PRAA or EZPW?
EZCORP, Inc. (EZPW) is the more profitable company, earning 8.6% net margin versus 6.3% for PRA Group, Inc. — meaning it keeps 8.6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PRAA leads at 30.2% versus 11.7% for EZPW. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PRAA leads at 61.0%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Is PRAA or EZPW more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, PRA Group, Inc. (PRAA) trades at 6.9x forward P/E versus 14.8x for EZCORP, Inc. — 7.9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PRAA: 65.1% to $26.00.
07Which pays a better dividend — PRAA or EZPW?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend. All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
08Is PRAA or EZPW better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, EZCORP, Inc. (EZPW) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.34), +814.8% 10Y return). PRA Group, Inc. (PRAA) carries a higher beta of 1.52 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (EZPW: +814.8%, PRAA: -35.5%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
09What are the main differences between PRAA and EZPW?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both. In terms of investment character: PRAA is a small-cap deep-value stock; EZPW is a small-cap quality compounder stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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