This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.
"EZCORP (NASDAQ: EZPW) -- our top pick for 2009 -- is poised to benefit from an economy that will probably see more tough times before improving," says Alex Kolb.
The editor of Zacks Breakout Letter explains, "The company operates pawnshops that provide the type of lending and credit services many turn to during rough economic conditions."
"EZCORP is expanding through acquisitions. It recently acquired the assets of 11 pawnshops located in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada. The opening of more stores in U.S. and Mexico is on the horizon for 2009.
"Furthermore, the company's earnings per share are expected to grow 18% over the next 3 to 5 years, which is also ahead of the industry average.
"The pawnshop play has a solid record of matching or beating analyst estimates. Dating back to 2004, EZPW missed consensus forecasts only 2 times, was in-line with estimates 4 times and was ahead of projections during the other quarters.
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