Is FirstCash, Inc. (FCFS) Worthy of Your Portfolio?

Page 2 of 2

Consequently, key money managers were breaking ground themselves. Nantahala Capital Management created the largest position in First Cash Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCFS). Amy Minella’s Cardinal Capital also made a $37.2 million investment in the stock during the quarter.

Let’s check out hedge fund activity in other stocks similar to FirstCash, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCFS). We will take a look at Lakeland Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:LKFN), Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (NASDAQ:SHEN), Petrobras Argentina SA ADR (NYSE:PZE), and Barracuda Networks Inc (NYSE:CUDA). This group of stocks’ market valuations match FCFS’s market valuation.

Ticker No of HFs with positions Total Value of HF Positions (x1000) Change in HF Position
LKFN 8 7818 2
SHEN 11 45982 3
PZE 8 10710 -1
CUDA 16 55788 4

As you can see these stocks had an average of 11 funds with bullish positions and the average amount invested in these stocks was $30 million, versus $146 million in FCFS’s case. Barracuda Networks Inc (NYSE:CUDA) is the most popular stock in this table. On the other hand Lakeland Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:LKFN) is the least popular one with only eight bullish hedge fund positions. First Cash Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:FCFS) is not the most popular stock in this group but hedge fund interest is still above average. This is a slightly positive signal but we’d rather spend our time researching stocks that hedge funds are piling on. In this regard Barracuda Networks Inc (NYSE:CUDA) might be a better candidate to consider taking a long position in.

Disclosure: none

Page 2 of 2