FirstCash (NYSE:FCFS – Get Rating) and Hertz Global (NYSE:HTZ – Get Rating) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation, risk, earnings and dividends.

Risk and Volatility

FirstCash has a beta of 0.82, meaning that its share price is 18% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Hertz Global has a beta of 2.09, meaning that its share price is 109% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares FirstCash and Hertz Global's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares FirstCash and Hertz Global's gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Hertz Global has higher revenue and earnings than FirstCash. Hertz Global is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than FirstCash, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for FirstCash and Hertz Global, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

78.8% of FirstCash shares are owned by institutional investors. 19.4% of FirstCash shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Hertz Global shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

FirstCash beats Hertz Global on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About FirstCash

(Get Rating)

FirstCash Holdings, Inc. operates retail pawn stores in the United States and Latin America. Its pawn stores lend money on the collateral of pledged personal property, including jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, and musical instruments, and retails merchandise acquired through collateral forfeitures on forfeited pawn loans and over-the-counter purchases of merchandise directly from customers. The firm is also involved in melting scrap jewelry, as well as selling gold, silver, and diamonds in commodity markets. The company was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

About Hertz Global

(Get Rating)

The Hertz Corporation, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc., operates the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty vehicle rental brands throughout North America, Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The Hertz Corporation is one of the largest worldwide vehicle rental companies, and the Hertz brand is one of the most recognized globally. Additionally, The Hertz Corporation operates the Firefly vehicle rental brand and Hertz 24/7 car sharing business in international markets and sells vehicles through Hertz Car Sales.

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