Encore Capital Group Inc (ECPG)
NASDAQ:ECPG
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Encore Capital (ECPG) AI Stock Analysis

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ECPG

Encore Capital

(NASDAQ:ECPG)

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Neutral 57 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:57Neutral
Price Target:
$49.00
▼(-1.19% Downside)
Encore Capital's overall stock score is primarily influenced by its challenging financial performance, marked by high leverage and negative profitability. However, the strong earnings call results, particularly in the U.S. market, and positive technical indicators provide some optimism. The valuation remains a concern due to the negative P/E ratio and lack of dividend yield.
Positive Factors
Strong Revenue Growth
Encore Capital's significant revenue growth indicates strong market demand and effective operational strategies, enhancing long-term business sustainability.
Technological Advancements
Investment in technology and digital capabilities enhances operational efficiency and competitive edge, supporting sustained growth and market leadership.
Share Repurchase Program
The expanded share repurchase program reflects management's confidence in the company's future prospects and commitment to returning value to shareholders.
Negative Factors
High Leverage
High leverage can constrain financial flexibility and increase risk, potentially impacting the company's ability to invest in growth opportunities.
Negative Profitability
Ongoing negative profitability indicates operational inefficiencies and challenges in achieving sustainable financial health, affecting long-term viability.
Increased Operating Expenses
Rising operating expenses can erode profit margins and limit the company's ability to invest in growth, necessitating improved cost management.

Encore Capital (ECPG) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Encore Capital Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionEncore Capital Group, Inc., a specialty finance company, provides debt recovery solutions and other related services for consumers across financial assets worldwide. The company purchases portfolios of defaulted consumer receivables at deep discounts to face value, as well as manages them by working with individuals as they repay their obligations and works toward financial recovery. It is also involved in the provision of early stage collection, business process outsourcing, and contingent collection services, as well as debt servicing and other portfolio management services to credit originator for non-performing loans. The company was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
How the Company Makes MoneyEncore Capital generates revenue primarily through the acquisition of distressed debt portfolios at a discount, which it then manages to recover the outstanding amounts owed. The company's key revenue streams include collections from charged-off consumer debts, fees from servicing third-party debt portfolios, and interest income from financing arrangements. Additionally, Encore Capital has established significant partnerships with various financial institutions and lenders, allowing it to access a diverse range of debt portfolios. The company's effective use of data analytics enhances its ability to determine the potential recovery value of debts, optimizing its purchasing strategy and collection efforts, thereby contributing to its overall profitability.

Encore Capital Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 05, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 25, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted strong growth in collections, earnings per share, and portfolio purchases, particularly in the U.S. market, supported by new technologies and digital enhancements. However, challenges were noted in European markets due to subdued consumer lending and low delinquencies. Despite increased operating expenses, the overall financial performance was strong, with an expanded share repurchase program reflecting confidence in future prospects.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Collections Growth
Collections increased 20% year-over-year to a record $663 million, driven by new technologies and enhanced digital capabilities in the U.S. market.
Record Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share reached $3.17, up more than 150% compared to the third quarter of the previous year.
Increased Portfolio Purchases
Encore's global portfolio purchases for the third quarter were $346 million, an increase of 23% compared to Q3 2024.
Share Repurchase Program Expansion
Encore repurchased $10 million of shares in Q3 and authorized an additional $300 million under its share repurchase program.
Strong U.S. Market Performance
MCM's collections increased by 25% in the U.S., reaching a record $502 million, driven by strong operations and favorable market conditions.
Negative Updates
Challenges in European Markets
Cabot's portfolio purchases were higher than usual due to spot market purchases, but the U.K. market remains impacted by subdued consumer lending and low delinquencies.
Increased Operating Expenses
Operating expenses rose by 10% to $287 million, although this was outpaced by the growth in collections.
Company Guidance
During the third quarter of 2025, Encore Capital Group reported robust financial performance, highlighted by a 23% increase in portfolio purchases, amounting to $346 million, and a 20% rise in collections, reaching a record $663 million. The company's average receivable portfolios grew by 16% to $4.2 billion, while estimated remaining collections hit a record $9.5 billion, up 10% year-over-year. Earnings per share surged by over 150% to $3.17 compared to the same period last year, and leverage improved to 2.5x. Encore's MCM business in the U.S. significantly contributed to these results, with third-quarter collections climbing 25% to $502 million. Additionally, Encore repurchased $10 million in shares during the quarter and authorized a further $300 million under its share repurchase program, underscoring confidence in its future prospects.

Encore Capital Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Encore Capital's financial statements present a challenging picture. While there is some revenue growth and strong gross margins, the company faces significant profitability issues with negative net income and high leverage. The cash flow situation shows improvement, but the reliance on debt and negative return on equity are major concerns. Overall, the company needs to address its profitability and leverage to improve its financial health.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Encore Capital's income statement shows a mixed performance. The TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) gross profit margin is strong at 68.14%, indicating efficient cost management. However, the net profit margin is negative at -6.07%, reflecting a net loss, which is a significant concern. Revenue growth is positive at 6.36% TTM, showing some recovery from previous declines. EBIT and EBITDA margins have decreased compared to historical performance, indicating pressure on operating profitability.
Balance Sheet
40
Negative
The balance sheet reveals high leverage with a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.13 TTM, which is risky and indicates potential financial instability. Return on equity is negative at -10.10% TTM, reflecting the company's inability to generate profits from shareholders' equity. The equity ratio is relatively low, suggesting a heavy reliance on debt financing.
Cash Flow
55
Neutral
Cash flow analysis shows a positive trend with a 37.33% growth in free cash flow TTM, indicating improved cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.58, suggesting that operating cash flows are not fully covering net losses. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.77, highlighting some efficiency in converting earnings into cash flow despite net losses.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.56B1.32B1.22B1.40B1.61B1.50B
Gross Profit1.04B603.56M571.24M769.70M927.98M834.40M
EBITDA335.57M174.00M63.35M510.72M656.27M535.03M
Net Income-45.13M-139.24M-206.49M194.56M350.78M211.85M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets5.26B4.79B4.63B4.51B4.61B4.86B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments172.49M199.87M158.36M143.91M189.65M189.18M
Total Debt3.93B3.67B3.32B2.90B3.00B3.28B
Total Liabilities4.31B4.02B3.69B3.33B3.42B3.64B
Stockholders Equity952.91M767.33M936.54M1.18B1.19B1.22B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow131.83M127.16M101.28M173.46M269.68M278.26M
Operating Cash Flow159.93M156.17M152.99M210.68M303.05M312.86M
Investing Cash Flow-480.27M-440.43M-401.94M-130.24M339.90M82.83M
Financing Cash Flow237.84M317.77M268.30M-107.44M-655.69M-403.20M

Encore Capital Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price49.59
Price Trends
50DMA
43.95
Positive
100DMA
41.91
Positive
200DMA
40.11
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.69
Negative
RSI
65.04
Neutral
STOCH
76.55
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ECPG, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 49.59 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 44.87, above the 50-day MA of 43.95, and above the 200-day MA of 40.11, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.69 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 65.04 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 76.55 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for ECPG.

Encore Capital Risk Analysis

Encore Capital disclosed 38 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Encore Capital reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Encore Capital Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
71
Outperform
$6.59B13.6612.55%0.99%25.42%190.85%
70
Outperform
$1.24B50.9710.53%23.81%
68
Neutral
$18.00B11.429.92%3.81%9.73%1.22%
65
Neutral
2.27%-17.46%
57
Neutral
$945.78M-10.97-4.51%10.85%77.59%
52
Neutral
$2.23B19.396.46%3.33%12.08%20.13%
43
Neutral
$849.75M-6.92-25.72%3.91%27.78%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
ECPG
Encore Capital
49.59
0.63
1.29%
WD
Walker & Dunlop
65.34
-38.13
-36.85%
PFSI
PennyMac Financial
127.02
25.45
25.06%
COOP
Mr Cooper Group
210.79
114.39
118.66%
LDI
loanDepot
2.55
0.18
7.59%
GHLD
Guild Holdings
19.94
6.65
50.04%

Encore Capital Corporate Events

Encore Capital Group Reports Robust Q3 Growth
Nov 7, 2025

The recent earnings call for Encore Capital Group painted a picture of robust financial health, driven by impressive growth in collections, earnings per share, and portfolio purchases, particularly in the U.S. market. The company has leveraged new technologies and digital enhancements to fuel this growth, although challenges persist in the European markets due to subdued consumer lending and low delinquencies. Despite increased operating expenses, the overall sentiment was positive, with an expanded share repurchase program signaling confidence in future prospects.

Encore Capital Group Reports Strong Q3 2025 Results
Nov 6, 2025

Encore Capital Group is an international specialty finance company that provides debt recovery solutions and related services, primarily operating in the financial sector. The company is known for its Consumer Bill of Rights, which sets industry-leading commitments to consumers.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Encore Capital Reports Strong Q3 2025 Financial Growth
Positive
Nov 5, 2025

On November 5, 2025, Encore Capital Group, Inc. reported significant financial growth in the third quarter of 2025, with a 23% increase in portfolio purchases and a 20% rise in collections compared to the previous year. The company’s strategic focus on the U.S. market, where returns are highest, contributed to these results, and the implementation of new technologies and enhanced digital capabilities led to record collections. The company’s financial performance indicates a strong market position, with increased liquidity and no major debt maturities until 2028, which could positively impact stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (ECPG) stock is a Hold with a $43.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Encore Capital stock, see the ECPG Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Encore Capital Issues $500M Senior Secured Notes
Neutral
Oct 2, 2025

On October 1, 2025, Encore Capital Group issued $500 million in senior secured notes due 2031, with an interest rate of 6.625% per annum. The proceeds from this issuance were used to repay the company’s revolving credit facility and cover transaction-related expenses, impacting the company’s financial strategy by securing its debt obligations with its assets.

The most recent analyst rating on (ECPG) stock is a Hold with a $41.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Encore Capital stock, see the ECPG Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and Financing
Encore Capital Announces $500M Senior Secured Notes Offering
Neutral
Sep 25, 2025

On September 24, 2025, Encore Capital Group announced its intention to offer $500 million in senior secured notes due 2031, an increase from the initially planned $400 million, with an interest rate of 6.625% per annum. The proceeds are intended to repay the company’s revolving credit facility and cover transaction fees, impacting its financial operations by potentially improving liquidity and financial flexibility.

The most recent analyst rating on (ECPG) stock is a Buy with a $61.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Encore Capital stock, see the ECPG Stock Forecast page.

Encore Capital Group Reports Strong Q2 2025 Performance
Aug 8, 2025

Encore Capital Group’s recent earnings call revealed a robust performance in the second quarter of 2025, marked by record portfolio purchases and collections, alongside significant earnings growth. The company showcased its success in the U.S. market, although it faced challenges in Europe and dealt with increased operating and interest expenses.

Encore Capital Group Reports Strong Q2 2025 Results
Aug 7, 2025

Encore Capital Group is an international specialty finance company that provides debt recovery solutions and services for consumers across various financial assets. Headquartered in San Diego, it operates globally through its subsidiaries, purchasing consumer receivables from major financial institutions and helping individuals manage their debt obligations.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Nov 07, 2025