Encore Capital Group (NASDAQ:ECPG) Posts Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $2.22 EPS

Key Points

• Encore Capital beat quarterly estimates: EPS was $5.57 versus $3.35 expected, while revenue reached $544.54 million against $466.80 million expected and rose 18.3% year over year.
• Third-quarter collections rose 14% to a record $754 million, and net income increased 66% to $124 million. Management raised 2026 guidance, including EPS of $15.50–$16.
• The company’s leverage declined to 2.3x as cash generation improved 18% year over year; it also repurchased $27 million of shares during the quarter.

Encore Capital Group (NASDAQ:ECPG - Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The asset manager reported $5.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.35 by $2.22, FiscalAI reports. The company had revenue of $544.54 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $466.80 million. Encore Capital Group had a net margin of 15.86% and a return on equity of 29.83%. The business's revenue was up 18.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.17 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from Encore Capital Group's conference call:

• Encore reported strong third-quarter results: global collections rose 14% to a record $754 million, revenue increased 18% to $545 million, and net income grew 66% to $124 million.
• The company raised its 2026 guidance, now expecting global portfolio purchases of $1.5 billion–$1.55 billion, collections of $2.9 billion–$2.95 billion, and EPS of $15.50–$16. Management also expressed confidence in earnings growth in 2027.
• U.S. market conditions remain favorable, with elevated charge-offs supporting portfolio supply; MCM purchased $310 million of portfolios and collections rose 17%. Improved collections on recent U.S. vintages supported $111 million in changes in recoveries, including $59 million from higher future-recovery estimates.
• Encore’s balance sheet and cash generation strengthened: leverage fell to 2.3x, cash generation increased 18% year over year, and trailing 12-month ROIC rose to 15.7%. The company repurchased $27 million of shares in Q3 and said it could temporarily use more leverage for attractive purchasing opportunities.
• Management said U.S. portfolio pricing has edged higher, though improved collection efficiency has so far offset the increase and returns remain strong. It also accelerated some legal-related expenses as large portfolios aged into the legal collection stage.

Encore Capital Group Price Performance

Encore Capital Group stock traded up $0.39 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $100.22. 294,593 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 214,163. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.87. The business has a fifty day moving average of $99.09 and a 200 day moving average of $83.57. Encore Capital Group has a 1-year low of $41.10 and a 1-year high of $105.98. The company has a market capitalization of $2.13 billion, a PE ratio of 7.59 and a beta of 1.29.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ECPG has been the subject of several research reports. Northland Securities set a $124.00 target price on shares of Encore Capital Group in a research note on Tuesday, October 13th. Truist Financial upped their price target on Encore Capital Group from $105.00 to $112.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Weiss Ratings raised Encore Capital Group from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a report on Thursday, October 8th. Citigroup reiterated a "market outperform" rating on shares of Encore Capital Group in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered Encore Capital Group from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, October 5th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Encore Capital Group presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $103.25.

Encore Capital Group Company Profile

Encore Capital Group, Inc is a specialty finance company that purchases portfolios of charged-off consumer receivables and provides debt recovery and management services. Through its operating businesses, the company works with consumers to resolve outstanding obligations through payment plans and other repayment arrangements.

Encore serves consumers and creditors across multiple markets, including the United States, the United Kingdom and other European countries. Its major operating platforms include Midland Credit Management in the United States and Cabot Credit Management in Europe.

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