Equities research analysts expect Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECPG) to report sales of $365.17 million for the current quarter, according to Zacks. Five analysts have issued estimates for Encore Capital Group's earnings, with estimates ranging from $358.99 million to $371.10 million. Encore Capital Group reported sales of $355.94 million during the same quarter last year, which would suggest a positive year over year growth rate of 2.6%. The company is expected to report its next quarterly earnings report on Wednesday, November 4th.
On average, analysts expect that Encore Capital Group will report full year sales of $1.43 billion for the current fiscal year, with estimates ranging from $1.38 billion to $1.46 billion. For the next year, analysts expect that the firm will report sales of $1.51 billion, with estimates ranging from $1.44 billion to $1.59 billion. Zacks Investment Research's sales averages are an average based on a survey of research analysts that cover Encore Capital Group.
Encore Capital Group (NASDAQ:ECPG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 5th. The asset manager reported $4.34 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the Thomson Reuters' consensus estimate of $2.29 by $2.05. The firm had revenue of $426.03 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $375.79 million. Encore Capital Group had a net margin of 14.23% and a return on equity of 23.82%.
Several analysts recently weighed in on the stock. BidaskClub downgraded shares of Encore Capital Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday. Raymond James restated a "hold" rating on shares of Encore Capital Group in a research report on Wednesday, September 2nd. Northland Securities began coverage on shares of Encore Capital Group in a research report on Tuesday, August 18th. They set a "buy" rating and a $55.00 price target on the stock. Zacks Investment Research downgraded shares of Encore Capital Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, TheStreet upgraded shares of Encore Capital Group from a "c+" rating to a "b-" rating in a research report on Friday, August 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $46.00.
Shares of NASDAQ:ECPG opened at $40.16 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $1.26 billion, a PE ratio of 6.28, a P/E/G ratio of 0.17 and a beta of 1.64. The company's 50-day moving average price is $43.14 and its 200 day moving average price is $33.92. Encore Capital Group has a fifty-two week low of $15.27 and a fifty-two week high of $49.01. The company has a quick ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.22.
Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ECPG. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA acquired a new position in shares of Encore Capital Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $21,476,000. BloombergSen Inc. grew its stake in shares of Encore Capital Group by 90.0% in the 2nd quarter. BloombergSen Inc. now owns 1,291,057 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $44,128,000 after purchasing an additional 611,468 shares during the last quarter. Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Encore Capital Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $10,169,000. Redwood Investments LLC grew its stake in shares of Encore Capital Group by 162.7% in the 2nd quarter. Redwood Investments LLC now owns 398,748 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $13,629,000 after purchasing an additional 246,945 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Portolan Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Encore Capital Group by 131.3% in the 2nd quarter. Portolan Capital Management LLC now owns 267,911 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $9,157,000 after purchasing an additional 152,072 shares during the last quarter.
About Encore Capital Group
Encore Capital Group, Inc, a specialty finance company, together with its subsidiaries, provides debt recovery solutions and other related services for consumers across a range of 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.
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