Encore Capital Group (NASDAQ:ECPG) Sees Strong Trading Volume

Shares of Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECPG - Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Monday . 113,887 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 31% from the previous session's volume of 164,715 shares.The stock last traded at $42.49 and had previously closed at $41.63.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ECPG has been the topic of several research reports. JMP Securities reaffirmed a "market outperform" rating and issued a $60.00 target price on shares of Encore Capital Group in a report on Wednesday, April 17th. TheStreet downgraded Encore Capital Group from a "c-" rating to a "d+" rating in a research note on Monday, March 18th.

Encore Capital Group Stock Up 1.0 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.54, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.83. The stock's fifty day moving average is $45.92 and its 200 day moving average is $46.64.

Encore Capital Group (NASDAQ:ECPG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 21st. The asset manager reported $1.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $277.39 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $330.77 million. Encore Capital Group had a positive return on equity of 9.46% and a negative net margin of 16.89%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Encore Capital Group, Inc. will post 5.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Ryan B. Bell sold 5,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total transaction of $275,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 42,404 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,120,200. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 2.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Encore Capital Group

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Janney Capital Management LLC raised its position in Encore Capital Group by 3.0% in the 4th quarter. Janney Capital Management LLC now owns 7,808 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $396,000 after purchasing an additional 229 shares during the period. Assetmark Inc. raised its position in Encore Capital Group by 19.4% in the 4th quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,422 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $72,000 after purchasing an additional 231 shares during the period. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund raised its position in Encore Capital Group by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 13,683 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $694,000 after purchasing an additional 301 shares during the period. Sheets Smith Wealth Management raised its position in Encore Capital Group by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Sheets Smith Wealth Management now owns 14,043 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $671,000 after purchasing an additional 317 shares during the period. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers raised its position in Encore Capital Group by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 75,412 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $3,602,000 after purchasing an additional 469 shares during the period.

About Encore Capital Group

Encore 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.