Encore Capital Group (NASDAQ:ECPG) Stock Rating Raised to “Buy” at Wall Street Zen

Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Encore Capital Group (NASDAQ:ECPG) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Saturday morning,Wall Street Zen reports.

A number of other equities analysts also recently commented on the stock. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Encore Capital Group from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, October 5th. Northland Securities set a $124.00 price target on shares of Encore Capital Group in a research note on Tuesday, October 13th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Encore Capital Group from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Thursday, October 8th. Citigroup reissued a “market outperform” rating on shares of Encore Capital Group in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price objective on Encore Capital Group from $112.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $128.67.

Encore Capital Group Stock Down 9.5%

Shares of ECPG opened at $114.14 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.31 and a beta of 1.29. Encore Capital Group has a 12-month low of $46.80 and a 12-month high of $126.74. The company has a current ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.93. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $99.85 and a 200-day moving average price of $84.22.

Encore Capital Group (NASDAQ:ECPG) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 4th. The asset manager reported $5.57 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.35 by $2.22. Encore Capital Group had a net margin of 17.67% and a return on equity of 33.67%. The company had revenue of $544.54 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $466.80 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.17 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 18.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Encore Capital Group will post 16.11 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ECPG. Signaturefd LLC raised its holdings in shares of Encore Capital Group by 185.9% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 366 shares of the asset manager’s stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 238 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Encore Capital Group by 40.4% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 386 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares during the period. USA Financial Formulas bought a new position in shares of Encore Capital Group during the first quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio bought a new position in shares of Encore Capital Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $89,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in shares of Encore Capital Group by 26.8% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,339 shares of the asset manager’s stock valued at $126,000 after purchasing an additional 283 shares in the last quarter.

Encore Capital Group News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Encore Capital Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Encore reported third-quarter EPS of $5.57, well above analysts’ expectations, while revenue also topped estimates. The company cited record global collections. Zacks Q3 earnings report
• Positive Sentiment: Encore raised its 2026 outlook, forecasting EPS of $15.50–$16 and portfolio purchases of $1.5–$1.55 billion—supportive signs for expected earnings and growth. Raised 2026 outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remains favorable: Truist maintained its Buy rating, while Citizens JMP set a $140 price target and an Outperform rating. Northland also lifted several 2027 quarterly EPS estimates. Citizens JMP price target
• Neutral Sentiment: Northland lowered its Q4 2026 EPS estimate to $3.52 from $3.64, though it raised estimates for multiple 2027 quarters. Northland estimate update
• Negative Sentiment: ECPG fell back after its earnings-driven surge. Truist’s Buy rating was maintained rather than upgraded, and the latest report offers no fresh company-specific explanation for the pullback. Share pullback and Truist rating

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.