Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECPG) Receives Average Rating of "Buy" from Analysts

Shares of Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECPG - Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of "Buy" from the four ratings firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $65.00.

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Northland Securities raised their target price on Encore Capital Group from $58.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, December 23rd. StockNews.com raised shares of Encore Capital Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, November 29th. Finally, JMP Securities boosted their target price on shares of Encore Capital Group from $60.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a "market outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Laura Olle sold 1,340 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.16, for a total transaction of $65,874.40. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 32,381 shares in the company, valued at $1,591,849.96. This trade represents a 3.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 2.63% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Encore Capital Group by 120.8% during the 4th quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 530 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 290 shares during the period. Verition Fund Management LLC boosted its stake in Encore Capital Group by 4.3% during the third quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 8,828 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $417,000 after buying an additional 364 shares during the period. Sheets Smith Wealth Management increased its position in shares of Encore Capital Group by 3.0% during the fourth quarter. Sheets Smith Wealth Management now owns 14,278 shares of the asset manager's stock valued at $682,000 after acquiring an additional 416 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Encore Capital Group by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 13,317 shares of the asset manager's stock valued at $636,000 after acquiring an additional 460 shares during the period. Finally, KBC Group NV boosted its position in shares of Encore Capital Group by 54.9% during the 3rd quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,365 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 484 shares during the period.

Encore Capital Group Stock Performance

NASDAQ ECPG traded down $0.73 on Thursday, reaching $48.99. 47,085 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 149,352. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $48.67 and a 200-day moving average price of $48.09. The firm has a market cap of $1.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.25 and a beta of 1.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.39, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.11. Encore Capital Group has a fifty-two week low of $39.64 and a fifty-two week high of $51.77.

Encore Capital Group Company Profile

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.