Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECPG) Short Interest Down 6.0% in January

Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECPG - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,410,000 shares, a decrease of 6.0% from the January 15th total of 1,500,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 146,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 9.6 days. Currently, 6.1% of the company's stock are short sold.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Encore Capital Group news, Director Laura Olle sold 1,340 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.16, for a total value of $65,874.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 32,381 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,591,849.96. This represents a 3.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 2.63% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Encore Capital Group

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Mackenzie Financial Corp bought a new stake in Encore Capital Group in the 4th quarter worth about $322,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its holdings in Encore Capital Group by 31.6% in the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 72,793 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $3,477,000 after buying an additional 17,470 shares in the last quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Encore Capital Group in the 4th quarter worth about $1,713,000. Squarepoint Ops LLC increased its holdings in Encore Capital Group by 64.5% in the 4th quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 42,095 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $2,011,000 after buying an additional 16,507 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Two Sigma Advisers LP boosted its position in Encore Capital Group by 75.4% in the fourth quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 87,000 shares of the asset manager's stock worth $4,156,000 after purchasing an additional 37,400 shares during the last quarter.

Encore Capital Group Stock Down 0.6 %

Shares of NASDAQ:ECPG traded down $0.30 on Friday, hitting $49.71. 170,219 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 152,465. Encore Capital Group has a 52 week low of $39.64 and a 52 week high of $51.77. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $48.67 and a 200-day simple moving average of $48.05. The company has a market cap of $1.18 billion, a PE ratio of -6.33 and a beta of 1.55. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.39.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have issued reports on ECPG. JMP Securities increased their price objective on Encore Capital Group from $60.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a "market outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Northland Securities raised their price target on Encore Capital Group from $58.00 to $66.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, December 23rd. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Encore Capital Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, November 29th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $65.00.

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.