Encore Capital Group (NASDAQ:ECPG) Shares Up 3%

Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECPG)’s share price rose 3% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $44.61 and last traded at $41.74. Approximately 39,745 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 76% from the average daily volume of 162,991 shares. The stock had previously closed at $40.54.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, TheStreet lowered shares of Encore Capital Group from a “c-” rating to a “d+” rating in a research report on Monday, March 18th.

Encore Capital Group Trading Up 4.0 %

The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.54. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $47.28 and a 200 day moving average price of $47.03.

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Ryan B. Bell sold 5,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.00, for a total value of $275,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 42,404 shares in the company, valued at $2,120,200. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 2.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised its holdings in shares of Encore Capital Group by 9.6% during the third quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,423 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $110,000 after purchasing an additional 213 shares during the period. Janney Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Encore Capital Group by 3.0% in the fourth quarter. Janney Capital Management LLC now owns 7,808 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $396,000 after acquiring an additional 229 shares during the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. raised its position in shares of Encore Capital Group by 19.4% during 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 lifted its holdings in shares of 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 last quarter. Finally, Sheets Smith Wealth Management lifted its holdings in shares of 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 last quarter.

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.