Analysts Set Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECPG) Target Price at $65.00

Shares of Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECPG) have been assigned an average recommendation of “Buy” from the four brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $65.00.

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Laura Olle sold 1,340 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.16, for a total value of $65,874.40. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 32,381 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,591,849.96. This represents a 3.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 2.63% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Encore Capital Group

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

Encore Capital Group Price Performance

ECPG opened at $49.71 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $48.67 and a 200-day moving average price of $48.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.39, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The firm has a market cap of $1.18 billion, a PE ratio of -6.33 and a beta of 1.55. Encore Capital Group has a 1 year low of $39.64 and a 1 year high of $51.77.

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.