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

Shares of Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECPG) have earned an average recommendation of “Buy” from the four analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $65.00.

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Encore Capital Group news, Director Laura Olle sold 1,340 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated 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 in the company, valued at $1,591,849.96. This trade represents a 3.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 2.63% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Encore Capital Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Mackenzie Financial Corp purchased a new position in shares of Encore Capital Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $322,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its position in 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 valued at $3,477,000 after buying an additional 17,470 shares during the period. Voloridge Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Encore Capital Group during the fourth quarter valued at $1,713,000. Squarepoint Ops LLC lifted its position in Encore Capital Group by 64.5% during the fourth 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 during the period. Finally, Two Sigma Advisers LP lifted its position 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 acquiring an additional 37,400 shares during the period.

Encore Capital Group Stock Performance

ECPG stock opened at $49.71 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.18 billion, a PE ratio of -6.33 and a beta of 1.55. Encore Capital Group has a fifty-two week low of $39.64 and a fifty-two week high of $51.77. The company 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.

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.