UBS cuts Brent crude oil forecasts
Ashwini Gupta, a director at Encore Capital Group Inc. (NASDAQ:ECPG), recently acquired a significant number of shares in the company. According to a recent SEC filing, Gupta purchased 40,000 shares of common stock on March 5, 2025. The shares were bought at a weighted average price of $35.10, with individual transaction prices ranging from $34.75 to $35.69. This purchase brings Gupta’s total holdings in the company to 96,909 shares. The total value of the transaction amounted to approximately $1.4 million.The timing of this purchase is notable, as InvestingPro data shows the stock trading near its 52-week low of $32.99, with analyst price targets ranging from $55 to $66. The company’s market capitalization currently stands at $817 million, and analysts expect positive net income growth this year. For deeper insights into insider trading patterns and 12 additional real-time ProTips, check out the comprehensive InvestingPro Research Report available for ECPG.
In other recent news, Encore Capital Group reported a fourth-quarter earnings per share (EPS) of ($9.42), significantly missing the analyst estimate of $1.83. The company’s revenue for the quarter was $265.62 million, falling short of the expected $372.15 million. Despite a year of growth with a 26% increase in global portfolio purchases and a 16% rise in global collections, the company faced a net loss of $139 million for the year, largely due to non-cash charges including a $101 million goodwill impairment. The restructuring of Encore’s Cabot (NYSE:CBT) operations in the UK and Europe resulted in a substantial write-down, contributing to a net loss for the quarter of ($225.3 million).
Citizens JMP revised its outlook on Encore Capital, lowering the price target from $65.00 to $55.00, while maintaining a Market Outperform rating. The firm cited challenges in Encore’s UK operations but noted strong growth in the U.S. market. The company plans to resume share repurchases in 2025, with expectations for global portfolio purchases and collections to grow in the coming year. Encore’s management remains focused on strategic financial objectives, including reducing leverage and optimizing capital allocation.
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