Sigma Planning Corp Reduces Stake in Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECPG)

Sigma Planning Corp decreased its stake in shares of Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECPG) by 63.3% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 4,880 shares of the asset manager’s stock after selling 8,422 shares during the quarter. Sigma Planning Corp’s holdings in Encore Capital Group were worth $248,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sheets Smith Wealth Management grew its position in shares of Encore Capital Group by 2.3% in the third quarter. Sheets Smith Wealth Management now owns 14,043 shares of the asset manager’s stock valued at $671,000 after purchasing an additional 317 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers grew its position in shares of Encore Capital Group by 0.6% in the third quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 75,412 shares of the asset manager’s stock valued at $3,602,000 after purchasing an additional 469 shares during the period. Swiss National Bank grew its position in shares of Encore Capital Group by 1.8% in the third quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 51,700 shares of the asset manager’s stock valued at $2,469,000 after purchasing an additional 900 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its position in shares of Encore Capital Group by 30.4% in the third quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 5,705 shares of the asset manager’s stock valued at $272,000 after purchasing an additional 1,330 shares during the period. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG grew its position in shares of Encore Capital Group by 14.0% in the third quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 11,574 shares of the asset manager’s stock valued at $553,000 after purchasing an additional 1,418 shares during the period.

Encore Capital Group Price Performance

Shares of Encore Capital Group stock opened at $41.63 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.54. The stock has a market capitalization of $980.18 million, a P/E ratio of -4.74 and a beta of 1.36. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $45.92 and its 200 day moving average price is $46.64. Encore Capital Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $34.74 and a twelve month high of $54.73.

Encore Capital Group (NASDAQ:ECPG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 21st. The asset manager reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $277.39 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $330.77 million. Encore Capital Group had a positive return on equity of 9.46% and a negative net margin of 16.89%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Encore Capital Group, Inc. will post 5.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

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 transaction of $275,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 42,404 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,120,200. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 2.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. TheStreet downgraded Encore Capital Group from a “c-” rating to a “d+” rating in a research report on Monday, March 18th. JMP Securities reiterated a “market outperform” rating and issued a $60.00 target price on shares of Encore Capital Group in a report on Wednesday, April 17th.

Encore Capital Group 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.