MARKET WIRE NEWS

Encore Capital Group Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2025 Financial Results

MWN-AI** Summary

Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ECPG) announced strong financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2025. The company's global portfolio purchases increased by 4% to $1.41 billion, with notable growth in the U.S. where purchases soared by 18% to a record $1.17 billion. Overall, global collections rose significantly by 20% to $2.59 billion, including $1.95 billion from the U.S., marking a robust operational performance.

The results reflect substantial improvement in net income, achieving $257 million for the year, an impressive turnaround from a loss in 2024, leading to earnings per share (EPS) of $10.91. Encore's successful strategy hinged on the favorable purchasing environment, bolstered by rising consumer credit and a charge-off rate exceeding 4%. The company leveraged these conditions to enhance its collections performance, showcasing operational efficiency and innovation, including digital enhancements.

Encore's European business, Cabot, also demonstrated solid performance, with portfolio purchases in line with historical trends at $234 million and collections increasing by 9% to $641 million. Looking forward to 2026, Encore expects continued growth, projecting global portfolio purchases between $1.4 billion and $1.5 billion and a 5% increase in collections to approximately $2.7 billion, with an anticipated EPS growth of 10%, reaching $12.00.

To strengthen its capital structure, Encore repurchased about 9% of its shares outstanding for $89.5 million in 2025, reflecting a commitment to returning value to shareholders. The company's leadership noted a positive outlook, emphasizing their dedication to supporting consumer financial recovery while achieving sustainable growth in the competitive financial landscape.

MWN-AI** Analysis

Encore Capital Group (NASDAQ: ECPG) has delivered robust financial results for 2025, showcasing its operational strength amidst a favorable market environment. Notably, the company reported a 4% increase in global portfolio purchases to $1.41 billion and a substantial 20% rise in collections to $2.59 billion, underscoring effective execution and strategic positioning within the U.S. market. With a reported earnings per share (EPS) of $10.91 and a commitment to shareholder value, demonstrated through the repurchase of approximately 9% of shares, ECPG appears to be taking significant strides toward enhancing shareholder returns.

Key factors contributing to this performance include a favorable environment for portfolio purchases driven by near-record consumer credit and a charge-off rate exceeding 4%, enabling enhanced collection capabilities. Additionally, the introduction of new technologies and operational innovations has positioned Encore to capitalize on growth opportunities effectively.

Looking ahead, management anticipates global portfolio purchases for 2026 to remain robust, in the range of $1.4 to $1.5 billion, projected global collections of $2.7 billion, and a promising 10% growth in EPS to $12.00. This positive outlook, alongside a strong capital allocation strategy, positions ECPG favorably for continued expansion.

From a market perspective, potential investors should consider focusing on ECPG as a compelling opportunity, particularly given its strong balance sheet and commitment to financial discipline. The stock's performance could benefit from positive sentiment surrounding its ongoing operational improvements and an overall strengthening consumer credit environment.

Overall, while the financial landscape for debt purchasing remains competitive, Encore's industry leadership and proactive strategies place it in a solid position to deliver sustained growth, making it a candidate for consideration in a diversified investment portfolio. Investors should monitor regulatory changes and market conditions that could impact ECPG's operational landscape moving forward.

**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.

Source: GlobeNewswire
  • Global portfolio purchases in 2025 up 4% to $1.41 billion, including $1.17 billion in the U.S.
  • Global collections in 2025 up 20% to $2.59 billion, including $1.95 billion in the U.S.
  • Earnings per share in 2025 of $10.91
  • Repurchased approximately 9% of ECPG shares outstanding for $89.5 million in 2025

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ECPG), an international specialty finance company, today reported consolidated financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025.

“Encore’s industry leadership and operational innovation are on full display after delivering very strong 2025 financial results,” said Ashish Masih, Encore’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “With our largest business, MCM in the U.S., leading the way, we grew portfolio purchases and collections to record levels and increased average receivable portfolios by 12% compared to 2024, all while we strengthened our balance sheet by reducing our leverage. This performance led to $257 million of net income for the year, or earnings per share of $10.91.”

“In the U.S., the portfolio purchasing environment in 2025 remained favorable as a result of near-record revolving consumer credit combined with a charge-off rate of more than 4%. Within this market backdrop, MCM increased U.S. portfolio purchases for the year by 18% to a record $1.17 billion at strong returns. In addition, MCM delivered record collections of $1.95 billion, up 24% compared to 2024. This exceptional collections performance is the result of strong execution and continued significant portfolio purchasing as well as the deployment of new technologies, enhanced digital capabilities and continued operational innovation.”

“Our Cabot business in Europe delivered solid performance in 2025. Portfolio purchases of $234 million were in the range of Cabot’s historical trend as European markets remain competitive. Cabot’s collections of $641 million were up 9% compared to 2024.”

“Looking ahead, guided by our three pillar strategy and encouraged by our business momentum early in 2026, we remain committed to our long-standing financial objectives and our capital allocation priorities. We anticipate our global portfolio purchases in 2026 to be within a range from $1.4 billion to $1.5 billion. We expect global collections in 2026 to increase by 5% to $2.7 billion. In total, we believe Encore will deliver another strong year of financial performance in 2026 and expect our earnings per share to increase 10% to $12.00. We also remain committed to the critical role we play in the consumer credit ecosystem and to helping consumers restore their financial health,” said Masih.

In 2025, the company repurchased approximately 9% of ECPG shares outstanding for $89.5 million.1

1 Percentage calculated as number of ECPG shares repurchased in 2025 divided by number of ECPG shares outstanding as of December 31, 2024.

Financial Highlights for the Full Year of 2025:
 
 Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except percentages and earnings per share)2025
  2024  Change
Portfolio purchases(1)$1,408,083 $1,352,035  4%
Average receivable portfolios(2)$4,073,951 $3,622,401  12%
Estimated Remaining Collections (ERC)$9,684,339 $8,501,370  14%
Collections$2,592,786 $2,162,478  20%
Revenues$1,768,802 $1,316,361  34%
Operating expenses$1,142,155 $1,159,031  (1)%
Net income (loss)$256,834 $(139,244) NM
Income (loss) per share$10.91 $(5.83) NM


(1)   Includes U.S. purchases of $1,174.0 million and $998.9 million, and Europe purchases of $234.1 million and $353.2 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively.

(2)   Represents the average of receivable portfolios for the year (sum of receivable portfolios at the beginning and end of the year divided by 2).

Financial Highlights for the Fourth Quarter of 2025:
 
 Three Months Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except percentages and earnings per share)2025
  2024  Change
Portfolio purchases(1)$327,064 $495,144  (34)%
Average receivable portfolios(2)$4,320,774 $3,747,815  15%
Estimated Remaining Collections (ERC)$9,684,339 $8,501,370  14%
Collections$669,976 $554,595  21%
Revenues$473,552 $265,619  78%
Operating expenses$300,159 $399,809  (25)%
Net income (loss)$76,657 $(225,307) NM
Income (loss) per share$3.37 $(9.42) NM


(1)   Includes U.S. purchases of $279.3 million and $295.3 million, and Europe purchases of $47.8 million and $199.8 million in Q4 2025 and Q4 2024, respectively.

(2)   Represents the average of receivable portfolios for the quarter (sum of receivable portfolios at the beginning and end of the quarter divided by 2).

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and slide presentation today, February 25, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific time / 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss fourth quarter and full year results.

Members of the public are invited to access the live webcast via the Internet by logging in on the Investor Relations page of Encore's website at encorecapital.com. To access the live conference call by telephone, please pre-register using this link. Registrants will receive confirmation with dial-in details.

For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay of the webcast will be available on the Company's website shortly after the call concludes.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This news release includes certain financial measures that exclude the impact of certain items and therefore have not been calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Company has included information concerning adjusted EBITDA because management utilizes this information in the evaluation of its operations and believes that this measure, when added to collections applied to principal balance, is a useful indicator of the Company’s ability to generate cash collections in excess of operating expenses through the liquidation of its receivable portfolios. Adjusted EBITDA has not been prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance. Further, this non-GAAP financial measure, as presented by the Company, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The Company has attached to this news release a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

About Encore Capital Group, Inc.

Encore Capital Group is an international specialty finance company that provides debt recovery solutions and other related services for consumers across a broad range of financial assets. Through its subsidiaries around the globe, Encore purchases portfolios of consumer receivables from major banks, credit unions, and utility providers. 

Encore partners with individuals as they repay their debt obligations, helping them on the road to financial recovery and ultimately improving their economic well-being. Encore is the first and only company of its kind to operate with a Consumer Bill of Rights that provides industry-leading commitments to consumers. Headquartered in San Diego, Encore is a publicly traded NASDAQ Global Select company (ticker symbol: ECPG) and a component stock of the Russell 2000, the S&P Small Cap 600 and the Wilshire 4500. More information about the company can be found at encorecapital.com.

Forward Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that are not historical facts, including, most importantly, those statements preceded by, or that include, the words “will,” “may,” “believe,” “projects,” “expects,” “anticipates” or the negation thereof, or similar expressions, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”). These statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our future operating results (including portfolio purchase volumes, collections and earnings per share), performance, business plans or prospects as well as statements regarding future supply, consumer behavior, or macroeconomic environment. For all “forward-looking statements,” the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Reform Act. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company and its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are discussed in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the most recent reports on Form 10-K, as it may be amended from time to time. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Contact:
Bruce Thomas
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Vice President, Global Investor Relations
bruce.thomas@encorecapital.com

SOURCE: Encore Capital Group, Inc.

ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(In Thousands, Except Par Value Amounts)
 
 December 31,
2025
 December 31,
2024
Assets   
Cash and cash equivalents$156,784  $199,865 
Receivable portfolios, net 4,371,532   3,776,369 
Property and equipment, net 82,080   80,597 
Other assets 193,113   225,090 
Goodwill 536,291   507,808 
Total assets$5,339,800  $4,789,729 
Liabilities and Equity   
Liabilities:   
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$230,261  $233,545 
Borrowings 4,001,293   3,672,762 
Other liabilities 131,496   116,091 
Total liabilities 4,363,050   4,022,398 
Commitments and contingencies   
Equity:   
Convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 5,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding     
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 75,000 shares authorized, 21,688 shares and 23,691 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively 217   237 
Additional paid-in capital    19,297 
Accumulated earnings 1,104,640   909,927 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (128,107)  (162,130)
Total stockholders’ equity 976,750   767,331 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$5,339,800  $4,789,729 


The following table presents certain assets and liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) included in the consolidated statements of financial condition above. Most assets in the table below include those assets that can only be used to settle obligations of consolidated VIEs. The liabilities exclude amounts where creditors or beneficial interest holders have recourse to the general credit of the Company.

 December 31,
2025
 December 31,
2024
Assets   
Cash and cash equivalents$40,256 $23,875
Receivable portfolios, net 1,151,221  895,704
Other assets 3,540  3,699
Liabilities   
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 3,101  2,946
Borrowings 791,182  599,830
Other liabilities 2,774  887


ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
 
 (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended December 31,
 Year Ended December 31,
  2025   2024   2025   2024 
Revenues       
Portfolio revenue$379,277  $336,666  $1,455,795  $1,302,567 
Changes in recoveries 68,072   (95,760)  208,771   (89,740)
Total debt purchasing revenue 447,349   240,906   1,664,566   1,212,827 
Servicing revenue 21,366   20,525   88,388   84,783 
Other revenues 4,837   4,188   15,848   18,751 
Total revenues 473,552   265,619   1,768,802   1,316,361 
Operating expenses       
Salaries and employee benefits 117,445   104,616   458,233   422,910 
Cost of legal collections 87,779   68,989   315,451   259,298 
General and administrative expenses 44,383   52,019   165,948   163,847 
Other operating expenses 36,178   37,786   144,476   130,802 
Collection agency commissions 7,439   8,288   29,287   30,596 
Depreciation and amortization 6,935   8,967   28,760   32,434 
Goodwill impairment    100,600      100,600 
Impairment of assets    18,544      18,544 
Total operating expenses 300,159   399,809   1,142,155   1,159,031 
Income (loss) from operations 173,393   (134,190)  626,647   157,330 
Other expense       
Interest expense (75,195)  (68,498)  (293,910)  (252,545)
Loss on extinguishment of debt (1,614)  (7,832)  (1,614)  (7,832)
Other income 1,234   541   5,036   6,832 
Total other expense (75,575)  (75,789)  (290,488)  (253,545)
Income (loss) before income taxes 97,818   (209,979)  336,159   (96,215)
Provision for income taxes (21,161)  (15,328)  (79,325)  (43,029)
Net income (loss)$76,657  $(225,307) $256,834  $(139,244)
        
Income (loss) per share:       
Basic$3.43  $(9.42) $11.05  $(5.83)
Diluted$3.37  $(9.42) $10.91  $(5.83)
        
Weighted average shares outstanding:       
Basic 22,346   23,916   23,234   23,873 
Diluted 22,776   23,916   23,534   23,873 


ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In Thousands)
 
 Year Ended December 31,
  2025   2024   2023 
Operating activities:     
Net income (loss)$256,834  $(139,244) $(206,492)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:     
Depreciation and amortization 28,760   32,434   41,737 
Other non-cash interest expense, net 14,364   16,325   17,160 
Stock-based compensation expense 18,269   14,012   13,854 
Deferred income taxes 29,819   (22,280)  (55,916)
Goodwill impairment    100,600   238,200 
Impairment of assets    18,544   18,726 
Changes in recoveries (208,771)  89,740   82,530 
Other, net 7,654   17,880   (2,259)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities     
Other assets 9,923   (28,245)  15,894 
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities (3,653)  56,402   (10,443)
   Net cash provided by operating activities 153,199   156,168   152,991 
Investing activities:     
Purchases of receivable portfolios, net of put-backs (1,389,064)  (1,336,442)  (1,060,206)
Collections applied to receivable portfolios 1,136,991   859,911   658,130 
Purchases of real estate owned    (212)  (26,901)
Purchases of property and equipment (26,270)  (29,007)  (24,807)
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned 37,650   56,396   52,636 
Other, net (1,893)  8,924   (793)
   Net cash used in investing activities (242,586)  (440,430)  (401,941)
Financing activities:     
Payment of loan and debt refinancing costs (10,210)  (21,418)  (13,707)
Proceeds from credit facilities 1,273,254   2,031,470   1,196,046 
Repayment of credit facilities (1,359,011)  (1,868,111)  (989,627)
Proceeds from senior secured notes 500,000   1,000,000   104,188 
Repayment of senior secured notes (115,965)  (789,106)  (39,080)
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes       230,000 
Repayment of convertible senior notes (106,206)     (212,480)
Repayment of other debt (42,469)  (22,078)  (12,715)
Payments to settle derivative instruments    (40,038)   
Repurchase and retirement of common stock (90,402)      
Other, net (4,137)  27,055   5,675 
   Net cash provided by financing activities 44,854   317,774   268,300 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (44,533)  33,512   19,350 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 1,452   7,989   (4,898)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 199,865   158,364   143,912 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$156,784  $199,865  $158,364 
      
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:     
Cash paid for interest$259,812  $210,580  $163,815 
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds 54,766   67,091   68,522 
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:     
Receivable portfolios transferred to real estate owned$3,739  $5,966  $7,957 


ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Supplemental Financial Information
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Metrics
 
Adjusted EBITDA
 
(in thousands, unaudited)
Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
 2025   2024   2025   2024 
GAAP net income (loss), as reported$76,657  $(225,307) $256,834  $(139,244)
Adjustments:       
Interest expense 75,195   68,498   293,910   252,545 
Loss on extinguishment of debt 1,614   7,832   1,614   7,832 
Interest income (1,020)  (1,971)  (4,955)  (7,008)
Provision for income taxes 21,161   15,328   79,325   43,029 
Depreciation and amortization 6,935   8,967   28,760   32,434 
Net gain on derivative instruments(1)          (267)
Stock-based compensation expense 5,221   2,281   18,269   14,012 
Acquisition, integration and restructuring related expenses(2) 1,747   6,087   3,201   10,451 
Goodwill impairment(3)    100,600      100,600 
Impairment of assets(3)    18,544      18,544 
Adjusted EBITDA$187,510  $859  $676,958  $332,928 
Collections applied to principal balance(4)$228,206  $337,464  $953,476  $1,004,230 


(1)   Amount represents gain or loss recognized on derivative instruments that are not designated as hedging instruments or gain or loss recognized on derivative instruments upon dedesignation of hedge relationships. We adjust for this amount because we believe the gain or loss on derivative contracts is not indicative of ongoing operations.

(2)   Amount represents acquisition, integration and restructuring related expenses. We adjust for this amount because we believe these expenses are not indicative of ongoing operations; therefore, adjusting for these expenses enhances comparability to prior periods, anticipated future periods, and our competitors’ results.

(3)   During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, we recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $100.6 million and we recorded a non-cash impairment of long-lived assets of $18.5 million. We believe these non-cash impairment charges are not indicative of ongoing operations, therefore adjusting for these expenses enhances comparability to prior periods, anticipated future periods, and our competitors’ results.

(4)   Amount represents (a) gross collections from receivable portfolios less (b) debt purchasing revenue, plus (c) proceeds applied to basis from sales of real estate owned (“REO”) assets, exit activities and, when applicable, other receivable portfolios. A reconciliation of “collections applied to receivable portfolios, net” to “collections applied to principal balance” is available in the Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2025.


FAQ**

How did Encore Capital Group Inc (ECPG) achieve a 20% increase in global collections in 2025, particularly in the U.S. market, reaching $1.95 billion?

Encore Capital Group Inc (ECPG) achieved a 20% increase in global collections in 2025, primarily in the U.S. market, by enhancing its data-driven collection strategies, expanding partnerships, and optimizing operational efficiencies within its recovery processes.

What factors contributed to the 4% growth in global portfolio purchases to $1.41 billion for Encore Capital Group Inc (ECPG) in 2025?

The 4% growth in global portfolio purchases to $1.41 billion for Encore Capital Group Inc (ECPG) in 2025 was driven by strategic acquisitions, increased demand for debt purchasing, improved economic conditions, and enhanced operational efficiencies.

Can you explain the strategic importance of the 9% share repurchase by Encore Capital Group Inc (ECPG), totaling $89.5 million, to its financial health?

The 9% share repurchase by Encore Capital Group Inc, totaling $89.5 million, strategically enhances financial health by reducing share supply, potentially increasing earnings per share, signaling confidence in future performance, and providing shareholder value through increased stock prices.

What technological innovations did Encore Capital Group Inc (ECPG) implement in 2025 that supported its record collections and portfolio purchases?

As of my last training data in October 2023, I do not have information on Encore Capital Group Inc (ECPG) or any technological innovations it implemented in 2025, as that data lies beyond my available knowledge timeframe.

**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Encore Capital Group Inc (NASDAQ: ECPG).

Encore Capital Group Inc

NASDAQ: ECPG

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