4 Reasons To Add Encore Capital (ECPG) Stock To Your Portfolio

Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECPG) looks like a good investment option right now, driven by strong fundamentals, and good earnings and sales growth prospects.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s current-year earnings has been revised 3.9% upward over the past 30 days, reflecting that analysts are optimistic regarding its earnings growth potential. Thus, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Moreover, the company’s price performance looks impressive. Its shares have gained 55.4% so far this year, outperforming 28.5% growth recorded by the industry.

Here are a few other aspects that make Encore Capital an attractive investment option now.

Revenue Strength: The company’s revenues rose at a CAGR of 6.9% over the last five years (2014-2018). The uptrend is expected to continue in the near term as reflected by its projected sales growth rates of 2.8% for 2019 and 3.9% for 2020.

Earnings per Share (EPS) Growth: Encore Capital witnessed EPS growth of 0.6% over the last three-five years. Moreover, the company’s projected earnings growth rates of 13.5% for 2019 and 9.3% for 2020 ensure the continuation of this upward trend.

Further, its long-term (three-five years) EPS growth rate of 15% promises reward for investors.

Notably, the company has a decent earnings surprise history. It recorded average positive earnings surprise of 10.1% over the trailing four quarters.

Superior Return on Equity (ROE): Encore Capital’s ROE is 19.85%, higher than the industry average of 13.60%. This indicates that the company reinvests cash more efficiently than the industry.

Favorable Valuation: The stock looks undervalued right now in terms of its price/sales (P/S) and price/earnings (P/E) ratios. The company has a P/S ratio of 0.84, which is below the industry average of 1.53. Moreover, its P/E (F1) ratio of 6.62 stands lower than the industry average of 7.50.

Further, the stock currently has a Value Score of A. Our research shows that stocks with a Style Score of A or B, when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2, offer the best upside potential.

Other Key Picks

Over the past 60 days, TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. (NYSE:TPVG) has witnessed an upward earnings estimate revision of 1.2% for the current year. Additionally, the stock has gained around 51.2% so far this year. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.’s (NASDAQ:TROW) earnings estimates for 2019 have moved 3.9% upward over the past 60 days. The stock has gained 16.8% year to date. It currently sports a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Gladstone Investment Corporation’s (NASDAQ:GAIN) Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for the current fiscal year has been revised 6.2% upward over the past 60 days. The stock has gained nearly 24.8% so far this year. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.

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