Encore Capital Group Stock Beneish M Score

ECPG Stock  USD 34.79  0.28  0.81%   
This module uses fundamental data of Encore Capital to approximate the value of its Beneish M Score. Encore Capital M Score tells investors if the company management is likely to be manipulating earnings. The score is calculated using eight financial indicators that are adjusted by a specific multiplier. Please note, the M Score is a probabilistic model and cannot detect companies that manipulate their earnings with 100% accuracy. Check out Encore Capital Piotroski F Score and Encore Capital Altman Z Score analysis.
  
At this time, Encore Capital's Short and Long Term Debt is most likely to decrease significantly in the upcoming years. The Encore Capital's current Net Debt To EBITDA is estimated to increase to 19.32, while Short Term Debt is projected to decrease to roughly 32 M. At this time, Encore Capital's Book Value Per Share is most likely to increase significantly in the upcoming years. The Encore Capital's current Free Cash Flow Yield is estimated to increase to 0.19, while Days Sales Outstanding is projected to decrease to 2.96.
At this time, it appears that Encore Capital Group is a possible manipulator. The earnings manipulation may begin if Encore Capital's top management creates an artificial sense of financial success, forcing the stock price to be traded at a high price-earnings multiple than it should be. In general, excessive earnings management by Encore Capital executives may lead to removing some of the operating profits from subsequent periods to inflate earnings in the following periods. This way, the manipulation of Encore Capital's earnings can lead to misrepresentations of actual financial condition, taking the otherwise loyal stakeholders on to the path of questionable ethical practices and plain fraud.
-2.17
Beneish M Score - Possible Manipulator
Elasticity of Receivables

1.68

Focus
Asset Quality

1.0

Focus
Expense Coverage

1.27

Focus
Gross Margin Strengs

1.03

Focus
Accruals Factor

1.27

Focus
Depreciation Resistance

1.08

Focus
Net Sales Growth

0.57

Focus
Financial Leverage Condition

0.98

Focus

Encore Capital Beneish M-Score Indicator Trends

The cure to earnings manipulation is the transparency of financial reporting. It will typically remove the temptation of the top executives to inflate earnings (i.e., to promote the idea of 'winning at any cost'). Because a healthy internal audit department can enhance transparency, the board should promote the auditors' access to all the record-keeping systems across the enterprise. For example, if Encore Capital's auditors report directly to the board (not management), the managers will be reluctant to manipulate simply due to the fear of punishment. On the other hand, the auditors will be free to investigate the ledgers properly because they know that the board has their back.
Current ValueLast YearChange From Last Year 10 Year Trend
Net Receivables9.9 M10.4 M
Notably Down
Slightly volatile
Total Revenue744.4 M1.3 B
Way Down
Slightly volatile
Total AssetsB4.8 B
Sufficiently Up
Slightly volatile
Total Current Assets235.8 M245.9 M
Sufficiently Down
Pretty Stable
Non Current Assets Total559 M588.4 M
Notably Down
Slightly volatile
Property Plant Equipment137.5 M131 M
Sufficiently Up
Slightly volatile
Depreciation And Amortization30.8 M32.4 M
Notably Down
Slightly volatile
Selling General Administrative117.5 M163.8 M
Way Down
Pretty Stable
Total Current Liabilities150.7 M233.5 M
Way Down
Pretty Stable
Non Current Liabilities TotalB3.8 B
Sufficiently Up
Slightly volatile
Net Debt3.6 B3.5 B
Sufficiently Up
Slightly volatile
Short Term Debt32 M33.7 M
Notably Down
Very volatile
Long Term Debt3.9 B3.7 B
Sufficiently Up
Slightly volatile
Operating Income195.9 M157.3 M
Fairly Up
Slightly volatile
Total Cash From Operating Activities109.8 M156.2 M
Way Down
Slightly volatile
Long Term Investments3.5 B3.8 B
Significantly Down
Slightly volatile
Gross Profit Margin0.70.6787
Sufficiently Up
Pretty Stable

Encore Capital Group Beneish M-Score Driver Matrix

One of the toughest challenges investors face today is learning how to quickly synthesize historical financial statements and information provided by the company, SEC reporting, and various external parties in order to detect the potential manipulation of earnings. Understanding the correlation between Encore Capital's different financial indicators related to revenue, expenses, operating profit, and net earnings helps investors identify and prioritize their investing strategies towards Encore Capital in a much-optimized way. Analyzing correlations between earnings drivers directly associated with dollar figures is the most effective way to find Encore Capital's degree of accounting gimmicks and manipulations.

About Encore Capital Beneish M Score

M-Score is one of many grading techniques for value stocks. It was developed by Professor M. Daniel Beneish of the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and published in 1999 under the paper titled The Detection of Earnings Manipulation. The Beneish score is a multi-factor model that utilizes financial identifiers to compile eight variables used to classify whether a company has manipulated its reported earnings. The variables are built from the officially filed financial statements to create a final score call 'M Score.' The score helps to identify companies that are likely to manipulate their profits if they show deteriorating gross margins, operating expenses, and leverage against growing revenue.

Depreciation And Amortization

30.81 Million

At this time, Encore Capital's Depreciation And Amortization is most likely to increase significantly in the upcoming years.

Encore Capital Earnings Manipulation Drivers

Although earnings manipulation is typically not the result of intentional misconduct by the c-level executives, it is still a widespread practice by the senior management of public companies such as Encore Capital. It is usually done by a series of misrepresentations of various accounting rules and operating activities across multiple financial cycles. The best way to spot the manipulation is to examine the historical financial statement to find inconsistencies in earning reports to find trends in assets or liabilities that are not sustainable in the future.
202020212022202320242025 (projected)
Net Receivables38.8M22.6M16.1M9.1M10.4M9.9M
Total Revenue1.5B1.6B1.4B1.2B1.3B744.4M
Total Assets4.9B4.6B4.5B4.6B4.8B5.0B
Total Current Assets189.2M189.6M143.9M209.1M245.9M235.8M
Net Debt3.1B2.8B3.8B3.2B3.5B3.6B
Short Term Debt215.2M880.1M1.1B29.3M33.7M32.0M
Long Term Debt2.3B2.1B1.8B2.8B3.7B3.9B
Operating Income533.6M633.3M462.2M16.5M157.3M195.9M
Investments93.1M362.3M(81.4M)(360.3M)(440.4M)(418.4M)

Encore Capital ESG Sustainability

Some studies have found that companies with high sustainability scores are getting higher valuations than competitors with lower social-engagement activities. While most ESG disclosures are voluntary and do not directly affect the long term financial condition, Encore Capital's sustainability indicators can be used to identify proper investment strategies using environmental, social, and governance scores that are crucial to Encore Capital's managers, analysts, and investors.
Environmental
Governance
Social

About Encore Capital Fundamental Analysis

The Macroaxis Fundamental Analysis modules help investors analyze Encore Capital Group's financials across various querterly and yearly statements, indicators and fundamental ratios. We help investors to determine the real value of Encore Capital using virtually all public information available. We use both quantitative as well as qualitative analysis to arrive at the intrinsic value of Encore Capital Group based on its fundamental data. In general, a quantitative approach, as applied to this company, focuses on analyzing financial statements comparatively, whereas a qaualitative method uses data that is important to a company's growth but cannot be measured and presented in a numerical way.
Please read more on our fundamental analysis page.

Currently Active Assets on Macroaxis

When determining whether Encore Capital Group is a strong investment it is important to analyze Encore Capital's competitive position within its industry, examining market share, product or service uniqueness, and competitive advantages. Beyond financials and market position, potential investors should also consider broader economic conditions, industry trends, and any regulatory or geopolitical factors that may impact Encore Capital's future performance. For an informed investment choice regarding Encore Stock, refer to the following important reports:
Check out Encore Capital Piotroski F Score and Encore Capital Altman Z Score analysis.
You can also try the Earnings Calls module to check upcoming earnings announcements updated hourly across public exchanges.
Is Consumer Finance space expected to grow? Or is there an opportunity to expand the business' product line in the future? Factors like these will boost the valuation of Encore Capital. If investors know Encore will grow in the future, the company's valuation will be higher. The financial industry is built on trying to define current growth potential and future valuation accurately. All the valuation information about Encore Capital listed above have to be considered, but the key to understanding future value is determining which factors weigh more heavily than others.
Quarterly Earnings Growth
0.595
Earnings Share
(5.83)
Revenue Per Share
55.14
Quarterly Revenue Growth
(0.04)
Return On Assets
0.0367
The market value of Encore Capital Group is measured differently than its book value, which is the value of Encore that is recorded on the company's balance sheet. Investors also form their own opinion of Encore Capital's value that differs from its market value or its book value, called intrinsic value, which is Encore Capital's true underlying value. Investors use various methods to calculate intrinsic value and buy a stock when its market value falls below its intrinsic value. Because Encore Capital's market value can be influenced by many factors that don't directly affect Encore Capital's underlying business (such as a pandemic or basic market pessimism), market value can vary widely from intrinsic value.
Please note, there is a significant difference between Encore Capital's value and its price as these two are different measures arrived at by different means. Investors typically determine if Encore Capital is a good investment by looking at such factors as earnings, sales, fundamental and technical indicators, competition as well as analyst projections. However, Encore Capital's price is the amount at which it trades on the open market and represents the number that a seller and buyer find agreeable to each party.