Encore Capital Group Announces Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Encore Capital Group reported third-quarter 2022 results with GAAP net income of $31 million and GAAP EPS of $1.22. Global collections fell to $458 million, down 19% year-over-year, while revenues dropped 25% to $307.8 million. Portfolio purchases increased 38% to $232.7 million, marking the largest global purchases since Q4 2019. The company faces challenges due to a decline in collections linked to lower global portfolio purchasing and currency fluctuations in Europe. The outlook remains positive for future portfolio purchasing opportunities.

Positive

• Portfolio purchases increased 38% year-over-year, reflecting strong market recovery.
• U.S. portfolio purchases were up 73% compared to Q3 2021, indicating growth potential.

Negative

• Collections decreased 19% compared to Q3 2021, signaling potential operational challenges.
• GAAP net income fell by 62%, impacting overall profitability.

• GAAP net income of $31 million
  
• GAAP EPS of $1.22
• Global collections of $458 million
• Portfolio purchases of $233 million

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Encore Capital Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ECPG), an international specialty finance company, today reported consolidated financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022.

“Our performance in recent years and the disciplined execution of our strategy has put us in a position of strength to navigate the evolving macroeconomic environment that we and many companies face today,” said Ashish Masih, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This environment impacted Encore’s performance in the third quarter, which reflected an expected lower level of collections, resulting from lower global portfolio purchasing in recent quarters and normalizing U.S. consumer behavior, while our European results were affected by the weakening of the British pound and the Euro. At the same time, as anticipated, we are now entering the growth part of the portfolio supply cycle in the U.S., with lending steadily growing and charge-off rates beginning to rise above the pandemic lows. Consequently, MCM portfolio purchases in the U.S. in the third quarter were up 73% compared to Q3 last year and Encore’s global purchases in the quarter were the largest since Q4 2019.”

“In Europe, Cabot’s third quarter results indicated a decline in collections and portfolio purchases as reported, but when adjusted for the impact of the weakening British pound and Euro, both collections and purchases were flat when compared to the year ago quarter.”

“I am truly excited about Encore’s strong position as we have the required operational capacity and ample liquidity to capitalize on the growing portfolio purchasing opportunities in the marketplace. We're also as committed as ever to the critical role we play in the credit ecosystem and to help consumers regain their financial freedom," said Masih.

Financial Highlights for the Third Quarter of 2022:

	Three Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages and earnings per share)		2022				2021			Change
Collections	$	458,256			$	566,690			(19)%
Revenues	$	307,752			$	412,624			(25)%
Portfolio purchases(1)	$	232,652			$	168,188			38%
Estimated Remaining Collections (ERC)	$	7,312,336			$	7,879,353			(7)%
Operating expenses	$	227,235			$	245,977			(8)%
GAAP net income attributable to Encore	$	31,494			$	83,566			(62)%
GAAP earnings per share	$	1.22			$	2.66			(54)%
LTM Pre-tax ROIC(2)		15.1	%			15.2	%		-10bps
Leverage Ratio(3)		2.1	x			1.8	x		+0.3x

______________________

(1)   Includes U.S. purchases of $176.6 million and $102.3 million, and Europe purchases of $56.1 million and $65.8 million in Q3 2022 and Q3 2021, respectively.

(2)   This is a non-GAAP metric. See Supplemental Financial Information for a definition and calculation of LTM Pre-Tax ROIC (Return on Invested Capital).

(3)   This is a non-GAAP metric that we define as the ratio of Net Debt at period end to (Adjusted EBITDA plus collections applied to principal balance for the preceding twelve months). See Supplemental Financial Information for a definition of Net Debt and Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Net Debt to total debt and Adjusted EBITDA to net income.

Conference Call and Webcast

Encore will host a conference call and slide presentation today, November 2, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific / 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, to present and discuss third quarter 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 www.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 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. The Company has included Pre-Tax ROIC as management uses this measure to monitor and evaluate operating performance relative to our invested capital and because the Company believes it is a useful measure for investors to evaluate effective use of capital. The Company has included Net Debt and Leverage Ratio as management uses these measures to monitor and evaluate its ability to incur and service debt. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Income from Operations (used in Pre-Tax ROIC), Net Debt and Leverage Ratio have not been prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to, or more meaningful than, net income and net income per share as indicators of the Company’s operating performance or liquidity. Further, these non-GAAP financial measures, 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 http://www.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, performance, liquidity, ability to access capital markets, business plans or prospects. 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 Forms 10-K and 10-Q, each 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
(858) 309-6442
bruce.thomas@encorecapital.com

SOURCE: Encore Capital Group, Inc.

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW

ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(In Thousands, Except Par Value Amounts)
(Unaudited)

	September 30, 2022				December 31, 2021
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	147,035			$	189,645
Investment in receivable portfolios, net		2,976,202				3,065,553
Property and equipment, net		104,051				119,857
Other assets		331,029				335,275
Goodwill		769,548				897,795
Total assets	$	4,327,865			$	4,608,125
Liabilities and Equity
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	197,471			$	229,586
Borrowings		2,690,220				2,997,331
Other liabilities		247,245				195,947
Total liabilities		3,134,936				3,422,864
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, 23,538 and 24,541 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively		235				245
Additional paid-in capital		—				—
Accumulated earnings		1,358,415				1,238,564
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(165,721	)			(53,548	)
Total stockholders’ equity		1,192,929				1,185,261
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	4,327,865			$	4,608,125

The following table presents certain assets and liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) included in the condensed 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.

	September 30, 2022			December 31, 2021
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,072		$	1,927
Investment in receivable portfolios, net		410,630			498,507
Other assets		3,203			3,452
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		124			105
Borrowings		390,979			473,443
Other liabilities		16			10

ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2022				2021				2022				2021
Revenues
Revenue from receivable portfolios	$	297,219			$	316,225			$	907,606			$	982,393
Changes in recoveries		(13,080	)			65,913				179,293				176,628
Total debt purchasing revenue		284,139				382,138				1,086,899				1,159,021
Servicing revenue		21,992				29,321				71,926				93,901
Other revenues		1,621				1,165				5,526				4,274
Total revenues		307,752				412,624				1,164,351				1,257,196
Operating expenses
Salaries and employee benefits		89,241				94,662				285,077				288,892
Cost of legal collections		52,891				64,170				163,756				198,212
General and administrative expenses		37,274				35,819				105,775				102,790
Other operating expenses		28,286				25,226				82,718				81,895
Collection agency commissions		7,884				11,964				27,412				38,465
Depreciation and amortization		11,659				14,136				35,134				37,694
Total operating expenses		227,235				245,977				699,872				747,948
Income from operations		80,517				166,647				464,479				509,248
Other expense
Interest expense		(39,308	)			(40,874	)			(110,995	)			(131,559	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		—				—				—				(9,300	)
Other income (expense)		1,205				(17,504	)			3,392				(16,993	)
Total other expense		(38,103	)			(58,378	)			(107,603	)			(157,852	)
Income before income taxes		42,414				108,269				356,876				351,396
Provision for income taxes		(10,920	)			(24,703	)			(89,194	)			(76,278	)
Net income		31,494				83,566				267,682				275,118
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—				—				—				(419	)
Net income attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders	$	31,494			$	83,566			$	267,682			$	274,699
Earnings per share attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc.:
Basic	$	1.31			$	2.76			$	11.00			$	8.90
Diluted	$	1.22			$	2.66			$	10.06			$	8.71
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		23,958				30,225				24,344				30,863
Diluted		25,919				31,362				26,601				31,531

ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited, In Thousands)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2022				2021
Operating activities:
Net income	$	267,682			$	275,118
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		35,134				37,694
Loss on extinguishment of debt		—				9,300
Other non-cash interest expense, net		11,984				13,677
Stock-based compensation expense		12,231				12,903
Deferred income taxes		2,127				(8,504	)
Changes in recoveries		(179,293	)			(176,628	)
Other, net		14,319				18,003
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Other assets		36,768				58,772
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities		(46,076	)			(28,345	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		154,876				211,990
Investing activities:
Purchases of receivable portfolios, net of put-backs		(569,032	)			(473,013	)
Collections applied to investment in receivable portfolios		567,775				803,185
Purchases of asset held for sale		(38,604	)			(11,744	)
Purchases of property and equipment		(21,068	)			(24,163	)
Other, net		20,257				18,543
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(40,672	)			312,808
Financing activities:
Proceeds from credit facilities		637,342				418,941
Repayment of credit facilities		(432,424	)			(713,958	)
Proceeds from senior secured notes		—				353,747
Repayment of senior secured notes		(29,310	)			(349,355	)
Repayment of convertible senior notes		(221,153	)			(161,000	)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock		(76,753	)			(88,119	)
Other, net		(18,394	)			(24,929	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(140,692	)			(564,673	)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(26,488	)			(39,875	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(16,122	)			8,934
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		189,645				189,184
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	147,035			$	158,243
Supplemental disclosure of cash information:
Cash paid for interest	$	94,828			$	100,335
Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds	$	63,710			$	42,815

ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
Supplemental Financial Information
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Metrics

Adjusted EBITDA

	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, unaudited)		2022				2021				2022				2021
GAAP net income, as reported	$	31,494			$	83,566			$	267,682			$	275,118
Adjustments:
Interest expense		39,308				40,874				110,995				131,559
Interest income		(749	)			(270	)			(1,774	)			(1,170	)
Provision for income taxes		10,920				24,703				89,194				76,278
Depreciation and amortization		11,659				14,136				35,134				37,694
Stock-based compensation expense		3,191				3,847				12,231				12,903
Acquisition, integration and restructuring related expenses(1)		13				17,950				1,179				17,950
Loss on extinguishment of debt		—				—				—				9,300
Adjusted EBITDA	$	95,836			$	184,806			$	514,641			$	559,632
Collections applied to principal balance(2)	$	179,163			$	188,181			$	402,842			$	641,765

________________________

(1)   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.
(2)   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 and related activities. A reconciliation of “collections applied to investment in receivable portfolios, net” to “collections applied to principal balance” is available in the Form 10-Q for the period ending September 30, 2022.

Pre-Tax Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”)

ROIC is calculated as last twelve months adjusted income from operations, divided by our average invested capital. Adjusted income from operations excludes acquisition, integration and restructuring related expenses, amortization of certain acquired intangible assets and other charges or gains that are not indicative of ongoing operations. Average invested capital is defined as the aggregate of average Net Debt (defined below) and average GAAP equity and is calculated as the sum of current and prior period ending amounts divided by two.

	Last Twelve Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages, unaudited)		2022				2021
Numerator
Income from operations	$	588,503			$	633,462
Adjustments:(1)
Acquisition, integration and restructuring related expenses		4,212				2,670
Amortization of certain acquired intangible assets(2)		6,717				7,409
Adjusted income from operations	$	599,432			$	643,541
Denominator
Average Net Debt	$	2,666,562			$	2,967,800
Average equity		1,295,875				1,263,038
Total average invested capital	$	3,962,437			$	4,230,838
Pre-tax ROIC		15.1	%			15.2	%

________________________

(1)   We believe these amounts are not indicative of ongoing operations; therefore, adjusting for them enhances comparability to prior periods, anticipated future periods, and our competitors’ results.

(2)   We have acquired intangible assets, such as trade names and customer relationships, as a result of our acquisition of debt solution service providers. These intangible assets are valued at the time of the acquisition and amortized over their estimated lives. We believe that amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, especially the amortization of an acquired company’s trade names and customer relationships, is the result of pre-acquisition activities. In addition, the amortization of these acquired intangibles is a non-cash static expense that is not affected by operations during any reporting period.

Net Debt

Net Debt is GAAP borrowings adjusted for debt issuance costs and debt discounts, cash and cash equivalents and client cash. Net Debt is a measure commonly used by lenders to our industry to represent the net borrowings of market participants, and is also used regularly by lenders and others as the numerator in industry leverage calculations.

(in thousands, unaudited)	September 30, 2022				September 30, 2021				September 30, 2020
GAAP Borrowings	$	2,690,220			$	2,796,224			$	3,252,101
Debt issuance costs and debt discounts		45,436				60,268				106,511
Cash & cash equivalents		(147,035	)			(158,243	)			(169,983	)
Client cash(1)		17,911				28,343				20,379
Net Debt	$	2,606,532			$	2,726,592			$	3,209,008

________________________

(1)   Client cash is cash that was collected on behalf of, and remains payable to, third party clients.

FAQ

What were Encore Capital Group's earnings for Q3 2022?

Encore Capital Group reported GAAP net income of $31 million and GAAP EPS of $1.22.

How much did Encore Capital's global collections fall in Q3 2022?

Global collections decreased by 19% to $458 million in Q3 2022 compared to the same quarter last year.

What is the outlook for Encore Capital Group's portfolio purchases?

Encore Capital anticipates a growth phase in U.S. portfolio purchasing opportunities moving forward.

How did currency fluctuations affect Encore Capital's European results?

The weakening of the British pound and Euro adversely affected Encore's collections and portfolio purchases in Europe.

What was the revenue for Encore Capital Group in Q3 2022?

Encore Capital's revenues for Q3 2022 were $307.8 million, down 25% from Q3 2021.