WallStSmart

Encore Capital Group Inc (ECPG)vsSynchrony Financial (SYF)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Synchrony Financial generates 452% more annual revenue ($9.76B vs $1.77B). SYF leads profitability with a 36.4% profit margin vs 14.5%. ECPG appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.17. ECPG earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 90/100 (A).

ECPG

Exceptional Buy

90

out of 100

Grade: A

Growth: 8.7Profit: 8.5Value: 10.0Quality: 5.0

SYF

Strong Buy

71

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 6.7Profit: 8.0Value: 7.3Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 0.03
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

ECPGUndervalued (+88.7%)

Margin of Safety

+88.7%

Fair Value

$509.65

Current Price

$70.85

$438.80 discount

UndervaluedFair: $509.65Overvalued
SYFUndervalued (+59.2%)

Margin of Safety

+59.2%

Fair Value

$178.92

Current Price

$67.63

$111.29 discount

UndervaluedFair: $178.92Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ECPG6 strengths · Avg: 9.8/10
PEG RatioValuation
0.1710/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

P/E RatioValuation
6.5x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Operating MarginProfitability
81.8%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 81.8%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
78.3%10/10

Revenue surging 78.3% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
151.6%10/10

Earnings expanding 151.6% YoY

Return on EquityProfitability
29.4%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 29 in profit

SYF6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
P/E RatioValuation
7.3x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Profit MarginProfitability
36.4%10/10

Keeps 36 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
48.5%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 48.5%

Return on EquityProfitability
21.3%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 21 in profit

Price/BookValuation
1.5x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Free Cash FlowQuality
$2.45B8/10

Generating 2.5B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

ECPG1 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Market CapQuality
$1.58B3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

SYF2 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
3.272/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.032/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : ECPG

The strongest argument for ECPG centers on PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Operating Margin. Revenue growth of 78.3% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.17 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : SYF

The strongest argument for SYF centers on P/E Ratio, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 36.4% and operating margin at 48.5%.

Bear Case : ECPG

The primary concerns for ECPG are Market Cap.

Bear Case : SYF

The primary concerns for SYF are PEG Ratio, Altman Z-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

ECPG profiles as a growth stock while SYF is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

SYF carries more volatility with a beta of 1.41 — expect wider price swings.

ECPG is growing revenue faster at 78.3% — sustainability is the question.

SYF generates stronger free cash flow (2.5B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

ECPG scores higher overall (90/100 vs 71/100) and 78.3% revenue growth. SYF offers better value entry with a 59.2% margin of safety. Both earn "Exceptional Buy" and "Strong Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Encore Capital Group Inc

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA

Encore Capital Group, Inc., a specialty finance company, offers debt recovery solutions and other related services to consumers in a variety of financial assets worldwide. The company is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Synchrony Financial

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CREDIT SERVICES · USA

Synchrony Financial is a consumer financial services company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, United States. The company offers consumer financing products, including credit, promotional financing and loyalty programs, installment lending to industries, and FDIC-insured consumer savings products through Synchrony Bank, its wholly owned online bank subsidiary.

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