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Why Is PRA Group (PRAA) Up 27.1% Since Last Earnings Report?

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A month has gone by since the last earnings report for PRA Group (PRAA - Free Report) . Shares have added about 27.1% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.

Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is PRA Group due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.

PRA Group Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates on Increasing Cash Collections

PRA Group reported third-quarter 2025 earnings per share (EPS) of 53 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6%. The bottom line rose from 49 cents per share a year ago.

Total revenues improved 10.5% year over year to $311.1 million. The top line beat the consensus mark by 4.7%.

The quarterly results benefited from improved cash collections and higher portfolio income. However, the upside was partly offset by rising operating costs attributed to higher legal collection costs and fees.

PRA Group’s Quarterly Operational Update

PRA Group’s cash collections were $542.2 million, which advanced 13.7% year over year and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $531 million. The metric was aided by higher cash collections across the United States and Europe.

Portfolio income rose 19.6% year over year to $258.5 million but missed the consensus mark of $261 million. Other revenues of $1.2 million decreased significantly from the figure of $4.7 million a year ago and missed the consensus mark of $4.2 million.

Total operating expenses of $626.7 million rose significantly from the figure of $191.5 million a year ago due to increased legal collection costs, legal collection fees, professional and outside services costs, goodwill impairmentand other operating expenses.

PRAA recorded a net loss of $404 million against the prior-year quarter’sincome of $28.9 million.

The company purchased nonperforming loan portfolios of $255.5 million, which declined 27% year over year. The adjusted cash efficiency ratio improved 500 basis points year over year to 60.6%. The estimated remaining collections amounted to $8.4 billion at the third-quarter end, up 15.2% year over year.

PRAA’s Financial Update (As of Sept. 30, 2025)

PRA Group exited the third quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $107.5 million, which advanced from the figure of $105.9 million at 2024-end. It had $1.2 billion remaining under its credit facilities at the third-quarter end.

Total assets of $5 billion increased from the 2024-end level of $4.9 billion.

Borrowings were $3.6 billion, which rose from the figure of $3.3 billion as of Dec. 31, 2024.

Total equity of $984 million declined 17.6% from the 2024-end level.

PRAA’s 2025 Outlook

Earlier, management estimated portfolio investments of $1.2 billion for 2025. PRAA forecasted cash collections to witness high-single-digit growth as a result of strong portfolio purchases and benefits from cash-generating initiatives.

The cash efficiency ratio was projected to be more than 60% in 2025. The company expected a return on average tangible equity of around 12%.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?

It turns out, estimates revision have trended upward during the past month.

The consensus estimate has shifted 11.03% due to these changes.

VGM Scores

Currently, PRA Group has a poor Growth Score of F, however its Momentum Score is doing a lot better with a C. However, the stock has a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top 20% for value investors.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

Outlook

Estimates have been trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. It comes with little surprise PRA Group has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We expect an above average return from the stock in the next few months.

Performance of an Industry Player

PRA Group belongs to the Zacks Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry. Another stock from the same industry, Lazard (LAZ - Free Report) , has gained 5.4% over the past month. More than a month has passed since the company reported results for the quarter ended September 2025.

Lazard reported revenues of $724.65 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +12.2%. EPS of $0.56 for the same period compares with $0.38 a year ago.

For the current quarter, Lazard is expected to post earnings of $0.87 per share, indicating a change of +11.5% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -2.6% over the last 30 days.

Lazard has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) based on the overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions. Additionally, the stock has a VGM Score of A.


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