On Tuesday, Truist Securities revised its price target for Portfolio Recovery Associates (NASDAQ:PRAA) shares, a financial and business services company. The new price target is set at $28.00, down from the previous $42.00, while the firm retains a Buy rating on the stock.
Portfolio Recovery Associates saw a minor increase in profitability in the second quarter. The company's finance income and fees after operating expenses showed a slight improvement, rising to $16 million in the second quarter from $15 million in the first quarter. This is a decrease from the fourth quarter of 2023, which posted a $23 million result, and the second quarter of 2023, which saw a $24 million gain.
However, PRA Group's financial performance was impacted by increased legal spending, which went up by $10 million from the first to the second quarter. This uptick contrasts with the company's history of stable legal spending from quarter to quarter in previous years.
When considering the company's interest obligations, which amounted to $55 million in the second quarter, it is suggested that it may not be operating profitably according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), excluding portfolio gains. This assessment is based on the company's reported financials.
Cash receipts after expenses, which include portfolio amortization, were reported at $280 million for the second quarter. This figure is an increase from the first quarter of 2024, which was $262 million, and also higher than the $259 million reported in the second quarter of the previous year.
In other recent news, PRA Group reported steady growth in Q2 2024, demonstrating a significant improvement in its US operations and continued success in Europe and Brazil.
The company recorded a 13% year-over-year increase in cash collections, with a net income of $22 million, or $0.54 per diluted share. The total revenue for the quarter reached $284 million, with portfolio income contributing $209 million.
PRA Group invested $379 million in purchasing loan portfolios, with $225 million in the Americas and $154 million in Europe. The company anticipates collecting $1.6 billion of its Estimated Remaining Collections (ERC) balance over the next 12 months. PRA Group's debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio remained within the target range at 2.92 times.
The company expects portfolio income to continue growing in subsequent quarters, with committed capital available under credit facilities standing at $3.1 billion.
Despite certain customer segments being stressed due to high interest rates and inflation, PRA Group remains optimistic about its performance in the latter half of 2024. The company's investments in the legal collections channel and portfolio purchases position it for sustained growth.
InvestingPro Insights
As Portfolio Recovery Associates (NASDAQ:PRAA) navigates the financial landscape, the recent adjustment of its price target by Truist Securities to $28.00 reflects a nuanced outlook on the company's valuation. Supporting this perspective, InvestingPro data indicates that PRAA has a notably high P/E ratio of 232.4, suggesting that investors are expecting high earnings growth. However, the company's liquid assets surpassing short-term obligations and the expectation of net income growth this year, as highlighted by InvestingPro Tips, provide a counterbalance to concerns about profitability.
With a market capitalization of $926.31M and a revenue growth of 17.46% in the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, PRAA's financial health appears robust. These figures, coupled with a revenue increase of 35.84% in Q2 2024, paint a picture of a company on the rise. Additionally, the company's gross profit margin stands at 100%, underscoring its ability to manage costs effectively.
For investors seeking further guidance, there are additional InvestingPro Tips available, which delve into the company's future profitability, analysts' predictions, and dividend policies. To explore these insights in greater depth, one can visit InvestingPro for a comprehensive analysis of Portfolio Recovery Associates.
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