[SCHEDULE 13G] Encore Capital Group, Inc. SEC Filing

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Encore Capital Group (ECPG) received a Schedule 13G reporting that Stephens-affiliated parties collectively beneficially own 1,248,831 shares of common stock, representing 5.3% of the class. The filings show no sole voting or dispositive power and instead list shared voting power of 1,162,553 shares and shared dispositive power of 1,248,831 shares, indicating the stake is held jointly among the reporting persons.

The reporting persons named include Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC; Stephens Investments Holdings LLC; Warren A. Stephens Trust UID 9/30/87; and Warren A. Stephens. The filings include a certification that the securities were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired to change or influence control of the issuer.

Positive

• Reported ownership of 1,248,831 shares (5.3% of class) is a material, disclosed stake
• Shared voting and dispositive power documented, clarifying the nature of control rights
• Filers certify holdings are held in the ordinary course and not to change control, indicating passive intent

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

TL;DR: Stephens-affiliated entities report a material passive stake of 5.3% in ECPG, showing meaningful exposure but no claimed control.

The Schedule 13G discloses a sizeable position of 1,248,831 shares (5.3%), with voting and dispositive authority expressed as shared rather than sole. For investors, a >5% passive stake is material because it signals concentrated ownership without an explicit activist intent, per the certification included. The breakdown of shared voting versus shared dispositive power suggests decision-making rights are distributed among the reporting group rather than centralized.

Corporate Governance Expert

TL;DR: Ownership crosses the 5% disclosure threshold but the filers certify a passive holding, reducing immediate governance concerns.

The filing names both an investment adviser and related holding/control persons, with classification entries showing IA and HC roles. Although the ownership level triggers disclosure obligations, the explicit certification that the securities are held in the ordinary course and not to influence control frames this as a passive stake. Governance impact is therefore limited absent subsequent amendments or Schedule 13D activity indicating activist intent.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Encore Capital Group, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per Share

(Title of Class of Securities)

292554102

(CUSIP Number)

06/30/2025

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

Rule 13d-1(b)

Rule 13d-1(c)

Rule 13d-1(d)

SCHEDULE 13G

CUSIP No. 292554102

1

Names of Reporting Persons

Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC

2

Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)

(a)
(b)

3

Sec Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization

ARKANSAS

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:

5	Sole Voting Power 0.00
6	Shared Voting Power 1,162,553.00
7	Sole Dispositive Power 0.00
8	Shared Dispositive Power 1,248,831.00

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

1,248,831.00

10

Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)

11

Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)

5.3 %

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

IA

SCHEDULE 13G

CUSIP No. 292554102

1

Names of Reporting Persons

Stephens Investments Holdings LLC

2

Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)

(a)
(b)

3

Sec Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization

ARKANSAS

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:

5	Sole Voting Power 0.00
6	Shared Voting Power 1,162,553.00
7	Sole Dispositive Power 0.00
8	Shared Dispositive Power 1,248,831.00

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

1,248,831.00

10

Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)

11

Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)

5.3 %

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

HC

Comment for Type of Reporting Person: Reporting person is a parent holding company of Stephens Investment Management Group LLC in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).

SCHEDULE 13G

CUSIP No. 292554102

1

Names of Reporting Persons

Warren A. Stephens Trust UID 9/30/87

2

Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)

(a)
(b)

3

Sec Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization

ARKANSAS

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:

5	Sole Voting Power 0.00
6	Shared Voting Power 1,162,553.00
7	Sole Dispositive Power 0.00
8	Shared Dispositive Power 1,248,831.00

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

1,248,831.00

10

Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)

11

Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)

5.3 %

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

HC

Comment for Type of Reporting Person: Reporting person is a parent holding company of Stephens Investment Management Group LLC in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).

SCHEDULE 13G

CUSIP No. 292554102

1

Names of Reporting Persons

Warren A. Stephens

2

Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)

(a)
(b)

3

Sec Use Only

4

Citizenship or Place of Organization

UNITED STATES

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:

5	Sole Voting Power 0.00
6	Shared Voting Power 1,162,553.00
7	Sole Dispositive Power 0.00
8	Shared Dispositive Power 1,248,831.00

9

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

1,248,831.00

10

Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)

11

Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)

5.3 %

12

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

HC

Comment for Type of Reporting Person: Reporting person is a control person of Stephens Investment Management Group LLC in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).

SCHEDULE 13G

Item 1.
(a)	Name of issuer: Encore Capital Group, Inc.
(b)	Address of issuer's principal executive offices: 350 Camino De La Reina, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92108
Item 2.
(a)	Name of person filing: See responses in row 1 on the cover pages of this schedule.
(b)	Address or principal business office or, if none, residence: 111 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
(c)	Citizenship: See responses in row 4 on the cover pages of this schedule.
(d)	Title of class of securities: Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per Share
(e)	CUSIP No.: 292554102
Item 3.	If this statement is filed pursuant to §§ 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
(a)	Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o);
(b)	Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(c)	Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(d)	Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8);
(e)	An investment adviser in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
(f)	An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
(g)	A parent holding company or control person in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
(h)	A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);
(i)	A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);
(j)	A non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J), please specify the type of institution:
(k)	Group, in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K).
Item 4.	Ownership
(a)	Amount beneficially owned: See responses in row 9 on the cover pages of this schedule.
(b)	Percent of class: See responses in row 11 on the cover pages of this schedule.
(c)	Number of shares as to which the person has:
	(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: See resposes in row 5 on the cover pages of this schedule.
	(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: See responses in row 6 on the cover pages of this schedule.
	(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: See responses in row 7 on the cover pages of this schedule.
	(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: See responses in row 8 on the cover pages of this schedule.
Item 5.	Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Class.
Item 6.	Ownership of more than 5 Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
	If any other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, such securities, a statement to that effect should be included in response to this item and, if such interest relates to more than 5 percent of the class, such person should be identified. A listing of the shareholders of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the beneficiaries of employee benefit plan, pension fund or endowment fund is not required. Various persons other than the reporting persons have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the shares of the Common Stock reported on this schedule.
Item 7.	Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.
	If a parent holding company has filed this schedule, pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b)(ii)(G), so indicate under Item 3(g) and attach an exhibit stating the identity and the Item 3 classification of the relevant subsidiary. If a parent holding company has filed this schedule pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c) or Rule 13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating the identification of the relevant subsidiary. Please see Exhibit B attached hereto.
Item 8.	Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
	Not Applicable
Item 9.	Notice of Dissolution of Group.
	Not Applicable

Item 10.

Certifications:

By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under ?? 240.14a-11.

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC

Signature:	Allison Rhodes
Name/Title:	Allison Rhodes / General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Date:	08/12/2025

Stephens Investments Holdings LLC

Signature:	Todd Ferguson
Name/Title:	Todd Ferguson / Attorney in fact for reporting person
Date:	08/12/2025

Warren A. Stephens Trust UID 9/30/87

Signature:	Todd Ferguson
Name/Title:	Todd Ferguson / Attorney in fact for reporting person
Date:	08/12/2025

Warren A. Stephens

Signature:	Todd Ferguson
Name/Title:	Todd Ferguson / Attorney in fact for reporting person
Date:	08/12/2025

FAQ

How many ECPG shares do Stephens-affiliated filers report owning?

They report beneficial ownership of 1,248,831 shares, representing 5.3% of the class.

Which entities filed the Schedule 13G for ECPG?

The reporting persons are Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC; Stephens Investments Holdings LLC; Warren A. Stephens Trust UID 9/30/87; and Warren A. Stephens.

Do the filers claim sole voting or dispositive power over ECPG shares?

No. The filing shows 0 sole voting power and 0 sole dispositive power; it reports 1,162,553 shared voting power and 1,248,831 shared dispositive power.

Did the filers state an intent to influence control of Encore Capital (ECPG)?

The filers certified the securities were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and not for the purpose of changing or influencing control.

What type of reporting persons are listed in the filing?

Classifications in the filing include an investment adviser (IA) and entities identified as holding company/control persons (HC).