Quarterly Information (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Quarterly Financial Data

The following table summarizes quarterly financial data for the periods presented (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended
	March 31		June 30		September 30			December 31
2017
Gross collections	$	440,863	$	446,182	$	442,996		$	437,603
Revenues	271,941		290,917		306,699			317,481
Total operating expenses	196,100		210,323		202,829			253,246
Income from continuing operations	15,178		19,076		42,144			2,779
Net income	14,979		19,076		42,144			2,779
Amounts attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc.:
Income from continuing operations	22,297		20,255		28,194			12,681
Net income attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders	22,098		20,255		28,194			12,681
Earnings per share attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc.:
From continuing operations:
Basic	$	0.86	$	0.78	$	1.08		$	0.49
Diluted	0.85		0.77		1.05			0.48
From net income:
Basic	$	0.85	$	0.78	$	1.08		$	0.49
Diluted	0.85		0.77		1.05			0.48
2016
Gross collections	$	447,805	$	434,100	$	406,961		$	396,738
Revenues	289,017		289,442		179,415			271,384
Total operating expenses	205,513		197,695		200,597			183,939
Income (loss) from continuing operations	29,789		30,833		(51,946		)	10,494
Net income (loss)	26,607		30,833		(51,946		)	11,323
Amounts attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc.:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	28,876		29,588		(1,524		)	21,983
Net income (loss)	25,694		29,588		(1,524		)	22,812
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc.:
From continuing operations:
Basic	$	1.13	$	1.15	$	(0.06	)	$	0.85
Diluted	1.12		1.14		(0.06		)	0.85
From net income:
Basic	$	1.01	$	1.15	$	(0.06	)	$	0.88
Diluted	0.99		1.14		(0.06		)	0.88