Quarterly Information (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

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
2018
Gross collections	$	489,102	$	496,093	$	498,843	$	483,582
Total revenues, adjusted by net allowance reversals (allowances)	326,788		349,747		336,774		348,721
Total operating expenses	238,336		246,314		239,246		232,834
Income from continuing operations	23,713		26,974		13,016		46,033
Net income	23,713		26,974		13,016		46,033
Amounts attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc.:
Income from continuing operations	21,827		26,298		20,725		47,036
Net income attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc. stockholders	21,827		26,298		20,725		47,036
Earnings per share attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc.:
From continuing operations:
Basic	$	0.84	$	1.01	$	0.69	$	1.51
Diluted	0.83		1.00		0.69		1.50
From net income:
Basic	$	0.84	$	1.01	$	0.69	$	1.51
Diluted	0.83		1.00		0.69		1.50
2017
Gross collections	$	440,863	$	446,182	$	442,996	$	437,603
Total revenues, adjusted by net allowance reversals (allowances)	271,941		290,917		306,699		317,481
Total operating expenses	196,100		210,323		202,829		253,246
Income (loss) from continuing operations	15,178		19,076		42,144		2,779
Net income (loss)	14,979		19,076		42,144		2,779
Amounts attributable to Encore Capital Group, Inc.:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	22,297		20,255		28,194		12,681
Net income (loss)	22,098		20,255		28,194		12,681
Earnings (loss) 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