Calamos Strategic Total Return (CSQ) vs Encore Capital Group (ECPG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Encore Capital Group (ECPG) has outperformed Calamos Strategic Total Return (CSQ) over the past year, gaining 139.9% versus a gain of 6.2%. Over five years, ECPG leads with a +94.1% price change compared with +12.3% for CSQ. Calamos Strategic Total Return is the larger company by market cap ($3.29 billion vs $2.11 billion), about 1.6 times the size.
On valuation, Calamos Strategic Total Return trades at a lower trailing P/E (3.1x vs 7.5x for Encore Capital Group). Calamos Strategic Total Return pays a dividend yielding 3.00%, while Encore Capital Group does not currently pay one.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CSQ | ECPG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $20.51 | $99.27 |
| Market cap | $3.29B | $2.11B |
| 1-day change | -0.44% | +0.08% |
| YTD return | +6.82% | +82.64% |
| 1-year return | +6.21% | +139.89% |
| 5-year return | +12.26% | +94.07% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 3.13 | 7.54 |
| Forward P/E | — | 7.43 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.55 | $13.17 |
| Dividend yield | 3.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.615 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $21.17 | $104.98 |
| 52-week low | $16.41 | $39.95 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -3.12% | -5.44% |
| Analyst consensus | — | none |
| Avg. price target upside | — | +16.53% |
| Average volume | 185.82K | 345.11K |
| Shares outstanding | 160.37M | 21.21M |
| Employees | — | 7,350 |
| Sector | Financial Services | Finance |
| Industry | Asset Management | Finance Companies |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- ECPG has outperformed CSQ by 133.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Encore Capital Group trades at a higher earnings multiple (7.5x vs 3.1x trailing P/E).
- Calamos Strategic Total Return offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.00% vs 0.00%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Calamos Strategic Total Return in Financial Services and Encore Capital Group in Finance.
About Calamos Strategic Total Return
CSQ stock →Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund is a closed ended balanced mutual fund launched by Calamos Investments LLC. The fund is managed by Calamos Advisors LLC.
Financial Services · Asset Management
About Encore Capital Group
ECPG stock →Encore Capital Group, Inc., a specialty finance company, provides debt recovery solutions and other related services for consumers across financial assets worldwide. The company purchases portfolios of defaulted consumer receivables at discounts to face value, as well as manages them by working with individuals as they repay their obligations and works toward financial recovery.
Finance · Finance Companies · 7,350 employees
CSQ vs ECPG FAQ
Which is bigger, Calamos Strategic Total Return or Encore Capital Group?
Calamos Strategic Total Return (CSQ) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.29B compared with $2.11B for Encore Capital Group (ECPG).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CSQ or ECPG?
ECPG returned +139.89% over the past 12 months, compared with +6.21% for CSQ (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CSQ or ECPG?
CSQ has the lower trailing P/E at 3.1, versus 7.5 for ECPG. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Calamos Strategic Total Return or Encore Capital Group?
Calamos Strategic Total Return pays a dividend yielding 3.00%, while Encore Capital Group does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Calamos Strategic Total Return and Encore Capital Group in the same industry?
No. Calamos Strategic Total Return is in the Financial Services sector, while Encore Capital Group is in Finance.