PRA Group

PRA Group isn't a household name among most investors, but it's found a niche that has been lucrative over time. As a leading player in the debt collection industry, PRA Group aims to make it easier for businesses that are having challenges collecting from customers, by offering them cash and then taking responsibility for the cumbersome task of going through the collection process.

Looking ahead, PRA Group thinks it will continue to enjoy a favorable environment for its business worldwide. By bulking up its capacity, the debt collector has been able to increase the size of its portfolio while still being able to handle collections efficiently. That combination has opened the door to further growth, and investors can expect PRA to keep exploring ways to take maximum advantage of the opportunities it has identified with the workforce the company has in place.

PRA Group's second-quarter results showed the fruits of the debt collector's labor. Revenue of $252.1 million was up 14% from year-ago levels, and it exceeded the roughly 11% growth rate that most of those following the stock were looking to see. Net income attributable to the company declined 5% to $18.6 million, but earnings of $0.41 per share topped the consensus forecast among investors for $0.36 per share.

Founded: 1996

Headquarters: Munich, Germany

Website: pragroup.com