<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><edgarSubmission xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/schedule13g" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>
<headerData>
    <submissionType>SCHEDULE 13G/A</submissionType>
    <filerInfo>
      <filer>
        <filerCredentials>
          <cik>0001314440</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
        </filerCredentials>
      </filer>
      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>



    </filerInfo>
  </headerData>
  <formData>
    <coverPageHeader>
      <amendmentNo>2</amendmentNo>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per Share</securitiesClassTitle>
      <eventDateRequiresFilingThisStatement>06/30/2026</eventDateRequiresFilingThisStatement>
      <issuerInfo>
        <issuerCik>0001084961</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>Encore Capital Group, Inc.</issuerName>
        <issuerCusips>
          <issuerCusipNumber>292554102</issuerCusipNumber>
        </issuerCusips>
        <issuerPrincipalExecutiveOfficeAddress>
          <street1 xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">350 Camino De La Reina, Suite 100</street1>
          <city xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">San Diego</city>
          <stateOrCountry xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">CA</stateOrCountry>
          <zipCode xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">92108</zipCode>
        </issuerPrincipalExecutiveOfficeAddress>
      </issuerInfo>
      <designateRulesPursuantThisScheduleFiled>
        <designateRulePursuantThisScheduleFiled>Rule 13d-1(b)</designateRulePursuantThisScheduleFiled>
      </designateRulesPursuantThisScheduleFiled>
    </coverPageHeader>
    <coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>


      <reportingPersonName>Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC</reportingPersonName>
      <memberGroup>b</memberGroup>
      <citizenshipOrOrganization>AR</citizenshipOrOrganization>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
        <soleVotingPower>0</soleVotingPower>
        <sharedVotingPower>224402</sharedVotingPower>
        <soleDispositivePower>0</soleDispositivePower>
        <sharedDispositivePower>264755</sharedDispositivePower>
      </reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>264755</reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>
      <aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>N</aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>
      <classPercent>1.2</classPercent>
      <typeOfReportingPerson>IA</typeOfReportingPerson>
    </coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>
    <coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>


      <reportingPersonName>Stephens Investments Holdings LLC</reportingPersonName>
      <memberGroup>b</memberGroup>
      <citizenshipOrOrganization>AR</citizenshipOrOrganization>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
        <soleVotingPower>0</soleVotingPower>
        <sharedVotingPower>224402</sharedVotingPower>
        <soleDispositivePower>0</soleDispositivePower>
        <sharedDispositivePower>264755</sharedDispositivePower>
      </reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>264755</reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>
      <aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>N</aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>
      <classPercent>1.2</classPercent>
      <typeOfReportingPerson>HC</typeOfReportingPerson>
      <comments>Reporting person may be deemed a parent holding company of Stephens Investment Management Group LLC in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).</comments>
    </coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>
    <coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>


      <reportingPersonName>Warren A. Stephens Trust UID 9/30/87</reportingPersonName>
      <memberGroup>b</memberGroup>
      <citizenshipOrOrganization>AR</citizenshipOrOrganization>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
        <soleVotingPower>0</soleVotingPower>
        <sharedVotingPower>224402</sharedVotingPower>
        <soleDispositivePower>0</soleDispositivePower>
        <sharedDispositivePower>264755</sharedDispositivePower>
      </reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>264755</reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>
      <aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>N</aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>
      <classPercent>1.2</classPercent>
      <typeOfReportingPerson>HC</typeOfReportingPerson>
      <comments>Reporting person may be deemed a parent holding company of Stephens Investment Management Group LLC in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).</comments>
    </coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>
    <coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>


      <reportingPersonName>Warren A. Stephens</reportingPersonName>
      <memberGroup>b</memberGroup>
      <citizenshipOrOrganization>X1</citizenshipOrOrganization>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
        <soleVotingPower>0</soleVotingPower>
        <sharedVotingPower>224402</sharedVotingPower>
        <soleDispositivePower>0</soleDispositivePower>
        <sharedDispositivePower>264755</sharedDispositivePower>
      </reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>264755</reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>
      <aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>N</aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>
      <classPercent>1.2</classPercent>
      <typeOfReportingPerson>HC</typeOfReportingPerson>
      <comments>Reporting person may be deemed a control person of Stephens Investment Management Group LLC in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).</comments>
    </coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>
    <coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>

      <reportingPersonName>Warren Miles Amerine Stephens 2012 Trust UID 12/27/12</reportingPersonName>
      <memberGroup>b</memberGroup>
      <citizenshipOrOrganization>AR</citizenshipOrOrganization>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
        <soleVotingPower>0</soleVotingPower>
        <sharedVotingPower>224402</sharedVotingPower>
        <soleDispositivePower>0</soleDispositivePower>
        <sharedDispositivePower>264755</sharedDispositivePower>
      </reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>264755</reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>
      <aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>N</aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>
      <classPercent>1.2</classPercent>
      <typeOfReportingPerson>HC</typeOfReportingPerson>
      <comments>Reporting person may be deemed a parent holding company of Stephens Investment Management Group LLC in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).</comments>
    </coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>
    <coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>

      <reportingPersonName>John Calhoun Stephens 2012 Trust UID 12/27/12</reportingPersonName>
      <memberGroup>b</memberGroup>
      <citizenshipOrOrganization>AR</citizenshipOrOrganization>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
        <soleVotingPower>0</soleVotingPower>
        <sharedVotingPower>224402</sharedVotingPower>
        <soleDispositivePower>0</soleDispositivePower>
        <sharedDispositivePower>264755</sharedDispositivePower>
      </reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>264755</reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>
      <aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>N</aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>
      <classPercent>1.2</classPercent>
      <typeOfReportingPerson>HC</typeOfReportingPerson>
      <comments>Reporting person may be deemed a parent holding company of Stephens Investment Management Group LLC in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).</comments>
    </coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>
    <coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>

      <reportingPersonName>Laura Whitaker Stephens 2012 Trust UID 12/27/12</reportingPersonName>
      <memberGroup>b</memberGroup>
      <citizenshipOrOrganization>AR</citizenshipOrOrganization>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
        <soleVotingPower>0</soleVotingPower>
        <sharedVotingPower>224402</sharedVotingPower>
        <soleDispositivePower>0</soleDispositivePower>
        <sharedDispositivePower>264755</sharedDispositivePower>
      </reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>264755</reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>
      <aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>N</aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>
      <classPercent>1.2</classPercent>
      <typeOfReportingPerson>HC</typeOfReportingPerson>
      <comments>Reporting person may be deemed a parent holding company of Stephens Investment Management Group LLC in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).</comments>
    </coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>
    <coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>


      <reportingPersonName>Warren Miles Amerine Stephens</reportingPersonName>
      <memberGroup>b</memberGroup>
      <citizenshipOrOrganization>X1</citizenshipOrOrganization>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
        <soleVotingPower>0</soleVotingPower>
        <sharedVotingPower>224402</sharedVotingPower>
        <soleDispositivePower>0</soleDispositivePower>
        <sharedDispositivePower>264755</sharedDispositivePower>
      </reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>264755</reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>
      <aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>N</aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>
      <classPercent>1.2</classPercent>
      <typeOfReportingPerson>HC</typeOfReportingPerson>
      <comments>Reporting person may be deemed a control person of Stephens Investment Management Group LLC in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).</comments>
    </coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>
    <coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>


      <reportingPersonName>John Calhoun Stephens</reportingPersonName>
      <memberGroup>b</memberGroup>
      <citizenshipOrOrganization>X1</citizenshipOrOrganization>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
        <soleVotingPower>0</soleVotingPower>
        <sharedVotingPower>224402</sharedVotingPower>
        <soleDispositivePower>0</soleDispositivePower>
        <sharedDispositivePower>264755</sharedDispositivePower>
      </reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedNumberOfShares>
      <reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>264755</reportingPersonBeneficiallyOwnedAggregateNumberOfShares>
      <aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>N</aggregateAmountExcludesCertainSharesFlag>
      <classPercent>1.2</classPercent>
      <typeOfReportingPerson>HC</typeOfReportingPerson>
      <comments>Reporting person may be deemed a control person of Stephens Investment Management Group LLC in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G).</comments>
    </coverPageHeaderReportingPersonDetails>
    <items>
      <item1>
        <issuerName>Encore Capital Group, Inc.</issuerName>
        <issuerPrincipalExecutiveOfficeAddress>350 Camino De La Reina, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92108</issuerPrincipalExecutiveOfficeAddress>
      </item1>
      <item2>
        <filingPersonName>See responses in row 1 on the cover pages of this schedule.</filingPersonName>
        <principalBusinessOfficeOrResidenceAddress>111 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201</principalBusinessOfficeOrResidenceAddress>
        <citizenship>See responses in row 4 on the cover pages of this schedule.</citizenship>
      </item2>
      <item3>
        <notApplicableFlag>N</notApplicableFlag>
        <typeOfPersonFiling>IA</typeOfPersonFiling>
        <typeOfPersonFiling>HC</typeOfPersonFiling>
      </item3>
      <item4>
        <amountBeneficiallyOwned>See responses in row 9 on the cover pages of this schedule.</amountBeneficiallyOwned>
        <classPercent>See responses in row 11 on the cover pages of this schedule.</classPercent>
        <numberOfSharesPersonHas>
          <solePowerOrDirectToVote>See resposes in row 5 on the cover pages of this schedule.</solePowerOrDirectToVote>
          <sharedPowerOrDirectToVote>See responses in row 6 on the cover pages of this schedule.</sharedPowerOrDirectToVote>
          <solePowerOrDirectToDispose>See responses in row 7 on the cover pages of this schedule.</solePowerOrDirectToDispose>
          <sharedPowerOrDirectToDispose>See responses in row 8 on the cover pages of this schedule.</sharedPowerOrDirectToDispose>
        </numberOfSharesPersonHas>
      </item4>
      <item5>
        <notApplicableFlag>N</notApplicableFlag>
        <classOwnership5PercentOrLess>Y</classOwnership5PercentOrLess>
      </item5>
      <item6>
        <notApplicableFlag>Y</notApplicableFlag>
      </item6>
      <item7>
        <notApplicableFlag>N</notApplicableFlag>
        <subsidiaryIdentificationAndClassification>Please see Exhibit B attached hereto.</subsidiaryIdentificationAndClassification>
      </item7>
      <item8>
        <notApplicableFlag>Y</notApplicableFlag>
      </item8>
      <item9>
        <notApplicableFlag>Y</notApplicableFlag>
      </item9>
      <item10>
        <notApplicableFlag>N</notApplicableFlag>
        <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. </certifications>
      </item10>
    </items>
    <signatureInformation>
      <reportingPersonName>Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC</reportingPersonName>
      <signatureDetails>
        <signature>Allison Rhodes</signature>
        <title>Allison Rhodes / General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer</title>
        <date>08/05/2026</date>
      </signatureDetails>
    </signatureInformation>
    <signatureInformation>
      <reportingPersonName>Stephens Investments Holdings LLC</reportingPersonName>
      <signatureDetails>
        <signature>Todd Ferguson</signature>
        <title>Todd Ferguson / Attorney in fact for reporting person</title>
        <date>08/05/2026</date>
      </signatureDetails>
    </signatureInformation>
    <signatureInformation>
      <reportingPersonName>Warren A. Stephens Trust UID 9/30/87</reportingPersonName>
      <signatureDetails>
        <signature>Todd Ferguson</signature>
        <title>Todd Ferguson / Attorney in fact for reporting person</title>
        <date>08/05/2026</date>
      </signatureDetails>
    </signatureInformation>
    <signatureInformation>
      <reportingPersonName>Warren A. Stephens</reportingPersonName>
      <signatureDetails>
        <signature>Todd Ferguson</signature>
        <title>Todd Ferguson / Attorney in fact for reporting person</title>
        <date>08/05/2026</date>
      </signatureDetails>
    </signatureInformation>
    <signatureInformation>
      <reportingPersonName>Warren Miles Amerine Stephens 2012 Trust UID 12/27/12</reportingPersonName>
      <signatureDetails>
        <signature>Todd Ferguson</signature>
        <title>Todd Ferguson / Attorney in fact for reporting person</title>
        <date>08/05/2026</date>
      </signatureDetails>
    </signatureInformation>
    <signatureInformation>
      <reportingPersonName>John Calhoun Stephens 2012 Trust UID 12/27/12</reportingPersonName>
      <signatureDetails>
        <signature>Todd Ferguson</signature>
        <title>Todd Ferguson / Attorney in fact for reporting person</title>
        <date>08/05/2026</date>
      </signatureDetails>
    </signatureInformation>
    <signatureInformation>
      <reportingPersonName>Laura Whitaker Stephens 2012 Trust UID 12/27/12</reportingPersonName>
      <signatureDetails>
        <signature>Todd Ferguson</signature>
        <title>Todd Ferguson / Attorney in fact for reporting person</title>
        <date>08/05/2026</date>
      </signatureDetails>
    </signatureInformation>
    <signatureInformation>
      <reportingPersonName>Warren Miles Amerine Stephens</reportingPersonName>
      <signatureDetails>
        <signature>Todd Ferguson</signature>
        <title>Todd Ferguson / Attorney in fact for reporting person</title>
        <date>08/05/2026</date>
      </signatureDetails>
    </signatureInformation>
    <signatureInformation>
      <reportingPersonName>John Calhoun Stephens</reportingPersonName>
      <signatureDetails>
        <signature>Todd Ferguson</signature>
        <title>Todd Ferguson / Attorney in fact for reporting person</title>
        <date>08/05/2026</date>
      </signatureDetails>
    </signatureInformation>
  </formData>

</edgarSubmission>
