2 Consumer Loan Stocks to Buy on Strong Industry Catalysts

Core Viewpoint - The Zacks Consumer Loans industry is experiencing a positive outlook due to falling interest rates and easing lending standards, which are expected to sustain and boost loan demand, thereby supporting top-line growth [1][2]. Industry Overview - The Zacks Consumer Loans industry includes companies that provide various loan products such as mortgages, credit card loans, and personal loans, generating net interest income (NII) as a primary revenue source. The industry's prospects are closely tied to the overall economic condition and consumer sentiment [3]. - Companies in this sector also engage in commercial lending, insurance, loan servicing, and asset recovery, which help diversify revenue sources and reduce dependence on economic fluctuations [3]. Key Themes Interest Rates & Loan Demand - The Federal Reserve has reduced interest rates by 175 basis points since 2024, with indications of another cut. Despite a decline in consumer confidence due to job and income concerns, loan demand is expected to remain stable or improve as rates decrease, leading to modest growth in net interest margin (NIM) and NII [4]. Lending Standards - The removal of tax liens from consumer credit reports has improved credit scores, expanding the borrower base. Easing lending standards are enabling consumer loan providers to meet the rising loan demand [5]. Asset Quality - Lower interest rates are likely to enhance borrowers' repayment capabilities, reducing the need for consumer loan providers to set aside large reserves for potential defaults. However, a slight increase in non-performing loans is anticipated, which may impact asset quality [6]. Industry Performance - The Zacks Consumer Loans industry has outperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite and the finance sector over the past two years, with a collective stock increase of 101.7%, compared to 49.2% for the S&P 500 and 42% for the finance sector [11]. Valuation Metrics - The industry has a trailing 12-month price-to-tangible book ratio (P/TBV) of 1.42X, above the five-year median of 1.04X. This ratio indicates that the industry is trading at a significant discount compared to the broader market, where the S&P 500's P/TBV is 12.86X [14][16]. Investment Opportunities Enova International, Inc. (ENVA) - Enova is a financial technology company focused on online financial services, with a market cap of $4.01 billion. The company has seen a 63.7% increase in shares over the past year, and earnings are expected to grow by 39.5% in 2025 [19][22]. Encore Capital Group, Inc. (ECPG) - Encore Capital specializes in debt recovery and has a market cap of $1.3 billion. The company has gained 17% in share value over the past year, with earnings projected to increase by 93.5% in 2025 [24][27].