Burford Capital Limited (BUR) AI Stock Analysis
BUR AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchBurford Capital Limited is a legal finance and asset management company specializing in complex legal financing and post-settlement finance. In FY2025, revenue fell 28.0% to $339.9M, while net income declined to $62.6M. Over the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2026, the company posted an EPS of -$7.70 and holds $1.67B in net debt.
- Market cap
- $658.8M
- Revenue (TTM)
- -$1.51B
- P/E
- — fwd 9.7x
- 1Y return
- -71.9% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $8.71 190.5% vs last close
Bull case
- Analysts maintain an optimistic stance with 4 Strong Buy ratings and a mean price target of $8.71, implying a 190.5% premium to the last close of $3.00.
- Next fiscal year projections call for a revenue rebound to $490.4M and EPS of $0.53, reflecting an estimated revenue growth of 137.9%.
- The company offers an annual forward dividend yield of 4.17% backed by 6 consecutive years of dividend payments.
Bear case
- Over the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2026, the company recorded revenue of -$1.51B and an EPS of -$7.70.
- The balance sheet carries high leverage, with total debt of $2.42B and net debt of $1.67B leading to a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.95.
- The stock has underperformed broader markets substantially, down 71.9% over the past year compared to a 16.8% gain for the S&P 500.
What Burford Capital does
Burford Capital Limited specializes in legal finance products and asset management, extending its expertise beyond traditional financial models. Founded in 2009 and based in Saint Peter Port, Guernsey, the firm pioneers solutions in complex legal financing and post-settlement finance. The company has integrated cryptocurrency into its service offerings to leverage blockchain technology within legal finance. This initiative aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in legal funding processes. By adopting cryptocurrency, the firm seeks to streamline transactions, reduce costs, and offer global accessibility to its financial products.
Growth and profitability
Burford Capital saw revenue fluctuate from $108.1M in FY2021 to $270.6M in FY2022 and $1.08B in FY2023, before declining 56.2% to $472.2M in FY2024 and falling 28.0% to $339.9M in FY2025. Gross margin was 57.0% in FY2025, down from 98.5% in FY2023, while operating margin declined from 75.6% in FY2023 to 24.7% in FY2025. Annual net income decreased from $610.5M in FY2023 to $62.6M in FY2025. For the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2026, revenue stood at -$1.51B with an EPS of -$7.70. In the latest quarter, quarterly revenue fell 37.2% year-over-year and quarterly earnings dropped 97.4%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, Burford Capital held $747.3M in cash and short-term investments against $2.42B in total debt, resulting in net debt of $1.67B and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.95. Total assets were $4.27B, while shareholders' equity stood at $819.1M, supported by a current ratio of 5.25. In FY2025, operating cash flow was -$29.0M and free cash flow was -$29.3M. Cash usage during FY2025 included $284,000 in capital expenditures, $15.3M for share buybacks, and $27.4M in dividends paid.
Valuation and performance
Burford Capital trades at a forward P/E of 9.7x, below the 10.8x median of its US-listed Financial Services peers. Its price-to-sales ratio of 6.0x and EV to EBITDA of 15.8x both sit above the peer medians of 3.2x and 11.7x, respectively. The company carries a market cap of $658.8M and an enterprise value of $2.98B. Over the past year, the stock fell 71.9%, trailing the S&P 500 return of 16.8%. Over a 5-year period, the stock declined 70.6% compared to an 83.0% gain for the S&P 500.
BUR dividend
Burford Capital pays a forward annual dividend of $0.13, offering a dividend yield of 4.17% with a payout ratio of 11.5%. The company distributes dividends on a semiannual frequency and has paid dividends for 6 consecutive years, with its last ex-dividend date on May 22, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street sentiment includes 4 Strong Buy and 2 Hold ratings. The mean price target is $8.71, representing an upside of 190.5% from the last close of $3.00. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, analysts estimate an EPS of -$6.59 on revenue of -$1.29B. For the next fiscal year, 3 analysts project revenue of $490.4M and EPS of $0.53. The company beat EPS estimates in 1 of the last 4 quarters, with the next earnings date scheduled for November 4, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Cash generation remains negative, with free cash flow of -$29.3M in FY2025 following -$277.9M in FY2023.
- Earnings track record shows inconsistency, with EPS beats in only 1 of the last 4 quarters.
- High debt obligations of $2.42B exceed cash reserves of $747.3M amid a negative trailing twelve month return on equity of -72.1%.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this BUR AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Burford Capital Limited (BUR). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: BUR income statement, BUR balance sheet, BUR key metrics, BUR analyst forecast, BUR chart. See the BUR stock overview for the latest quote and news.
BUR AI stock analysis FAQ
What does Burford Capital do?
Burford Capital Limited provides legal finance products and asset management services, specializing in complex legal financing and post-settlement finance.
What is Burford Capital's dividend yield?
Burford Capital pays an annual forward dividend of $0.13 per share, which corresponds to a dividend yield of 4.17%.
When is Burford Capital's next earnings date?
The company's next earnings release is scheduled for November 4, 2026.
What is the analyst price target for BUR?
The mean price target across analysts is $8.71, which is 190.5% above the last close price of $3.00.