BUR
Financial ServicesBurford Capital Limited · Asset Management · $990M
What is Burford Capital Limited?
Burford Capital is the world's largest provider of legal finance, helping law firms and corporations fund litigation and arbitration in exchange for a share of proceeds. Headquartered in Saint Peter Port, Guernsey, it operates globally across complex legal markets.
Burford Capital deploys capital into legal claims, acting as a financier rather than a law firm. Clients — typically large corporations or law firms — receive funding to pursue high-value litigation or arbitration, and Burford earns a return when cases resolve favorably. The company also manages third-party capital through asset management vehicles, broadening its revenue base beyond its own balance sheet. Post-settlement finance rounds out the offering, providing liquidity after a case is won but before funds are received.
Burford Capital was incorporated in 2009 and is domiciled in Saint Peter Port, Guernsey.
- Core legal finance — direct funding of litigation and arbitration claims
- Complex strategies — bespoke capital solutions for large or multi-case portfolios
- Post-settlement finance — bridging liquidity after case resolution
- Asset management — third-party capital vehicles for institutional investors
Is BUR a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates BUR as Good overall, reflecting a balanced profile across its five analytical pillars.
Burford's Quality and Valuation pillars both register as Good, suggesting the business generates returns that hold up relative to its current pricing. The company occupies a genuinely differentiated niche — legal finance at institutional scale — which underpins its quality profile.
The Moat, Growth, and Risk pillars each sit at Neutral, pointing to meaningful uncertainty around competitive durability, near-term expansion pace, and the inherent unpredictability of litigation outcomes.
Pro members can view the full pillar breakdown and underlying financial metrics to form a more complete picture of BUR's investment case. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does BUR pay dividends?
Yes — Burford Capital Limited pays a dividend.
Burford Capital pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among specialty finance companies that typically reinvest heavily. The dividend reflects the company's confidence in its cash generation from resolved cases. Investors should note that dividend timing can be irregular given the lumpy nature of litigation proceeds — checking Burford's investor relations page for the latest declared amounts is advisable.
When does BUR report earnings?
Burford Capital reports earnings on a semi-annual cadence aligned with its Guernsey domicile, rather than the quarterly schedule common for US-listed peers.
Results can swing materially from period to period because case resolutions are not evenly distributed across reporting windows. Revenue recognition depends on when large cases settle, making year-over-year comparisons more meaningful than sequential ones. Investors focused on trend analysis should look across multiple reporting periods.
For the most recent results and management commentary, visit Burford Capital's investor relations page directly.
BUR Price History
-60.3% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Burford Capital Limited?
Based on Burford Capital Limited's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
BUR Long-term Outlook
Burford's Growth and Risk pillars both sit at Neutral, which frames a measured fundamental outlook. The pipeline of active cases provides a degree of embedded optionality, but the timing of realizations remains difficult to predict. Valuation rated as Good suggests the market has not priced in an overly optimistic scenario, leaving room for upside if large cases resolve favorably. Downside risk centers on adverse rulings or prolonged case timelines compressing near-term returns.
Growth drivers
- Expanding global demand for litigation finance as corporate legal budgets face pressure
- Growth in third-party asset management reducing balance-sheet concentration risk
- Increasing adoption of legal finance in international arbitration markets
Key risks
- Adverse or delayed case outcomes creating lumpy, unpredictable revenue
- Regulatory scrutiny of litigation finance in key jurisdictions
- Concentration risk if a small number of large cases dominate the portfolio
BUR vs Peers
Burford operates in a distinct corner of financial services, but investors often compare it to other specialty finance and alternative investment vehicles.
A traditional business development company focused on middle-market lending rather than litigation-linked returns.
A closed-end investment fund holding diversified equity positions, with no exposure to legal finance.
Specializes in direct lending to middle-market companies, offering a credit-focused profile distinct from Burford's litigation assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Burford Capital do?
Burford Capital finances litigation and arbitration on behalf of corporations and law firms. In exchange for funding legal costs, it receives a portion of any favorable settlement or award. It also manages third-party capital through investment vehicles and provides post-settlement liquidity solutions.
Does BUR pay dividends?
Yes, Burford Capital pays a regular dividend. Given that litigation proceeds can be lumpy, the timing and size of distributions may vary. Investors should consult Burford's investor relations page for the most current dividend declarations.
When does BUR report earnings?
Burford Capital typically reports on a semi-annual basis, reflecting its Guernsey incorporation rather than the quarterly US reporting norm. For exact reporting dates, refer to the company's investor relations page.
Is BUR a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates BUR as Good overall. Quality and Valuation pillars are both rated Good, while Moat, Growth, and Risk sit at Neutral. Whether that profile fits your portfolio depends on your tolerance for litigation-linked uncertainty. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is BUR overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for BUR is rated Good, suggesting the current price is not stretched relative to the company's fundamentals. That said, valuation in legal finance is complex because asset values depend on unresolved case outcomes. Pro members can access the detailed valuation metrics.
How does BUR compare to its competitors?
Burford is the dominant pure-play litigation finance company globally, which sets it apart from BDCs and closed-end funds that appear in comparable screens. Its returns are driven by legal outcomes rather than credit spreads or equity markets, making direct comparisons to traditional specialty finance peers imperfect.
What is BUR's market cap bracket?
Burford Capital is classified as a small-cap company. Despite being the global leader in litigation finance, its market capitalization places it in the small-cap range, which can mean higher volatility and lower liquidity than large-cap financial services peers.
Who founded Burford Capital?
Burford Capital was founded by Christopher Bogart and Jonathan Molot, who brought together backgrounds in law and finance to build the litigation funding market. The company was incorporated in 2009 and listed on the London Stock Exchange before also listing in New York.
Is BUR a long-term quality stock?
As a long-term quality indicator, BUR's Good overall UQS Score reflects a business with genuine differentiation in a growing niche. However, the Neutral Risk pillar highlights that litigation outcomes introduce meaningful uncertainty over any holding period. Long-term investors should weigh that structural unpredictability carefully.
What is the main competitive advantage of Burford Capital?
Burford's scale and track record in a highly specialized field create meaningful barriers for new entrants. Underwriting legal claims requires deep expertise in law, finance, and case assessment — capabilities that take years to develop. Its UQS Moat pillar is rated Neutral, reflecting that this advantage exists but faces ongoing competitive pressure.
What sector does BUR belong to?
Burford Capital is classified within the Financial Services sector. More specifically, it operates in the alternative finance or specialty finance sub-segment, providing capital solutions tied to legal proceedings rather than traditional lending or investment banking.
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Pro Analysis
BUR — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 11, 2026 | 49.1 | 36.8 | 47.0 | 53.7 | 42.6 | 73.3 | -7.6 |
| May 10, 2026 | 56.7 | 67.1 | 47.0 | 53.7 | 42.9 | 73.3 | -0.9 |
| May 8, 2026 | 57.6 | 67.1 | 47.0 | 58.2 | 42.9 | 73.3 | +0.2 |
| May 1, 2026 | 57.4 | 67.1 | 47.0 | 57.2 | 42.9 | 73.3 | -0.2 |
| Apr 30, 2026 | 57.6 | 67.1 | 47.0 | 58.2 | 42.9 | 73.3 | +0.2 |
| Apr 29, 2026 | 57.4 | 67.1 | 47.0 | 57.2 | 42.9 | 73.3 | -0.2 |
| Apr 24, 2026 | 57.6 | 67.1 | 47.0 | 58.2 | 42.9 | 73.3 | +0.2 |
| Apr 23, 2026 | 57.4 | 67.1 | 47.0 | 57.2 | 42.9 | 73.3 | -0.2 |
| Apr 22, 2026 | 57.6 | 67.1 | 47.0 | 58.2 | 42.9 | 73.3 | +0.2 |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 57.4 | 67.1 | 47.0 | 57.2 | 42.9 | 73.3 | -0.2 |
BUR — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 36.8/100 (25%)Burford Capital Limited has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 53.7/100 (20%)Burford Capital Limited shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 42.6/100 (15%)Burford Capital Limited has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 73.3/100 (15%)Burford Capital Limited trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 47/100 (25%)Burford Capital Limited possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for BUR.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the BUR UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Burford Capital Limited is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Burford Capital Limited's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Burford Capital Limited is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.