Skip to main content

Burford Capital Ltd

For the period ended Jun 30, 2026. Filed Aug 6, 2026.

View on SEC.gov

About this filing

A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Jun 30, 2026 · Filed Aug 6, 2026

BUR$3.59-9.3%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026

Extracted filing text, with the paragraph anchors used by the comparison.

See the whole filing, with its images and exhibits

Segments

We have two reportable segments through which we provide legal finance products and services to our clients: (i) Principal Finance and (ii) Asset Management and Other Services.

Our Principal Finance segment funds capital to legal finance assets from our balance sheet, primarily as capital provision assets, and in limited scope through interests in private funds managed by us. These capital provision assets and private fund interests generate our capital provision income, which is the most significant driver of our total revenues.

Our Asset Management and Other Services segment manages legal finance assets on behalf of third-party investors through private funds and provides other services to the legal industry, for both of which we receive fees. These fees are primarily reflected as asset management income, which is a secondary contributor to our total revenues. As of June 30, 2026, we operated eight private funds and three “sidecar” funds as an investment adviser registered with and regulated by the SEC.

The Asset Management and Other Services segment may also reflect the financial impact of new initiatives in the legal services space, including initial diligence and start-up costs, which may impact segment-level profitability.

Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2025

The table below sets forth the components of our income/(loss) before income taxes by segment for the periods indicated.

Reconciliation
($ in thousands)Principal FinanceAsset Management and Other ServicesTotal segments (Burford-only)Reconciling items(1)Consolidated
Total revenues$92,237$11,182$103,419$7,264$110,683
Total operating expenses43,6663,81747,483(42)47,441
Total other expenses49,410(164)49,2463049,276
Income/(loss) before income taxes(839)7,5296,6907,27613,966
Total revenues163,9527,545171,49719,789191,286
Total operating expenses37,8758,23746,1122,95349,065
Total other expenses32,495—32,495(21)32,474
Income/(loss) before income taxes93,582(692)92,89016,857109,747
Change
Total revenues(71,715)3,637(68,078)(12,525)(80,603)
Total operating expenses5,791(4,420)1,371(2,995)(1,624)
Total other expenses16,915(164)16,7515116,802
Income/(loss) before income taxes(94,421)8,221(86,200)(9,581)(95,781)
1. Reconciling items include the proportional operating results that are attributable to third-party limited partners and minority investors in consolidated entities, including BOF-C, the Advantage Fund, Colorado, the EP Funds and other entities.

The decrease in capital provision income, mainly reflecting the reduction in YPF-related assets which contributed to the lower unrealized gain, was the main driver of the decrease in income before income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2026 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2025 on both consolidated and total segments (Burford-only) bases.

The table below sets forth the components of our income/(loss) before income taxes by segment for the periods indicated.

Reconciliation
($ in thousands)Principal FinanceAsset Management and Other ServicesTotal segments (Burford-only)Reconciling items(1)Consolidated
Total revenues$(1,570,528)$16,264$(1,554,264)$(55,427)$(1,609,691)
Total operating expenses(53,218)12,222(40,996)(61,659)(102,655)
Total other expenses115,235(707)114,52834114,562
Income/(loss) before income taxes(1,632,545)4,749(1,627,796)6,198(1,621,598)
Total revenues261,60221,196282,79827,347310,145
Total operating expenses70,33815,29785,6354,53190,166
Total other expenses65,776—65,776(22)65,754
Income/(loss) before income taxes125,4885,899131,38722,838154,225
Change
Total revenues(1,832,130)(4,932)(1,837,062)(82,774)(1,919,836)
Total operating expenses(123,556)(3,075)(126,631)(66,190)(192,821)
Total other expenses49,459(707)48,7525648,808
Income/(loss) before income taxes(1,758,033)(1,150)(1,759,183)(16,640)(1,775,823)
1. Reconciling items include the proportional operating results that are attributable to third-party limited partners and minority investors in consolidated entities, including BOF-C, the Advantage Fund, Colorado, the EP Funds and other entities.

Total revenues and total operating expenses decreased, both primarily due to the YPF Judgment Reversal, which was the main driver of the decrease in income/(loss) before income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2026 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2025 on both consolidated and total segments (Burford-only) bases. In addition, on both consolidated and total segments (Burford-only) bases, revenues decreased due to a decrease in capital provision income arising mostly from lower fair value adjustments, as described below, and the decrease in operating expenses was partially offset by an increase in compensation and benefits costs and an increase in case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost.

Refer to the specific segment sections below for the period-over-period discussion of each of the reportable segments.

Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as of June 30, 2026 as compared to December 31, 2025

The table below sets forth the components of our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition by segment as of the dates indicated.

Reconciliation
($ in thousands)Principal FinanceAsset Management and Other ServicesTotal segments (Burford-only)Reconciling items(1)Consolidated
Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities$716,636$16,219$732,855$14,405$747,260
Other assets$33,009$178,478$211,487$(129,445)$82,042
Due from settlement of capital provision assets$122,370$—$122,370$—$122,370
Capital provision assets$2,319,497$—$2,319,497$865,180$3,184,677
Total assets$3,302,299$219,699$3,521,998$750,140$4,272,138
Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities$599,011$21,666$620,677$35,246$655,923
Other assets$24,348$167,309$191,657$(117,914)$73,743
Due from settlement of capital provision assets$164,804$—$164,804$—$164,804
Capital provision assets$3,912,194$—$3,912,194$1,697,755$5,609,949
Total assets$4,811,081$215,004$5,026,085$1,615,087$6,641,172
Change
Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities$117,625$(5,447)$112,178$(20,841)$91,337
Other assets$8,661$11,169$19,830$(11,531)$8,299
Due from settlement of capital provision assets$(42,434)$—$(42,434)$—$(42,434)
Capital provision assets$(1,592,697)$—$(1,592,697)$(832,575)$(2,425,272)
Total assets$(1,508,782)$4,695$(1,504,087)$(864,947)$(2,369,034)
1. Reconciling items include the proportional balances that are attributable to third-party limited partners and minority investors in consolidated entities, including BOF-C, the Advantage Fund, Colorado, the EP Funds and other entities.

As of June 30, 2026, total assets decreased $2.4 billion on a consolidated basis and decreased $1.5 billion on a total segments (Burford-only) basis. In each case, the decrease in total assets was mainly attributable to a decrease in capital provision assets. See “—Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as of June 30, 2026 as compared to December 31, 2025” above for additional information on the components of our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Refer to the specific segment sections below for the period-over-period discussion of each of the reportable segments.

Group-wide portfolio

Group-wide portfolio refers to the totality of assets managed by us, which includes assets financed by our balance sheet through our Principal Finance segment and assets funded by third parties through our Asset Management and Other Services segment. The table below sets forth the components of our portfolio by segment as of the dates indicated.

($ in thousands)June 30, 2026December 31, 2025Change% change
Capital provision assets - Principal Finance segment
Fair value$2,319,497$3,912,194$(1,592,697)(41)%
Undrawn commitments1,778,5761,783,320(4,744)—%
Total portfolio value - Principal Finance segment4,098,0735,695,514(1,597,441)(28)%
Capital provision assets (funded by third parties) - Asset Management and Other Services segment
Fair value1,033,6001,151,341(117,741)(10)%
Undrawn commitments368,064410,339(42,275)(10)%
Total1,401,6641,561,680(160,016)(10)%
Post-settlement
Fair value185,687200,206(14,519)(7)%
Undrawn commitments19,08220,005(923)(5)%
Total204,769220,211(15,442)(7)%
Total portfolio value - Asset Management and Other Services segment1,606,4331,781,891(175,458)(10)%
Capital provision assets - group-wide portfolio
Fair value3,538,7845,263,741(1,724,957)(33)%
Undrawn commitments2,165,7222,213,664(47,942)(2)%
Total group-wide portfolio5,704,5067,477,405(1,772,899)(23.7)%

Refer to the specific segment sections below for the period-over-period discussion of each of the reportable segments.

Group-wide new definitive commitments

New definitive commitments serve as one indicator of new business activity and reflect new contractual financing agreements, which are inflows to the portfolio or transfers of existing discretionary commitments. Discretionary commitments, which are also included in undrawn commitments as a component of the portfolio, are not included within new definitive commitments. When referring to new definitive commitments for our combined business segments, we use the term “group-wide” as opposed to the term “total segments (Burford-only)”, which we use for our financial results due to the third-party nature of the capital in our asset management business. The table below sets forth the components of our group-wide new definitive commitments of capital provision assets by segment for the periods indicated.

Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)20262025Change% change20262025Change% change
Principal Finance segment (Burford-only)$148,021$361,125$(213,104)(59)%$280,554$519,624$(239,071)(46)%
Asset Management and Other Services segment (funded by third parties)27,11024,1682,94212%47,32565,701(18,376)(28)%
Group-wide new definitive commitments175,131385,293(210,162)(55)%327,879585,326(257,447)(44)%

Group-wide new definitive commitments decreased 55% and 44% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, respectively, primarily driven by a shift in the size mix of new definitive commitments originated during 2026, with fewer large commitments than in 2025, while the overall volume of new definitive commitments remained broadly consistent.

Principal Finance segment

Our Principal Finance segment allocates capital to legal finance assets from our balance sheet, primarily as capital provision assets, and in limited scope through interests in private funds managed by us. These capital provision assets and private fund interests generate capital provision income, which is the most significant driver of our total revenues.

Given the direct balance sheet exposure in our Principal Finance segment, we generate capital provision income directly from the gross returns of the portfolio, which are driven by the outcomes of litigation and related legal activity. Recognition of capital provision income is based on our fair value methodology, see note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies) to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this Form 10-Q, for each asset in the portfolio, which we apply quarterly, and the resulting change in fair value across the Principal Finance segment portfolio.

Unaudited condensed statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2025

The table below sets forth the components of our income/(loss) before income taxes for our Principal Finance segment for the periods indicated.

Principal Finance segmentThree months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)20262025Change% change20262025Change% change
Capital provision income/(loss)$85,302$155,410$(70,108)(45)%$(1,583,781)$246,360$(1,830,141)NM
Marketable securities income/(loss) and interest6,9358,542(1,607)(19)%13,25315,242(1,989)(13)%
Total revenues92,237163,952(71,715)(44)%(1,570,528)261,602(1,832,130)NM
Compensation and benefits28,45830,085(1,627)(5)%(94,552)51,147(145,699)NM
General, administrative and other7,0976,29780013%13,93314,609(676)(5)%
Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost8,1111,4936,618443%27,4014,58222,819498%
Total operating expenses43,66637,8755,79115%(53,218)70,338(123,556)NM
Finance costs49,62633,97915,64746%99,26867,85931,40946%
Foreign currency transactions (gains)/losses and other expenses(216)(1,484)1,268(85)%15,967(2,083)18,050NM
Total other expenses49,41032,49516,91552%115,23565,77649,45975%
Income/(loss) before income taxes(839)93,582(94,421)NM(1,632,545)125,488(1,758,033)NM

Total revenues decreased 44% for the three months ended June 30, 2026, mainly due to a decrease in capital provision income, which was primarily driven by lower fair value adjustments as described below.

Total operating expenses increased 15% for the three months ended June 30, 2026, mainly due to higher case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost.

Total other expenses increased 52% for the three months ended June 30, 2026, primarily due to interest expense related to the issuance of the 2033 Notes in July 2025 and the 2034 Notes in January 2026, partially offset by the repayment at scheduled maturity of the aggregate principal amount of the 6.125% bonds due 2025 in August 2025 and the early redemption of the 2026 Bonds in January 2026.

As a result of the factors described above, income/(loss) before income taxes decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2026.

Total revenues decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2026, partially offset by a decrease in total operating expenses. The decrease in both total revenues and total operating expenses was primarily due to the YPF Judgment Reversal, which resulted in (i) with respect to total revenues, a capital provision loss, net of third-party interest, of $1.6 billion and (ii) with respect to total operating expenses, a decrease in long-term incentive compensation including accruals of $124.5 million. Furthermore, total revenues decreased due to a decrease in capital provision income arising mostly from lower fair value adjustments, as described below, while the decrease in total operating expenses as described above was partially offset by an increase in case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost.

Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost include costs associated with ongoing capital provision assets that are not eligible for inclusion in the fair value of those assets and are therefore expensed as incurred. As of June 30, 2026, the Company has recognized a cumulative $29.3 million of such costs in respect of capital provision assets that remain ongoing.

The increase in this line item for the six months ended June 30, 2026 is mainly related to $17.8 million arising from the correction in 2026 of certain costs that had been previously included within capital provision assets but which did not meet the applicable criteria for inclusion in the fair value of those assets. The impact of this correction was not material to 2026 or any prior periods.

Total other expenses increased 75% for the six months ended June 30, 2026, primarily due to higher interest expense related to the issuance of the 2033 Notes in July 2025 and the 2034 Notes in January 2026, partially offset by the repayment at scheduled maturity of the aggregate principal amount of the 6.125% bonds due 2025 in August 2025 and the early redemption of the 2026 Bonds in January 2026. In addition, the increase in other expenses was also primarily driven by the realization during the three months ended March 31, 2026, upon the redemption of the 2026 Bonds, of accumulated foreign currency losses previously recorded in other comprehensive income.

As a result of the factors described above, income/(loss) before income taxes decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2026.

Gains from capital provision asset portfolio

The table below sets forth the components of our total capital provision income for the periods indicated.

Principal Finance segmentThree months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)20262025Change% change20262025Change% change
Net realized gains/(losses)$34,909$26,592$8,31731%$63,303$61,176$2,1273%
Fair value adjustment during the period, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses)54,839116,639(61,800)(53)%(1,643,234)167,404(1,810,638)NM
Foreign exchange gains/(losses)(2,660)10,167(12,827)NM(5,882)15,230(21,112)NM
Other(1,786)2,012(3,798)NM2,0322,550(518)(20)%
Total capital provision income85,302155,410(70,108)(45)%(1,583,781)246,360(1,830,141)NM

Realized gains

Net realized gains on capital provision assets increased 31% for the three months ended June 30, 2026, which were comprised of $60.4 million in gross realized gains, offset by $25.5 million in gross realized losses. For the three months ended June 30, 2025, net realized gains on capital provision assets were comprised of $35.1 million in gross realized gains, offset by $8.5 million in gross realized losses. The increase in net realized gains was due to higher individual favorable conclusions in 2026 as compared to 2025 with no single asset significantly impacting the result. As a percentage of average capital provision assets at cost during the three months ended June 30, 2026, gross realized losses were 5.3% (annualized) as compared to 3.1% for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Net realized gains on capital provision assets increased 3% for the six months ended June 30, 2026, which were comprised of $99.8 million in gross realized gains, offset by $36.5 million in gross realized losses. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, net realized gains on capital provision assets were comprised of $81.4 million in gross realized gains, offset by $20.2 million in gross realized losses. Overall, net realized gains remained consistent in 2026 as compared to 2025, with no single asset significantly impacting the result. As a percentage of average capital provision assets at cost during the six months ended June 30, 2026, gross realized losses were 3.9% (annualized) as compared to 3.1% for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Unrealized gains

Unrealized gains consist of fair value adjustments during the period, which may be offset by the transfer of unrealized gains/(losses) to realized gains/(losses) upon realization of an asset. Fair value adjustments, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses), on capital provision assets decreased to $54.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026, with the reduction in YPF-related assets contributing to the lower unrealized gain value in 2026. In addition, the period-over-period change was also impacted by the relative movement in passage of time and discount rates.

Fair value adjustments, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses), on capital provision assets decreased to a loss of $1.6 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2026, with the YPF Judgment Reversal having the largest impact from an individual matter during the period.

See“—Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2025—Revenues—Capital provision income/(loss)” above for additional information with respect to the year-over-year change of fair value adjustment, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses).

Unaudited condensed statements of financial condition as of June 30, 2026 as compared to December 31, 2025

The table below sets forth the components of our unaudited condensed statements of financial condition for our Principal Finance segment as of the dates indicated.

Principal Finance segment
($ in thousands)June 30, 2026December 31, 2025Change% change
Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities$716,636$599,011$117,62520%
Due from settlement of capital provision assets122,370164,804(42,434)(26)%
Capital provision assets2,319,4973,912,194(1,592,697)(41)%
Total assets3,302,2994,811,081(1,508,782)(31)%

Total assets decreased 31% as of June 30, 2026, primarily due to a decrease in capital provision assets. See“—Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as of June 30, 2026 as compared to December 31, 2025”above for additional information.

Portfolio value – Principal Finance segment

The table below sets forth the components of our portfolio for our Principal Finance segment as of the dates indicated.

Principal Finance segment
($ in thousands)June 30, 2026December 31, 2025Change% change
Capital provision assets
Fair value$2,319,497$3,912,194$(1,592,697)(41)%
Undrawn commitments1,778,5761,783,320(4,744)—%
Total portfolio4,098,0735,695,514(1,597,441)(28)%

Total portfolio decreased 28% as of June 30, 2026, driven by decreases in fair value of capital provision assets, primarily resulting from the YPF Judgment Reversal. Capital provision assets include our investment in the Advantage Fund which makes up less than 1% of the total portfolio as of June 30, 2026.

The table below sets forth our deployments and realizations for our Principal Finance segment for the periods indicated.

Principal Finance segmentThree months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)20262025Change% change20262025Change% change
Deployments$88,961$79,279$9,68212%$202,110$205,097$(2,987)(1)%
Realizations86,87955,61331,26656%182,658218,518(35,860)(16)%

The table below sets forth our deployments and realizations, for the periods indicated, adjusted primarily to (i) include case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost for our deployments and (ii) include (a) realizations arising from income on due from settlement of capital provision assets and (b) in cases where our interest is held through a private fund, adjust to reflect realizations based on the timing of occurrence with the capital provision asset and not when distributed out by the private fund for our realizations. See“—Reconciliations—Deployments reconciliations” and “—Reconciliations—Realizations reconciliations” for additional information with respect to the difference between the Principal Finance segment and the Burford-only basis tables.

Adjusted Burford-onlyThree months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)20262025Change% change20262025Change% change
Deployments$87,391$80,776$6,6158%$195,075$210,687$(15,612)(7)%
Realizations94,32361,88632,43752%191,460225,034(33,574)(15)%

For both the Principal Finance segment and the adjusted Burford-only basis, total deployments increased by 12% and 8%, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2026. For both the Principal Finance segment and the adjusted Burford-only basis, total deployments decreased by 1% and 7%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2026. The timing of deployments varies quarter to quarter but overall, deployment levels remained fairly consistent in 2026 as compared to 2025.

We count each of our contractual relationships as an “asset”, although many such relationships are composed of multiple underlying litigation matters that are often cross collateralized rather than reliant on the performance of a single matter. As of June 30, 2026, our Principal Finance portfolio consisted of 237 assets funded directly by our balance sheet and four additional assets held through the Advantage Fund. As of December 31, 2025, our Principal Finance portfolio consisted of 237 assets funded directly by our balance sheet and four additional assets held through the Advantage Fund.

For both the Principal Finance segment and the adjusted Burford-only bases, total realizations increased by 56% and 52%, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2026. The increase in realizations was mainly due to 2026 having assets with higher realizations as compared to 2025 with no single asset significantly impacting the result.

For both the Principal Finance segment and the adjusted Burford-only bases, total realizations decreased by 16% and 15%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2026. The decrease in realizations was largely due to a single asset that generated $93.8 million in 2025 for both the Principal Finance segment and the adjusted Burford-only basis, that did not recur in 2026.

Undrawn commitments – Principal Finance segment

The table below sets forth the components of our total capital provision undrawn commitments for our Principal Finance segment by type for the periods indicated.

($ in thousands)DefinitiveDiscretionaryLegal Risk (definitive)Total
Balance as of March 31, 2025$793,714$692,421$42,969$1,529,104
New commitments originated during the period282,80315,000—297,803
New commitments transferred during the period78,322(78,322)——
Cancelled or retired(7,779)——(7,779)
Deployments(80,776)——(80,776)
FX and other(1,101)13,3493,43015,678
Balance as of June 30, 20251,065,183642,44846,3991,754,030
Balance as of March 31, 20261,109,482608,35946,4741,764,315
New commitments originated during the period132,50715,877—148,385
New commitments transferred during the period15,514(16,222)708—
Cancelled or retired(17,148)(31,256)—(48,404)
Deployments(87,391)——(87,391)
FX and other2,089(150)(267)1,671
Balance as of June 30, 20261,155,053576,60846,9151,778,576
($ in thousands)DefinitiveDiscretionaryLegal Risk (definitive)Total
Balance as of December 31, 2024$773,673$817,865$41,318$1,632,856
New commitments originated during the period385,61215,000—400,612
New commitments transferred during the period134,013(134,013)——
Cancelled or retired(14,944)(78,052)—(92,997)
Deployments(210,687)——(210,687)
FX and other(2,483)21,6485,08124,246
Balance as of June 30, 20251,065,183642,44846,3991,754,030
Balance as of December 31, 20251,108,059628,02647,2351,783,320
New commitments originated during the period242,37221,027—263,399
New commitments transferred during the period38,182(39,151)969—
Cancelled or retired(24,859)(36,256)—(61,115)
Deployments(195,075)——(195,075)
FX and other(13,626)2,962(1,289)(11,953)
Balance as of June 30, 20261,155,053576,60846,9151,778,576

Undrawn commitments increased 1% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, primarily due to higher new definitive commitments originated during the period, partially offset by deployments and retirements.

Portfolio tenor

The timing of realizations is difficult to forecast and is rarely in our control. The reality of litigation is that most cases settle and pay proceeds in a relatively short period of time, and a minority of cases go on to adjudication, which takes longer. Adjudication timing is subject to a myriad of factors, including delaying tactics by litigation opponents and court dockets and schedules, and the Covid-19 pandemic added to this uncertainty. However, we are now seeing the impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic subsiding. We believe that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic delaying trial dates also caused a delay in settlement timing, as an impending trial often can be a catalyst for a settlement. We do not believe there is a correlation between asset life and asset quality and endeavor to structure our asset pricing to compensate us if assets take longer to resolve.

We provide extensive data about the WAL of our concluded portfolio, although this data may not be predictive of the ultimate WAL of our existing portfolio. The WAL of our concluded portfolio may lengthen over time if the longer-tenor assets in our existing portfolio account for a greater share of future concluded cases. Conversely, if our larger, more recently originated cases conclude relatively quickly, the WAL of our concluded portfolio could decrease.

In calculating the WAL of our portfolio, we compute a weighted average of the WALs of individual assets. On that basis, we assess the weighted average lives (beginning at the point of average deployment) of the concluded portfolio, weighted both by deployed cost and realizations. Weighting by deployed cost provides a view on how long a dollar of capital is deployed on average, while weighting by realizations provides a view on how long it takes to recover a dollar of return on average.

The WALs of the 293 concluded assets as of June 30, 2026 were flat as compared to the WALs of the 277 concluded assets as of December 31, 2025. The table below sets forth the WALs, weighted by deployed cost and realizations, of the concluded assets, excluding the impact of our interest in private funds, as of the dates indicated.

(in years)June 30, 2026December 31, 2025
WAL weighted by deployed cost2.52.5
WAL weighted by realizations2.72.6

The age of our ongoing portfolio is reflected in the WAL of active deployed capital in the table below. Although we provide information for our portfolio by vintage years, the deployed cost for each vintage are generally financed across multiple years and the WAL of active deployed capital calculates the length of time our deployments have been outstanding based on the date when capital was deployed.

(in years)June 30, 2026December 31, 2025
WAL of active deployed capital3.53.3

Returns on concluded portfolio

The table below sets forth our ROIC, IRR and cumulative realizations on concluded and partially concluded assets in our capital provision portfolio, excluding balance sheet allocations through private funds and post-settlement deals, as of the dates indicated since inception on a Burford-only basis.

($ in thousands)June 30, 2026December 31, 2025
ROIC82%83%
IRR25%26%
Cumulative realizations$3,936,917$3,766,819

As our older vintages conclude, we may see IRR decrease as the impact from the Covid-19 pandemic caused delays in settlement timing. In addition to legal finance assets funded directly through our balance sheet, our Principal Finance segment also selectively allocates balance sheet capital through interests in certain private funds, which tend to target a lower overall risk return profile. Returns from these concluded or partially concluded assets invested through private funds and post-settlement deals are not included in the ROICs and IRRs in the table above. For the concluded or partially concluded assets from the balance sheet’s interest in Advantage Fund and post-settlement deals, these assets generated $86.0 million of realizations, resulting in a ROIC of 20% and IRR of 27%.

We do not consider matters to be concluded (and therefore part of these return metrics on our concluded portfolio) until there is no longer any litigation risk remaining. Return metrics on our concluded portfolio do not include fair value adjustments, either positive or negative. As a result, these return metrics do not include the positive or negative impact of developments on matters while they remain pending.

Portfolio by vintage

The table below sets forth a summary by vintage of every legal finance asset that we have funded directly by our balance sheet as of the date indicated since inception. Refer to our website for a table setting forth the information on all of the individual vintages.

Number of · Commitment · Deployed · Realized · Concluded (fully and partially)
($ in millions) · assets · amount(1)(2) · costs(1) · proceeds(1) · ROIC · IRR
Concluded87576475754103%—%
Partially realized - concluded—(3)5039287
Partially realized - ongoing7241154—
Ongoing32121—
Pre-2016 Total978886891,041
Concluded899197131,24580%24%
Partially realized - concluded—(3)335296573
Partially realized - ongoing38536370—
Ongoing39556341—
2016-2020 Total1662,3461,7201,818
Concluded1252417373%29%
Partially realized - concluded—(3)206203349
Partially realized - ongoing12174115—
Ongoing1311081—
2021 Total37542440422
Concluded990507083%30%
Partially realized - concluded—(3)8685176
Partially realized - ongoing13261138—
Ongoing17235172—
2022 Total39672445246
Concluded727413619257%47%
Partially realized - concluded—(3)282356
Partially realized - ongoing810775—
Ongoing926453—
2023 Total24673287248
Concluded396759436%49%
Partially realized - concluded—(3)181225
Partially realized - ongoing34715—
Ongoing30507170—
2024 Total36668272119
Concluded————175%301%
Partially realized - concluded—(3)141439
Partially realized - ongoing49184—
Ongoing31519114—
2025 Total3562421239
Concluded—————%—%
Partially realized - concluded—(3)444
Partially realized - ongoing1287—
Ongoing91486—
2026 Total10180174
Total portfolio:
Concluded2072,0071,4902,42882%25%
Partially realized - concluded(4)867416761,509
Total concluded portion2932,7482,1663,937
Partially realized – ongoing portion(4)861,485958—
Ongoing1512,360958—
Total ongoing portion2373,8451,916—
Total portfolio4446,5934,0823,937
1. Amounts in currencies other than US dollar are reported in this table at the foreign exchange rates in effect at the time of the historical transaction, i.e., when the commitment or deployment was made or when proceeds were realized, respectively. Amounts related to those transactions (such as undrawn commitments or deployed cost) reflected elsewhere in this “Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations” or in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this Form 10-Q may be reported based on the foreign exchange rates in effect as of the end of the applicable period and, therefore, may differ from the amounts in this table.
2. A portion of certain ongoing assets’ undrawn commitments are no longer an obligation. This table presents an asset’s gross original commitments, so it does not reflect a reduction in commitment for the portion that is no longer an obligation. This will result in a difference when compared to undrawn commitments in note 15 (Financial commitments and contingent liabilities) to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this Form 10-Q.
3. The number of assets for partially realized concluded transactions is listed under the number of assets for partially realized ongoing transactions as these are the concluded and ongoing portions of the same transactions.
4. As of June 30, 2026 there were 86 capital provision assets with partial realizations. We repeat the number with partial realizations in total concluded and total ongoing.

Asset Management and Other Services segment

Our Asset Management and Other Services segment manages legal finance assets on behalf of third-party investors through private funds and provides other services to the legal industry, for both of which we receive fees. These fees are primarily reflected as asset management income, which is a secondary contributor to our total revenues.

Our internal allocation policy strictly prescribes the allocation of third-party private fund capital by private fund based on the risk/return profile of assets, thus removing any potential allocation conflicts of interest with our Principal Finance segment.

We generally conduct our private fund activities through limited partnerships. Each private fund that is a limited partnership has a Burford-owned general partner that is responsible for the management and operation of the private fund’s affairs and makes all policy and asset selection decisions relating to the conduct of the private fund’s business. Except as required by law or as specified in a private fund’s governing documents, the limited partners of the private funds take no part in the conduct or control of the business of the private funds, have no right or authority to act for or bind the private funds, have limited visibility and input into the actions and decisions of the general partner and have no influence over the voting or disposition of the securities or other assets held by the private funds. Each private fund engages an investment adviser. BCIM serves as the investment adviser for all of our private funds and is registered under the Investment Advisers Act.

In addition, we operate certain “sidecar” funds pertaining to specific assets and had three active “sidecar” funds as of June 30, 2026. A “sidecar” fund is a pooled investment vehicle through which certain investors co-invest directly in specific assets alongside our private funds. Except as required by law or as specified in a “sidecar” fund’s governing documents, the investors in the “sidecar” funds take no part in the conduct or control of the business of the “sidecar” funds, have no right or authority to act for or bind the “sidecar” funds, have limited visibility and input into the actions and decisions of the general partner or manager of the “sidecar” funds and have no influence over the voting or disposition of the securities or other assets held by the “sidecar” funds. Our interest in the “sidecar” funds is generally limited to the opportunity to earn incentive fees, if any. The discussion of our private funds ignores “sidecar” funds, unless specifically included, and we collapse fund structures into overall strategies, ignoring, for example, onshore and offshore separations and parallel funds.

Unaudited condensed statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2025

The table below sets forth the components of our income/(loss) before income taxes for our Asset Management and Other Services segment for the periods indicated.

Asset Management and Other Services segmentThree months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)20262025Change% change20262025Change% change
Asset management income/(loss)$10,360$7,112$3,24846%$15,642$20,949$(5,307)(25)%
Other income/(loss)82243338990%622247375152%
Total revenues11,1827,5453,63748%16,26421,196(4,932)(23)%
Compensation and benefits2,3346,868(4,534)(66)%9,01212,120(3,108)(26)%
General, administrative and other1,4831,3691148%3,2103,177331%
Total operating expenses3,8178,237(4,420)(54)%12,22215,297(3,075)(20)%
Foreign currency transactions (gains)/losses and other expenses(164)—(164)NM(707)—(707)NM
Total other expenses(164)—(164)NM(707)—(707)NM
Income/(loss) before income taxes7,529(692)8,221NM4,7495,899(1,150)(19)%

Total revenues increased 48% for the three months ended June 30, 2026, primarily driven from higher asset management income, reflecting an increase in capital provision income earned by BOF-C and, therefore, more profit-sharing income from BOF-C contributing to asset management income for 2026.

Total operating expenses decreased 54% for the three months ended June 30, 2026, primarily due to decrease in compensation and benefits costs.

As a result of the factors described above, income/(loss) before income taxes increased for the three months ended June 30, 2026.

Total revenues decreased 23% for the six months ended June 30, 2026, primarily driven by lower performance fee income and lower management fee income from our private funds as they are in run off and are therefore earning less income period-over-period.

Total operating expenses decreased 20% for the six months ended June 30, 2026, primarily due to a decrease in compensation and benefits costs.

As a result of the factors described above, income/(loss) before income taxes decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2026.

Asset management income

Asset management income is generally categorized as either (i) management fees, which are recurring fees paid to Burford for investment management services and typically being a rate of 2% or less charged on the basis of some component of assets under management in each fund, (ii) profit sharing income, which represents income from bespoke profit-sharing agreements with third-party investors, such as our strategic sovereign wealth fund partner or (iii) performance fees, which are fees paid to Burford contingent on satisfying certain performance thresholds as designated by each fund waterfall. The timing of the recognition of performance fees is variable as they are recognized when a reliable estimate of the performance fees can be made, and it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. The maturity and the terms of the applicable distribution waterfall for each of our private funds impacts this timing.

The table below sets forth the components of our asset management income for the periods indicated.

Asset Management and Other Services segmentThree months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)20262025Change% change20262025Change% change
Management fee income$289$1,349$(1,060)(79)%$573$2,887$(2,314)(80)%
Performance fee income———NM1,2004,400(3,200)(73)%
Profit sharing income from private funds10,0715,7634,30875%13,86913,6622072%
Total asset management income10,3607,1123,24846%15,64220,949(5,307)(25)%

Asset management income increased 46% for the three months ended June 30, 2026, primarily due to higher profit-sharing income from BOF-C, mainly from higher total revenues related to BOF-C's capital provision assets primarily reflecting higher unrealized fair value adjustments.

Asset management income decreased 25% for the six months ended June 30, 2026, primarily driven by lower performance income and lower management fee income from our private funds as they are in run off and are therefore earning less income period-over-period. Starting December 1, 2025, the management fee rate for the remaining active fund, BOF, dropped from 2.0% to 0.5% per annum.

Unaudited condensed statements of financial condition as of June 30, 2026 as compared to December 31, 2025

The table below sets forth the components of our unaudited condensed statements of financial condition for our Asset Management and Other Services segment as of the dates indicated.

Asset Management and Other Services segment
($ in thousands)June 30, 2026December 31, 2025Change% change
Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities$16,219$21,666$(5,447)(25)%
Other assets178,478167,30911,1697%
Total assets219,699215,0044,6952%

Total assets increased 2% as of June 30, 2026, primarily from the related receivable of the performance fee income from the Advantage Fund and the acquisition of an equity method investment.

Portfolio value – Asset Management and Other Services segment

The table below sets forth the components of our portfolio for our Asset Management and Other Services segment as of the dates indicated.

Asset Management and Other Services segment
($ in thousands)June 30, 2026December 31, 2025Change% change
Capital provision assets - funded by third parties
Fair value$1,033,600$1,151,341$(117,741)(10)%
Undrawn commitments368,064410,339(42,275)(10)%
Total1,401,6641,561,680(160,016)(10)%
Post-settlement
Fair value185,687200,206(14,519)(7)%
Undrawn commitments19,08220,005(923)(5)%
Total204,769220,211(15,442)(7)%
Total portfolio value1,606,4331,781,891(175,458)(10)%

Total portfolio value, funded by third parties, decreased 10% as of June 30, 2026. The decrease in our total portfolio was driven by lower fair value adjustments and the impact of realizations in 2026, without offsetting new deployments in certain private funds for which the investment period has ended.

Private funds

As of June 30, 2026, we operated eight private funds and three “sidecar” funds as an investment adviser registered with, and regulated by, the SEC. The table below sets forth key statistics for each of our private funds as of the date indicated.

Investor · Asset · Asset · Fee structure(1)
commitments · commitments · deployments · (management/ · Investment
($ in millions)Strategy(6)closedto dateto dateAUMperformance)Waterfallperiod (end)
BCIM Partners II, LP(2)Core legal finance$260$253$190$124Class A: 2%/20%; Class B: 0%/50%European12/15/2015
BCIM Partners III, LPCore legal finance4124473363582%/20%European1/1/2020(3)
Burford Opportunity Fund LP & Burford Opportunity Fund B LP (BOF)Core legal finance3004183272550.5%/20%European12/31/2021(4)
BCIM Credit Opportunities, LP (COLP)Post-settlement4886996953901% on undrawn/ 2% on funded and 20% incentiveEuropean9/30/2019(3)
Burford Alternative Income Fund LP (BAIF)(2)Post-settlement3276786642511.5%/10%European4/4/2022
Burford Alternative Income Fund II LP (BAIF II)Post-settlement3503803363781.5%/12.5%European9/11/2025
Burford Advantage Master Fund LP (Advantage Fund)Lower risk legal finance360370368288Profit split(5)American12/24/2024
Burford Opportunity Fund C LP (BOF-C)(2)Core legal finance7661,320888943Expense reimbursement + profit shareHybrid12/31/2024
Total3,2634,5653,8042,987
1. Management fees are paid to BCIM for investment management and advisory services provided to our private funds. The management fee rates set forth in the table above are annualized and applied to an asset or commitment base that typically varies between a private fund’s investment period and any subsequent periods in the fund term. We no longer earn any management fees from BCIM Partners II, LP, BCIM Partners III, LP, COLP, BAIF and BAIF II. Performance fees represent carried interest applied to distributions to a private fund’s limited partners after the return of capital contributions and preferred returns.
2. Includes amounts related to “sidecar” funds.
3. Ceased commitments to new legal finance assets in the fourth quarter of 2018 due to capacity.
4. Ceased commitments to new legal finance assets in the fourth quarter of 2020 due to capacity.
5. The Advantage Fund does not have a traditional management and performance fee structure, but instead provides the first 10% of annual simple returns to the fund investors while we retain any excess returns. However, if the Advantage Fund produces returns in excess of 18% (which are supranormal for this level of risk), a level of sharing with the fund investors would take effect, but we do not expect that to occur.
6. Core legal finance is a pro-rata portion of the balance sheet assets including legacy assets prior to our 2016 acquisition of GKC Holdings, LLC.

Our total AUM was $3.0 billion and $3.2 billion as of June 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. AUM reflects the fair value of the capital invested in private funds and individual capital vehicles plus the capital that we are entitled to call from investors in those private funds and individual capital vehicles. The total portfolio value shown for our Asset Management and Other Services segment of $1.6 billion reflects the fair value of portfolio assets plus the undrawn commitments to portfolio assets, but excludes the balance sheet’s interest in the Advantage Fund, which is reflected in the portfolio value for our Principal Finance segment.

ContentsView on SEC.gov

The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.