Skip to main content

Burford Capital Ltd

For the period ended Sep 30, 2026. Filed Nov 4, 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.

Sep 30, 2026 · Filed Nov 4, 2026

BUR$3.65-1.6%Stored close · as of Nov 10, 2026

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

See the whole filing, with its images and exhibits

Critical accounting estimates and reconciliations

Critical accounting estimates

The preparation of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires our management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of capital provision assets. Our management bases these estimates and judgments on available information, historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. However, these estimates, judgments and assumptions are often subjective and may be impacted negatively based on changing circumstances or changes in our analyses. We believe that our critical accounting policies could potentially produce materially different results if we were to change underlying estimates, judgments and/or assumptions.

Set forth below are certain aspects of our critical accounting policy. For a full discussion of this critical accounting policy and other significant accounting policies, see note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies) to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this Form 10-Q.

The determination of fair value for capital provision assets and financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets involves significant estimates and judgments. While the potential range of outcomes for the assets is wide, our fair value estimation is our best assessment of the current fair value of each asset or liability. Such an estimate is inherently subjective, being based largely on management’s estimate of forecasted cash flows, an assigned discount rate and an assessment of how individual events have changed the possible outcomes of the asset and their relative probabilities and hence the extent to which the fair value has altered. The aggregate of the fair values selected falls within a wide range of reasonably possible estimates. In our management’s opinion, there is no useful alternative valuation that would better quantify the market risk inherent in the portfolio and there are no inputs or variables to which the values of the assets are correlated other than interest rates that impact the discount rates applied. See note 11 (Fair value of assets and liabilities) to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this Form 10-Q and “—Fair value of capital provision assets” for additional information with respect to fair value.

As of September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, should management’s estimate of the value of those instruments have been 10% higher or lower than provided for in our fair value estimates, while all other variables remained constant, our unaudited condensed consolidated income and net assets would have increased or decreased, as applicable, by $335.5 million and $491.1 million, respectively.

Furthermore, as of September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, should interest rates have been 50 or 100 basis points lower or higher than the actual interest rates used in the fair value estimates, while all other variables remained constant, our unaudited condensed consolidated income and net assets and the Principal Finance segment’s unaudited condensed consolidated income and net assets would have increased or decreased, as applicable, by the amounts set forth below.

Consolidated (GAAP)
($ in thousands)September 30, 2026December 31, 2025
+100 bps interest rates$(121,478)$(166,466)
+50 bps interest rates(61,100)(83,662)
-50 bps interest rates65,21987,423
-100 bps interest rates131,325175,812
Principal Finance segment
($ in thousands)September 30, 2026December 31, 2025
+100 bps interest rates$(101,774)$(124,625)
+50 bps interest rates(51,387)(62,755)
-50 bps interest rates54,30165,276
-100 bps interest rates109,752131,524

As of September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2025, should duration have been six or 12 months lower or higher than the actual duration used in the fair value estimates, while all other variables remained constant, our unaudited condensed consolidated income and net assets and the Principal Finance segment’s unaudited condensed consolidated income and net assets would have increased or decreased, as applicable, by the amounts set forth below.

Consolidated (GAAP)
($ in thousands)September 30, 2026December 31, 2025
+12 months duration(1)$(291,304)$(422,303)
+6 months duration(1)(142,903)(229,491)
-6 months duration(1)162,524199,038
-12 months duration(1)312,624383,172
1. Duration refers to the expected timing of a favorable outcome. See note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies—Fair value of financial instruments) to the Group’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this Form 10-Q for additional information with respect to the valuation methodology for Level 3 assets.
Principal Finance segment
($ in thousands)September 30, 2026December 31, 2025
+12 months duration(1)$(227,103)$(299,693)
+6 months duration(1)(111,260)(161,827)
-6 months duration(1)127,606143,208
-12 months duration(1)241,151278,437
1. Duration refers to the expected timing of a favorable outcome. See note 2 (Summary of significant accounting policies—Fair value of financial instruments) to the Group’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this Form 10-Q for additional information with respect to the valuation methodology for Level 3 assets.

The sensitivity impact has been provided on a pre-tax basis for both our consolidated income and net assets because the fluctuation in our effective tax rate from period to period could indicate changes in sensitivity not driven by the valuation that we consider difficult to follow and detract from the comparability of this information.

Reconciliations

The tables below set forth the reconciliations of (i) the unaudited condensed consolidated operating expenses to total segments (Burford-only) operating expenses for the periods indicated and (ii) the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition to total segments (Burford-only) unaudited condensed statements of financial condition as of the dates indicated. See“Non-GAAP financial measures and KPIs—Non-GAAP financial measures relating to our business structure” for additional information.

The first column in the tables below sets forth our results of operations on a consolidated basis as reported in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP. These results of operations include investments in a number of entities that are not wholly owned subsidiaries of Burford Capital Limited and, therefore, contain third-party capital, including BOF-C, the Advantage Fund, Colorado, the EP Funds and other entities. The presentation of our results of operations on a consolidated basis requires a line-by-line consolidation of 100% of each non-wholly owned entity’s assets and liabilities. The portion of the net assets that is attributable to the third-party interests are then presented separately as single line items within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. We believe it is helpful to exclude the interests of investors other than Burford in our discussion of our results of operations, and we have therefore, as an alternative presentation, excluded from our presentation of our results of operations the non-Burford portion of the individual assets and liabilities relating to such third-party capital. The reconciliations eliminate the line-by-line consolidation of all the applicable entities’ individual assets and liabilities required by US GAAP to present Burford’s investment in the non-wholly owned entities and Burford’s share of the gain or loss earned on such investment.

Reconciliations of unaudited condensed consolidated operating expenses to total segments (Burford-only) unaudited condensed operating expenses

The table below sets forth the reconciliations of components of the unaudited condensed consolidated operating expenses to total segments (Burford-only) unaudited condensed operating expenses for the periods indicated.

($ in thousands)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)
Compensation and benefits
Salaries and benefits$10,854$—$10,854
Annual incentive compensation4,484—4,484
Share-based and deferred compensation2,878—2,878
Long-term incentive compensation including accruals17,800—17,800
General, administrative and other9,096(377)8,719
Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost4,005(222)3,783
Total operating expenses49,117(599)48,518
Compensation and benefits
Salaries and benefits11,215—11,215
Annual incentive compensation5,091—5,091
Share-based and deferred compensation6,922—6,922
Long-term incentive compensation including accruals7,468—7,468
General, administrative and other10,527(84)10,443
Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost3,793(2,207)1,586
Total operating expenses45,016(2,291)42,725
($ in thousands)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)
Compensation and benefits
Salaries and benefits$42,170$—$42,170
Annual incentive compensation14,025—14,025
Share-based and deferred compensation(117)—(117)
Long-term incentive compensation including accruals(105,602)—(105,602)
General, administrative and other26,296(434)25,862
Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost(30,310)61,49431,184
Total operating expenses(53,538)61,0607,522
Compensation and benefits
Salaries and benefits35,359—35,359
Annual incentive compensation14,410—14,410
Share-based and deferred compensation16,986—16,986
Long-term incentive compensation including accruals27,208—27,208
General, administrative and other28,529(300)28,229
Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost12,690(6,522)6,168
Total operating expenses135,182(6,822)128,360

Reconciliations of unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition to total segments (Burford-only) unaudited condensed statements of financial condition

The tables below set forth the reconciliations of unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition to total segments (Burford-only) unaudited condensed statements of financial condition as of the dates indicated.

($ in thousands)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$463,756$(16,992)$446,764
Marketable securities67,406—67,406
Other assets77,349134,287211,636
Due from settlement of capital provision assets120,422—120,422
Capital provision assets3,337,579(886,305)2,451,274
Goodwill134,003—134,003
Deferred tax asset2,235—2,235
Total assets4,202,750(769,010)3,433,740
Liabilities
Debt interest payable44,484—44,484
Other liabilities88,808(7,223)81,585
Long-term incentive compensation payable107,398—107,398
Debt payable2,300,133—2,300,133
Financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets101,591(101,591)—
Deferred tax liability52,185—52,185
Total liabilities2,694,599(108,814)2,585,785
Total shareholders' equity1,508,151(660,196)847,955
($ in thousands)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$566,437$(35,246)$531,191
Marketable securities89,486—89,486
Other assets73,743117,914191,657
Due from settlement of capital provision assets164,804—164,804
Capital provision assets5,609,949(1,697,755)3,912,194
Goodwill134,020—134,020
Deferred tax asset2,733—2,733
Total assets6,641,172(1,615,087)5,026,085
Liabilities
Debt interest payable60,033—60,033
Other liabilities191,606(76,888)114,718
Long-term incentive compensation payable228,366—228,366
Debt payable2,127,829—2,127,829
Financial liabilities relating to third-party interests in capital provision assets858,491(858,491)—
Deferred tax liability47,117—47,117
Total liabilities3,513,442(935,379)2,578,063
Total shareholders' equity3,127,730(679,708)2,448,022

Reconciliations of capital provision assets

The tables below set forth the reconciliations of components of the consolidated capital provision assets as of the beginning and end of period and deployed cost and unrealized fair value as of the end of period to total segments (Burford-only) capital provision assets as of the beginning and end of period and deployed cost and unrealized fair value as of the end of period, in each case, for the periods indicated.

Three months ended September 30, 2026Nine months ended September 30, 2026
($ in thousands)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)
Beginning of period$3,184,677$(865,180)$2,319,497$5,609,949$(1,697,755)$3,912,194
Transfers———(23,043)(1,003)(24,046)
Deployments100,440(15,554)84,886350,463(63,467)286,996
Realizations(94,324)25,739(68,585)(344,603)93,360(251,243)
Income for the period147,911(31,124)116,787(2,245,560)782,416(1,463,144)
Foreign exchange gains/(losses)(1,125)(186)(1,311)(9,627)144(9,483)
End of period3,337,579(886,305)2,451,2743,337,579(886,305)2,451,274
Deployed cost, end of period2,595,249(659,233)1,936,0162,595,249(659,233)1,936,016
Unrealized fair value, end of period742,330(227,072)515,258742,330(227,072)515,258
Capital provision assets3,337,579(886,305)2,451,2743,337,579(886,305)2,451,274
Three months ended September 30, 2025Nine months ended September 30, 2025
($ in thousands)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)
Beginning of period$5,544,683$(1,733,413)$3,811,270$5,243,917$(1,672,693)$3,571,224
Deployments136,745(18,121)118,624453,525(129,804)323,721
Realizations(139,361)56,905(82,456)(518,286)217,312(300,974)
Income for the period73,716(17,834)55,882410,470(126,008)284,462
Foreign exchange gains/(losses)(478)(175)(653)25,679(1,445)24,234
End of period5,615,305(1,712,638)3,902,6675,615,305(1,712,638)3,902,667
Deployed cost, end of period2,467,503(656,487)1,811,0162,467,503(656,487)1,811,016
Unrealized fair value, end of period3,147,802(1,056,151)2,091,6513,147,802(1,056,151)2,091,651
Capital provision assets5,615,305(1,712,638)3,902,6675,615,305(1,712,638)3,902,667

Reconciliations of capital provision income

The tables below set forth the reconciliations of components of the consolidated capital provision income to total segments (Burford-only) capital provision income for the periods indicated.

Three months ended September 30, 2026Nine months ended September 30, 2026
($ in thousands)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)
Net realized gains/(losses)$24,953$(6,163)$18,790$122,778$(40,685)$82,093
Fair value adjustment during the period, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses)122,958(24,961)97,997(2,368,338)823,101(1,545,237)
Income/(loss) on capital provision assets147,911(31,124)116,787(2,245,560)782,416(1,463,144)
Foreign exchange gains/(losses)(1,354)(42)(1,396)(7,201)(77)(7,278)
Net income/(loss) from due from settlement of capital provision assets1,301—1,3013,121—3,121
Other income/(loss)(308)—(308)(96)—(96)
Total capital provision income147,550(31,166)116,384(2,249,736)782,339(1,467,397)
Three months ended September 30, 2025Nine months ended September 30, 2025
($ in thousands)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)
Net realized gains/(losses)$70,787$(38,848)$31,939$178,702$(85,587)$93,115
Fair value adjustment during the period, net of previously recognized unrealized gains/(losses) transferred to realized gains/(losses)2,92921,01423,943231,768(40,421)191,347
Income/(loss) on capital provision assets73,716(17,834)55,882410,470(126,008)284,462
Foreign exchange gains/(losses)2,164(174)1,99018,540(1,320)17,220
Net income/(loss) on due from settlement of capital provision assets2,957—2,9575,912—5,912
Other income/(loss)1,231—1,231826—826
Total capital provision income80,068(18,008)62,060435,748(127,328)308,420

Reconciliations of due from settlement of capital provision assets

The tables below set forth the reconciliations of components of the consolidated due from settlement of capital provision assets as of the beginning and end of period to total segments (Burford-only) due from settlement of capital provision assets as of the beginning and end of period for the periods indicated.

Three months ended September 30, 2026Nine months ended September 30, 2026
($ in thousands)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)
Beginning of period$122,370$—$122,370$164,804$—$164,804
Transfer of realizations from capital provision assets94,324(25,739)68,585344,603(93,360)251,243
Net income/(loss)1,301—1,3013,121—3,121
Proceeds from capital provision assets(97,457)25,739(71,718)(391,838)93,360(298,478)
Foreign exchange gains/(losses)(116)—(116)(268)—(268)
End of period120,422—120,422120,422—120,422
Three months ended September 30, 2025Nine months ended September 30, 2025
($ in thousands)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)
Beginning of period$118,451$—$118,451$183,858$(207)$183,651
Transfer of realizations from capital provision assets139,361(56,905)82,456518,286(217,312)300,974
Net income/(loss)2,957—2,9575,912—5,912
Proceeds from capital provision assets(159,138)56,905(102,233)(606,950)217,519(389,431)
Foreign exchange gains/(losses)(4,871)—(4,871)(4,346)—(4,346)
End of period96,760—96,76096,760—96,760

Reconciliations of capital provision undrawn commitments

The tables below set forth the reconciliations of the consolidated capital provision undrawn commitments to total segments (Burford-only) capital provision undrawn commitments as of the dates indicated.

($ in thousands)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)
Definitive$1,264,360$(138,324)$1,126,036
Discretionary627,407(138,330)489,077
Legal risk (definitive)47,032—47,032
Total capital provision undrawn commitments1,938,799(276,654)1,662,145
($ in thousands)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)
Definitive$1,269,708$(161,649)$1,108,059
Discretionary793,533(165,507)628,026
Legal risk (definitive)47,235—47,235
Total capital provision undrawn commitments2,110,476(327,156)1,783,320

Reconciliations of asset management income

The tables below set forth the reconciliations of components of the consolidated asset management income to total segments (Burford-only) asset management income for the periods indicated.

Three months ended September 30, 2026Nine months ended September 30, 2026
($ in thousands)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)
Management fee income$277$—$277$850$—$850
Performance fee income—2,2002,200—3,4003,400
Profit sharing income from funds—10,72110,721—24,59024,590
Total asset management income27712,92113,19885027,99028,840
Three months ended September 30, 2025Nine months ended September 30, 2025
($ in thousands)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)ConsolidatedThird-party interestsTotal segments (Burford-only)
Management fee income$1,347$—$1,347$4,234$—$4,234
Performance fee income1,200—1,2001,2004,4005,600
Profit sharing income from funds—(2,715)(2,715)—10,94710,947
Total asset management income2,547(2,715)(168)5,43415,34720,781

Deployments reconciliations

The table below sets forth the reconciliations of the components of consolidated deployments to Burford-only deployments for the periods indicated.

Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
($ in thousands)2026202520262025
Consolidated deployments$100,440$136,745$350,463$453,525
Plus/(Less): Third-party interests(15,554)(18,121)(63,467)(129,804)
Total segments (Burford-only) total deployments84,886118,624286,996323,721
Plus/(Less): Capital deployed to fund level and invested/ (not invested)4,493(259)(7,919)1,650
Plus/(Less): Case-related expenditures ineligible for inclusion in asset cost4,63936710,0164,048
Adjusted Burford-only total deployments94,018118,732289,093329,419

See “Non-GAAP financial measures and KPIs—KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures relating to our operating and financial performance—KPIs” and “Glossary” for additional information with respect to certain terms useful for the understanding of our deployments information and “—Segments—Principal Finance segment—Portfolio value—Principal Finance segment” for additional information with respect to our deployments.

Realizations reconciliations

The table below sets forth the reconciliations of the components of consolidated realizations to Burford-only realizations for the periods indicated.

Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
($ in thousands)2026202520262025
Consolidated realizations$94,324$139,361$344,603$518,286
Plus/(Less): Third-party interests(25,739)(56,905)(93,360)(217,312)
Total segments (Burford-only) total realizations68,58582,456251,243300,974
Plus/(Less): Realizations from other income on due from settlement of capital provision assets1,3012,9573,1215,912
Plus/(Less): Reported realizations held at joint venture and not yet distributed4,68019111,1723,945
Plus/(Less): Reported realizations held at fund level and not yet distributed469(316)95912,724
Plus/(Less): Prior period realizations held at fund level and distributed in the current period———(13,233)
Adjusted Burford-only total realizations75,03585,288266,495310,322

See “Non-GAAP financial measures and KPIs—KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures relating to our operating and financial performance—KPIs” and “Glossary” for additional information with respect to certain terms useful for the understanding of our realizations information and “—Segments—Principal Finance segment—Portfolio value – Principal Finance segment” for additional information with respect to our realizations.

Cash receipts reconciliations

The table below sets forth the reconciliations of Burford-only cash receipts to consolidated cash receipts, the most comparable measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP, for the periods indicated.

Nine months ended September 30,
($ in thousands)20262025
Consolidated proceeds from capital provision assets$391,838$606,950
Plus/(Less): Third-party interests(93,360)(217,519)
Total segments (Burford-only) proceeds from capital provision assets298,478389,431
Consolidated asset management income8505,434
Plus/(Less): Eliminated income from funds27,99015,347
Total segments (Burford-only) asset management income28,84020,781
Plus/(Less): Non-cash adjustments(1)(15,290)(4,038)
Burford-only proceeds from asset management income13,55016,743
Burford-only proceeds from marketable securities interest and dividends18,14315,302
Burford-only proceeds from other income5,7932,012
Burford-only proceeds from other items23,93617,314
Cash receipts335,964423,488
1. Adjustments for the change in asset management receivables accrued during the applicable period but not yet received as of the end of such period.

See “Non-GAAP financial measures and KPIs—KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures relating to our operating and financial performance—Non-GAAP financial measures” and “—Liquidity and capital resources—Cash receipts” for additional information with respect to cash receipts.

Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited and tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share reconciliations

The table below sets forth the reconciliations of tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited and tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share to total Burford Capital Limited equity, the most comparable measure calculated in accordance with US GAAP, as of the dates indicated.

($ in thousands, except share data)September 30, 2026December 31, 2025
Total Burford Capital Limited equity$847,955$2,448,022
Less: Goodwill(134,003)(134,020)
Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited713,9522,314,002
Basic ordinary shares outstanding219,595,601218,897,440
Tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share3.2510.57

See “Non-GAAP financial measures and KPIs—KPIs and non-GAAP financial measures relating to our operating and financial performance—Non-GAAP financial measures” for additional information with respect to tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited and tangible book value attributable to Burford Capital Limited per ordinary share.

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.