Kestra Investment Management LLC Takes Position in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF)

Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund bought 6,225 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $405,000.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bogart Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Synchrony Financial in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Y.D. More Investments Ltd raised its position in Synchrony Financial by 111.5% during the fourth quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd now owns 480 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 253 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in Synchrony Financial by 92.7% during the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 607 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 292 shares in the last quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Synchrony Financial by 151.4% in the fourth quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 807 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 486 shares during the period. Finally, Quarry LP grew its position in shares of Synchrony Financial by 301.3% in the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 899 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 675 shares during the period. 96.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on SYF. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Synchrony Financial from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and raised their price target for the company from $60.00 to $85.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on Synchrony Financial from $72.50 to $82.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Compass Point lowered Synchrony Financial from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $70.00 price target on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, January 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Synchrony Financial from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and increased their price objective for the company from $59.00 to $72.00 in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $58.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, January 13th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Synchrony Financial currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $69.30.

Synchrony Financial Trading Down 4.0 %

Shares of SYF traded down $2.56 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $61.29. The company had a trading volume of 2,132,898 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,646,518. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $66.69 and a 200-day simple moving average of $58.94. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. The stock has a market cap of $23.83 billion, a PE ratio of 7.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 1.63. Synchrony Financial has a 1-year low of $39.35 and a 1-year high of $70.93.

Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The financial services provider reported $1.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.89 by $0.02. Synchrony Financial had a return on equity of 18.30% and a net margin of 15.36%. Research analysts forecast that Synchrony Financial will post 7.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Synchrony Financial Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 3rd were given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.63%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 3rd. Synchrony Financial's dividend payout ratio is currently 11.71%.

Synchrony Financial Profile

Synchrony Financial, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer financial services company in the United States. It provides credit products, such as credit cards, commercial credit products, and consumer installment loans. The company also offers private label credit cards, dual co-brand and general purpose credit cards, short- and long-term installment loans, and consumer banking products; and deposit products, including certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, money market accounts, and savings accounts, and sweep and affinity deposits, as well as accepts deposits through third-party securities brokerage firms.