Applied Finance Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 5,697 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $987,000.
A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Discover Financial Services in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Grove Bank & Trust increased its position in Discover Financial Services by 78.1% in the fourth quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 203 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares during the period. Bfsg LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Discover Financial Services during the 4th quarter worth $37,000. 86.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Discover Financial Services Stock Performance
Shares of DFS traded down $1.64 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $156.98. The stock had a trading volume of 1,581,144 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,579,890. Discover Financial Services has a one year low of $119.31 and a one year high of $205.76. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. The firm has a market cap of $39.50 billion, a PE ratio of 9.84, a P/E/G ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.20. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $175.40 and a 200-day simple moving average of $171.86.
Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 22nd. The financial services provider reported $5.11 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.13 by $1.98. Discover Financial Services had a net margin of 17.29% and a return on equity of 26.18%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Discover Financial Services will post 13.88 EPS for the current year.
Discover Financial Services Dividend Announcement
The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.78%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. Discover Financial Services's payout ratio is 17.54%.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Discover Financial Services from $169.00 to $129.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Discover Financial Services from $185.00 to $214.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. UBS Group raised Discover Financial Services from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their price target for the stock from $150.00 to $239.00 in a research report on Monday, January 13th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Discover Financial Services from $193.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Discover Financial Services from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Discover Financial Services has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $188.40.
Get Our Latest Research Report on DFS
Discover Financial Services Company Profile
(
Free Report)
Discover Financial Services, through its subsidiaries, provides digital banking products and services, and payment services in the United States. It operates in two segments, Digital Banking and Payment Services. The Digital Banking segment offers Discover-branded credit cards to individuals; personal loans, home loans, and other consumer lending; and direct-to-consumer deposit products comprising savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, IRA certificates of deposit, IRA savings accounts and checking accounts, and sweep accounts.
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