Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) Given Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Shares of Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from the twenty-two analysts that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $56.25.

SYF has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. BTIG Research downgraded shares of Synchrony Financial from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, September 16th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Synchrony Financial from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. StockNews.com raised Synchrony Financial from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Barclays increased their target price on Synchrony Financial from $49.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Finally, Compass Point lifted their price target on Synchrony Financial from $56.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Brian J. Sr. Wenzel sold 74,698 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.73, for a total transaction of $3,490,637.54. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 76,251 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,563,209.23. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, insider Brian J. Sr. Wenzel sold 74,698 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.73, for a total value of $3,490,637.54. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 76,251 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,563,209.23. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Bart Schaller sold 930 shares of Synchrony Financial stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.84, for a total value of $47,281.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 49,390 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,510,987.60. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.33% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Synchrony Financial

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in Synchrony Financial during the 1st quarter worth $28,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd bought a new position in shares of Synchrony Financial during the second quarter worth about $31,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Synchrony Financial in the 2nd quarter worth about $33,000. WR Wealth Planners LLC lifted its position in Synchrony Financial by 83.6% in the 2nd quarter. WR Wealth Planners LLC now owns 716 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 326 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Synchrony Financial during the 2nd quarter valued at about $39,000. Institutional investors own 96.48% of the company's stock.

Synchrony Financial Price Performance

Synchrony Financial stock traded down $0.11 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $55.15. 3,144,275 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,938,657. Synchrony Financial has a 12-month low of $27.65 and a 12-month high of $57.26. The company has a market capitalization of $22.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.91, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.61. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $50.19 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $47.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.23.

Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.94 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.77 by $0.17. The firm had revenue of $3.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.76 billion. Synchrony Financial had a return on equity of 16.64% and a net margin of 13.98%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 9.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.48 EPS. Analysts forecast that Synchrony Financial will post 6.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Synchrony Financial Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 4th will be given a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 4th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.81%. Synchrony Financial's payout ratio is currently 14.35%.

Synchrony Financial Company 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.