Polianta Ltd Cuts Stock Position in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF)

Polianta Ltd lessened its holdings in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Free Report) by 15.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 21,800 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 4,000 shares during the quarter. Synchrony Financial accounts for 0.7% of Polianta Ltd's investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Polianta Ltd's holdings in Synchrony Financial were worth $1,417,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in Synchrony Financial by 92.7% during the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 607 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 292 shares during the last quarter. Altshuler Shaham Ltd bought a new position in shares of Synchrony Financial during the second quarter valued at about $31,000. Quarry LP boosted its holdings in shares of Synchrony Financial by 301.3% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 899 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 675 shares during the period. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Synchrony Financial during the third quarter worth about $50,000. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial by 36.6% in the third quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,662 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $83,000 after purchasing an additional 445 shares during the last quarter. 96.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

SYF has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $60.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on shares of Synchrony Financial from $58.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Synchrony Financial from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and raised their target price for the stock from $59.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Compass Point boosted their price target on shares of Synchrony Financial from $60.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on shares of Synchrony Financial from $58.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $65.45.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Curtis Howse sold 21,934 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.13, for a total value of $1,209,221.42. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 99,743 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,498,831.59. This trade represents a 18.03 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Jonathan S. Mothner sold 34,163 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.99, for a total value of $2,220,253.37. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 127,587 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,291,879.13. This trade represents a 21.12 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.33% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Synchrony Financial Stock Performance

SYF traded up $0.92 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $68.73. 2,326,369 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,599,523. The company's 50-day moving average is $66.27 and its 200 day moving average is $56.09. Synchrony Financial has a 52 week low of $35.29 and a 52 week high of $69.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $26.76 billion, a PE ratio of 8.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.64. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06.

Synchrony Financial Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 15th. Investors of record on Monday, November 4th were issued a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 4th. Synchrony Financial's dividend payout ratio is currently 13.05%.

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.