Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 12,450,000 shares, an increase of 33.3% from the January 31st total of 9,340,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,540,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.5 days. Approximately 3.2% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently weighed in on SYF. Morgan Stanley upgraded Synchrony Financial from an "underweight" rating to an "overweight" rating and lifted their price target for the company from $40.00 to $82.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 19th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $58.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, January 13th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 28th. Barclays raised Synchrony Financial from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $59.00 to $79.00 in a report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $72.50 to $82.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $69.30.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Synchrony Financial

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bogart Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Synchrony Financial during the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. TCTC Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in Synchrony Financial during the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Y.D. More Investments Ltd grew 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 valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 253 shares during the period. Accredited Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Synchrony Financial during the fourth quarter valued at about $38,000. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its holdings in Synchrony Financial by 92.7% in 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 during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.48% of the company's stock.

Synchrony Financial Trading Up 1.1 %

Synchrony Financial stock traded up $0.62 during trading on Friday, hitting $54.77. The company's stock had a trading volume of 6,713,095 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,924,098. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.41, a P/E/G ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.63. The stock's fifty day moving average is $64.91 and its 200 day moving average is $59.89. Synchrony Financial has a 1-year low of $39.67 and a 1-year high of $70.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 1.24.

Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The financial services provider reported $1.91 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.89 by $0.02. Synchrony Financial had a return on equity of 18.30% and a net margin of 15.36%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Synchrony Financial will post 7.67 EPS for the current year.

Synchrony Financial Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 18th. Investors of record on Monday, February 3rd were paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 3rd. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.83%. Synchrony Financial's payout ratio is currently 11.71%.

About Synchrony Financial

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.