Short Interest in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) Expands By 16.8%

Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 14,540,000 shares, an increase of 16.8% from the February 13th total of 12,450,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 3,800,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.8 days. Currently, 3.8% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Synchrony Financial Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of Synchrony Financial stock traded up $0.20 during trading on Friday, hitting $54.07. 6,429,552 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,661,844. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.67. Synchrony Financial has a 1-year low of $39.67 and a 1-year high of $70.93. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $62.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $60.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.24 and a quick ratio of 1.24.

Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The financial services provider reported $1.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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, sell-side analysts expect that Synchrony Financial will post 7.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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Synchrony Financial Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, February 18th. Investors of record on Monday, February 3rd were given a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 3rd. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.85%. Synchrony Financial's dividend payout ratio is presently 11.71%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised Synchrony Financial from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $60.00 to $85.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 3rd. Compass Point cut Synchrony Financial from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $70.00 price target for the company. in a report on Tuesday, January 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Synchrony Financial from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and lifted their price target for the company from $59.00 to $72.00 in a report on Monday, December 9th. Barclays raised Synchrony Financial from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and lifted their price target for the company from $59.00 to $79.00 in a report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised 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 report on Thursday, December 19th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Synchrony Financial currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $68.10.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Synchrony Financial

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SYF. Apollon Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Synchrony Financial by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,094 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $461,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd grew its holdings in Synchrony Financial by 6.0% in the 4th quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 3,085 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $200,000 after buying an additional 174 shares in the last quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC grew its holdings in Synchrony Financial by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC now owns 9,290 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $604,000 after buying an additional 176 shares in the last quarter. Smithfield Trust Co grew its holdings in Synchrony Financial by 19.7% in the 4th quarter. Smithfield Trust Co now owns 1,099 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $69,000 after buying an additional 181 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wedmont Private Capital grew its holdings in Synchrony Financial by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 7,700 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $491,000 after buying an additional 192 shares in the last quarter. 96.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.