Thompson Investment Management Inc. Sells 37,170 Shares of Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS)

Thompson Investment Management Inc. trimmed its stake in Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS - Free Report) by 65.0% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 20,016 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 37,170 shares during the period. Thompson Investment Management Inc.'s holdings in Discover Financial Services were worth $3,467,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of DFS. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC grew its position in shares of Discover Financial Services by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 2,159 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $303,000 after buying an additional 87 shares during the period. CWM LLC grew its holdings in Discover Financial Services by 0.9% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 9,841 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,381,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares during the period. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. increased its stake in Discover Financial Services by 37.1% in the third quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. now owns 292 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky raised its holdings in shares of Discover Financial Services by 491.8% during the third quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky now owns 5,622 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $789,000 after purchasing an additional 4,672 shares during the period. Finally, Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt boosted its position in shares of Discover Financial Services by 458.5% during the 3rd quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt now owns 1,949 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $273,000 after purchasing an additional 1,600 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.94% of the company's stock.

Discover Financial Services Stock Performance

Discover Financial Services stock traded down $6.44 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $188.34. The stock had a trading volume of 3,948,758 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,540,502. The firm has a market capitalization of $47.33 billion, a PE ratio of 11.80, a P/E/G ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.46. Discover Financial Services has a 12 month low of $107.10 and a 12 month high of $205.76. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $183.87 and its 200 day moving average price is $159.97.

Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 22nd. The financial services provider reported $5.11 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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, research analysts predict that Discover Financial Services will post 13.57 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Discover Financial Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be issued a $0.70 dividend. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.49%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. Discover Financial Services's payout ratio is currently 17.54%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on DFS shares. Evercore ISI upped their price target on Discover Financial Services from $156.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock an "in-line" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Discover Financial Services from $146.00 to $169.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Discover Financial Services from $193.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on shares of Discover Financial Services from $170.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of Discover Financial Services from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $150.00 to $239.00 in a report on Monday, January 13th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $186.46.

Discover Financial Services Profile

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.