Boston Partners Decreases Holdings in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF)

Boston Partners cut its holdings in shares of Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) by 9.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,781,964 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 615,894 shares during the quarter. Boston Partners’ holdings in Synchrony Financial were worth $375,902,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in SYF. Bogart Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Synchrony Financial during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. TCTC Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in Synchrony Financial in the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Larson Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in Synchrony Financial by 92.7% in the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 607 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 292 shares during the last quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd increased its holdings in Synchrony Financial by 111.5% in the 4th quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd now owns 480 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 253 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quarry LP increased its holdings in Synchrony Financial by 301.3% in the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 899 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 675 shares during the last quarter. 96.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Synchrony Financial Stock Performance

NYSE:SYF opened at $53.48 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $63.35 and a 200 day moving average of $60.24. The company has a market capitalization of $20.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.26, a PEG 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 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) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The financial services provider reported $1.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.89 by $0.02. Synchrony Financial had a return on equity of 18.30% and a net margin of 15.36%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Synchrony Financial will post 7.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Synchrony Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.87%. Synchrony Financial’s payout ratio is 11.71%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on SYF shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised Synchrony Financial from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $60.00 to $85.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 3rd. Morgan Stanley raised Synchrony Financial from an “underweight” rating to an “overweight” rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $40.00 to $82.00 in a report on Thursday, December 19th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $70.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. UBS Group lifted their target price on Synchrony Financial from $58.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, January 13th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on Synchrony Financial from $62.00 to $82.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, December 9th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Synchrony Financial currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $69.30.

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.