Smartleaf Asset Management LLC Cuts Stock Position in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF)

Smartleaf Asset Management LLC cut its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) by 35.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,940 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 1,581 shares during the quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Synchrony Financial were worth $191,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of SYF. Bogart Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Synchrony Financial in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in Synchrony Financial by 92.7% during the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 607 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 292 shares in the last quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd lifted its position in Synchrony Financial by 111.5% in the fourth quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd now owns 480 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 253 shares during the period. Quarry LP lifted its position in Synchrony Financial by 301.3% in the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 899 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 675 shares during the period. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in Synchrony Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $50,000. 96.48% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Synchrony Financial Price Performance

NYSE:SYF opened at $55.81 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $21.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.63. Synchrony Financial has a 12-month low of $39.67 and a 12-month high of $70.93. The company has a current ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. The company’s 50-day moving average is $65.39 and its two-hundred day moving average is $59.88.

Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The financial services provider reported $1.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.89 by $0.02. Synchrony Financial had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 18.30%. Research analysts expect that Synchrony Financial will post 7.67 EPS for the current year.

Synchrony Financial Announces Dividend

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 of this dividend was Monday, February 3rd. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.79%. Synchrony Financial’s payout ratio is currently 11.71%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

SYF has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised Synchrony Financial from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their target price for the stock from $60.00 to $85.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 3rd. Morgan Stanley raised Synchrony Financial from an “underweight” rating to an “overweight” rating and raised their target price for the company from $40.00 to $82.00 in a report on Thursday, December 19th. Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of Synchrony Financial from $72.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Compass Point cut shares of Synchrony Financial from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $70.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Tuesday, January 28th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Synchrony Financial from $70.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 29th. Seven equities research 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 company. According to MarketBeat, Synchrony Financial has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target 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.