Axa S.A. Cuts Stock Position in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF)

Axa S.A. cut its holdings in shares of Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Free Report) by 25.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 133,483 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 46,104 shares during the quarter. Axa S.A.'s holdings in Synchrony Financial were worth $8,676,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in SYF. Accredited Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Synchrony Financial during the fourth quarter worth about $38,000. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec increased its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 1,141,146 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $74,174,000 after purchasing an additional 10,880 shares during the last quarter. Voleon Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Synchrony Financial in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,656,000. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Synchrony Financial by 105.5% in the fourth quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 180,548 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $11,736,000 after purchasing an additional 92,705 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AdvisorShares Investments LLC bought a new position in Synchrony Financial during the fourth quarter valued at $468,000. 96.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Synchrony Financial Stock Performance

NYSE:SYF opened at $54.19 on Tuesday. Synchrony Financial has a 1-year low of $40.55 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. The business has a 50 day moving average of $51.70 and a 200 day moving average of $60.26. The company has a market capitalization of $20.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.35, a PEG ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.42.

Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 22nd. The financial services provider reported $1.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.63 by $0.26. Synchrony Financial had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 18.30%. The firm had revenue of $3.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.80 billion. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Synchrony Financial will post 7.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Synchrony Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.30 per share. This is a boost from Synchrony Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.21%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 5th. Synchrony Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 16.46%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have issued reports on SYF. Morgan Stanley restated an "equal weight" rating and issued a $44.00 target price (down from $82.00) on shares of Synchrony Financial in a research note on Monday, April 7th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Synchrony Financial from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 28th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Synchrony Financial from $70.00 to $65.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. StockNews.com lowered shares of Synchrony Financial from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, March 24th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Synchrony Financial from $70.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $63.95.

Synchrony Financial 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.

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