Cetera Investment Advisers Increases Holdings in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF)

Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in shares of Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Free Report) by 11.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 56,438 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 5,868 shares during the quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers' holdings in Synchrony Financial were worth $3,668,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Bogart Wealth LLC bought a new position in Synchrony Financial in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. TCTC Holdings LLC bought a new stake in shares of Synchrony Financial during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Y.D. More Investments Ltd increased its position in shares of Synchrony Financial by 111.5% during the 4th 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 last quarter. Accredited Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Synchrony Financial in the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Raleigh Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial by 151.4% in the 4th quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 807 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 486 shares during the period. 96.48% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Synchrony Financial Stock Performance

NYSE SYF opened at $60.47 on Friday. 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 has a 1-year low of $40.55 and a 1-year high of $70.93. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $51.92 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $60.31. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.02 billion, a PE ratio of 7.08, a P/E/G ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.42.

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

Synchrony Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 15th. Investors of record on Monday, May 5th were given a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 5th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.98%. This is a positive change from Synchrony Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. Synchrony Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 16.46%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on SYF shares. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Synchrony Financial from $70.00 to $73.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 29th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on shares of Synchrony Financial from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $82.00 to $70.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 18th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Synchrony Financial from $70.00 to $65.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an "equal weight" rating and set a $44.00 price target (down previously from $82.00) on shares of Synchrony Financial in a report on Monday, April 7th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Synchrony Financial has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $63.95.

About Synchrony Financial

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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