Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) Shares Acquired by Czech National Bank

Czech National Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Free Report) by 5.8% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 89,289 shares of the financial services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 4,871 shares during the period. Czech National Bank's holdings in Synchrony Financial were worth $4,727,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SYF. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in Synchrony Financial by 7.5% in the 4th quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 178,811 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $11,787,000 after purchasing an additional 12,492 shares during the period. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new position in Synchrony Financial in the 4th quarter valued at about $57,000. Summit Trail Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Synchrony Financial during the fourth quarter worth approximately $423,000. NEOS Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Synchrony Financial by 31.4% during the fourth quarter. NEOS Investment Management LLC now owns 25,622 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,665,000 after purchasing an additional 6,120 shares during the period. Finally, Edgestream Partners L.P. bought a new position in shares of Synchrony Financial during the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,121,000. Institutional investors own 96.48% of the company's stock.

Synchrony Financial Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of SYF stock traded down $0.43 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $57.45. 2,520,332 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,904,648. The stock has a market cap of $21.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.73, a P/E/G ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.42. The stock's fifty day moving average is $53.20 and its two-hundred day moving average is $60.05. Synchrony Financial has a 52-week low of $40.55 and a 52-week 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 - Get Free Report) last announced 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 firm had revenue of $3.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.80 billion. Equities analysts predict that Synchrony Financial will post 7.67 EPS for the current 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 paid a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 5th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.09%. This is a boost from Synchrony Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. Synchrony Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 16.46%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently issued reports on SYF shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Synchrony Financial from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Synchrony Financial from $76.00 to $50.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Truist Financial lowered their target price on shares of Synchrony Financial from $65.00 to $57.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price target on shares of Synchrony Financial from $82.00 to $70.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, March 18th. Finally, Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on shares of Synchrony Financial from $64.00 to $56.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $63.95.

Insider Activity at Synchrony Financial

In other Synchrony Financial news, insider Jonathan S. Mothner sold 40,639 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.07, for a total value of $2,441,184.73. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 146,628 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,807,943.96. This trade represents a 21.70% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.32% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.