Plato Investment Management Ltd Decreases Holdings in Synchrony Financial $SYF

Key Points

• Plato Investment Management Ltd has reduced its holdings in Synchrony Financial by 21.3%, now owning 29,134 shares valued at approximately $1,559,000 as per the latest SEC filing.
• Several institutional investors have adjusted their positions in Synchrony Financial, with MAI Capital Management increasing its stake by 36.3%, while others made modest increases.
• Synchrony Financial reported an EPS of $2.50 in its latest earnings, significantly surpassing analysts' expectations of $1.72, despite a year-over-year revenue decrease of 1.8%.

Plato Investment Management Ltd lowered its position in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Free Report) by 21.3% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 29,134 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 7,886 shares during the quarter. Plato Investment Management Ltd's holdings in Synchrony Financial were worth $1,559,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in SYF. MAI Capital Management boosted its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial by 36.3% in the 1st quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 627 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. lifted its stake in Synchrony Financial by 0.8% in the first quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 25,806 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,366,000 after purchasing an additional 197 shares during the last quarter. Horizon Investments LLC lifted its stake in Synchrony Financial by 3.7% in the first quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 5,603 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $295,000 after purchasing an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Synchrony Financial by 2.0% during the fourth quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC now owns 11,505 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $748,000 after buying an additional 226 shares during the period. Finally, Synovus Financial Corp grew its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial by 2.6% during the first quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 9,223 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $488,000 after buying an additional 230 shares during the last quarter. 96.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Synchrony Financial Price Performance

SYF opened at $74.82 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 1.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $27.84 billion, a PE ratio of 9.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.49. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $71.97 and its 200-day moving average price is $61.38. Synchrony Financial has a 52-week low of $40.54 and a 52-week high of $77.41.

Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 22nd. The financial services provider reported $2.50 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.72 by $0.78. The company had revenue of $3.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.71 billion. Synchrony Financial had a return on equity of 21.34% and a net margin of 14.43%.The firm's revenue was down 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.55 earnings per share. Synchrony Financial has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Synchrony Financial will post 7.67 EPS for the current year.

Synchrony Financial Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 5th were paid a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, August 5th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. Synchrony Financial's payout ratio is presently 14.56%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on SYF. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Synchrony Financial from $75.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. Barclays decreased their price target on Synchrony Financial from $81.00 to $80.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. Rothschild & Co Redburn began coverage on Synchrony Financial in a research note on Friday, August 1st. They set a "neutral" rating and a $72.00 price objective for the company. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Synchrony Financial from $68.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Synchrony Financial from $52.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, July 11th. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $74.05.

Insider Activity at Synchrony Financial

In other Synchrony Financial news, insider Brian J. Sr. Wenzel sold 8,514 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.00, for a total transaction of $595,980.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 68,588 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,801,160. This represents a 11.04% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Curtis Howse sold 11,380 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.00, for a total value of $739,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 108,062 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,024,030. The trade was a 9.53% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 20,494 shares of company stock worth $1,376,450 over the last 90 days. 0.32% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.

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