GTS Securities LLC Sells 36,188 Shares of Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF)

GTS Securities LLC cut its stake in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Free Report) by 91.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,222 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 36,188 shares during the period. GTS Securities LLC's holdings in Synchrony Financial were worth $209,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SYF. Vise Technologies Inc. increased its position in shares of Synchrony Financial by 128.2% in the fourth quarter. Vise Technologies Inc. now owns 12,811 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $833,000 after purchasing an additional 7,196 shares during the period. City National Bank of Florida MSD bought a new stake in Synchrony Financial during the fourth quarter worth about $705,000. Pinkerton Retirement Specialists LLC acquired a new stake in Synchrony Financial during the fourth quarter worth about $872,000. Orion Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Synchrony Financial in the 4th quarter valued at about $84,000. Finally, PharVision Advisers LLC bought a new position in Synchrony Financial in the 4th quarter valued at about $211,000. 96.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Synchrony Financial Trading Up 0.8%

Shares of SYF stock traded up $0.47 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $58.12. 2,418,411 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,914,537. The stock has a market cap of $22.12 billion, a PE ratio of 6.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.42. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $52.94 and its 200 day simple moving average is $60.12. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. Synchrony Financial has a 12 month low of $40.55 and a 12 month high of $70.93.

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

Synchrony Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 5th were given a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.06%. This is an increase from Synchrony Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 5th. Synchrony Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 16.46%.

Insider Buying and Selling

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on SYF shares. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed 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. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Synchrony Financial from $76.00 to $50.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Synchrony Financial from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on Synchrony Financial from $82.00 to $70.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $70.00 to $65.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $63.95.

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.