Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd Grows Position in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF)

Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd lifted its position in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Free Report) by 109.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 76,724 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 40,162 shares during the quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd's holdings in Synchrony Financial were worth $4,062,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in SYF. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Synchrony Financial in the 4th quarter valued at about $347,903,000. Sachem Head Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Synchrony Financial in the 4th quarter valued at about $142,838,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in shares of Synchrony Financial by 340.9% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 2,512,340 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $163,303,000 after purchasing an additional 1,942,573 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its position in shares of Synchrony Financial by 755.7% in the 1st quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 2,179,984 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $115,408,000 after purchasing an additional 1,925,217 shares during the period. Finally, Azora Capital LP boosted its position in shares of Synchrony Financial by 700.5% in the 4th quarter. Azora Capital LP now owns 2,107,839 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $137,010,000 after purchasing an additional 1,844,509 shares during the period. 96.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Synchrony Financial Stock Performance

Shares of SYF stock traded up $1.17 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $72.98. 960,076 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,147,723. The company has a market cap of $27.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.46. The company's 50 day moving average is $64.00 and its two-hundred day moving average is $59.99. Synchrony Financial has a 1 year low of $40.54 and a 1 year high of $72.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.24 and a quick ratio of 1.25.

Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 22nd. The financial services provider reported $2.50 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.72 by $0.78. Synchrony Financial had a return on equity of 21.34% and a net margin of 14.43%. The firm had revenue of $3.65 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.71 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.55 EPS. Synchrony Financial's quarterly revenue was down 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that Synchrony Financial will post 7.67 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Synchrony Financial Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 5th will be paid a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.64%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 5th. Synchrony Financial's payout ratio is currently 14.56%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

SYF has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $70.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $75.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Cfra Research raised Synchrony Financial to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Truist Financial increased their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $68.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $75.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $74.17.

Insider Activity at Synchrony Financial

In related news, insider Jonathan S. Mothner sold 40,639 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 146,628 shares of the company's stock, valued at $8,807,943.96. This trade represents a 21.70% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 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 directly owned 108,062 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,024,030. The trade was a 9.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.32% of the company's stock.

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.