Marshall Wace LLP Lowers Stake in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF)

Marshall Wace LLP lessened its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Free Report) by 76.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 102,851 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 327,095 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP's holdings in Synchrony Financial were worth $6,685,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Bogart Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Synchrony Financial in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. TCTC Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in Synchrony Financial in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Y.D. More Investments Ltd grew its holdings in 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 worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 253 shares in the last quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. increased its position in Synchrony Financial by 151.4% during the 4th quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 807 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 486 shares during the period. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Synchrony Financial by 46.5% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 810 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 257 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.48% of the company's stock.

Synchrony Financial Stock Performance

Synchrony Financial stock traded down $0.07 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $52.10. 649,328 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,939,714. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $52.49 and its 200-day moving average price is $60.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.24 and a quick ratio of 1.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.11, a P/E/G ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.45. Synchrony Financial has a 1 year low of $40.55 and a 1 year high of $70.93.

Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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. The company had revenue of $3.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.80 billion. Synchrony Financial had a net margin of 15.36% and a return on equity of 18.30%. As a group, equities analysts expect 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 will be paid on Thursday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 5th will be issued a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 5th. This is an increase from Synchrony Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.30%. Synchrony Financial's payout ratio is presently 16.46%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on SYF shares. Truist Financial cut their price objective on shares of Synchrony Financial from $65.00 to $57.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Friday. StockNews.com downgraded Synchrony Financial from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, March 24th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an "equal weight" rating and set a $44.00 price objective (down previously from $82.00) on shares of Synchrony Financial in a research report on Monday, April 7th. UBS Group lifted their target price on Synchrony Financial from $58.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Monday, January 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Synchrony Financial from $76.00 to $50.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $63.95.

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.