Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) Shares Sold by MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH

MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH cut its holdings in shares of Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Free Report) by 22.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 205,916 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 58,581 shares during the period. MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH's holdings in Synchrony Financial were worth $7,864,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new stake in Synchrony Financial during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Covestor Ltd lifted its stake in Synchrony Financial by 138.8% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,108 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 644 shares during the last quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in Synchrony Financial during the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Zions Bancorporation N.A. lifted its stake in Synchrony Financial by 230.5% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 1,226 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 855 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV lifted its stake in Synchrony Financial by 44.1% during the fourth quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 1,274 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 390 shares during the last quarter. 96.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Synchrony Financial Stock Up 2.0 %

Shares of SYF traded up $0.84 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $43.12. 4,208,241 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,743,889. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $40.36 and a two-hundred day moving average of $35.28. Synchrony Financial has a twelve month low of $26.59 and a twelve month high of $43.83. The stock has a market cap of $17.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.32, a P/E/G ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.61. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21.

Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 23rd. The financial services provider reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.93 by $0.10. Synchrony Financial had a net margin of 10.68% and a return on equity of 17.37%. The company had revenue of $5.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.45 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.26 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Synchrony Financial will post 5.7 earnings per share for the current year.

Synchrony Financial Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 5th were paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 2nd. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.32%. Synchrony Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 19.31%.

Insider Transactions at Synchrony Financial

In related news, insider David P. Melito sold 7,283 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.99, for a total transaction of $283,964.17. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 14,183 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $552,995.17. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, insider Brian D. Doubles sold 134,696 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.26, for a total transaction of $5,557,556.96. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 660,353 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $27,246,164.78. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider David P. Melito sold 7,283 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.99, for a total transaction of $283,964.17. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 14,183 shares of the company's stock, valued at $552,995.17. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 148,158 shares of company stock worth $6,106,106 in the last 90 days. 0.65% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on SYF shares. Stephens boosted their price target on shares of Synchrony Financial from $40.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. Morgan Stanley restated an "underweight" rating and set a $30.00 price target on shares of Synchrony Financial in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Synchrony Financial in a report on Wednesday, January 10th. They set a "buy" rating and a $56.00 price target on the stock. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Synchrony Financial from $41.00 to $43.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their price target on shares of Synchrony Financial from $45.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $39.24.

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.

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