Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) Given Consensus Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Key Points

• Analyst consensus: Synchrony Financial holds a "Moderate Buy" consensus from 20 analysts (12 buys, 7 holds, 1 strong buy) with an average 12‑month price target of about $86.32.
• Recent results and outlook: Q1 EPS of $2.27 topped estimates ($2.14) while revenue missed ($3.70B vs. $3.81B), and management set FY2026 EPS guidance of $9.10–$9.50 (sell‑side consensus ~9.3).
• Insider activity: Insiders sold a total of 379,928 shares worth $26.17M over the past three months, leaving insiders with just 0.33% ownership.

Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Get Free Report) has earned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the twenty brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, twelve have issued a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $86.3158.

SYF has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. BTIG Research lowered Synchrony Financial from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Compass Point raised Synchrony Financial from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $96.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b-)" rating on shares of Synchrony Financial in a research note on Monday, April 20th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on Synchrony Financial from $71.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 23rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Synchrony Financial from $100.00 to $95.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 9th.

Insider Transactions at Synchrony Financial

In related news, insider Bart Schaller sold 12,980 shares of Synchrony Financial stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.71, for a total value of $878,875.80. Following the transaction, the insider owned 34,035 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,304,509.85. This trade represents a 27.61% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Brian J. Sr. Wenzel sold 47,112 shares of Synchrony Financial stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.16, for a total value of $3,164,041.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 64,221 shares in the company, valued at $4,313,082.36. This represents a 42.32% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 379,928 shares of company stock worth $26,170,764 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.33% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Synchrony Financial

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Advisors Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Synchrony Financial during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Fideuram Asset Management Ireland dac purchased a new position in Synchrony Financial during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in Synchrony Financial by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 358 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. FWL Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Synchrony Financial during the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Reflection Asset Management purchased a new position in Synchrony Financial during the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.48% of the company's stock.

Synchrony Financial Price Performance

NYSE:SYF opened at $77.15 on Tuesday. The business's 50-day moving average price is $70.22 and its 200 day moving average price is $74.85. The firm has a market cap of $26.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.98, a PEG ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.39. Synchrony Financial has a 52-week low of $50.00 and a 52-week high of $88.77. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08.

Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.14 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $3.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.81 billion. Synchrony Financial had a return on equity of 23.41% and a net margin of 15.80%.Synchrony Financial's revenue was down 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.89 earnings per share. Synchrony Financial has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.100-9.500 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Synchrony Financial will post 9.3 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Synchrony Financial Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 5th will be paid a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 5th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.6%. Synchrony Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 12.41%.

Synchrony Financial declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Tuesday, April 21st that authorizes the company to repurchase $0.00 in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to buy shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally a sign that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued.

Synchrony Financial Company Profile

Synchrony Financial NYSE: SYF is a consumer financial services company that specializes in providing point-of-sale financing and private-label, co-branded and branded credit card programs. The company serves as a payments and lending partner to retailers, digital merchants and service providers, offering consumer financing solutions designed to drive customer engagement and sales. Synchrony also operates a direct bank that offers deposit products, including savings accounts and certificates of deposit, which support its funding and customer-facing product suite.

Its core product set includes private-label and co-branded credit cards, general-purpose credit cards, installment loan programs and promotional financing options that are integrated into merchants' checkout experiences.

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