Tower Research Capital LLC TRC Has $2.70 Million Stock Holdings in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF)

Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in shares of Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF - Free Report) by 132.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 41,529 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 23,669 shares during the quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC's holdings in Synchrony Financial were worth $2,699,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bogart Wealth LLC bought a new position in Synchrony Financial during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. TCTC Holdings LLC bought a new position in Synchrony Financial during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Y.D. More Investments Ltd lifted its stake in Synchrony Financial by 111.5% during the fourth quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd now owns 480 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 253 shares during the last quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in Synchrony Financial by 151.4% during the fourth quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 807 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 486 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Synchrony Financial by 46.5% during the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 810 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 257 shares during the last quarter. 96.48% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Synchrony Financial Price Performance

Synchrony Financial stock traded down $0.50 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $51.42. The company's stock had a trading volume of 5,001,803 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,952,245. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $52.76 and its 200-day moving average price is $60.35. Synchrony Financial has a 12 month low of $40.55 and a 12 month high of $70.93. The company has a market capitalization of $19.99 billion, a PE ratio of 6.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.45.

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

Synchrony Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.30 per share. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.33%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 5th. This is an increase from Synchrony Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. Synchrony Financial's payout ratio is presently 16.46%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on SYF shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $76.00 to $50.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 8th. Morgan Stanley restated an "equal weight" rating and set a $44.00 price objective (down from $82.00) on shares of Synchrony Financial in a research note on Monday, April 7th. Compass Point cut Synchrony Financial from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $70.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, January 28th. Cfra Research upgraded Synchrony Financial to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, Evercore ISI cut their target price on Synchrony Financial from $64.00 to $56.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently 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.