Equity research analysts expect Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Get a rating) to report earnings of $1.46 per share for the current fiscal quarter, according to Zacks. Fifteen analysts have made earnings estimates for Synchrony Financial, with estimates ranging from $1.14 to $2.24. Synchrony Financial reported earnings per share of $2.12 in the same quarter last year, suggesting a negative 31.1% year-over-year growth rate. The company is expected to announce its next quarterly results on Monday, January 1.

According to Zacks, analysts expect Synchrony Financial to report annual earnings of $5.76 per share for the current fiscal year, with EPS estimates ranging from $5.16 to $6.26. For next year, analysts expect the company to report earnings of $5.75 per share, with EPS estimates ranging from $5.21 to $6.37. Zacks EPS averages are an average average based on a survey of sell-side research firms that provide coverage for Synchrony Financial.

Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF – Get a rating) last released its quarterly results on Monday, April 18. The financial services provider reported earnings per share of $1.77 for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.54 by $0.23. Synchrony Financial had a net margin of 26.26% and a return on equity of 29.99%. During the same period a year earlier, the company posted EPS of $1.73.

SYF has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wolfe Research has downgraded Synchrony Financial shares from a “peer performing” rating to an “underperforming” rating and set a price target of $22.00 for the stock. in a report on Thursday, May 12. StockNews.com launched a hedge on Synchrony Financial shares in a research report on Thursday, March 31. They have set a “holding” rating on the stock. Stephens cut his price target on Synchrony Financial shares from $54.00 to $47.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a Tuesday, April 19 research report. Goldman Sachs Group raised its price target on Synchrony Financial shares from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a Tuesday, April 19 research report. Finally, Bank of America lowered its price target on Synchrony Financial shares from $52.00 to $45.00 in a Thursday, March 17 research report. One analyst rated the stock with a sell rating, six gave the stock a hold rating and thirteen gave the stock a buy rating. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $51.26.

Synchrony Financial stock opened at $36.14 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.90, a P/E/G ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a quick ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.24 and a debt ratio of 1.05. Synchrony Financial has a 12-month low of $31.36 and a 12-month high of $52.49. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $36.41 and its two-hundred-day moving average price is $41.72.

Synchrony Financial announced that its board of directors authorized a stock repurchase plan on Monday, April 18 that allows the company to repurchase $2.80 billion in outstanding stock. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to repurchase up to 13.6% of its shares through purchases on the open market. Stock repurchase plans are usually a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 12. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 2 received a dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 29. This represents a dividend of $0.88 on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.43%. Synchrony Financial’s dividend payout ratio is currently 11.94%.

A number of institutional investors have recently changed their holdings in SYF. Penserra Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Synchrony Financial shares by 11.0% during the third quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 2,031 shares of the financial services provider valued at $99,000 after acquiring 201 additional shares in the last quarter. Greenleaf Trust increased its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial by 3.3% during the third quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 6,842 shares of the financial services provider valued at $334,000 after acquiring 219 additional shares in the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in Synchrony Financial shares by 0.9% during the fourth quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 25,965 shares of the financial services provider valued at $1,205,000 after acquiring 235 additional shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its stake in Synchrony Financial shares by 17.8% during the fourth quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,588 shares of the financial services provider valued at $73,000 after acquiring an additional 240 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kingsview Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Synchrony Financial shares by 3.4% during the third quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,307 shares of the financial services provider valued at $357,000 after acquiring 241 additional shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors hold 98.26% of the company’s shares.

Synchrony Financial Company Profile (Get a rating)

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 cards, co-branded 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 for retail and commercial customers, as well as deposits through brokerage firms in third-party securities.

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