Equity analysts expect Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – received rating) to report earnings per share of $1.46 for the current fiscal quarter Zack. Fifteen analysts have come up with estimates for Synchrony Financial’s earnings, with estimates ranging from $1.14 to $2.24. Synchrony Financial posted earnings per share of $2.12 for the same quarter last year, indicating a negative growth rate of 31.1% year over year. The company is expected to announce its next quarterly results on Monday, January 1st.

According to Zacks, analysts expect Synchrony Financial to report full-year earnings per share for the current fiscal year of $5.76, with EPS estimates ranging from $5.16 to $6.26. For the 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 averages based on a survey of sales-side research firms covering Synchrony Financial.

Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF – received rating) last released its quarterly results on Monday, April 18. The financial services firm 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%. In the same period last year, the company posted $1.73 per share.

SYF has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wolfe Research lowered shares of Synchrony Financial from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating and set a price target of $22.00 for the stock. in a report on Thursday, May 12. StockNews.com began reporting on shares of Synchrony Financial in a research report on Thursday, March 31st. You give the stock a “hold” rating. Stephens lowered its target price on shares of Synchrony Financial to $47.00 from $54.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 19. Goldman Sachs Group increased its target price on shares of Synchrony Financial to $45.00 from $40.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 19. Finally, Bank of America lowered its target price on shares of Synchrony Financial from $52.00 to $45.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 17. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given it a hold rating and thirteen have given it a buy rating. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “buy” and an average target price of $51.26.

Synchrony Financial stock opened at $36.14 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $18.12 billion, a P/E of 4.90, a P/E 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 to equity 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 200-day moving average price is $41.72.

Synchrony Financial announced that its board of directors approved a share repurchase plan on Monday, April 18, authorizing the company to repurchase $2.80 billion of outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to acquire up to 13.6% of its shares through purchases on the open market. Stock buyback 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 12th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 2 received a dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday April 29th. That equates to a dividend of $0.88 on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.43%. Synchrony Financial’s 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 by 11.0% in the third quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 2,031 shares of the financial services provider, valued at $99,000, after purchasing an additional 201 shares last quarter. Greenleaf Trust increased its stake in Synchrony Financial by 3.3% in the third quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 6,842 shares of the financial services firm, valued at $334,000, after purchasing an additional 219 shares last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in Synchrony Financial by 0.9% in the fourth quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 25,965 shares of the financial services provider, valued at $1,205,000, after purchasing an additional 235 shares last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its stake in Synchrony Financial by 17.8% in the fourth quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,588 shares of the financial services provider, valued at $73,000, after purchasing an additional 240 shares last quarter. Finally, Kingsview Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Synchrony Financial by 3.4% in the third quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,307 shares of the financial services provider, valued at $357,000, after purchasing an additional 241 shares last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.26% of the company’s shares.

Synchrony Financial company profile (received rating)

Synchrony Financial, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer financial services company in the United States. It offers lending products such as credit cards, commercial lending products and consumer installment loans. The Company also offers private label credit cards, dual card, 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, and accepts deposits through third-party brokerage firms.

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