California State Teachers Retirement System cut its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Free Report) by 4.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 479,944 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 23,174 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement System’s holdings in Synchrony Financial were worth $32,646,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of SYF. FWL Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Synchrony Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Fideuram Asset Management Ireland dac purchased a new position in Synchrony Financial in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Synchrony Financial during the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Palisade Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Synchrony Financial during the third quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Reflection Asset Management purchased a new stake in Synchrony Financial during the fourth quarter valued at about $31,000. 96.48% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Insider Activity
In related news, insider Jonathan S. Mothner sold 51,258 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.23, for a total transaction of $3,651,107.34. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 132,664 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,449,656.72. This trade represents a 27.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.36% of the stock is owned by company insiders.
Synchrony Financial Stock Down 1.7%
Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.59 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.14 by $0.45. Synchrony Financial had a return on equity of 23.09% and a net margin of 15.44%.The firm had revenue of $3.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.72 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.50 EPS. Synchrony Financial has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.250-9.500 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Synchrony Financial will post 9.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Synchrony Financial declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan 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. Stock repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.
Synchrony Financial Increases Dividend
The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 17th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 5th will be given a $0.34 dividend. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. This is a positive change from Synchrony Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 5th. Synchrony Financial’s payout ratio is currently 12.30%.
Analyst Ratings Changes
Several research analysts have commented on SYF shares. Loop Capital assumed coverage on shares of Synchrony Financial in a report on Friday, May 22nd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $81.00 target price for the company. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Synchrony Financial from $82.00 to $93.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. TD Cowen upped their price target on shares of Synchrony Financial from $89.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Synchrony Financial in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on shares of Synchrony Financial from $86.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Synchrony Financial presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $87.72.
Get Our Latest Analysis on Synchrony Financial
Synchrony Financial News Roundup
Here are the key news stories impacting Synchrony Financial this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Long-term earnings outlook improved: Zacks Research raised its FY2028 EPS forecast to $11.57 from $10.89 and increased its FY2026 estimate slightly to $9.35 from $9.33. The FY2026 figure is in line with the broader consensus forecast. Zacks Research earnings estimates
- Neutral Sentiment: Synchrony issued $1.1 billion of senior notes: The financing, launched under an underwriting agreement dated July 28, provides additional capital but also increases the company’s debt obligations and future interest expense. Synchrony Financial Issues $1.1 Billion Senior Notes
- Neutral Sentiment: Truist maintained its Hold rating: The reaffirmation indicates no change in the analyst’s view, limiting the potential for a fresh positive catalyst. Truist Financial Reaffirms Hold Rating
- Negative Sentiment: Several near-term EPS forecasts were cut: Zacks lowered its Q3 2026 estimate to $2.40 from $2.55, Q1 2027 to $2.32 from $2.42, Q3 2027 to $2.93 from $3.02, and Q1 2028 to $2.63 from $2.67. These reductions suggest some caution about Synchrony’s nearer-term earnings momentum, despite the stable $9.35 FY2026 consensus forecast.
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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