RBC Capital has updated its outlook on Synchrony Financial (NYSE: NYSE:SYF), increasing the price target to $62.00 from the previous $55.00.
The firm maintained a Sector Perform rating on the stock. The adjustment follows a review of the company's third-quarter earnings, which RBC Capital found to be in line with expectations, highlighting solid fundamentals and core performance.
The analyst noted that credit trends at Synchrony Financial are showing signs of stabilization, and the company's growth is normalizing, reflecting both credit discipline and the current economic environment. The macroeconomic situation was described as stable, with expectations for consistent near-term trends in the company's performance.
RBC Capital also addressed the pending implementation of the late fee rule, which remains uncertain. However, the analyst expressed confidence in Synchrony Financial's ability to manage the longer-term impacts, should the rule be enacted. This is due in part to early positive results from the company's mitigation strategies.
In other recent news, Synchrony Financial reported a robust third quarter in 2024 with net earnings of $789 million, or $1.94 per diluted share. The company also revised its full-year 2024 earnings per share (EPS) guidance upwards to a range of $8.45-$8.55, surpassing both JPMorgan's and the consensus estimates.
The positive earnings report led to both Wells Fargo and JPMorgan raising their target for Synchrony Financial to $60 and $59 respectively, maintaining their neutral ratings on the stock.
Despite challenges in consumer spending and credit performance, Synchrony managed to add 4.7 million new accounts and generate $45 billion in purchase volume. However, the company anticipates a low single-digit decline in purchase volume for Q4. The firm's provision for credit losses rose to $1.6 billion due to higher net charge-offs, and it projects fully diluted earnings per share between $8.45 and $8.55 for the full year 2024.
Synchrony Financial is also navigating uncertainties related to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) late fee rule litigation. The analyst at Wells Fargo noted a positive near-term outlook for the company's shares, citing a delay in the CFPB's late fee rule due to ongoing court proceedings.
InvestingPro Insights
In line with RBC Capital's positive outlook on Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF), recent data from InvestingPro reveals some compelling insights. The company's P/E ratio of 7.9 suggests that it's trading at a relatively low valuation compared to its earnings, which aligns with one of the InvestingPro Tips indicating that SYF is "trading at a low P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth." This could potentially signal an attractive entry point for investors.
Furthermore, Synchrony Financial has demonstrated strong performance recently, with a remarkable 90.28% total return over the past year. This impressive gain is complemented by a 44.03% return in the last six months, reflecting the "high return over the last year" highlighted in the InvestingPro Tips.
It's worth noting that while RBC Capital maintains a Sector Perform rating, the stock is currently trading near its 52-week high, with a price at 99.88% of its highest point over the past year. This strength in stock price, combined with the company's consistent dividend payments for 9 consecutive years, may appeal to both growth and income-focused investors.
For those seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips on Synchrony Financial, providing a deeper dive into the company's financial health and market position.
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