Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, but may initiate a beneficial Long position through a purchase of the stock, or the purchase of call options or similar derivatives in SYF over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.
The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.
Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics. Just like in school, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on -- that means the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you like to use all three kinds of investing, then the VGM Score is for you. It's a combination of all Style Scores, and is an important indicator to use with the Zacks Rank. The VGM Score rates each stock on their shared weighted styles, narrowing down the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors build a successful portfolio.
It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +23.82% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.
Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Synchrony (SYF - Free Report) Synchrony Financial, one of the nation’s premier consumer financial services companies, offers a wide range of credit products through a diverse group of national and regional retailers, local merchants, manufacturers, buying groups, industry associations and health and wellness providers. Synchrony Financial focuses on generating financial flexibility for its customers by offering private label credit cards, Dual Card, and general purpose co-branded credit cards, promotional financing and installment lending, and loyalty programs.
SYF is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of A thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 7.87; value investors should take notice.
Seven analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.16 to $9.54 per share. SYF boasts an average earnings surprise of +10.3%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, SYF should be on investors' short list.
While the proven Zacks Rank places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find strong stocks, we also know that investors tend to develop their own individual strategies. With this in mind, we are always looking at value, growth, and momentum trends to discover great companies.
Of these, value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. Value investors use tried-and-true metrics and fundamental analysis to find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.
Zacks has developed the innovative Style Scores system to highlight stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will be interested in stocks with great grades in the "Value" category. When paired with a high Zacks Rank, "A" grades in the Value category are among the strongest value stocks on the market today.
One company value investors might notice is Synchrony Financial (SYF - Free Report) . SYF is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), as well as an A grade for Value. The stock holds a P/E ratio of 8.65, while its industry has an average P/E of 14.69. SYF's Forward P/E has been as high as 10.68 and as low as 5.52, with a median of 8.41, all within the past year.
Investors will also notice that SYF has a PEG ratio of 0.72. This figure is similar to the commonly-used P/E ratio, with the PEG ratio also factoring in a company's expected earnings growth rate. SYF's industry currently sports an average PEG of 0.93. Within the past year, SYF's PEG has been as high as 1.31 and as low as 0.48, with a median of 0.70.
Another notable valuation metric for SYF is its P/B ratio of 1.81. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This company's current P/B looks solid when compared to its industry's average P/B of 2.90. Within the past 52 weeks, SYF's P/B has been as high as 1.82 and as low as 1.09, with a median of 1.62.
Value investors also love the P/S ratio, which is calculated by simply dividing a stock's price with the company's sales. This is a preferred metric because revenue can't really be manipulated, so sales are often a truer performance indicator. SYF has a P/S ratio of 1.06. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 2.14.
Value investors will likely look at more than just these metrics, but the above data helps show that Synchrony Financial is likely undervalued currently. And when considering the strength of its earnings outlook, SYF sticks out as one of the market's strongest value stocks.
Investors interested in stocks from the Financial - Miscellaneous Services sector have probably already heard of Synchrony (SYF) and Futu Holdings Limited Sponsored ADR (FUTU). But which of these two stocks is more attractive to value investors?
Investors might want to bet on Synchrony (SYF - Free Report) , as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.
The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
The power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system highly useful for individual investors, since it can be difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts. These are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time.
As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for Synchrony is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.
Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock PricesThe change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, has proven to be strongly correlated with the near-term price movement of its stock. That's partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock.
Fundamentally speaking, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade for Synchrony imply an improvement in the company's underlying business. Investors should show their appreciation for this improving business trend by pushing the stock higher.
Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate RevisionsEmpirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Earnings Estimate Revisions for SynchronyFor the fiscal year ending December 2026, this consumer credit company is expected to earn $9.45 per share, which is unchanged compared with the year-ago reported number.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Synchrony. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 1.4%.
Bottom LineUnlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>
The upgrade of Synchrony to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
Wall Street priced Synchrony Financial NYSE: SYF for a retail credit fracture that failed to materialize in the third quarter. Heading into late 2026, the popular bearish story was that households were strained by prolonged inflation and high interest rates. This assumption set the stage for expectations of accelerating defaults across the consumer finance sector.
Synchrony Financial Today
SYF
Synchrony Financial
$73.88 +0.52 (+0.70%)
As of 02:51 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
$63.08▼
$88.771.84%
7.58
$87.83
Instead, Synchrony delivered a healthy adjusted earnings beat, posting $2.68 per share against consensus estimates closer to $2.42. Revenue also edged past expectations, landing at $3.82 billion. Management backed this performance by guiding full-year earnings to the top end of its previous range, around $9.50 per share.
Get Synchrony Financial alerts:
The data reveals a highly disciplined lender trading at a notable discount to its intrinsic earnings power. Rather than buckling under macro pressures, consumers continue to spend, and risk-mitigation strategies are working.
Checking the Cards on Credit QualityThe core argument against consumer lenders throughout the year rested on the assumption of rising defaults. However, Synchrony's third-quarter results run counter to this thesis. Net charge-offs fell to a seasonal low of about 4.79%, down roughly 37 basis points from the prior year.
Early-stage delinquencies also stabilized, with 30-day past-due loans falling slightly to 4.34% and 90-day past-due loans dropping to 2.06%. The feared wave of non-payments has not emerged, and current credit loss reserves covering just over 10% of total period-end loan receivables appear highly adequate.
Interestingly, this improved credit behavior created a slight drag on Synchrony's income statement. The net interest margin compressed by roughly 12 basis points to 15.50%. A large portion of this contraction, around 16 basis points, stemmed directly from lower assessed late fees. Lower late fees reduce immediate margin capture, but they are a byproduct of healthier consumer payment behavior.
Customers paying on time validate the effectiveness of Synchrony's proprietary PRISM underwriting engine, which dynamically assesses thousands of cash flow variables to manage risk in real time. Sacrificing a fraction of margin for superior underlying portfolio health is a strategic trade-off that strengthens Synchrony's balance sheet over the long term.
The resilience in credit quality highlights a structural shift in how Synchrony underwrites its customer base. Traditional lending often relies heavily on static credit scores, but the PRISM system evaluates individual cash flow data points. This creates a dynamic, real-time picture of a consumer's ability to repay. When economic conditions fluctuate, this granular data lets the underwriting team tighten or loosen credit availability with precision, rather than making broad, sweeping cuts that could stifle revenue.
Raking in Volume and Gen Z SpendingTop-line resilience remains another bright spot in Synchrony's story. Purchase volume expanded 8% year over year to a record third-quarter total of about $49.7 billion. A closer look at the demographics driving this growth reveals significant acceleration in Millennial and Gen Z cohort spending.
Spending jumped 13% in the Diversified & Value segment, a key home for younger shoppers who want practical co-branded cards. The Home & Auto segment followed suit with a 9% expansion, aided by select retail partnerships and non-discretionary spending patterns.
Some analysts pointed to the elevated payment rate, sitting around 16.9% or roughly 180 basis points above pre-pandemic averages, as a potential headwind limiting loan growth. A higher payment rate means consumers pay down balances faster, which temporarily slows the conversion of purchase volume into interest-bearing loan receivables.
But a closer look shows this comes from the mix of customers, not weak demand. The natural seasoning of the Walmart OnePay portfolio and a higher concentration of prime borrowers utilizing dual-card products naturally raise these payment rates. Over time, as these newer portfolios mature and promotional balances normalize, the translation between retail sales and asset growth is expected to align, providing a clearer runway for future interest income.
Doubling Down on Shareholder ReturnsDespite a return on equity near 21% and a credit portfolio that keeps holding up, the market still prices Synchrony at a discount. The trailing price-to-earnings ratio hovers around a depressed 7.5, signaling valuation compression relative to the broader financial sector. Retailer Share Arrangements also increased to roughly $1.1 billion, a sign that partner programs are performing well and that Synchrony and its retailers want the same things.
The increase in Retailer Share Arrangements is particularly telling. These arrangements are the lifeblood of the co-branded credit card model. When a retail portfolio performs well, Synchrony shares a portion of those profits back with the retailer.
While this registers as an expense on the income statement, it serves as an incredibly powerful retention tool. Retailers are incentivized to promote the financial products because they directly share in the profitability. This creates a sticky ecosystem that Synchrony's competitors find very difficult to disrupt.
Management clearly views its stock as undervalued and is taking advantage. During the third quarter, Synchrony executed approximately $1.1 billion in share repurchases. This retired a healthy portion of outstanding equity, cutting diluted shares by roughly 12.8%. With about $4.6 billion remaining under the current repurchase authorization, this backstop supports future earnings-per-share growth. Capital returns of this magnitude, supported by a common equity tier 1 ratio comfortably above target at 12.9%, highlight a robust capital position.
Playing the Long Game in Digital WalletsBeyond buybacks, Synchrony is investing in technology that widens its competitive moat. Spending has temporarily pressured the firm's efficiency ratio, but these investments position the business for the next evolution of retail. The launch of a ChatGPT promotional plugin through OpenAI and an integration with Vetspire for the CareCredit network reduces friction at the point of digital checkout.
More importantly, involvement as a design partner in the Personal Agent Protocol, known as Poppy, alongside Sierra and Meta NASDAQ: META positions Synchrony at the foundation of secure, permission-based shopping by AI agents. In the near future, AI agents will automatically compare discounts, first-purchase offers, and rewards across various digital wallets on behalf of the consumer.
By actively embedding its financing options and superior value propositions directly into these emerging AI protocols, Synchrony secures its place at the forefront of digital transactions. This forward-looking strategy protects the business from disruption and should drive down long-term customer acquisition costs.
A Winning Hand Worth WatchingSynchrony has demonstrated that the retail consumer is far from folding. By stabilizing credit metrics, retiring shares at a discounted valuation, and pioneering early-stage AI commerce protocols, the business is positioning itself for sustained profitability.
The market may be mispricing the risk of a consumer default wave, creating a distinct disconnect. Investors seeking deep value and strong capital returns in the financial sector may want to monitor Synchrony as the market begins to recognize and reprice its resilient earnings profile.
Should You Invest $1,000 in Synchrony Financial Right Now?Before you consider Synchrony Financial, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Synchrony Financial wasn't on the list.
While Synchrony Financial currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
Discover the next wave of investment opportunities with our report, 7 Stocks That Will Be Magnificent in 2026. Explore companies poised to replicate the growth, innovation, and value creation of the tech giants dominating today's markets.
Get This Free Report
Continue following MarketBeat
Add MarketBeat as your preferred source on Google to see our latest stories in your feed.
CareCredit Pay Later is CareCredit's enhanced installment loan product that will be presented digitally with CareCredit's revolving credit card to give consumers additional payment options and simplified offer comparisons.
Key Highlights:
Supporting providers and consumer choice: Offering more payment choices can help providers meet different consumer preferences, while CareCredit manages administrative and billing workflows.
One credit application. Two ways to pay: CareCredit Pay Later and the CareCredit credit card give eligible consumers two payment options to help manage care expenses.
Responsible credit access: Advanced underwriting through Synchrony PRISM evaluates overall active credit commitments to support responsible lending.
Payment predictability drives consumer decisions: 80% of surveyed consumers say payment options influence which provider they select, and 77% of consumers say having flexible payment options is critical when choosing a recommended treatment plan.
CareCredit stands apart: CareCredit is the only health and wellness financing platform and network that offers revolving credit, installment loans, promotional financing solutions, and broad provider acceptance across more than 290,000 healthcare locations nationwide.
, /PRNewswire/ -- CareCredit, a Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) solution, today launched CareCredit Pay Later, its enhanced and rebranded installment loan product that provides health and wellness consumers with a clear payment plan and defined payoff timeline to help budget for products and elective health and wellness expenses not covered by insurance. CareCredit Pay Later presents another option to CareCredit's existing credit card and offers another way for eligible consumers to plan and pay for care. It is available today at nearly 20,000 health and wellness locations, including select dental, cosmetic, vision, and audiology care providers, with expansion across CareCredit's entire network over time.
CareCredit Pay Later presents another option to CareCredit’s existing credit card and offers another way for eligible consumers to plan and pay for care. It is available today at nearly 20,000 health and wellness locations, including select dental, cosmetic, vision, and audiology care providers, with expansion across CareCredit’s entire network over time.
CareCredit Pay Later is CareCredit’s enhanced installment loan product that will be presented digitally with CareCredit’s revolving credit card to give consumers additional payment options and simplified offer comparisons.
Through a single credit application, eligible consumers can view the full array of CareCredit payment options available to them, so they can choose the product that best fits their budget, including:
CareCredit Pay Later: A one-time-use installment loan, offering fixed monthly payments, a clear payoff timeline, and a fixed APR for defined care expenses.
CareCredit Credit Card and CareCredit Rewards Mastercard®: Reusable revolving credit products that offer special financing options with convenient monthly payments, accepted across 290,000 locations nationwide, as well as select retailers, such as Albertson's, Walgreens and Walmart.
CareCredit Pay Later offers enhanced tools designed to make financing conversations even easier for providers and consumers. The payment calculator, available directly from the Provider Center portal homepage, now includes CareCredit Pay Later and uses each provider's specific promo mix to deliver more accurate estimated payment amounts. In addition, providers can now modify loan amounts before funding, creating greater flexibility to accommodate for treatment plan changes and helping ensure financing stays aligned with care decisions.
To ensure consumers are extended credit responsibly, CareCredit utilizes Synchrony PRISM®, Synchrony's proprietary underwriting platform. PRISM evaluates an applicant's broader financial health — looking beyond static credit scores to evaluate active lines of credit, debt-to-income indicators, and existing loan commitments that may not show on traditional credit reports. Consumers are encouraged to ask their participating CareCredit enrolled provider about the payment options that may be available to them, so they can make an informed decision. CareCredit Fair Financing Principles (FFP) initiative — designed to set a high standard for transparency and consumer education — connects consumers with product comparison guides, budgeting tools like CareCredit's procedure calculator, and an educational consumer guide managing commitments responsibly.
"In an industry where many treatments and products are elective, having flexible ways to pay for care is critical for consumers," said Adam Reinebach, CEO of the American Med Spa Association (AmSpa). "For med spa customers, having choices like the CareCredit credit card and CareCredit Pay Later can make it easier to move forward with the care they want, while benefiting from the confidence of paying through a trusted industry financing partner."
By providing tailored choices up front and allowing participating providers to easily customize promotions and then view, filter, and share available offers, this multi-product experience can help improve treatment conversion and acceptance, while CareCredit eases administrative burdens and helps simplify the payment process.
"When it comes to health and wellness, a 'one-size-fits-all' payment plan doesn't work for everyone," said Beto Casellas, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Health & Wellness at Synchrony. "With CareCredit Pay Later, consumers now have more options to choose from based on their purchase, monthly budget, and preferences. By expanding these choices, we're empowering people to plan and pay for the care they want."
Research Shows Payment Clarity and Choice Matter When Planning and Paying for Care
The expanded offering comes as CareCredit consumer research reveals how strongly cost, payment clarity and choice can shape care experiences and decisions.
According to the research:
Cost clarity matters early. 58% of consumers worry about how much care will cost, and 51% say it's not always clear what out of pocket expenses will be.[1] In addition, 77% say knowing the total cost of care upfront is very or extremely important.1
Payment experience can influence provider choice. 80% say payment options influence which provider they select,[2] and 50% would consider switching providers if billing became too cumbersome.1
Credit access can help consumers move forward. 41% say they would likely postpone their care if they could not pay using credit, and 46% would postpone if they had to pay full price upfront.2
To learn more about CareCredit, visit https://www.carecredit.com/.
FAQ
What is CareCredit Pay Later?
CareCredit Pay Later is a single-use installment loan that offers eligible consumers a fixed APR, set monthly payments, and a defined payoff timeline to budget for specific health and wellness expenses.
How does Synchrony ensure CareCredit Pay Later is used responsibly?
CareCredit utilizes Synchrony PRISM®, an advanced underwriting engine that looks at an applicant's complete financial picture. PRISM evaluates overall active debt commitments — including active loans across other platforms — to help ensure applicants are not taking on payments they cannot comfortably manage.
How is CareCredit Pay Later different from the CareCredit credit card?
CareCredit Pay Later is a single-use installment loan that closes once the balance is paid in full. The CareCredit credit card is a reusable line of credit offering deferred interest options and ongoing utility across more than 290,000 provider and retail locations nationwide.
How is CareCredit Pay Later different from Pay In Four?
CareCredit Pay Later offers consumers longer-term installment options with fixed monthly payments, a fixed APR, and defined payoff timelines designed to help budget for larger health and wellness expenses, whereas Pay in four plans typically split smaller purchases into four short-term, bi-weekly payments.
Will checking my eligibility impact my credit score?
No. Consumers can see if they prequalify for CareCredit financing options through a simple application with no hard credit check, meaning there is no impact to their credit score.
Where can I use CareCredit Pay Later?
CareCredit Pay Later is currently rolling out to nearly 20,000 participating health and wellness locations, including select dental, cosmetic, vision, and audiology providers, with planned expansions across CareCredit's network over time. Consumers are encouraged to ask their provider which CareCredit payment options are currently available at their practice.
Can I use a CareCredit Pay Later loan for multiple, ongoing treatments?
CareCredit Pay Later is designed as a single-use loan for a specific treatment, procedure, or purchase. For ongoing care wants and needs, elective care, and repeat use across our provider network, the CareCredit credit card remains an ideal reusable financing option.
How does offering CareCredit Pay Later benefit health and wellness providers and practices?
Because every consumer's financial situation is different, a "one-size-fits-all" approach to payments no longer works. By offering an expanded suite of payment options with a single application, providers can meet diverse consumer wants and needs and help more people say "yes" to recommended care. Furthermore, CareCredit manages all billing and collections, streamlining the payment experience for practice staff and protecting providers against payment delays and defaults.
About the Research
The findings cited in this release are drawn from two CareCredit consumer research studies: Well, Informed, which explored consumer attitudes and experiences related to healthcare costs and payment preferences, and Path to Purchase, which examined when and how payment information influences decisions across the healthcare journey. Respondents across both studies totaled 4,105. Additional methodological information is available upon request.
About Synchrony
Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) is a leading consumer financing company that has been at the heart of American commerce and opportunity for nearly a century. Synchrony delivers credit and banking products that empower tens of millions of consumers to improve their financial lives and access what matters most. Leveraging innovative solutions that are shaping the future of retail commerce, Synchrony supports the growth and success of some of the nation's most respected brands, alongside hundreds of thousands of small and midsize businesses, including health and wellness providers. Committed to excellence in service and culture, Synchrony is honored to be ranked the #1 Best Company to Work For® in the U.S. by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work®. For more information, visit www.synchrony.com.
Net Earnings: $892 million, or $2.68 per diluted share.Return on Average Assets: 2.9%.Return on Tangible Common Equity: 25.2%.Tangible Book Value per Share: Up
On its third-quarter 2026 earnings call, held on Oct. 20, 2026, Synchrony (SYF -1.19%) raised its full-year earnings expectation to approximately $9.50 per diluted share. The company is expanding its credit partnerships into artificial intelligence shopping channels and digital wallets to secure future deal flow.
Two key takeaways highlight how this strategy protects long-term value.
1. Artificial Intelligence Integration Secures Distribution at Digital CheckoutShopping channels are shifting toward automated purchasing agents and digital wallets. Embedded partnerships keep consumer financial products visible when buyers browse and compare deals.
Synchrony's enterprise collaboration with OpenAI is designed to strengthen our positioning at the center of AI's next chapter in shopping and payments.
-- Brian D. Doubles, President and Chief Executive Officer2. Data Analytics Drives Credit Approval for Younger Demographic GroupsGen Z and millennial shoppers represent the fastest-growing spend categories across the portfolio. Proprietary underwriting tools evaluate cash flows to approve younger buyers without taking excessive credit risk.
Synchrony leverages over 9 thousand data variables and cash flow underwriting to responsibly deliver purchase power to credit-ready customers.
-- Brian D. Doubles, President and Chief Executive OfficerLooking AheadPurchase volume is running near historic highs, and executives aren't hiding their satisfaction with consumer resilience. Deep retail partner relationships and proprietary data tools provide structural cost advantages as shopping moves online. Management is watching payment normalization and portfolio seasoning across new partner programs.
So as we look to the remainder of this year and the years ahead, Synchrony is executing on what we set out to do.
-- Brian D. Doubles, President and Chief Executive OfficerCapital allocation remains focused on returning excess cash through share buybacks while investing in technology. Expanding multi-product flexibility ensures the portfolio maintains high returns over time.
Our disciplined approach to growth positions us to deliver consistent market leading returns and we are investing in our competitive differentiation to drive long term earnings power and intrinsic value while also returning significant capital to shareholders.
-- Brian J. Wenzel, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerSynchrony Financial is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Key Takeaways SYF reported Q3 adjusted EPS of $2.68, beating estimates by 8.1% but falling 6.3% year over year.Purchase volume rose 8% to $49.7 billion, while net interest income grew 1.9% to $4.8 billion.SYF raised its 2026 EPS outlook to around $9.50 per share despite higher costs and credit-loss provisions.
Synchrony Financial (SYF - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.68, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.1%. However, the bottom line decreased 6.3% year over year.
Net interest income increased 1.9% year over year to $4.8 billion but missed the consensus estimate by 0.6%. The growth was driven by higher average loan receivables and lower funding costs.
The quarterly earnings were aided by strong purchase volume and improved credit performance. However, higher operating expenses and an increase in the provision for credit losses partly offset these positives.
Synchrony’s Q3 Results in DetailRetailer share arrangements (RSA) of Synchrony advanced 7% year over year to $1.1 billion in the third quarter. Total loan receivables were $103.3 billion, up 3.2% year over year. The figure missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $103.5 billion as well as our estimate of $104 billion.
Total deposits increased 3.8% year over year to $83 billion but missed our estimate of $83.9 billion. Provision for credit losses increased 10.5% year over year to $1.3 billion, primarily due to a reserve build of $30 million compared with a $152 million release in the prior-year quarter, partially offset by lower net charge-offs. However, the reported figure came in below our estimate of $1.5 billion.
Synchrony’s purchase volume rose 8% year over year to $49.7 billion, supported by broad-based spending growth across credit cohorts and generations. The figure beat the consensus estimate of $49.2 billion and our estimate of $48.5 billion.
Interest and fees on loans increased 1.5% year over year to $5.6 billion. The increase was driven by higher average loan receivables. Net interest margin contracted 12 basis points year over year to 15.5% but came in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Average active accounts remained flat year over year to 68.3 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 68.8 million and our estimate of 68.9 million.
Total other expenses increased 9.9% year over year to $1.4 billion, above our estimate of $1.3 billion. The efficiency ratio deteriorated 330 basis points year over year to 35.9%, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 34.03%.
Movement in Individual Sales PlatformsHome & Auto period-end loan receivables increased 2% year over year in the third quarter. Purchase volume rose 9.1% year over year, supported by new programs, select furniture retailers and higher gas prices. Interest and fees on loans rose 0.8% year over year.
Digital period-end loan receivables advanced 3.1% year over year. Purchase volume increased 4.8%, driven by strong customer engagement across diversified partners. Interest and fees on loans rose 1.4% year over year.
Diversified & Value period-end loan receivables increased 8.5% year over year. Purchase volume increased 12.8%, driven by partner expansion and higher gas prices. Interest and fees on loans increased 3.9% year over year.
Health & Wellness period-end loan receivables increased 0.8% year over year. Purchase volume increased 2.7% year over year, supported by growth in Pet, partly offset by lower Audiology and Cosmetic spending. Interest and fees on loans advanced 1.6% year over year.
Lifestyle period-end loan receivables decreased 0.6% year over year in the third quarter. Purchase volume rose 5.8%, reflecting new program growth and higher spending in Other Apparel and Goods and Luxury. Interest and fees on loans remained flat year over year at $264 million.
Synchrony’s Financial Position (As of Sept. 30, 2026)Synchrony exited the third quarter with cash and equivalents of $15.9 billion, which increased from the 2025-end level of $15 billion. Total assets of $122.5 billion increased from the 2025-end figure of $119.1 billion. SYF had total liquid assets of $19.5 billion, accounting for 15.9% of its total assets.
Total borrowings were $17 billion, up from $15.2 billion as of Dec. 31, 2025. Total equity of $16.6 billion decreased from the 2025-end figure of $16.8 billion.
Return on assets declined 70 basis points to 2.9%. Return on equity was 21%, which decreased 410 bps year over year.
Capital Deployment UpdateSynchrony returned $1.2 billion to its shareholders, comprising $1.1 billion in share repurchases and $110 million in common stock dividends. The remaining share repurchases authorization stood at approximately $4.6 billion as of Sept. 30, 2026.
SYF’s 2026 GuidanceSynchrony continues to anticipate mid-single-digit growth in period-end loan receivables. Strong purchase volume growth is expected to continue throughout 2026. The payment rate is expected to remain high.
The company now expects full-year 2026 earnings of approximately $9.50 per share, compared with the previously guided range of $9.25-$9.50.
RSA, as a percentage of average loan receivables, is increasing, reflecting strong program performance and is expected to remain within the 4-4.5% target range.
SYF’s Zacks Rank & Key PicksSYF currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the broader Finance space are American Integrity Insurance Group, Inc. (AII - Free Report) , Mercury General Corporation (MCY - Free Report) and Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for American Integrity Insurance’s current-quarter earnings of 49 cents per share has remained stable over the past seven days. AII beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 46.6%. The consensus estimate for current-quarter revenues is pegged at $105.4 million, implying 70.1% year-over-year growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mercury General’s current-quarter earnings of $3.35 per share has remained stable over the past 60 days. MCY beat earnings estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 70.2%. The consensus estimate for current-quarter revenues is pegged at $1.6 billion, calling for 8.8% year-over-year growth.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Robinhood Markets’ current-quarter earnings is pegged at 55 cents per share and has witnessed four upward revisions in the past 30 days against one movement in the opposite direction. HOOD beat earnings estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 15.1%. The consensus estimate for current-quarter revenues is pegged at $1.4 billion, calling for 11.4% year-over-year growth.
For the quarter ended September 2026, Synchrony (SYF - Free Report) reported revenue of $4.81 billion, up 1.9% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $2.68, compared to $2.86 in the year-ago quarter.
The reported revenue represents a surprise of -0.56% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.84 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $2.48, the EPS surprise was +8.07%.
While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.
As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.
Here is how Synchrony performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Efficiency Ratio: 35.9% versus the four-analyst average estimate of 34.8%.Net interest margin: 15.5% compared to the 15.5% average estimate based on four analysts.Total - Average loan receivables, including held for sale: $102.28 billion versus the three-analyst average estimate of $102.73 billion.Net charge-offs as a % of average loan receivables, including held for sale: 4.8% versus 5% estimated by three analysts on average.Total - Purchase volume: $49.71 billion versus $49.21 billion estimated by three analysts on average.Total - Period-end loan receivables: $103.35 billion versus $103.46 billion estimated by three analysts on average.Average Balance - Total interest-earning assets: $123.08 billion compared to the $122.71 billion average estimate based on three analysts.Platform Analysis - Digital - Purchase volume: $14.72 billion compared to the $15.17 billion average estimate based on two analysts.Platform Analysis - Home & Auto - Period-end loan receivables: $30.89 billion compared to the $30.47 billion average estimate based on two analysts.Platform Analysis - Digital - Average loan receivables, including held for sale: $28.83 billion compared to the $29.23 billion average estimate based on two analysts.Platform Analysis - Diversified & Value - Purchase volume: $17.39 billion compared to the $16.75 billion average estimate based on two analysts.Platform Analysis - Diversified & Value - Period-end loan receivables: $21.15 billion compared to the $21.05 billion average estimate based on two analysts.View all Key Company Metrics for Synchrony here>>>
Shares of Synchrony have returned -1% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.7% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
OneMain’s Yield Comes With a CatchSynchrony Financial NYSE: SYF reported third-quarter net earnings of $892 million, or $2.68 per diluted share, as purchase volume reached nearly $50 billion and rose across each of the company’s five sales platforms.
The consumer finance company said total purchase volume increased 8% from a year earlier, marking its highest third-quarter level on record. Ending loan receivables grew 3% to $103 billion, while net interest income increased 2% to $4.8 billion.
Get Synchrony Financial alerts:
MarketBeat Week in Review – 06/08 - 06/12Chief Executive Officer Brian Doubles said approximately 53% of third-quarter spending occurred through Synchrony’s co-branded cards, where purchase volume increased 23% year over year. Growth reflected new programs, product upgrades, higher broad-based spending and increased utility for cardholders, he said.
“Both discretionary and non-discretionary out-of-partner spend on our consumer co-brand cards grew by double digits,” Doubles said, citing electronics and entertainment in discretionary spending and gas stations and discount stores in non-discretionary categories.
Purchase Volume Growth Across Platforms Synchrony’s Comeback Is Hiding in Plain SightSynchrony reported purchase-volume increases in all five of its sales platforms. Diversified & Value spending rose 13%, driven primarily by partner expansion and higher gas prices. Home & Auto volume grew 9%, aided by new programs, select furniture retailers and higher gas prices.
Lifestyle purchase volume increased 6%, reflecting strength in other apparel, luxury and new programs. Digital sales grew 5%, supported by customer engagement among partners with diversified offerings and refreshed value propositions. Health & Wellness purchase volume rose 3%, primarily due to growth in pet-related spending. Doubles said spending growth was strongest among Gen Z and millennial customers, particularly in the Diversified & Value, Digital, and Home & Auto platforms. He said the company uses its PRISM underwriting and analytics platform, which incorporates more than 9,000 data variables in cash-flow underwriting, to extend purchase power to credit-ready customers.
During the quarter, Synchrony introduced CareCredit Pay Later, a rebranded installment-loan offering that is available alongside the CareCredit credit card. The product is now available at nearly 20,000 Health & Wellness locations, including dental, cosmetic, vision and audiology providers, according to the company.
Synchrony also refreshed the Venmo Credit Card value proposition with a feature that provides more cashback for cardholders who split purchases with friends on Venmo. The card provides daily cashback deposited directly into customers’ Venmo accounts.
Technology and Commerce Initiatives The company highlighted several technology partnerships aimed at expanding financing access within digital commerce. Synchrony said its new Stripe integration will enable participating Health & Wellness providers and retailers using Stripe to offer CareCredit financing during online checkout.
It also announced an integration with veterinary practice-management software provider Vetspire to embed CareCredit financing within Vetspire’s platform. Vetspire is used by more than 1,000 veterinary hospitals and clinics nationally, and Synchrony said about 85% of those providers already accept CareCredit.
Doubles said the company launched a Synchrony ChatGPT plugin that enables consumers to discover Marketplace savings and offers within ChatGPT. Synchrony is also deploying OpenAI models, including GPT-6 Astra, and has joined the Personal Agent Protocol initiative led by Sierra and Meta as a design partner.
In response to questions about agentic commerce, Doubles said the company believes shopping agents could reduce friction for cardholders by allowing consumers to program preferred cards for purchases with specific merchants. He also said greater transparency around discounts, offers and rewards could benefit Synchrony’s products.
Credit Trends, Margins and Expenses Chief Financial Officer Brian Wenzel said the company’s net charge-off rate declined 37 basis points from the prior year to 4.79%. Its 30-plus-day and 90-plus-day delinquency rates were in line with the previous year, while the allowance for credit losses stood at 10.01% of loan receivables, down from 10.35% a year earlier.
Wenzel said the payment rate was 16.9%, about 60 basis points above the prior year and about 180 basis points above the pre-pandemic third-quarter average. He attributed more than 90% of the year-over-year increase to portfolio mix, including new programs and lower promotional balances.
Net interest margin declined 12 basis points year over year to 15.5%, reflecting lower loan-receivable yield, lower liquidity portfolio yield and a smaller mix of loan receivables within interest-earning assets. Those factors were partly offset by lower funding costs. Sequentially, net interest margin increased 42 basis points.
Other expenses increased 10% to $1.4 billion, driven by higher operational losses, technology investments and marketing expenditures. The company’s efficiency ratio rose about 330 basis points year over year to 35.9%.
Wenzel said Synchrony had implemented more than 100 strategies to mitigate operational losses and expects those efforts to contribute to lower losses in 2027. He also said technology spending would remain elevated as the company invests in cloud capabilities, artificial intelligence, digital wallets and its pay-later product, though growth in those expenditures is expected to decelerate over time.
Outlook and Capital Returns Synchrony raised its full-year outlook to approximately $9.50 in diluted earnings per share, the high end of its original guidance range. The company continues to expect year-end loan receivables to grow by mid-single digits, net interest income to increase and net charge-offs to remain below 5.5%.
The company expects retailer share agreements, or RSAs, to be higher for the full year but remain within its long-term target range of 4% to 4.5% of average receivables. Fourth-quarter other expense dollars are expected to be generally in line with the third quarter.
Synchrony returned $1.2 billion to shareholders during the quarter, including $1.1 billion in share repurchases and $110 million in common-stock dividends. Its common equity Tier 1 ratio ended the quarter at 12.9%, and the company had approximately $4.6 billion remaining under its share repurchase authorization.
Management said early holiday-season spending trends remained consistent with the pace seen at the end of the third quarter. Doubles and Wenzel said the company and its retail partners were cautiously optimistic about holiday demand, while preparing a schedule of promotions, discounts and offers.
About Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF)Synchrony Financial NYSE: SYF is a consumer financial services company that provides private-label credit cards, co-branded credit cards and promotional financing programs. Its financing products are offered through retailers, manufacturers, healthcare providers and other businesses, helping consumers pay for purchases over time.
The company serves a range of industries, including digital commerce, home improvement, furniture, automotive, healthcare, jewelry, apparel, electronics and specialty retail.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
Should You Invest $1,000 in Synchrony Financial Right Now?Before you consider Synchrony Financial, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Synchrony Financial wasn't on the list.
While Synchrony Financial currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
Tesla, Nvidia, and Google helped shape the last era of market growth, but the next wave could come from a new group of companies. Inside this report, you’ll find 7 stocks that could play a major role in the next tech-driven market boom.
Get This Free Report
Continue following MarketBeat
Add MarketBeat as your preferred source on Google to see our latest stories in your feed.
Synchrony (SYF - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.68 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.48 per share. This compares to earnings of $2.86 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +8.07%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this consumer credit company would post earnings of $2.08 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.59, delivering a surprise of +24.52%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.
Synchrony, which belongs to the Zacks Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry, posted revenues of $4.81 billion for the quarter ended September 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.56%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $4.72 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates just once over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
Synchrony shares have lost about 11% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 12.4%.
What's Next for Synchrony?While Synchrony has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Synchrony was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $2.04 on $4.96 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $9.40 on $19.05 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Financial - Miscellaneous Services is currently in the bottom 31% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Another stock from the same industry, WisdomTree, Inc. (WT - Free Report) , has yet to report results for the quarter ended September 2026. The results are expected to be released on October 30.
This company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.30 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +30.4%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.8% higher over the last 30 days to the current level.
WisdomTree, Inc.'s revenues are expected to be $181.31 million, up 44.3% from the year-ago quarter.
CWA Asset Management Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Free Report) by 8.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 108,588 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 8,395 shares during the period. CWA Asset Management Group LLC’s holdings in Synchrony Financial were worth $7,706,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new stake in Synchrony Financial in the second quarter worth $1,122,961,000. Raiffeisen Bank International AG grew its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial by 7,984.0% in the second quarter. Raiffeisen Bank International AG now owns 23,282 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,825,000 after acquiring an additional 22,994 shares during the last quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al bought a new position in shares of Synchrony Financial during the second quarter valued at $22,798,000. Basswood Capital Management L.L.C. bought a new position in shares of Synchrony Financial during the second quarter valued at $45,734,000. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its holdings in shares of Synchrony Financial by 959.4% during the first quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 545,880 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $37,131,000 after acquiring an additional 494,354 shares in the last quarter. 96.48% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on SYF shares. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on shares of Synchrony Financial in a research note on Friday, October 9th. They issued a “market perform” rating and a $81.00 price target on the stock. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Synchrony Financial from $86.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Synchrony Financial from $84.00 to $83.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Synchrony Financial from $78.00 to $74.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 12th. Finally, TD Cowen dropped their target price on shares of Synchrony Financial from $90.00 to $86.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 6th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $87.25.
Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Synchrony Financial Synchrony Financial Price Performance SYF opened at $74.02 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $24.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.44, a P/E/G ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.35. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $75.88 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $74.60. Synchrony Financial has a 52-week low of $63.08 and a 52-week high of $88.77.
Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.14 by $0.45. Synchrony Financial had a net margin of 15.44% and a return on equity of 23.09%. The firm had revenue of $3.72 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.72 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.50 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Synchrony Financial will post 9.40 EPS for the current year.
Synchrony Financial Profile (Free Report)
Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF) is a consumer financial services company that provides private-label credit cards, co-branded credit cards and promotional financing programs. Its financing products are offered through retailers, manufacturers, healthcare providers and other businesses, helping consumers pay for purchases over time.
The company serves a range of industries, including digital commerce, home improvement, furniture, automotive, healthcare, jewelry, apparel, electronics and specialty retail.
Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Synchrony Financial Tesla’s Roadster Reveal Hints at 2 Much Bigger Moves The AI Sell-Off Continues—These 3 Stocks Keep Raising Guidance Anyway Mr. Wonderful’s Test for AI Data Center Stocks: Power, Permits, and Tenants Alcoa Beat Earnings, But Can It Escape the Aluminum Bears? Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SYF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Free Report).
Receive News & Ratings for Synchrony Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Synchrony Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Company Announces Quarterly Common Stock Dividend of $0.34 Per Share
, /PRNewswire/ -- Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF) today announced its third quarter 2026 results for the period ending September 30, 2026. The earnings news release and presentation can be found on the company's Investor Relations website at https://investors.synchrony.com/financial-information/financial-results.
Today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time, Brian Doubles, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Brian Wenzel Sr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call to review the financial results and outlook for certain business drivers. The conference call can be accessed via an audio webcast through the investor relations website at www.investors.synchrony.com, under Events and Presentations. A replay will also be available on the website.
The Company also announced that its Board of Directors (the "Board") declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.34 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on November 16, 2026 to holders of record at the close of business on November 5, 2026. The Board also declared a quarterly cash dividend on the outstanding shares of its 5.625% Fixed Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (the "Series A Preferred Stock"), 8.250% Fixed Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B (the "Series B Preferred Stock") and 7.250% Fixed Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C (the "Series C Preferred Stock"). Each outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock is represented by depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share. Each outstanding share of Series C Preferred Stock is represented by depositary shares, each representing a 1/100th interest in a share. The dividends of approximately $14.06 per share on the Series A Preferred Stock (equivalent to $0.351563 per outstanding depositary share), approximately $20.63 per share on the Series B Preferred Stock (equivalent to $0.515625 per outstanding depositary share) and approximately $1,812.50 per share on the Series C Preferred Stock (equivalent to $18.125 per outstanding depositary share) are payable on November 16, 2026 to holders of record at the close of business on November 5, 2026.
About Synchrony
Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) is a leading consumer financing company that has been at the heart of American commerce and opportunity for nearly a century. Synchrony delivers credit and banking products that empower tens of millions of consumers to improve their financial lives and access what matters most. Leveraging innovative solutions that are shaping the future of retail commerce, Synchrony supports the growth and success of some of the nation's most respected brands, alongside hundreds of thousands of small and midsize businesses, including health and wellness providers. Committed to excellence in service and culture, Synchrony is honored to be ranked the #1 Best Company to Work For® in the U.S. by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work®. For more information, visit www.synchrony.com.
Contacts
Investor Relations:
Kathryn Miller
(203) 585-6291
[email protected]
Media Relations:
Ashley Tufts
(203) 212-6277
[email protected]
First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. purchased a new stake in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 10,886 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $773,000.
A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new position in Synchrony Financial in the 2nd quarter valued at $1,122,961,000. Raiffeisen Bank International AG lifted its holdings in shares of Synchrony Financial by 7,984.0% during the second quarter. Raiffeisen Bank International AG now owns 23,282 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,825,000 after buying an additional 22,994 shares in the last quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al acquired a new stake in shares of Synchrony Financial during the second quarter worth $22,798,000. Basswood Capital Management L.L.C. bought a new stake in shares of Synchrony Financial in the second quarter valued at about $45,734,000. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its position in shares of Synchrony Financial by 959.4% in the first quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 545,880 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $37,131,000 after acquiring an additional 494,354 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.48% of the company’s stock.
Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. HSBC raised their price target on shares of Synchrony Financial from $93.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on shares of Synchrony Financial from $86.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Synchrony Financial from $95.00 to $88.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Synchrony Financial from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their target price on shares of Synchrony Financial from $90.00 to $86.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 6th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Synchrony Financial has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $87.25.
Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on SYF Synchrony Financial Stock Down 0.4% Shares of NYSE SYF opened at $73.72 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.22. Synchrony Financial has a 52 week low of $63.08 and a 52 week high of $88.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.48, a PEG ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.35. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $75.96 and its 200 day moving average is $74.50.
Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.59 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.14 by $0.45. The company had revenue of $3.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.72 billion. Synchrony Financial had a net margin of 15.44% and a return on equity of 23.09%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.50 EPS. Synchrony Financial has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.250-9.500 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Synchrony Financial will post 9.40 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Synchrony Financial Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 5th were paid a dividend of $0.34 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 5th. This is a positive change from Synchrony Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. Synchrony Financial’s payout ratio is presently 13.93%.
Synchrony Financial Company Profile (Free Report)
Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF) is a consumer financial services company that provides credit products and related services through partnerships with retailers, manufacturers, healthcare providers and other businesses. The company is best known for private-label credit cards and dual-use credit cards that allow consumers to finance purchases with participating brands.
Synchrony’s offerings also include promotional financing, installment loans and other consumer payment solutions. Its products support spending across areas such as retail, home improvement, consumer electronics, healthcare, automotive and lifestyle purchases.
Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Synchrony Financial Bank of America Stock Sell-Off Looks Like a Buying Opportunity AST SpaceMobile Is Down 67%—Could SpaceX’s Mobile Push Deepen the Selloff? GlobalFoundries’ $21 Billion Deal Could Change the Economics of Chipmaking Fundamental and Technicals Signals Align for Costco: Is the Stock Finally Breaking Out?
Receive News & Ratings for Synchrony Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Synchrony Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Wall Street analysts forecast that Synchrony (SYF - Free Report) will report quarterly earnings of $2.48 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to a year-over-year decline of 13.3%. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $4.84 billion, exhibiting an increase of 2.5% compared to the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has undergone a downward revision of 3.8% in the past 30 days, bringing it to its present level. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reassessed their initial estimates during this timeframe.
Before a company reveals its earnings, it is vital to take into account any changes in earnings projections. These revisions play a pivotal role in predicting the possible reactions of investors toward the stock. Multiple empirical studies have consistently shown a strong association between trends in earnings estimates and the short-term price movements of a stock.
While investors typically use consensus earnings and revenue estimates as indicators of quarterly business performance, exploring analysts' projections for specific key metrics can offer valuable insights.
Given this perspective, it's time to examine the average forecasts of specific Synchrony metrics that are routinely monitored and predicted by Wall Street analysts.
According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Net interest margin' should come in at 15.5%. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 15.6% in the same quarter of the previous year.
The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Efficiency Ratio' of 34.8%. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 32.6%.
The average prediction of analysts places 'Total - Period-end loan receivables' at $103.46 billion. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $100.18 billion in the same quarter last year.
Analysts predict that the 'Total - Purchase volume' will reach $49.21 billion. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $46.01 billion.
The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Net charge-offs as a % of average loan receivables, including held for sale' will likely reach 5.0%. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 5.2% in the same quarter of the previous year.
The consensus estimate for 'Average Balance - Total interest-earning assets' stands at $122.71 billion. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $119.89 billion.
The consensus among analysts is that 'Total - Average loan receivables, including held for sale' will reach $102.73 billion. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $99.89 billion in the same quarter of the previous year.
Analysts forecast 'Platform Analysis - Diversified & Value - Period-end loan receivables' to reach $21.05 billion. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $19.50 billion in the same quarter of the previous year.
Analysts' assessment points toward 'Platform Analysis - Diversified & Value - Average loan receivables, including held for sale' reaching $20.86 billion. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $19.44 billion in the same quarter last year.
Analysts expect 'Platform Analysis - Health & Wellness - Purchase volume' to come in at $4.14 billion. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $3.98 billion.
Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Platform Analysis - Health & Wellness - Period-end loan receivables' should arrive at $15.76 billion. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $15.45 billion in the same quarter last year.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Platform Analysis - Health & Wellness - Average loan receivables, including held for sale' will reach $15.57 billion. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $15.35 billion in the same quarter of the previous year.
View all Key Company Metrics for Synchrony here>>>
Synchrony shares have witnessed a change of -4.2% in the past month, in contrast to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.4% move. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), SYF is expected closely follow the overall market performance in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) will release earnings for its third quarter before the opening bell on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Analysts expect the Stamford, Connecticut-based company to report quarterly earnings of $2.40 per share, down from $2.86 per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for SYF’s quarterly revenue is $3.81 billion. It reported $3.82 billion last year, according to Benzinga Pro.
On July 21, Synchrony reported better-than-expected second-quarter financial results.
Synchrony Financial shares fell 2.5% to close at $71.72 on Wednesday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the Analyst Stock Ratings page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let’s have a look at how Benzinga’s most-accurate analysts have rated the company in the recent period.
JP Morgan analyst Richard Shane maintained a Neutral rating and cut the price target from $78 to $74 on Oct. 12, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 65%. BMO Capital analyst Andrew Bauch initiated coverage on the stock with a Market Perform rating and a price target of $81 on Oct. 9, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 59%. TD Cowen analyst Moshe Orenbuch maintained a Buy rating and cut the price target from $90 to $86 on Oct. 6, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 63%. UBS analyst Erika Najarian maintained a Neutral rating and slashed the price target from $87 to $81 on Oct. 5, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 61%. Evercore ISI Group analyst John Pancari maintained the stock with an Outperform rating and cut the price target from $86 to $80 on Oct. 1, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 60%. Considering buying SYF stock? Here’s what analysts think:
Photo via Shutterstock
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
Investors in Synchrony Financial (SYF - Free Report) need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the December 18, 2026 $28.00 Call had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today.
What is Implied Volatility?Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy.
What do the Analysts Think?Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for Synchrony Financial, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, Synchrony Financial is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Financial - Miscellaneous Services Industry that ranks in the Bottom 30% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, four analysts have increased their estimates for the current quarter, while none have revised their estimates downward. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter to move from $2.38 per share to $2.48 per share in the same time period.
Given the way analysts feel about Synchrony Financial right now, this huge implied volatility could mean there’s a trade developing. Often times, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected.
Key Takeaways Synchrony to report Q3 results on Oct. 20; EPS is forecasted at $2.48, down 13.3%, on $4.84B revenues.Q3 purchase volumes may rise 7%, while interest-earning assets increase 2.4% and active accounts 0.7%.SYF faces higher employee and processing costs, nearly 10% RSA growth and a lower net interest margin. Consumer financial services company, Synchrony Financial (SYF - Free Report) , is set to report third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 20, before the opening bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings is currently pegged at $2.48 per share on revenues of $4.84 billion.
The third-quarter earnings estimate has witnessed three upward revisions and no downward movements over the past 60 days. However, the bottom-line projection indicates a year-over-year decrease of 13.3%. But the Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues implies year-over-year growth of 2.6%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
For full-year 2026, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Synchrony Financial’s revenues is pegged at $19.07 billion, implying an increase of 3.3% year over year. However, the consensus mark for the current year EPS is pegged at $9.40, signaling a decline of around 0.2% on a year-over-year basis.
SYF’s earnings beat the consensus estimate in three of the past four quarters and met once, with the average surprise being 15.5%.
Q3 Earnings Whispers for SYFOur proven model predicts a likely earnings beat for the company this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That is precisely the case here.
Synchrony Financial has an Earnings ESP of +5.87% and carries a Zacks Rank #3 at present. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
What’s Shaping SYF’s Q3 Results?Synchrony Financial is expected to have seen advantages in the third quarter from increased interest-earning assets and higher purchase volumes. Our model predicts interest and fees on loans of $5.6 billion for the quarter, up 1.7% from a year ago. Higher figures from Health & Wellness and Digital are likely to anchor the results.
The consensus mark for total purchase volumes indicates 7% year-over-year growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates that the total average active accounts are likely to increase 0.7% in the third quarter. SYF is expected to witness a 2.4% increase in average interest-earning assets.
The consensus mark for the net charge-offs ratio is pegged at 5.01, down from 5.16 a year ago. The above-mentioned factors are likely to have benefited the company in the third quarter, positioning it for an earnings beat.
However, Synchrony Financial is expected to have incurred increased information processing and employee costs in the third quarter, partially offsetting the positives. Also, RSA is expected to have increased nearly 10% year over year in the third quarter.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for net interest margin is pegged at 15.50%, down from 15.62% achieved a year ago, decreasing its profitability.
Other Stocks That Warrant a LookHere are some other companies worth considering from the broader Finance space, as our model shows that these, too, have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this time around:
Chime Financial, Inc. (CHYM - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +4.19% and a Zacks Rank of 1 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chime Financial’s bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at 9 cents, which indicates 160% year-over-year growth. The consensus estimate for CHYM’s revenues is pegged at $705.2 million, a 29.7% increase from a year ago.
Virtu Financial, Inc. (VIRT - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +1.88% and a Zacks Rank of 1 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Virtu Financial’s bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at $1.49, growth of 41.9% from a year ago. The consensus estimate for VIRT’s revenues is pegged at $604.79 million, a 29.5% year-over-year jump.
Credicorp Ltd. (BAP - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +4.71% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Credicorp’s bottom line for the to-be-reported quarter is pegged at $7.51, which indicates 21.7% year-over-year growth. The consensus estimate for BAP’s revenues is pegged at $1.84 billion, an 11.7% increase from a year ago.
The market expects Synchrony (SYF - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 20, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis consumer credit company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.48 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -13.3%.
Revenues are expected to be $4.84 billion, up 2.6% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 3.13% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Synchrony?For Synchrony, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +5.87%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination indicates that Synchrony will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Synchrony would post earnings of $2.08 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.59, delivering a surprise of +24.52%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Synchrony appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
LEHI, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Weave (NYSE: WEAV), a leading AI-powered patient communications and payments platform purpose-built for healthcare practices, today announced the live availability of its integration with CareCredit, a leading patient financing solution from Synchrony (NYSE: SYF). The integration gives front-office staff real-time visibility into a patient's financing options directly within Weave — bringing one of healthcare's hardest conversations forward, before the appointment begins.
"The Weave team has built a seamless experience for practices that want to offer CareCredit at the point of care," said Greg Pierce, SVP Network Solutions at Synchrony (CareCredit).
Share For most patients, the question of how to pay comes last: after the exam, after the recommendation, often as a surprise at checkout. That timing has consequences. Out-of-pocket costs remain one of the most common reasons patients delay or decline treatment. By surfacing a patient's CareCredit status and available credit at the start of the visit, Weave replaces sticker shock with an informed conversation — and gives practices a way to solve cost alongside the patient rather than let it stand between them and care.
It's also the latest expression of Weave's single-system approach: financing no longer lives in a separate portal, but inside the workflow where the front office already works.
"Affordability is one of the defining challenges facing patients, and practices are navigating shrinking margins at the same time," said Marcus Bertilson, Chief Operating Officer at Weave. "By making CareCredit a native part of the front-office experience, we're giving practices the tools to meet patients where they are financially — and to move more care forward. When staff can see a patient's available credit before the appointment, cost stops being the obstacle and starts being part of the plan."
Key benefits of the integration include:
The financial conversation, moved up front. Staff can view a patient's CareCredit status and available credit directly within Weave — no switching between systems. CareCredit helps broaden access to recommended treatment. Promotional financing options help more patients confidently move forward with the care they want or need. Deeper payments adoption. 43% of recently surveyed Weave payments customers said they would use Weave's payment services exclusively once CareCredit is added. A modern, mobile-first experience. Practices can initiate CareCredit payments in-office or via a text-to-pay link, and patients can apply for credit directly within Weave or on their own device — meeting patients where they already are. "The Weave team has built a seamless experience for practices that want to offer CareCredit at the point of care," said Greg Pierce, SVP Network Solutions at Synchrony (CareCredit). "When financing options are visible earlier in the patient journey — at a moment when clearer options can make a real difference — practices can have more confident conversations, and more patients move forward with the treatment they need."
To learn more about Weave Payments, visit https://www.getweave.com/carecredit/.
About Weave
Weave is a leading vertical SaaS company delivering an AI-powered patient engagement and payments platform purpose-built for modern healthcare practices. More than software, Weave is an always-on teammate—handling patient interactions across voice and text and operating at the center of the patient journey. Through agentic AI workflows and authorized integrations with practice management systems, Weave ensures critical tasks like scheduling, insurance verification, and payments happen seamlessly, so nothing falls between the cracks. By embedding AI directly into daily operations, Weave reduces administrative workload, frees up staff to focus on human-centered care, and delivers real-time insights that help practices run smarter and grow with confidence. Serving over 40,000 customer locations, Weave was named a 2026 Best Software Awards winner for healthcare software products by G2. To learn more, visit getweave.com/newsroom.
Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Get Free Report) was the recipient of unusually large options trading activity on Thursday. Stock traders acquired 8,058 call options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 436% compared to the average volume of 1,502 call options.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In SYF has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Synchrony Financial from $86.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Wolfe Research increased their price target on shares of Synchrony Financial from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 25th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of Synchrony Financial from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Synchrony Financial from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Synchrony Financial from $95.00 to $88.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $89.00.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Synchrony Financial
Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. CX Institutional lifted its holdings in shares of Synchrony Financial by 33.7% during the third quarter. CX Institutional now owns 78,791 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $5,592,000 after purchasing an additional 19,868 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 7,857 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $558,000 after buying an additional 333 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Synchrony Financial by 1.0% during the second quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 188,446 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $14,331,000 after purchasing an additional 1,821 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. boosted its holdings in Synchrony Financial by 47.0% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 6,461 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $491,000 after buying an additional 2,065 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bullseye Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Synchrony Financial during the second quarter worth approximately $106,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.48% of the company’s stock. Synchrony Financial Price Performance SYF stock opened at $71.73 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $76.87 and a 200 day moving average of $74.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.22 and a quick ratio of 1.22. The company has a market cap of $23.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.35, a PEG ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 1.35. Synchrony Financial has a 1 year low of $63.08 and a 1 year high of $88.77.
Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.14 by $0.45. The company had revenue of $3.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.72 billion. Synchrony Financial had a net margin of 15.44% and a return on equity of 23.09%. 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 9.38 EPS for the current year.
Synchrony Financial Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 17th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 5th were given a $0.34 dividend. This is an increase from Synchrony Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 5th. This represents a $1.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. Synchrony Financial’s dividend payout ratio is currently 13.93%.
(Get Free Report)
Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF) is a consumer financial services company that provides credit products and related services through partnerships with retailers, manufacturers, healthcare providers and other businesses. The company is best known for private-label credit cards and dual-use credit cards that allow consumers to finance purchases with participating brands.
Synchrony’s offerings also include promotional financing, installment loans and other consumer payment solutions. Its products support spending across areas such as retail, home improvement, consumer electronics, healthcare, automotive and lifestyle purchases.
Recommended Stories Five stocks we like better than Synchrony Financial AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird Progress Comes With Several Risks Still Unresolved Time to Nibble on MCD Stock After it Enters Oversold Territory? McCormick Stock Trades Cheap, Offers Dividend Growth and Unilever Deal Upside Corning and AT&T’s $3 Billion Fiber Deal Reveals Where AI Spending Goes Next Receive News & Ratings for Synchrony Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Synchrony Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Key Takeaways Synchrony is integrating CareCredit financing directly into Vetspire's platform across billing and checkout.The companies plan to collect clinic-level data to measure workflow efficiency and treatment acceptance.Health & Wellness purchase volume rose 2.1% year over year in the second quarter of 2026. Synchrony Financial (SYF - Free Report) is strengthening CareCredit’s role in veterinary payments by integrating its financing options directly into Vetspire’s AI-enabled practice management platform. The partnership brings financing into the clinical workflow, reducing reliance on separate payment terminals and making financing easier to access during veterinary visits. Vetspire is used by more than 1,000 veterinary hospitals and clinics nationwide.
The integration combines Vetspire’s tools with CareCredit’s financing capabilities across billing and checkout. Vetspire brings medical records, scheduling, payments, inventory and client communications into one platform, while features such as AI scribe are designed to reduce documentation work. Embedding financing within this core workflow can simplify administrative steps and support smoother payment discussions alongside treatment decisions.
The partnership also has expansion potential within Vetspire’s customer base. About 85% of its clinics are already enrolled with CareCredit, leaving the remaining 15% as an opportunity for incremental provider adoption. The companies plan to collect clinic-level performance data, which could help quantify whether the integration improves workflow efficiency and treatment acceptance over time. Such evidence could support further adoption. The partnership also gives participating practices access to CareCredit’s marketing resources, business intelligence support and tools designed to improve financial conversations and treatment acceptance, adding another layer of value beyond payment integration.
For Synchrony, the deal fits a strategy of extending CareCredit into the digital infrastructure surrounding healthcare payments. In the second quarter of 2026, Health & Wellness purchase volume increased 2.1% year over year, with growth primarily reflecting higher Pet spending, while health and wellness loan receivables rose 0.5%.
If embedded payment options lift treatment acceptance and CareCredit utilization, the model could strengthen Synchrony’s position in veterinary finance while giving clinics a practical tool to improve both efficiency and client experience.
How Are SYF’s Peers Faring?Some of SYF’s competitors in the payments space are American Express Company (AXP - Free Report) and Capital One Financial Corporation (COF - Free Report) .
American Express benefits from healthy card spending, with second-quarter 2026 billed business rising 9% year over year. AXP’s total revenues net of interest expense advanced 10% to $19.6 billion in the second quarter, while U.S. consumer spending grew 11%, reflecting resilient demand across its premium card franchise globally.
Capital One is seeing strong momentum in cards following the Discover acquisition. In the second quarter of 2026, Capital One’s credit card purchase volume climbed 26% year over year to $253.8 billion, while Credit Card segment net revenues rose 29%, supported by solid spending and resilient credit performance across customers.
Key Takeaways Synchrony Financial says trust will determine how quickly consumers hand more shopping tasks to AI.Fraud protection could lift AI shopping use, with 67% saying they would use AI more if it were included.Synchrony Financial aims to keep credit, rewards and offers visible as AI becomes a shopping interface. Synchrony Financial (SYF - Free Report) is arguing that trust, more than convenience, will decide how quickly consumers hand more shopping tasks to AI. Its study with Oxford Economics found shoppers want security, transparency, control and recourse before allowing AI agents to act for them. Synchrony Financial’s consumers are most comfortable using AI for lower-risk activities such as searching, comparing prices and applying discounts.
Data security was important to 82% of respondents from the 2026 AI in Commerce study and transparency to 77%, both ahead of time savings at 58%. As AI moves closer to payments and larger purchases, the safeguards become more important. The company is developing tools so financing, rewards and offers remain visible and reliable when AI agents shop, while also supporting standards for fraud protection and accountability.
Fraud protection could materially expand usage, with 67% saying they would use AI more if such protection were included. Consumers are also receptive to practical shopping functions: 79% would allow AI to apply discounts, 74% loyalty rewards and 43% purchases within a preset limit. However, 46% would not use AI for purchases of $5,000 or more, showing that trust weakens as financial stakes rise.
For Synchrony Financial, the financial opportunity is protecting and extending its role in digital commerce as AI becomes a shopping interface. If more purchases are initiated or completed by AI agents, Synchrony Financial needs its credit products, rewards and promotional offers to remain discoverable during that journey. Stronger trust features could support card usage, financing volumes and partner engagement.
How Are Peers Placed?Global Payments Inc. (GPN - Free Report) struck a similar tone in its Agentic Commerce Report, noting that interest in AI shopping is rising, while trust, security and control remain key barriers. Consumers expect AI to make 15% of purchases within five years, up from 9% a year ago. Among Americans, 45% would consider AI shopping agents, 69% use AI to find better deals and 63% use it to save time.
American Express Company’s (AXP - Free Report) agentic-commerce announcement makes a similar strategic point. AmEx introduced its ACE Developer Kit and Agent Purchase Protection, designed to authenticate AI agents, capture customer purchase intent, tokenize payment credentials and protect eligible customers from certain AI-agent errors.
Synchrony Financial’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesSYF shares have plunged 14.1% year to date compared with the industry’s 12.9% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, Synchrony Financial trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 7.08, down from the industry average of 14.66. SYF carries a Value Score of A.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Synchrony Financial’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $9.37 per share, implying a 0.5% decline from the year-ago period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
CareCredit's embedded financing, combined with Vetspire's AI-enabled practice technology, helps veterinary teams streamline operations, improve client engagement and support timely pet care.
Key Highlights:
Embedded financing from CareCredit: Real-time financing offers now integrated directly into the Vetspire workflow. Faster, simpler checkout: Reduces administrative steps by moving financing from external terminals into the core clinical system. AI-enabled efficiency with integrated financial solutions: Leverages Vetspire's AI platform to support smoother visits while making CareCredit financing options accessible and easy for pet owners , /PRNewswire/ -- CareCredit, a leading health and wellness financial solution by Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), a premier consumer financial services company, today announced a strategic partnership with Vetspire, a leading cloud-based veterinary practice management software (PMS) provider. Through the integration, CareCredit's flexible financing options will be embedded directly into Vetspire's AI-enabled, cloud-based platform, giving veterinary practices a more modern way to offer real-time payment solutions at the point of care. By operationalizing checkout workflows and making financial options easier to access, the cutting-edge collaboration aims to improve the experience for pet owners, reduce administrative friction for clinic teams and support timely care for pets.
CareCredit’s embedded financing, combined with Vetspire’s AI-enabled practice technology, helps veterinary teams streamline operations, improve client engagement and support timely pet care. Placing clinical workflows at the heart of practice operations, Vetspire is an AI platform that can now be integrated seamlessly with CareCredit to offer payment information at the point of care. Vetspire is a best-in-class, cloud-based PMS that is already being used by 1,000+ veterinary hospitals and clinics. The system contains a customizable scheduling module and enables client self-check-in through a dedicated patient app, for one place that houses care and provider information.
Vetspire's AI capabilities enable veterinary teams to streamline workflows and take more time with each client, caring for their pets and addressing their needs. Vetspire brings together medical records, scheduling, billing, payments, inventory and client communications in one integrated platform that is customizable for each practice's needs. AI features like scribe make it easier for providers to focus on their clients and their pets' care and cost conversations during appointments, while helping them maintain accurate records. Vetspire also helps providers communicate with clients with the ability to send messages about upcoming appointments and new products.
"This partnership reflects CareCredit's continued focus on modernizing the veterinary care and payment experience through innovation, integration and smarter technology," said Jonathan Wainberg, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Pet, Synchrony. "By partnering with Vetspire, we're embedding CareCredit financing directly into a best-in-class AI-enabled platform. This simplifies administrative processes, integrates all client communications and provides AI-specific capabilities and tools that ultimately streamline financing conversations and create a more seamless, user-friendly experience – keeping the focus on pets and their care."
Beyond providing direct payment integration, the collaboration offers veterinary practices access to a suite of CareCredit resources, including customized marketing templates, robust business intelligence support and shared tools to optimize patient financial conversations and treatment acceptance. While Vetspire is currently trusted by more than 1,000 veterinary hospitals and clinics nationwide — approximately 85% of which are already active CareCredit-enrolled providers — this strategic partnership deepens the existing relationship by moving financing from an external terminal directly into the core clinical system. This integration streamlines daily operations for thousands of shared practice clients, while introducing a powerful, unified financial tool to the remaining 15% of Vetspire users and future partner clinics.
"At Vetspire, our mission has always been to build technology that puts veterinary professionals first, removing operational obstacles so they can focus on what matters most — saving and improving animal lives," said Joe Mazzarella, General Manager, Vetspire. "Integrating CareCredit directly into our platform is an extension of that commitment. In an era where veterinary teams are navigating unprecedented case volumes, bringing essential financial and billing workflows into a single cloud environment allows practices to run more efficiently, reduces administrative burnout and provides pet parents with more payment paths."
As Vetspire continues to roll out its cloud-based capability, both companies plan to gather and share clinic-level performance data demonstrating the operational and financial impact of the integration on modern veterinary care.
FAQ
How does the integration help veterinary practices day to day?
It streamlines checkout and billing by bringing financing into the core system instead of relying on an external terminal, helping reduce administrative friction, improve workflow efficiency, and support more consistent financial conversations.
What benefits does this provide to pet owners?
Pet owners can access flexible financing options in real time at the point of care, making it easier to understand payment paths and move forward with recommended treatment plans.
How does Vetspire's AI capability fit into this partnership?
Vetspire is built as an AI platform and includes features like AI scribe, which can help providers focus on patients and client conversations while supporting accurate documentation, complementing the goal of reducing operational obstacles.
Who is using Vetspire today, and how broadly will this apply?
Vetspire is used by 1,000+ veterinary hospitals and clinics nationwide, and about 85% are already CareCredit-enrolled providers. This partnership deepens that relationship by embedding financing into Vetspire and extends a unified toolset to the remaining users and future clinics as the rollout continues.
About Synchrony
Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) is a leading consumer financing company that has been at the heart of American commerce and opportunity for nearly a century. Synchrony delivers credit and banking products that empower tens of millions of consumers to improve their financial lives and access what matters most. Leveraging innovative solutions that are shaping the future of retail commerce, Synchrony supports the growth and success of some of the nation's most respected brands, alongside hundreds of thousands of small and midsize businesses, including health and wellness providers. Committed to excellence in service and culture, Synchrony is honored to be ranked the #1 Best Company to Work For® in the U.S. by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work®. For more information, visit www.synchrony.com.
About Vetspire
Vetspire is an all-in-one, cloud-based practice management software built with a bold vision: to place medicine and clinical workflows at the heart of veterinary care. Unlike traditional platforms that prioritized billing over clinical needs, Vetspire was designed from the ground up to support veterinarians in delivering better, more efficient care. This innovative, medicine-first approach has made a clear impact, with Vetspire now trusted by veterinary practices across the country — from independent clinics to large enterprise groups. As a recognized leader in veterinary AI, Vetspire continues to set the standard for how smart technology can elevate both patient care and the clinician experience.
Media Contacts:
Lauren Devilbiss
Synchrony
[email protected]
New research shows consumers are more willing to let AI make purchases when they have clear protection, transparency and control
Key Highlights
Security and transparency matter most: Keeping data secure (82%) and being transparent about how it is used (77%) matter more to consumers than saving time (58%). Fraud protection drives adoption: 67% would use AI more if it included fraud protection. AI comfort is highest for low-risk purchases: For purchases under $50, 47% of consumers would let AI suggest options for review and approval and 34% would let AI act based on preferences and past behavior, but 46% would not use AI for purchases of $5,000 or more. AI shopping is becoming a trust challenge for commerce: As AI agents take on more of the shopping journey, companies will need to communicate clearly the value, protections and controls they offer consumers. , /PRNewswire/ -- Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), a leading consumer financing company, today released findings from its 2026 AI in Commerce study, conducted with Oxford Economics, on how consumers view AI in online shopping and payments as agentic commerce gains ground. In agentic commerce, AI agents can search, compare, and, in some cases, buy on a consumer's behalf.
New research by Synchrony and Oxford Economics shows consumers are more willing to let AI make purchases when they have clear protection, transparency and control The research shows many consumers already use AI for shopping, but trust determines how much they will empower an agent to act on their behalf. Shoppers are most comfortable using AI for lower-risk tasks such as searching for products, comparing prices and applying discounts. As AI moves closer to higher-value purchases, consumers want stronger security, transparency, control and a clear way to correct mistakes.
"Consumers are telling us the future of AI shopping will be won by the most trusted experience," said Nimrod Barak, Chief AI Officer of Synchrony. "As AI moves from helping shoppers compare to acting on their behalf, trust becomes the real differentiator. The companies that build protection, approval and accountability from the start will be better positioned to earn consumer confidence, drive growth and win in AI commerce."
"Consumers are open to AI taking on more of the shopping journey, but that willingness comes with clear expectations around security, transparency and control," said Margaux McLoughlin, Research Manager, Thought Leadership at Oxford Economics. "Our research shows that trust is a prerequisite for agentic commerce adoption. As AI moves from helping consumers make decisions to acting on their behalf, businesses have an opportunity to build trust into every interaction by giving consumers clear protections, visibility into how AI acts and meaningful control over the shopping experience."
Key Findings
Consumers are clear about what they want from AI shopping. Keeping data secure (82%) ranks first followed by transparency about how data is used (77%). Saving time (58%) ranks lower.
Fraud protection is a major adoption driver. Two-thirds of consumers (67%) say they would use AI more if it came with fraud protection.
Consumers are most likely to turn to AI when it helps them search, compare and save. Among those surveyed:
79% are willing to let AI automatically apply discounts, and 74% are willing to let AI apply loyalty points or rewards. 51% are open to AI recommending a new credit card, and 48% are open to AI checking whether they are prequalified. 43% are comfortable letting AI purchase up to a preset limit. 37% are comfortable allowing AI to automatically purchase regularly used products. Trust is also shaped by existing relationships. Consumers say they would be likely to trust an AI shopping assistant from a technology company (58%), retailer or brand (56%), general AI platform (55%) or their primary bank (55%). A bank with no existing relationship trails at 38%.
AI comfort is strongest when AI is transacting on low-risk purchases. Consumers are most open to letting AI transact on lower-cost purchases. For items under $50, 47% of consumers would let AI suggest options for review and approval, and 34% would let AI act automatically based on their preferences and past behavior. By contrast, 46% would not use AI for purchases of $5,000 or more.
AI users are more willing to delegate. Consumers already using AI are less likely than non-users to cite a preference for making shopping decisions themselves as a barrier to AI use (34% vs. 52%), indicating they are more willing to delegate making or completing purchases to AI.
Younger consumers are leading adoption. Gen Z (39%) respondents are more willing than Boomers (15%) to let AI handle payment details. The report shows that stronger protections and clearer controls will be key to building trust and encouraging wider use.
What Businesses Should Do Now
The research points to a clear takeaway for retailers, brands and financial institutions: AI adoption will depend in large part on consumer trust. Companies that build AI experiences around protection, transparency and consumer control will be better positioned to earn confidence for more advanced AI shopping.
Businesses should:
Lead with protection: Put fraud prevention, consent and recourse front and center. Keep consumers in control: Build review, approval and overrides into key actions. Start with low-risk tasks: Focus first on search, comparison, tips and discounts. Build on trusted relationships: Embed AI in brands, banks and platforms consumers already use. Plan for mistakes: Make it easy to see what the AI agent did, understand why it acted and resolve issues quickly. Helping Brands Earn Preference When AI Agents Shop
Synchrony is putting these principles into practice by helping partners prepare for agentic commerce. The company is developing capabilities designed to make financing, rewards and offers recognizable and reliable when AI agents shop on a customer's behalf, helping brands compete on more than price.
For customers, that means a familiar and trusted experience where the value, protections and choices they expect still show up, even when an AI agent is helping them shop.
Synchrony is also working with open-source and industry groups to advance interoperable standards and help embed fraud protection, transparency, consumer control and accountability into emerging AI shopping experiences. By building and learning alongside partners, Synchrony aims to help build an AI commerce ecosystem that creates value for brands while protecting customers.
For more information, view the Synchrony and Oxford Economics 2026 AI in Commerce study and thought leadership piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the significance of this research?
A1: It identifies what earns consumer confidence in AI shopping and what expands it. Consumers use AI to research, compare and find savings, and the research shows that protection, control and accountability could extend that willingness to the point of payment.
Q2: What kinds of shopping tasks are consumers already using AI for?
A2: Mostly research and comparison. About a third have used AI to search for alternatives, and a similar share to compare prices.
Q3: What would make consumers use AI more for shopping?
A3: Fraud protection. Two-thirds of consumers say they would use AI more if it came with it, and consumers rank data security and transparency above convenience.
Q4: How is Synchrony helping partners prepare for agentic commerce?
A4: Synchrony is developing capabilities designed to make financing, rewards and offers recognizable and reliable when AI agents shop on a customer's behalf. The goal is to help partners compete on more than price while giving customers a familiar, trusted experience where the value, protections and choices they expect still show up.
Q5: Why do standards matter in AI shopping?
A5: As AI agents begin helping consumers search, compare and buy, brands, financial institutions and technology platforms will need common ways to support transparency, fraud protection, consumer control and accountability. Synchrony is working with open-source and industry groups to help advance interoperable standards that can support trusted AI shopping experiences.
Q6: Where can I learn more?
A6: Learn more about Synchrony and agentic commerce here.
About Synchrony
Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) is a leading consumer financing company that has been at the heart of American commerce and opportunity for nearly a century. Synchrony delivers credit and banking products that empower tens of millions of consumers to improve their financial lives and access what matters most. Leveraging innovative solutions that are shaping the future of retail commerce, Synchrony supports the growth and success of some of the nation's most respected brands, alongside hundreds of thousands of small and midsize businesses, including health and wellness providers. Committed to excellence in service and culture, Synchrony is honored to be ranked the #1 Best Company to Work For® in the U.S. by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work®. For more information, visit www.synchrony.com.
Methodology: This study pairs a survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers, fielded in May 2026, with eight in-depth interviews with senior payments, retail and technology leaders, conducted in partnership with Oxford Economics.
Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the seventeen analysts that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and ten have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $88.25.
SYF has been the subject of several research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Synchrony Financial from $81.00 to $78.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Synchrony Financial from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Synchrony Financial in a report on Friday, July 17th. HSBC boosted their price objective on shares of Synchrony Financial from $93.00 to $97.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Synchrony Financial from $95.00 to $88.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd.
Read Our Latest Analysis on SYF
Institutional Investors Weigh In On Synchrony Financial A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. World Investment Advisors boosted its position in Synchrony Financial by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 22,874 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,556,000 after buying an additional 134 shares during the last quarter. WealthTrust Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Synchrony Financial by 0.9% during the first quarter. WealthTrust Asset Management LLC now owns 17,452 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,187,000 after acquiring an additional 156 shares during the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Synchrony Financial by 15.8% during the fourth quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC now owns 1,333 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $111,000 after acquiring an additional 182 shares during the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial by 13.7% in the second quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,526 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $116,000 after acquiring an additional 184 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CoreFirst Bank & Trust lifted its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial by 57.8% in the first quarter. CoreFirst Bank & Trust now owns 505 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 185 shares in the last quarter. 96.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Synchrony Financial Trading Up 1.1% SYF opened at $71.45 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.22. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $77.00 and its 200-day moving average price is $73.79. Synchrony Financial has a one year low of $63.08 and a one year high of $88.77. The stock has a market cap of $23.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.32, a P/E/G ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.32.
Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.59 earnings per share (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 earned $2.50 EPS. Synchrony Financial has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.250-9.500 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Synchrony Financial will post 9.37 EPS for the current year.
Synchrony Financial Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 17th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 5th were paid a $0.34 dividend. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. This is an increase from Synchrony Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 5th. Synchrony Financial’s payout ratio is currently 13.93%.
(Get Free Report)
Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF) is a consumer financial services company that provides credit products and financing programs through partnerships with retailers, manufacturers, healthcare providers and other businesses. Its offerings are designed to help consumers finance purchases and manage spending across a range of industries.
The company’s products include private-label and co-branded credit cards, promotional financing, installment loans and other consumer payment solutions. Synchrony also provides deposit products and other banking services through Synchrony Bank, including savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts.
Synchrony primarily serves consumers and business partners in the United States, including customers in retail, home, automotive, healthcare, specialty and other markets.
Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Synchrony Financial Hims & Hers Slides Nearly 7% as Legal Pressure Adds to Its Growing List of Risks Paychex Plunges, Providing the Entry Investors Have Been Waiting For The Case for Buying High-Yield General Mills Just Strengthened SanDisk’s $1,800 Breakout Turns Memory Hardware Into a Profit Story
Receive News & Ratings for Synchrony Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Synchrony Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of SYF either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) Chief Financial Officer Brian Wenzel said the company was seeing high-single-digit purchase-volume growth roughly 2.5 months into the third quarter, consistent with the approximately 8% growth reported during the second quarter.
Speaking at an investor event, Wenzel said spending remained resilient across consumer credit cohorts despite affordability pressures and higher gasoline prices. Super-prime consumers continued to lead growth, while prime customers showed improved strength and non-prime customers trailed modestly but without presenting a concern, he said.
Consumers also continued to make discretionary purchases, though Wenzel noted pressure in certain larger-ticket categories, including outdoor and lifestyle, health and wellness services such as dental and cosmetics, and portions of the furniture market. He said the timing of Labor Day shifted some sales activity into September. Credit Performance Remains a Focus Wenzel characterized Synchrony’s consumer credit performance as a strength, citing delinquency entry rates that are better than 2018 and 2019 levels. Early- and late-stage delinquency trends have remained consistent, although he said five-cycle delinquency was “probably a little bit weaker.”
The company expects losses to rise as newer originations mature, including the Walmart portfolio and accounts generated after Synchrony broadened its credit aperture beginning in the third quarter of the prior year. Still, Wenzel said Synchrony remains comfortable with its underwriting position and expects to originate more than 20 million new accounts this year.
Synchrony’s long-term framework calls for net charge-offs of 5.5% to 6%, while Wenzel said the company is currently operating slightly below the lower end of that range. He said the company continues to widen credit selectively in individual products, channels and verticals where performance supports it, rather than making broad-based changes.
On reserves, Wenzel said the company’s allowance rate was hovering around 10%, compared with approximately 9.7% at the introduction of the CECL accounting standard before the pandemic. He said there could be downward bias in the reserve rate over the medium term, but the company is monitoring macroeconomic risks, Federal Reserve policy, inflation and geopolitical developments.
New Partnerships Support Loan Growth Expectations Wenzel said Synchrony remained confident in its expectation for mid-single-digit receivables growth by year-end, despite receivables being up 2.8% year over year based on the company’s latest monthly report.
He cited contributions from newer and expanded relationships, including Walmart, Lowe’s commercial portfolio, Bob’s Discount Furniture, RH, Chico’s and J.Crew. Synchrony also recently relaunched its Pay Later product in the health and wellness category, which Wenzel said could help build momentum in that vertical.
Digital sales platforms, led by Amazon and PayPal, offer room for additional penetration growth, according to Wenzel. He said a refreshed value proposition for the PayPal card has generated momentum, while Amazon continues to grow. In diversified value, Walmart, TJX and Sam’s Club are expected to be important drivers.
Wenzel said home and auto activity, which was relatively flat earlier in the year, should turn positive in the second half. Health and wellness also is expected to turn positive, while lifestyle remains the most challenging platform because the outdoor industry continues to face pressure.
Over the long term, the company continues to target 7% to 10% growth through the cycle. Wenzel said the target is supported by penetration gains among highly engaged partner customers, growth that could run at roughly twice GDP, the company’s broad credit spectrum and diversification across sales platforms and verticals.
Walmart and Partner Economics Wenzel declined to discuss specific profitability metrics for the Walmart program but described the current offering as more compelling than Synchrony’s earlier relationship with the retailer. He pointed to a competitive annual percentage rate, Walmart+ benefits and a value proposition that can provide 5% back for Walmart+ members.
He said Walmart’s digital expansion and loyal customer base make the partnership a potentially significant growth engine. Synchrony had just completed the program’s first 12 months of origination at the end of August.
Regarding the competitive environment, Wenzel said competition for large co-brand and private-label relationships varies by issuer and retailer. He identified Capital One as selective in pursuing partnerships and said Citi is in transition, potentially creating opportunities for Synchrony. He also noted that fintech competitors tend to concentrate on particular verticals such as health and wellness, home specialty and outdoor.
Most of Synchrony’s larger relationships extend between 2030 and 2035, Wenzel said, while the company has a smaller number of moderate-sized partnerships expiring before 2030. He said Synchrony focuses on maintaining partner relevance and fair economics rather than waiting for contract expiration dates.
Wenzel also emphasized the company’s retail sales agreement, or RSA, model, under which partner payments can rise when credit losses fall and decline when loyalty spending increases. He said the structure aligns Synchrony’s interests with those of its partners and contributes to the stability of its return-on-assets profile.
Technology, Capital and Longer-Term Earnings Synchrony is investing in artificial intelligence, cloud technology and digital product capabilities, Wenzel said. AI applications include improving dispute resolution, streamlining merchant onboarding and preparing for agentic commerce. The company also is working to modernize operational technology and enable multiple product offers, including installment loans and dual-card products.
Wenzel said the company expects improved operating leverage beginning in 2027 as it emphasizes productivity and reallocates spending. He said headcount is expected to decline year over year, partly due to productivity initiatives and AI deployment.
The company recently issued $500 million of preferred stock, which Wenzel said completed its capital stack. With a common equity Tier 1 ratio above 13% at the end of the second quarter, Synchrony’s first capital preference is to support risk-weighted asset growth, followed by dividends, potential bolt-on acquisitions and share repurchases. He said the company aims to move its CET1 ratio closer to its external target of 11%.
Synchrony has not changed its long-term 16% net interest margin framework, Wenzel said. Lower revolving balances and elevated funding costs have pressured the metric, while its payment protection and credit programs have helped support it. He expects net interest margin to rise sequentially in the third and fourth quarters.
About Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF) Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF) is a consumer financial services company that provides credit products and financing programs through partnerships with retailers, manufacturers, healthcare providers and other businesses. Its offerings are designed to help consumers finance purchases and manage spending across a range of industries.
The company’s products include private-label and co-branded credit cards, promotional financing, installment loans and other consumer payment solutions. Synchrony also provides deposit products and other banking services through Synchrony Bank, including savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts.
Synchrony primarily serves consumers and business partners in the United States, including customers in retail, home, automotive, healthcare, specialty and other markets.
OneMain’s Yield Comes With a CatchSynchrony Financial NYSE: SYF Chief Financial Officer Brian Wenzel said the company was seeing high-single-digit purchase-volume growth roughly 2.5 months into the third quarter, consistent with the approximately 8% growth reported during the second quarter.
Speaking at an investor event, Wenzel said spending remained resilient across consumer credit cohorts despite affordability pressures and higher gasoline prices. Super-prime consumers continued to lead growth, while prime customers showed improved strength and non-prime customers trailed modestly but without presenting a concern, he said.
Get Synchrony Financial alerts:
MarketBeat Week in Review – 06/08 - 06/12Consumers also continued to make discretionary purchases, though Wenzel noted pressure in certain larger-ticket categories, including outdoor and lifestyle, health and wellness services such as dental and cosmetics, and portions of the furniture market. He said the timing of Labor Day shifted some sales activity into September.
Credit Performance Remains a Focus Wenzel characterized Synchrony’s consumer credit performance as a strength, citing delinquency entry rates that are better than 2018 and 2019 levels. Early- and late-stage delinquency trends have remained consistent, although he said five-cycle delinquency was “probably a little bit weaker.”
Synchrony’s Comeback Is Hiding in Plain SightThe company expects losses to rise as newer originations mature, including the Walmart portfolio and accounts generated after Synchrony broadened its credit aperture beginning in the third quarter of the prior year. Still, Wenzel said Synchrony remains comfortable with its underwriting position and expects to originate more than 20 million new accounts this year.
Synchrony’s long-term framework calls for net charge-offs of 5.5% to 6%, while Wenzel said the company is currently operating slightly below the lower end of that range. He said the company continues to widen credit selectively in individual products, channels and verticals where performance supports it, rather than making broad-based changes.
On reserves, Wenzel said the company’s allowance rate was hovering around 10%, compared with approximately 9.7% at the introduction of the CECL accounting standard before the pandemic. He said there could be downward bias in the reserve rate over the medium term, but the company is monitoring macroeconomic risks, Federal Reserve policy, inflation and geopolitical developments.
New Partnerships Support Loan Growth Expectations Wenzel said Synchrony remained confident in its expectation for mid-single-digit receivables growth by year-end, despite receivables being up 2.8% year over year based on the company’s latest monthly report.
He cited contributions from newer and expanded relationships, including Walmart, Lowe’s commercial portfolio, Bob’s Discount Furniture, RH, Chico’s and J.Crew. Synchrony also recently relaunched its Pay Later product in the health and wellness category, which Wenzel said could help build momentum in that vertical.
Digital sales platforms, led by Amazon and PayPal, offer room for additional penetration growth, according to Wenzel. He said a refreshed value proposition for the PayPal card has generated momentum, while Amazon continues to grow. In diversified value, Walmart, TJX and Sam’s Club are expected to be important drivers.
Wenzel said home and auto activity, which was relatively flat earlier in the year, should turn positive in the second half. Health and wellness also is expected to turn positive, while lifestyle remains the most challenging platform because the outdoor industry continues to face pressure.
Over the long term, the company continues to target 7% to 10% growth through the cycle. Wenzel said the target is supported by penetration gains among highly engaged partner customers, growth that could run at roughly twice GDP, the company’s broad credit spectrum and diversification across sales platforms and verticals.
Walmart and Partner Economics Wenzel declined to discuss specific profitability metrics for the Walmart program but described the current offering as more compelling than Synchrony’s earlier relationship with the retailer. He pointed to a competitive annual percentage rate, Walmart+ benefits and a value proposition that can provide 5% back for Walmart+ members.
He said Walmart’s digital expansion and loyal customer base make the partnership a potentially significant growth engine. Synchrony had just completed the program’s first 12 months of origination at the end of August.
Regarding the competitive environment, Wenzel said competition for large co-brand and private-label relationships varies by issuer and retailer. He identified Capital One as selective in pursuing partnerships and said Citi is in transition, potentially creating opportunities for Synchrony. He also noted that fintech competitors tend to concentrate on particular verticals such as health and wellness, home specialty and outdoor.
Most of Synchrony’s larger relationships extend between 2030 and 2035, Wenzel said, while the company has a smaller number of moderate-sized partnerships expiring before 2030. He said Synchrony focuses on maintaining partner relevance and fair economics rather than waiting for contract expiration dates.
Wenzel also emphasized the company’s retail sales agreement, or RSA, model, under which partner payments can rise when credit losses fall and decline when loyalty spending increases. He said the structure aligns Synchrony’s interests with those of its partners and contributes to the stability of its return-on-assets profile.
Technology, Capital and Longer-Term Earnings Synchrony is investing in artificial intelligence, cloud technology and digital product capabilities, Wenzel said. AI applications include improving dispute resolution, streamlining merchant onboarding and preparing for agentic commerce. The company also is working to modernize operational technology and enable multiple product offers, including installment loans and dual-card products.
Wenzel said the company expects improved operating leverage beginning in 2027 as it emphasizes productivity and reallocates spending. He said headcount is expected to decline year over year, partly due to productivity initiatives and AI deployment.
The company recently issued $500 million of preferred stock, which Wenzel said completed its capital stack. With a common equity Tier 1 ratio above 13% at the end of the second quarter, Synchrony’s first capital preference is to support risk-weighted asset growth, followed by dividends, potential bolt-on acquisitions and share repurchases. He said the company aims to move its CET1 ratio closer to its external target of 11%.
Synchrony has not changed its long-term 16% net interest margin framework, Wenzel said. Lower revolving balances and elevated funding costs have pressured the metric, while its payment protection and credit programs have helped support it. He expects net interest margin to rise sequentially in the third and fourth quarters.
About Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF)Synchrony Financial NYSE: SYF is a consumer financial services company that provides credit products and financing programs through partnerships with retailers, manufacturers, healthcare providers and other businesses. Its offerings are designed to help consumers finance purchases and manage spending across a range of industries.
The company's products include private-label and co-branded credit cards, promotional financing, installment loans and other consumer payment solutions. Synchrony also provides deposit products and other banking services through Synchrony Bank, including savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts.
Synchrony primarily serves consumers and business partners in the United States, including customers in retail, home, automotive, healthcare, specialty and other markets.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
Should You Invest $1,000 in Synchrony Financial Right Now?Before you consider Synchrony Financial, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Synchrony Financial wasn't on the list.
While Synchrony Financial currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
MarketBeat just released its list of the 7 hottest IPOs expected to hit Wall Street in 2026. See which companies are preparing to go public and why investors are watching closely.
Get This Free Report
Continue following MarketBeat
Add MarketBeat as your preferred source on Google to see our latest stories in your feed.
Corient Private Wealth LP lessened its stake in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Free Report) by 14.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 155,579 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 26,753 shares during the period. Corient Private Wealth LP’s holdings in Synchrony Financial were worth $11,832,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SYF. BlackRock Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Synchrony Financial in the 2nd quarter worth about $2,349,452,000. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new position in shares of Synchrony Financial during the second quarter worth about $1,122,961,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in Synchrony Financial by 6.4% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 6,039,753 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $410,760,000 after purchasing an additional 365,353 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP grew its stake in Synchrony Financial by 5.6% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 5,338,110 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $363,098,000 after purchasing an additional 281,451 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new stake in Synchrony Financial in the fourth quarter valued at about $383,231,000. 96.48% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts have issued reports on the company. UBS Group upped their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $84.00 to $87.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Loop Capital started coverage on Synchrony Financial in a research report on Friday, May 22nd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $81.00 target price for the company. HSBC boosted their price target on Synchrony Financial from $93.00 to $97.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $86.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their price objective on shares of Synchrony Financial from $89.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $88.24.
Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Synchrony Financial Synchrony Financial Stock Performance Shares of NYSE SYF opened at $74.96 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $77.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $73.59. Synchrony Financial has a 52-week low of $63.08 and a 52-week high of $88.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $24.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.68, a P/E/G ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.32.
Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.59 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.14 by $0.45. The company had revenue of $3.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.72 billion. Synchrony Financial had a return on equity of 23.09% and a net margin of 15.44%.During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.50 earnings per share. Synchrony Financial has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.250-9.500 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Synchrony Financial will post 9.37 earnings per share for the current year.
Synchrony Financial Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 5th were given a $0.34 dividend. This is a boost from Synchrony Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 5th. Synchrony Financial’s dividend payout ratio is 13.93%.
(Free Report)
Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF) is a consumer financial services company that provides credit products and financing programs through partnerships with retailers, manufacturers, healthcare providers and other businesses. Its offerings are designed to help consumers finance purchases and manage spending across a range of industries.
The company’s products include private-label and co-branded credit cards, promotional financing, installment loans and other consumer payment solutions. Synchrony also provides deposit products and other banking services through Synchrony Bank, including savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts.
Synchrony primarily serves consumers and business partners in the United States, including customers in retail, home, automotive, healthcare, specialty and other markets.
Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Synchrony Financial 3 Luxury Consumer Brands to Watch in a Beaten-Down Sector Jackson’s Record Quarter Powers the Bull Case Holiday Shopping Is Almost Here—And Target May Be Ready to Win Big AI Panic Hit Tech Stocks—But NVIDIA’s Growth Engine Is Intact Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SYF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Free Report).
Receive News & Ratings for Synchrony Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Synchrony Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Synchrony Financial (SYF) Barclays 24th Annual Global Financial Services Conference September 14, 2026 9:00 AM EDT
Company Participants
Brian Wenzel - Executive VP & CFO
Conference Call Participants
Terry Ma - Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Presentation
Terry Ma
Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
All right. So we'll get started. The first presentation of the day. Very pleased to have Brian Wenzel, CFO of Synchrony Financial here again. So welcome, Brian.
Brian Wenzel
Executive VP & CFO
Terry, thank you. Glad to be with you today.
Terry Ma
Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Yes. All right. We'll just jump right into it. Maybe we'll just start with the quarter. How are third quarter volume trends -- purchase volume trends materializing? And what are you seeing across income cohorts in key verticals?
Brian Wenzel
Executive VP & CFO
Yes. If you go back to July, we talked about the first part of... So I'd be very consistent with the second quarter, which had about an 8% purchase volume growth. I'd sit back and say we're 2.5 months through the third quarter, and that's kind of held true. So we're in that high single-digit purchase volume growth.
Again, if you break it down a little bit, Terry, when you first look at the credit cohorts, right? What we saw earlier part of the year was strength in super prime, nonprime and the prime was in the middle. I think when you look at it now, you see super prime continuing to pull. We see some -- a little bit more strength in the prime and the nonprime is just a little bit behind, but nothing that's concerning whatsoever from that perspective, number one.
Number two, I think when you look at the presentation we did back in July, we showed not only consistency
B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG lessened its holdings in Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Free Report) by 35.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 36,565 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 19,990 shares during the period. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG’s holdings in Synchrony Financial were worth $2,781,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in Synchrony Financial by 8.9% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 8,302 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $439,000 after buying an additional 679 shares during the period. Woodline Partners LP increased its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial by 36.2% during the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 35,582 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,884,000 after purchasing an additional 9,460 shares during the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth increased its stake in shares of Synchrony Financial by 7.7% during the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 6,406 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $339,000 after purchasing an additional 459 shares during the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Synchrony Financial by 337.0% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 590 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 455 shares during the period. Finally, Sivia Capital Partners LLC lifted its stake in Synchrony Financial by 56.1% in the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 6,062 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $405,000 after purchasing an additional 2,178 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 96.48% of the company’s stock.
Synchrony Financial Trading Up 0.1% Shares of SYF stock opened at $79.93 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $26.01 billion, a PE ratio of 8.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 1.32. Synchrony Financial has a 52-week low of $63.08 and a 52-week high of $88.77. The business’s fifty day moving average is $76.80 and its 200 day moving average is $73.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.22.
Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.59 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.14 by $0.45. The business had revenue of $3.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.72 billion. Synchrony Financial had a return on equity of 23.09% and a net margin of 15.44%.During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.50 earnings per share. Synchrony Financial has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.250-9.500 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Synchrony Financial will post 9.37 EPS for the current fiscal year. Synchrony Financial Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 17th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 5th were paid a $0.34 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 5th. This is a positive change from Synchrony Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. Synchrony Financial’s payout ratio is presently 13.93%.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have issued reports on SYF. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Synchrony Financial from $81.00 to $78.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on Synchrony Financial from $86.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. HSBC upped their price objective on shares of Synchrony Financial from $93.00 to $97.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Synchrony Financial in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on shares of Synchrony Financial from $85.00 to $80.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $87.78.
View Our Latest Report on SYF
Synchrony Financial Profile (Free Report)
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.
Read More Five stocks we like better than Synchrony Financial Revolution Medicines Got Its Breakthrough—What Moves It Next? Retail Earnings Just Exposed a Bigger Divide in the U.S. Consumer Economy FB Financial’s Southern Expansion and Buybacks Drive Analyst Optimism AST SpaceMobile Stock Soared 12%—This Was the Catalyst Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SYF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Synchrony Financial (NYSE:SYF – Free Report).
Receive News & Ratings for Synchrony Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Synchrony Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new position in Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF) during the undefined quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 2,546,794 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $193,684,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp
A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Synchrony (SYF - Free Report) . Shares have added about 9.4% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Synchrony due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
Synchrony Beats Q2 Earnings Estimates, Raises 2026 EPS Outlook
Synchrony reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.59, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 24.5%. The bottom line increased 3.6% year over year.
Net interest income increased 1.9% year over year to $4.6 billion but missed the consensus estimate by 1.1%. The growth was driven by lower interest-bearing liability costs, partly offset by lower loan and liquidity portfolio yields.
The quarterly results were driven by record purchase volume, accelerated growth in ending loan receivables despite elevated payment behavior, continued credit strength and an expansion in net interest margin. However, higher operating expenses and an increase in the provision for credit losses partly offset these positives.
Synchrony’s Q2 Results in DetailRetailer share arrangements of Synchrony advanced 3.5% year over year to $1 billion in the second quarter. Total loan receivables were $102.2 billion, up 2.4% year over year. The figure beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $101.9 billion as well as our estimate of $101.8 billion.
Total deposits increased 0.7% year over year to $82.8 billion but missed our estimate of $83.5 billion. Provision for credit losses increased 4.8% year over year to $1.2 billion, primarily due to a smaller reserve release than in the prior-year period, partially offset by lower net charge-offs. However, the reported figure came in below our estimate of $1.5 billion.
Synchrony’s purchase volume rose 8.1% year over year to $49.8 billion on higher spend per account. The figure beat the consensus estimate of $48.7 billion and our estimate of $47.7 billion.
Interest and fees on loans increased 1% year over year to $5.4 billion but marginally missed our estimate of $5.5 billion. The increase was driven by higher loan receivables yields, partly offset by lower benchmark rates. Net interest margin expanded 30 basis points year over year to 15.08% but fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 15.25%.
Average active accounts increased 0.4% year over year at 68.3 million, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 68.9 million and our estimate of 68.7 million.
Total other expenses increased 6.9% year over year to $1.33 billion, slightly above our estimate of $1.30 billion. The efficiency ratio rose 170 basis points year over year to 35.8%, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 35.05%.
Movement in Individual Sales PlatformsHome & Auto period-end loan receivables decreased 0.1% year over year in the second quarter. Purchase volume rose 5.8% year over year, reflecting the performance of new programs. Interest and fees on loans declined 0.1% year over year.
Digital period-end loan receivables inched up 4.4% year over year. Purchase volume increased 9.2%, driven by strong performance across diversified partners. Interest and fees on loans rose 1.8% year over year.
Diversified & Value period-end loan receivables increased 6.5% year over year. Purchase volume increased 11.7%, driven by partner expansion and higher gas sales. Interest and fees on loans increased 1.6% year over year.
Health & Wellness period-end loan receivables inched up 0.5% year over year. Purchase volume increased 2.1% year over year, supported by growth in Pet, partly offset by lower Cosmetic spending. Interest and fees on loans advanced 2.7% year over year.
Lifestyle period-end loan receivables decreased 0.9% year over year in the second quarter. Purchase volume rose 6%, reflecting new program growth and higher spending in Other Apparel and Goods and Luxury. Interest and fees on loans declined 1.9% year over year.
Synchrony’s Financial Position (As of June 30, 2026)Synchrony exited the second quarter with cash and equivalents of $16.2 billion, which increased from the 2025-end level of $15 billion. Total assets of $121.9 billion increased from the 2025-end figure of $119.1 billion. SYF’s balance sheet was consistently strong in the reported quarter, with total liquidity of $19.8 billion accounting for 16.2% of its total assets.
Total borrowings were $16.4 billion, up from $15.2 billion as of Dec. 31, 2025. Total equity of $16.9 billion inched up from the 2025-end figure of $16.8 billion.
Return on assets decreased 30 basis points to 2.9%. Return on equity was 21.4%, which decreased 170 bps year over year.
Capital Deployment UpdateSynchrony returned $950 million to shareholders, including $850 million through share buybacks and $100 million in dividends. As of June 30, 2026, the company had a total remaining repurchase authorization of $5.7 billion, with no expiration date.
SYF’s 2026 GuidanceSynchrony continues to anticipate mid-single-digit growth in period-end loan receivables. Strong purchase volume growth is expected to continue throughout 2026. The payment rate is expected to remain high. SYF expects receivables growth to accelerate in the second half of 2026.
The company narrowed its 2026 earnings per share guidance to $9.25-$9.50 from $9.10-$9.50, raising the lower end of the range.
RSA, as a percentage of average loan receivables, is increasing, reflecting strong program performance, and is expected to remain within the 4-4.5% target range.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?Since the earnings release, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates.
The consensus estimate has shifted -6.95% due to these changes.
VGM ScoresAt this time, Synchrony has a subpar Growth Score of D, a score with the same score on the momentum front. However, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top quintile for value investors.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Notably, Synchrony has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.
Key Takeaways Synchrony is partnering with OpenAI to embed financing, rewards and loyalty into AI-led shopping.Its ChatGPT plugin surfaces Marketplace savings, promotional financing and partner offers to users.Synchrony's purchase volume rose 6.9% year over year in the first half of 2026. Synchrony Financial (SYF - Free Report) is strengthening its position in agentic commerce through an enterprise collaboration with OpenAI, bringing financing, rewards and loyalty into AI-led shopping and checkout experiences. The move gives the company another channel to connect consumers with merchant partners as shopping increasingly shifts toward conversational and agent driven interfaces.
Under the agreement, SYF will deploy OpenAI’s models across its enterprise through ChatGPT Work, Codex and AWS Bedrock. Nearly 100% of its professional workforce has been actively using AI tools since 2024, highlighting the company’s focus on embedding artificial intelligence into daily workflows. The initiative is expected to support faster product development, improved decision-making and broader productivity gains.
A key component is SYF’s ChatGPT plugin that enables users to discover Marketplace savings, promotional financing and partner offers within ChatGPT. This could increase the visibility of Synchrony’s financing products at the point of product discovery, potentially creating another avenue for merchants to drive customer engagement and conversions.
The partnership could become increasingly valuable as AI agents begin influencing product searches and purchase decisions. Synchrony’s extensive merchant relationships, consumer-financing capabilities and rewards ecosystem give it an advantage in embedding financing into these emerging workflows. In the first half of 2026, the company’s purchase volume rose 6.9% year over year.
The collaboration also complements Synchrony’s broader efforts to prepare for agentic commerce, including work with payments networks, technology providers and merchants. Strong internal trust underpins the company’s AI rollout, with 90% of employees reporting confidence in the firm’s commitment to fair, ethical and responsible AI use. If AI-driven shopping gains scale, integrating financing and loyalty earlier in the purchasing journey could help SYF strengthen merchant engagement, improve conversion opportunities and protect its relevance as commerce becomes increasingly automated.
SYF’s Price PerformanceOver the past year, SYF shares have risen 12.5% against the industry’s fall of 23.7%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
SYF’s Zacks Rank & Key PicksSYF currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Some better-ranked stocks in the broader finance space are Pagaya Technologies Ltd. (PGY - Free Report) , Acadian Asset Management Inc. (AAMI - Free Report) and PRA Group, Inc. (PRAA - Free Report) , each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Pagaya Technologies’ current-year earnings of $3.72 per share has witnessed one upward revision in the past 30 days against none in the opposite direction. PGY’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 43.5%. The consensus estimate for current-year revenues is pegged at $1.5 billion, suggesting a 13% year-over-year jump.
The consensus estimate for Acadian Asset Management’s current-year earnings is pegged at $5.07 per share, which signals 56% year-over-year growth. Its earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 10.2%. The consensus mark for AAMI’s current-year revenues of $785.4 million implies 42.6% year-over-year growth.
The consensus estimate for PRA Group’s current-year earnings is pegged at $3.93 per share, which has witnessed two upward revisions in the past 30 days against none in the opposite direction. Its earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 107.9%. The consensus estimate for PRAA’s current-year revenues is pegged at $1.4 billion, which implies a 12.2% year-over-year rise.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story, based on information provided by a Synchrony Financial executive, mischaracterized the collaboration between Synchrony and OpenAI. Details, quotes and characterizations attributed to Synchrony and the executive have been removed. A corrected version is below.
Synchrony Financial, the credit card issuer for brands including Amazon, Walmart and Lowe's, on Monday announced a collaboration with OpenAI allowing the artificial intelligence company's models to power the card company's consumer portals.
"AI is creating an opportunity to reimagine the entire commerce experience, from how customers discover products to how they pay, earn rewards, and build loyalty," said Kaylin Voss, vice president of Americas and Industries at OpenAI, in a press release.
"Synchrony is approaching that opportunity from both sides: bringing OpenAI into the experiences it creates for customers and partners, while deploying our most advanced models and tools across its own enterprise," she said.
By using OpenAI's models, Synchrony hopes it can remain relevant in a future where AI agents help to research and purchase items. The partnership, which is in its early stages, is a step toward enabling Synchrony customers to have smoother online shopping experiences.
Separately, Synchrony said it is launching a ChatGPT plugin that lets consumers browse its marketplace deals, promotional financing and partner offers, and that it is deploying OpenAI's latest models internally to speed up product development.
The moves come as OpenAI prepares for its massive potential initial public offering, adding pressure on the company to turn ChatGPT into a broader platform for online commerce.
Consumer financial services company Synchrony will launch a ChatGPT plugin that will allow consumers to discover savings and offers from the Synchrony Marketplace within OpenAI's ChatGPT and browse promotional financing, deals and everyday value from the company's partners, Synchrony said in a Monday (Aug. 17) press release. Synchrony's ChatGPT plugin will be available in OpenAI's ChatGPT plugin directory, according to the release.
Synchrony's collaboration with OpenAI emphasizes innovative AI strategy and investments to lead in agentic commerce
Key Highlights (LLM & Reader Snapshot)
Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) has entered an enterprise collaboration with OpenAI to bring financing, rewards and loyalty into AI-native shopping and checkout experiences. Synchrony's ChatGPT plugin, now available in the ChatGPT plugin directory, allows consumers to discover savings and offers within ChatGPT and browse promotional financing, deals and everyday value from participating Synchrony partners in a fast, conversational experience. Synchrony will deploy the latest OpenAI models across its enterprise and is accelerating enterprise-wide AI adoption by building AI fluency with job-relevant training and deploying AI tools to scale high-impact use cases. , /PRNewswire/ -- Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), a premier consumer financial services company, today announced an enterprise collaboration with OpenAI to strengthen Synchrony's positioning at the center of AI's next chapter in shopping and payments. The collaboration supports the company's work to bring financing, rewards, and loyalty into AI-native shopping and checkout experiences.
This collaboration is part of Synchrony's strategy across the AI ecosystem to leverage frontier models, technology and innovation collaborations to deliver secure, flexible experiences that preserve merchant and consumer choice as commerce becomes more agent-driven.
"AI is creating an opportunity to reimagine the entire commerce experience - from how customers discover products to how they pay, earn rewards, and build loyalty," said Kaylin Voss, VP of Americas and Industries at OpenAI. "Synchrony is approaching that opportunity from both sides: bringing OpenAI into the experiences it creates for customers and partners, while deploying our most advanced models and tools across its own enterprise. That combination can help Synchrony create better, more seamless experiences for customers while giving its teams the tools to move faster and bring new ideas to life."
"With decades of experience at the intersection of consumer financing, payments, loyalty, and merchant partnerships, Synchrony is uniquely positioned to help shape how AI-powered commerce evolves - securely, and at scale," said Maran Nalluswami, EVP & Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer, Synchrony. "This collaboration with OpenAI marks a major milestone for Synchrony, our millions of customers and hundreds of thousands of partner locations. Together, we aim to ensure the value they've entrusted in Synchrony products will thrive in the agentic commerce era."
As part of the collaboration, Synchrony will deploy the latest models from OpenAI like GPT-5.6 Sol, Terra, and Luna across its enterprise through ChatGPT Work, Codex, and AWS Bedrock, enabling deeper engagement with advanced capabilities, more meaningful product development, and faster technology innovation across the enterprise.
Synchrony has long focused on ensuring its partners extend leadership in every arena of consumer financing —from online shopping to digital wallets. The OpenAI collaboration reflects Synchrony's focus on building AI in a secure, scalable way across the enterprise and strengthens Synchrony's role in defining what trusted, AI-powered commerce looks like.
Synchrony will also launch a ChatGPT plugin into the ChatGPT plugin directory. The plugin will allow consumers to discover savings and offers within the Synchrony Marketplace directly within ChatGPT and browse promotional financing, deals and everyday value from participating Synchrony partners in a fast, conversational experience. By bringing Marketplace offers into ChatGPT, Synchrony is expanding discoverability, creating a more convenient discovery journey and exploring new ways for businesses to drive conversion and engage consumers.
Synchrony is also accelerating enterprise-wide AI adoption by building AI fluency with job-relevant training as well as deploying AI tools to scale high-impact use cases across the organization. With nearly 100% of its professional workforce actively using AI tools like ChatGPT since 2024 and the upcoming access to Chat GPT Enterprise and ChatGPT Work, employees will have the ability to integrate AI into daily workflows to enhance productivity, decision-making, and customer outcomes. Employee trust remains strong, with 90% of employees expressing confidence in Synchrony's commitment to using AI fairly, ethically, and responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the significance of the Synchrony and OpenAI collaboration?
A1: The enterprise collaboration strengthens Synchrony's positioning at the center of AI's next chapter in shopping and payments, bringing financing, rewards and loyalty into AI-native shopping and checkout experiences as commerce becomes more agent-driven.
Q2: How does this compare to existing approaches to AI in consumer financing?
A2: Synchrony is leveraging the benefits of frontier models, technology and innovation collaborations to deliver secure, flexible experiences that preserve merchant and consumer choice. The collaboration reflects Synchrony's focus on building AI in a secure, scalable way across the enterprise and strengthens its role in defining what trusted, AI-powered commerce looks like.
Q3: Where can I learn more about Synchrony's AI-powered commerce products?
A3: Visit www.synchrony.com or the Synchrony investor relations site at https://investors.synchronyfinancial.com/. Synchrony's plugin is available in the ChatGPT plugin directory.
Q4: How is Synchrony using AI across its enterprise?
A4: Synchrony is accelerating enterprise-wide adoption through job-relevant training and AI tools designed to support high-impact use cases across the organization. Nearly 100% of Synchrony's professional workforce is actively using AI tools, soon to include ChatGPT Enterprise and ChatGPT Work, to support daily workflows, productivity, decision-making and customer outcomes.
About Synchrony
Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) is a leading consumer financing company that has been at the heart of American commerce and opportunity for nearly a century. Synchrony delivers credit and banking products that empower tens of millions of consumers to improve their financial lives and access what matters most. Leveraging innovative solutions that are shaping the future of retail commerce, Synchrony supports the growth and success of some of the nation's most respected brands, alongside hundreds of thousands of small and midsize businesses, including health and wellness providers. Committed to excellence in service and culture, Synchrony is honored to be ranked the #1 Best Company to Work For® in the U.S. by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work®. For more information, visit www.synchrony.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes certain forward-looking statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject to the "safe harbor" created by those sections. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "will," "aim" or words of similar meaning. The forward-looking statements convey our expectations related to the collaboration with Open AI, and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes that are difficult to predict, may change over time and many of which are beyond our control. As a result, actual results could differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. For these reasons, we caution you against relying on any forward-looking statements, which should also be read in conjunction with our public filings, including under the headings "Risk Factors Relating to Our Business" and "Risk Factors Relating to Regulation" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, as filed on February 6, 2026. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as otherwise may be required by law.
Media Contact
Tyler Allen
Synchrony
[email protected]
Synchrony Financial, the credit card issuer for brands including Amazon, Walmart and Lowe's, is working with OpenAI to allow shoppers to buy products directly inside ChatGPT using their store cards.
The deal is one of the first major moves by a U.S. consumer lender to bring financing, payments and rewards directly into an AI chatbot.
While agentic commerce has become a catchphrase for the next phase of online shopping, consumers who discover items in an AI agent are typically still routed to a brand's website to complete the purchase. To change that, OpenAI has signed deals with companies including Visa and Stripe to move toward in-chat purchases.
"What happens today is the transaction doesn't cleanly happen yet at the provider like OpenAI," said Maran Nalluswami, Synchrony's chief strategy officer, in an interview. "We want to ensure that if a transaction's going to happen in that ecosystem, our cards are loaded up in the right spots to ensure that that transaction finishes."
Still, there's work ahead before the promise of agentic commerce becomes reality.
Nalluswami said doing the work to get general-purpose cards within ChatGPT will probably take six to 12 months, and possibly longer for private label store cards that only work at specific retailers, which takes additional coordination with the brands.
Consumers remain cautious about handing credit card information to AI or allowing an agent to complete a purchase. There are also questions about how to divvy up fees for purchases completed inside ChatGPT. Nalluswami said the economics will need to be negotiated among retailers, Synchrony and OpenAI.
Synchrony is also talking with competing AI platforms, including Anthropic's Claude and Google's Gemini, on embedding their cards within those chatbots, Nalluswami said.
Separately, Synchrony said it is launching a ChatGPT plugin that lets consumers browse its marketplace deals, promotional financing and partner offers and that it is deploying OpenAI's latest models internally to speed up product development.
The moves come as OpenAI prepares for its massive potential initial public offering, adding pressure on the company to turn ChatGPT into a broader platform for online commerce.
, /PRNewswire/ -- Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), a premier consumer financial services company, announced the appointment of Nimrod Barak as Chief AI Officer effective June 30, 2026. Barak will spearhead Synchrony's enterprise AI strategy and execution, accelerating innovation across the business to elevate consumer experiences, unlock new value for partners, and fuel growth.
Synchrony Elevates AI Strategy Hiring Nimrod Barak as Chief AI Officer to Accelerate Innovation. In his new role, Barak will lead Synchrony's enterprise-wide AI strategy, governance, and execution, helping further strengthen how the company serves customers, supports partners, and empowers employees. He will oversee the development and deployment of AI capabilities across the business, accelerating innovation, advancing agentic and intelligent automation initiatives, and ensuring AI is embedded responsibly into products, operations, and decision-making.
"Over the past several years, Synchrony has been thoughtfully rolling out new AI capabilities across the organization and preparing for the next phase of agentic commerce," said Florin Arghirescu, EVP & Chief Technology Officer, Synchrony. "We look forward to Nimrod's leadership to accelerate AI adoption as part of our commitment to responsible innovation built on decades of trust with consumers and partners."
Barak is a globally recognized technology and innovation executive with more than 20 years of experience leading large-scale engineering, data, and AI organizations. Most recently, he served as Managing Director, Head of AI Center of Excellence and Emerging Technologies at Citi. Throughout his career, Barak has built and scaled high-performing global teams, pioneered the deployment of emerging technologies, and helped organizations modernize operations, improve customer experiences, and create new sources of business value through innovation and responsible AI.
Synchrony is scaling enterprise-wide AI readiness and adoption by rolling out AI capabilities across the enterprise and implementing AI focused use-cases. Adoption is strong, with nearly 100% of its professional workforce using AI tools including Synchrony GPT since 2024. And, employee trust is high – 90% of employees trust Synchrony to use AI fairly, ethically, and responsibly.
About Synchrony
Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) is a leading consumer financing company that has been at the heart of American commerce and opportunity for nearly a century. Synchrony delivers credit and banking products that empower tens of millions of consumers to improve their financial lives and access what matters most. Leveraging innovative solutions that are shaping the future of retail commerce, Synchrony supports the growth and success of some of the nation's most respected brands, alongside hundreds of thousands of small and midsize businesses, including health and wellness providers. Committed to excellence in service and culture, Synchrony is honored to be ranked the #1 Best Company to Work For® in the U.S. by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work®. For more information, visit www.synchrony.com.
Media Contact
Tyler Allen
Synchrony
[email protected]
Key Takeaways Synchrony Financial posted record Q2 purchase volume of $49.8B, up 8% year over year.Co-branded card volume surged 23%, while June purchase volume growth accelerated to 11%.Stronger spending could lift loan receivables and net interest income despite elevated payment rates.
Synchrony Financial’s (SYF - Free Report) record purchase volume is an important growth driver for the second half of 2026. It reached an all-time high of $49.8 billion in the second quarter, up 8% year over year, with growth across all five sales platforms. This growth accelerated to 11% in June, showing that spending was gaining strength toward the end of the quarter. This trend suggests that growth should continue in the second half as well.
The quality of this growth is encouraging. Co-branded card purchase volume jumped 23%, accounting for 52% of total purchase volume. Out-of-partner discretionary spending also grew at a double-digit rate despite elevated fuel prices. This shows that customers are not just opening accounts, they are using cards more actively.
Synchrony is also adding to this momentum. It added or renewed more than 15 partners in the second quarter of 2026, while new programs and product upgrades are helping drive customer engagement. The MyLowe’s Pro Rewards acquisition and refreshed DICK’S Sporting Goods program should provide more opportunities to increase card usage.
This is important because higher purchase volume can lead to higher loan receivables and net interest income. In the second quarter of 2026, loan receivables grew only 2% as elevated payment rates limited the benefit of stronger spending. Management expects stronger purchase volume to overcome this pressure in the second half. If spending stays strong, SYF could see higher loan receivables and a further lift to earnings in the near term.
How Are SYF’s Peers Faring?SYF’s peers in the Finance space, including American Express Company (AXP - Free Report) and Capital One Financial Corporation (COF - Free Report) , also benefited from strong card spending in the recent quarter.
American Express benefited from strong card spending, with billed business rising 9% year over year to $455.8 billion in second-quarter 2026. Higher spending helped drive a 10% increase in revenues and an 8% rise in profit, while AXP raised its 2026 revenue-growth outlook to 10%.
Capital One also benefited from strong card spending in second-quarter 2026, with purchase volume rising 15% year over year to $249.2 billion. COF’s solid card activity, along with strong credit performance, is supporting the business and could help sustain results in the coming quarters.
SYF’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of SYF have risen 9.1% over the past year against the industry’s 24.8% decline.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, SYF trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 7.96X, down from the industry average of 17X. SYF carries a Value Score of A.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SYF’s 2026 earnings is pegged at $9.37 per share, implying a 0.5% decline from the year-ago period’s level.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
SYF currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
National ChiroIQ survey shows that firsthand experience, better information and improved access can help more people understand the role chiropractic care may play in long-term health and wellness
Key Highlights:
Consumers want the benefits chiropractic care can provide, such as better mobility and support for long-term wellness, but they don't always realize chiropractic care can help deliver those results: While 92% of Americans value preventive care, fewer than half (44%) consider chiropractic part of a long-term wellness lifestyle. Trying chiropractic care changes minds: Positive views of chiropractic increase from 73% before treatment to 96% after receiving care. Better information and easier access could help more people consider chiropractic care: Only 26% know chiropractic is recommended before opioids for many back pain cases, while 28% are unsure what chiropractic care typically costs and 56% say flexible payment options are important when deciding whether to seek care. , /PRNewswire/ -- Americans increasingly value prevention, mobility and drug-free approaches to staying healthy, yet new national research commissioned by CareCredit, a health and wellness financial solution from Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), reveals many still overlook how chiropractic care may support those goals.
National ChiroIQ survey shows that firsthand experience, better information and improved access can help more people understand the role chiropractic care may play in long-term health and wellness. The national ChiroIQ survey found a significant disconnect between what consumers say they want from their healthcare and how they think about chiropractic care. While Americans overwhelmingly prioritize prevention, maintaining mobility and healthy aging, many still don't recognize chiropractic as one possible way to support those goals.
At the same time, the findings point to a clear opportunity to change perceptions. Learning more about chiropractic care, experiencing it firsthand and having better access to care can increase consumers' trust and willingness to consider it as part of their long-term health and wellness routine.
"Our research shows consumers are already embracing the outcomes chiropractic helps deliver, from enhanced mobility and preventative wellness to drug-free approaches to care," said Jeff Miller, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Specialty and Wellness at Synchrony. "The opportunity isn't convincing people those goals matter. It's helping them better understand the important role chiropractic can play in achieving them. With greater awareness, education and access, more consumers can confidently choose chiropractic as part of their long-term health and wellness strategy."
Americans Want to Stay Healthy and Mobile, but Many Don't See Where Chiropractic Care Fits
Many consumers prioritize prevention, healthy aging and staying active, yet some still don't naturally connect those priorities with chiropractic care. The research suggests people already understand the importance of prevention. The opportunity is helping them see how chiropractic care may fit into the healthier, more active lives they want to lead.
The research found:
92% say preventive care is just as important as treating illness. 68% say chiropractic care can play an important role in overall wellness and mobility. Yet only 44% consider chiropractic care part of a long-term wellness lifestyle. Learning More About Chiropractic Care Changes How People See It
Consumers know chiropractic exists. What many don't fully understand is that it may provide benefits beyond treating back pain. As awareness grows, so does appreciation for chiropractic's broader value in helping people stay healthy, active and mobile.
Key findings include:
Only 36% say they are very familiar with chiropractic care. Many continue to associate chiropractic primarily with back pain rather than preventive health and wellness. Yet 95% of patients who have experienced chiropractic care believe it can support overall wellness and mobility. Firsthand Experience Builds Trust in Chiropractic Care
Nothing changes perceptions of chiropractic care quite like trying it. Among consumers who have received chiropractic care, trust, confidence and appreciation rise sharply, showing the important role firsthand experience can play in shaping how people view chiropractic care. Among chiropractic patients:
Positive perceptions of chiropractic increase from 73% before treatment to 96% after receiving care. 91% trust chiropractors. 93% believe chiropractic care is safe. The findings suggest chiropractic care doesn't have a satisfaction problem. It has an awareness opportunity. Once people experience care, they are much more likely to trust it, value it and understand the role it can play in their health.
Clearer Costs and More Ways to Pay Could Help More People Consider Care
As interest in chiropractic continues to grow, uncertainty around cost and payment remains an important barrier for many consumers. Making costs easier to understand and giving people clearer information about payment options could help more consumers decide whether chiropractic care is right for them. The survey found:
28% of consumers are unsure what chiropractic care typically costs. 56% say flexible payment or financing options are important when considering chiropractic care. Among existing chiropractic patients, that number rises to 67%. 63% of existing patients say they would likely purchase a discounted prepaid visit package to support ongoing care. The research underscores the importance of helping consumers understand what care may cost and what payment options may be available, particularly when they are considering ongoing treatment.
One Important Fact Can Change How People View Chiropractic Care
Consumers' perceptions shift quickly when they better understand chiropractic's role in today's healthcare landscape, showing that clear, useful information can make a meaningful difference. For example:
Only 26% know national clinical guidelines recommend non-drug therapies, including chiropractic care, before opioids for many types of back pain. After learning that fact, 54% say they view chiropractic care more positively. The study shows how education can help consumers better understand when chiropractic care may be appropriate and how it may support pain management, mobility, prevention and long-term wellness.
"I see it every day: people want to feel better, avoid another pill, avoid surgery, and actually fix the problem instead of just masking it, but there's a gap between what they want and what they know is possible with chiropractic care," said Jet Jackson, DC, chiropractor and owner of 100% Chiropractic in Murfreesboro, TN. "I close that gap by sitting down with patients, showing them exactly what's going on and what their options are. And when they understand that and know they can afford it, that's when real change happens."
As consumers continue prioritizing prevention, mobility and healthy aging, the findings suggest chiropractic is well positioned to play an even greater role in helping Americans achieve their long-term health goals. Helping people better understand the benefits, costs and available options could make it easier for more consumers to consider chiropractic care as part of a proactive approach to their health and wellness.
CareCredit offers resources and tools to help educate patients about the cost of chiropractic care and the financial solutions that may be available to help them plan and pay for it. To learn more about CareCredit, please visit: https://www.carecredit.com/chiropractic.
Methodology
Synchrony's 2026 ChiroIQ study included 1,310 respondents and was conducted between June 11 and June 26, 2026. Mirrored after the U.S. Census, the online survey compared consumers' perceptions of chiropractic care with the experiences of people who have received it. It identified key barriers to consideration, such as trust, cost, insurance, and treatment expectations, while assessing broader attitudes toward wellness, preventive care, and drug-free pain management. It also analyzed consumer financial preferences towards chiropractic care, including willingness to pay, financing options, and interest in bundled care packages.
FAQ
Do Americans consider chiropractic care part of a wellness routine, or just treatment for pain?
According to CareCredit's ChiroIQ survey, most Americans (92%) say preventive care is just as important as treating illness, and 68% say chiropractic care can play an important role in overall wellness and mobility. However, only 44% currently view chiropractic care as part of a long-term wellness lifestyle, and many still associate it primarily with back pain rather than prevention. The findings suggest there is an opportunity to help people better understand how chiropractic care may support the broader health and wellness goals they already value.
Does chiropractic care actually work, and do patients trust it?
The survey found that people who have received chiropractic care view it very positively. Among people who have received chiropractic treatment, positive perceptions rise from 73% before care to 96% after care. Additionally, 91% of patients say they trust chiropractors, 93% believe the care is safe, and 95% believe it plays an important role in overall health and mobility.
Is chiropractic care recommended before opioids for back pain?
Yes. National guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Physicians recommend non-drug therapies, including chiropractic care, before opioids for many types of back pain. However, CareCredit's ChiroIQ survey found that only 26% of Americans are aware of this guideline. Once informed, 54% say they view chiropractic care more positively showing how one piece of information can meaningfully change perceptions.
What do consumers say about the cost of chiropractic care, and how important are financing options in their decision to pursue care?
Cost remains a common concern: 28% of consumers say they're unsure what chiropractic care typically costs. The survey found that 56% of consumers consider flexible payment or financing options important when deciding whether to pursue chiropractic care, a number that rises to 67% among existing patients. Additionally, 63% of existing patients say they would likely purchase a discounted prepaid visit package to support ongoing care, highlighting the importance of clearer cost information and accessible payment options.
About Synchrony
Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) is a leading consumer financing company that has been at the heart of American commerce and opportunity for nearly a century. Synchrony delivers credit and banking products that empower tens of millions of consumers to improve their financial lives and access what matters most. Leveraging innovative solutions that are shaping the future of retail commerce, Synchrony supports the growth and success of some of the nation's most respected brands, alongside hundreds of thousands of small and midsize businesses, including health and wellness providers. Committed to excellence in service and culture, Synchrony is honored to be ranked the #1 Best Company to Work For® in the U.S. by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work®. For more information, visit www.synchrony.com.
Media Contact:
Michelle Romero
Synchrony
[email protected]
Preferred stocks put you ahead of common shareholders when claiming dividends from the company's cash flows. Being higher in the capital structure, preferred stocks are relatively immune to the day-to-day factors that affect a company. Buying high-quality preferred stocks at discounted prices sets you up for solid total returns, with hefty waiting fees.
