Boston Partners Trims Stock Position in Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS)

Boston Partners cut its stake in shares of Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) by 2.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,809,635 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 141,271 shares during the period. Discover Financial Services makes up 1.0% of Boston Partners’ investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest holding. Boston Partners’ holdings in Discover Financial Services were worth $837,565,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DFS. C2P Capital Advisory Group LLC d.b.a. Prosperity Capital Advisors acquired a new position in Discover Financial Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $351,766,000. FMR LLC increased its position in Discover Financial Services by 8.0% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 7,493,862 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,051,314,000 after purchasing an additional 558,227 shares during the period. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC acquired a new position in Discover Financial Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,067,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in Discover Financial Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,489,000. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in Discover Financial Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,219,000. 86.94% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Discover Financial Services Trading Down 7.1 %

Shares of Discover Financial Services stock opened at $152.59 on Tuesday. Discover Financial Services has a fifty-two week low of $119.31 and a fifty-two week high of $205.76. The firm has a market cap of $38.39 billion, a PE ratio of 9.56, a P/E/G ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.45. The business’s fifty day moving average is $187.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $168.39. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09.

Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 22nd. The financial services provider reported $5.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.13 by $1.98. Discover Financial Services had a return on equity of 26.18% and a net margin of 17.29%. Analysts anticipate that Discover Financial Services will post 13.88 earnings per share for the current year.

Discover Financial Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 6th. Investors of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a $0.70 dividend. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 23rd. Discover Financial Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 17.54%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on DFS shares. StockNews.com cut Discover Financial Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Discover Financial Services from $185.00 to $214.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. UBS Group upgraded Discover Financial Services from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price target for the stock from $150.00 to $239.00 in a report on Monday, January 13th. Barclays upped their price target on Discover Financial Services from $186.00 to $209.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Discover Financial Services from $193.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $191.91.

Discover Financial Services Profile

Discover Financial Services, through its subsidiaries, provides digital banking products and services, and payment services in the United States. It operates in two segments, Digital Banking and Payment Services. The Digital Banking segment offers Discover-branded credit cards to individuals; personal loans, home loans, and other consumer lending; and direct-to-consumer deposit products comprising savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, IRA certificates of deposit, IRA savings accounts and checking accounts, and sweep accounts.