Ezcorp (EZPW) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This upgrade is essentially a reflection of an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.A company's changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.Individual inve ...

The market expects Ezcorp (EZPW) to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended December 2025. 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 stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report. On the other hand, if they miss, the ...

Core Insights - Synchrony Financial reported a strong finish to 2025, highlighting record fourth-quarter purchase volume and improving credit trends while returning significant capital to shareholders [5][7]. Financial Performance - Fourth-quarter purchase volume reached a record $49 billion, up 3% year over year, reflecting strengthening spend per account and improving trends across most platforms [2][5]. - For the full year, Synchrony delivered $3.6 billion in net earnings, or $9.28 per diluted share, with a return on average assets of 3.0% and return on tangible common equity of 25.8% [3]. - Fourth-quarter net earnings were $751 million, or $2.04 per diluted share, which included a $0.14 restructuring charge [4][7]. - The company returned $1.1 billion to shareholders in Q4 and $3.3 billion for the year, including share repurchases and dividends [6][16]. Credit Metrics - Credit metrics improved, with the net charge-off rate decreasing to 5.37% and 30+ day delinquency at 4.49% [20][14]. - The allowance for credit losses was 10.06% of loan receivables at quarter-end, down from 10.35% in the previous quarter [14]. Revenue and Expenses - Net revenue was $3.8 billion, flat year over year, as higher net interest income was offset by increased retailer share arrangements [11]. - Net interest income rose 4% to $4.8 billion, with the net interest margin expanding 82 basis points to 15.83% [6][11]. - Other expenses increased 10% to $1.4 billion, reflecting higher employee costs and technology investments [13]. Strategic Initiatives - Synchrony added or renewed more than 25 partners in the quarter and over 75 for the year, including a new agreement with Bob's Discount Furniture [17]. - The Pay Later offering is now available to over 6,200 merchants, driving at least a 10% average increase in sales [18]. 2026 Outlook - For 2026, Synchrony provided an EPS outlook of $9.10 to $9.50, expecting mid-single-digit ending receivables growth [21]. - The company anticipates the net charge-off rate to align with its long-term target of 5.5% to 6% [22].

Core Viewpoint - Synchrony Financial (SYF) is expected to report its fourth-quarter 2025 results on January 27, with earnings estimated at $2.02 per share and revenues at $4.79 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth in earnings of 5.8% and revenue growth of 4.3% [1][2]. Financial Performance Estimates - The full-year 2025 revenue estimate for Synchrony is $17.92 billion, reflecting a slight decline of 0.5% year-over-year, while the EPS for the current year is projected at $9.25, representing a significant increase of approximately 40.4% year-over-year [3]. - Synchrony has consistently exceeded earnings estimates in the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 22.67% [3]. Earnings Prediction Insights - The current model indicates uncertainty regarding an earnings beat for Synchrony, as it has an Earnings ESP of -0.60% and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [4]. - Factors contributing to the fourth-quarter results include increased net interest margin, higher purchase volumes, and a decrease in net charge-offs, which are expected to support year-over-year growth [5][7]. Key Financial Metrics - The estimated interest and fees on loans for the quarter are projected at $5.6 billion, slightly up from $5.5 billion a year ago, with a net interest margin consensus of 15.72%, an increase from 15.01% the previous year [6]. - The net charge-offs ratio is expected to be 5.41, down from 6.45 a year ago, indicating improved credit quality [7]. - However, the company is anticipated to face challenges from increased employee costs and a nearly 2% decline in average active accounts [5][8]. Comparative Analysis - While Synchrony faces uncertainty regarding its earnings beat, other companies in the finance sector, such as Barclays PLC and Cboe Global Markets, show promising earnings potential with positive Earnings ESPs and favorable Zacks Ranks [9][10][11].

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - The Zacks Style Scores are indicators that rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum, helping investors identify stocks likely to outperform the market in the next 30 days [3] - Stocks are rated from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [4] Value Score - The Value Style Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Cash Flow [4] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score assesses a company's financial health and future outlook based on projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [5] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score identifies optimal times to invest based on price trends and earnings estimate changes [6] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the three Style Scores to highlight stocks with attractive value, strong growth potential, and positive momentum [7] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to guide investors, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks achieving an average annual return of +23.9% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] - There are over 800 stocks rated 1 or 2, making it essential for investors to utilize Style Scores to narrow down choices [9] Stock to Watch: Synchrony Financial (SYF) - Synchrony Financial is a leading consumer financial services company offering various credit products [12] - SYF holds a 3 (Hold) rating on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A and a Momentum Style Score of A, having increased by 3.2% in the past four weeks [13] - Recent earnings estimates for SYF have been revised upward, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate rising by $0.04 to $9.19 per share, and an average earnings surprise of +22.7% [13][14]

Core Viewpoint - Synchrony Financial (SYF) is a leading consumer financial services company with a market cap of $30.9 billion, providing a comprehensive suite of digitally enabled credit products [1] Financial Performance - Analysts expect SYF to report a profit of $1.95 per share for Q4 2025, a 2.1% increase from $1.91 per share in the same quarter last year [2] - For the full year, EPS is projected to be $9.19, reflecting a 39.5% increase from $6.59 in fiscal 2024, with a further expected rise to $9.29 in fiscal 2026 [3] Stock Performance - SYF stock has increased by 30.7% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 15.7% gains and the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund's 14.5% gains [4] - The stock is currently trading above its mean price target of $85.38, with a Street-high price target of $101 indicating an upside potential of 18% [7] Growth Drivers - The company's growth is attributed to a renewed partnership with Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC U.S. LLC, strong credit performance, and a 2% increase in purchase volume [5] - New product launches, including the Walmart credit card and Pay Later options at Amazon, along with strategic partnerships, are contributing to growth [5] Recent Results - On October 15, SYF reported Q3 results with an EPS of $2.86, surpassing Wall Street expectations of $2.22, and adjusted revenue of $4.72 billion, exceeding forecasts of $4.69 billion [6]

Core Insights - Synchrony and the American Med Spa Association (AmSpa) have extended their partnership to provide enhanced benefits to AmSpa members, including preferred merchant rates through Synchrony's CareCredit credit card [1][3][7] - The medical spa industry was valued at over $17 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow by more than $1 billion annually, highlighting the need for accessible financial solutions [4] Company and Industry Overview - Synchrony is a leading consumer financial services company that offers financing options to support various sectors, including health and wellness [9] - AmSpa provides business, legal, and clinical training resources to medical spas and aesthetic practices, aiming to enhance member success through partnerships like the one with Synchrony [7][8] - The new merchant transaction rates for AmSpa members will take effect on January 1, 2026, allowing members to save on financing terms for transactions of $200 or more [3][4]

Company Overview - Synchrony Financial (SYF) is valued at a market cap of $26.8 billion and offers a variety of consumer financial services, including credit cards, consumer installment loans, and deposit products. The company collaborates with major retailers across sectors like healthcare, retail, and automotive to provide tailored financing solutions [1]. Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, SYF shares have returned 30.9%, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 17.5% gain. However, year-to-date, SYF is up 14.4%, trailing behind the S&P 500's 15.6% increase. Additionally, SYF has outperformed the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF), which rose 12.6% during the same period [2]. Financial Results - In Q3 2025, Synchrony Financial reported earnings per share (EPS) of $2.86 and net interest income of $4.72 billion, exceeding expectations. However, the stock fell 2.9% the following day due to a reduction in full-year net revenue guidance from $15.15 billion to $15.05 billion, indicating softer growth momentum attributed to higher payment rates affecting interest income [3]. Earnings Forecast - Analysts project SYF's EPS to grow 34.6% year-over-year to $8.87 for the fiscal year ending December 2025. The company has a strong earnings surprise history, having beaten consensus estimates in the last four quarters. The consensus rating among 25 analysts is a "Moderate Buy," with 13 "Strong Buy" ratings, one "Moderate Buy," and 11 "Holds" [4]. Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - The current analyst configuration shows a slight decrease in bullish sentiment compared to three months ago, with 14 "Strong Buy" ratings. Truist recently lowered its price target for SYF to $78 while maintaining a "Hold" rating. The mean price target of $81.79 suggests a nearly 10% premium to current levels, while the highest price target of $100 indicates a potential upside of 34.5% [5].

Core Insights - Red River Bancshares (RRBI) reported quarterly earnings of $1.63 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.55 per share, and up from $1.27 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of +5.16% [1] - The company achieved revenues of $31.91 million for the quarter ended September 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.93%, compared to $27.88 million in the same quarter last year [2] - Red River Bancshares has consistently outperformed consensus EPS and revenue estimates over the last four quarters [2] Earnings Performance - The company has shown a strong performance with a year-to-date stock increase of approximately 23%, compared to the S&P 500's gain of 17.2% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.60, with expected revenues of $31.06 million, and for the current fiscal year, the EPS estimate is $6.17 on revenues of $121.83 million [7] Market Outlook - The Zacks Industry Rank places the Banks - Southwest sector in the top 14% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating a favorable outlook for the industry [8] - The estimate revisions trend for Red River Bancshares was mixed prior to the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting the stock is expected to perform in line with the market in the near future [6]

Core Points - Synchrony Financial announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share of common stock, payable on November 17, 2025, to holders of record at the close of business on November 5, 2025 [1] - The Board of Directors declared dividends on its preferred stock, with approximately $14.06 per share for Series A Preferred Stock and approximately $20.63 per share for Series B Preferred Stock, also payable on November 17, 2025, to holders of record at the close of business on November 5, 2025 [2] Company Overview - Synchrony is a leading consumer financing company that has been serving the needs of people and businesses for nearly 100 years, providing responsible access to credit and banking products [3] - The company supports the growth and operations of over 400,000 small and midsize businesses and health and wellness providers in the U.S. [3] - Synchrony is recognized as the 2 Best Company to Work for in the U.S. by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work [3]