Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) Shares Acquired by Larson Financial Group LLC

Larson Financial Group LLC grew its stake in Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) by 53.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 386 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 135 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC’s holdings in Discover Financial Services were worth $54,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of DFS. Elser Financial Planning Inc acquired a new position in Discover Financial Services in the second quarter valued at $91,044,000. Samlyn Capital LLC lifted its position in Discover Financial Services by 368.0% during the 2nd quarter. Samlyn Capital LLC now owns 646,691 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $84,594,000 after acquiring an additional 508,504 shares during the period. Mizuho Securities USA LLC grew its stake in shares of Discover Financial Services by 1,272.0% in the 3rd quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 265,155 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $37,199,000 after purchasing an additional 245,829 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. increased its holdings in shares of Discover Financial Services by 67.1% in the second quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 478,599 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $62,606,000 after purchasing an additional 192,142 shares during the period. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services during the third quarter worth approximately $21,169,000. 86.94% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Discover Financial Services Stock Down 0.1 %

DFS opened at $182.43 on Friday. Discover Financial Services has a 52 week low of $89.58 and a 52 week high of $188.26. The firm has a market cap of $45.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.72, a PEG ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.41. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $156.66 and its 200 day simple moving average is $139.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28.

Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $3.69 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.28 by $0.41. The firm had revenue of $5.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.36 billion. Discover Financial Services had a net margin of 13.78% and a return on equity of 21.38%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.59 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Discover Financial Services will post 13.34 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Discover Financial Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 21st will be given a dividend of $0.70 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 21st. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.53%. Discover Financial Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.60%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on DFS shares. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Discover Financial Services from $148.00 to $161.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Friday, October 18th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Discover Financial Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Evercore ISI raised their price objective on shares of Discover Financial Services from $156.00 to $163.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Discover Financial Services from $152.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, October 18th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $138.81.

Discover Financial Services Company 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.