Natixis Has $20.14 Million Stake in Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS)

Natixis increased its stake in shares of Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) by 51.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 116,230 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 39,338 shares during the quarter. Natixis’ holdings in Discover Financial Services were worth $20,135,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services during the 4th quarter valued at $38,489,000. Brookstone Capital Management purchased a new position in Discover Financial Services in the fourth quarter valued at about $282,000. Meyer Handelman Co. acquired a new position in Discover Financial Services in the 4th quarter worth about $239,000. Mechanics Bank Trust Department purchased a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services during the 4th quarter worth about $234,000. Finally, JBGlobal.com LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services during the 4th quarter valued at about $346,000. 86.94% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Discover Financial Services Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE DFS opened at $159.91 on Friday. Discover Financial Services has a 12 month low of $119.95 and a 12 month high of $205.76. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09. The company has a market cap of $40.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.20. The business’s 50 day moving average is $171.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is $172.58.

Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 22nd. The financial services provider reported $5.11 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.13 by $1.98. Discover Financial Services had a net margin of 17.29% and a return on equity of 26.18%. On average, equities analysts expect that Discover Financial Services will post 13.88 EPS 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 dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.75%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. Discover Financial Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 17.54%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Truist Financial cut their price objective on shares of Discover Financial Services from $262.00 to $219.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Discover Financial Services from $193.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Discover Financial Services from $169.00 to $129.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. StockNews.com downgraded Discover Financial Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on Discover Financial Services from $186.00 to $209.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $188.40.

About Discover Financial Services

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.