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

New Century Financial Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) by 7.4% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 4,025 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 279 shares during the quarter. New Century Financial Group LLC’s holdings in Discover Financial Services were worth $565,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Raymond James & Associates lifted its position in Discover Financial Services by 12.7% in the third quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 149,361 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $20,954,000 after purchasing an additional 16,863 shares during the period. Schubert & Co acquired a new stake in Discover Financial Services in the third quarter valued at $499,000. Blue Trust Inc. increased its holdings in Discover Financial Services by 115.7% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,234 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $161,000 after acquiring an additional 662 shares in the last quarter. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Discover Financial Services by 55.8% in the third quarter. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,548 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $357,000 after purchasing an additional 913 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Discover Financial Services by 506.5% in the third quarter. DiNuzzo Private Wealth Inc. now owns 188 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 157 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.94% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently issued reports on DFS. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Discover Financial Services from $148.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Friday. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Discover Financial Services in a research report on Saturday. They set a “hold” rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on Discover Financial Services from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on Discover Financial Services from $140.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research report on Monday, October 7th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of Discover Financial Services from $115.00 to $119.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Friday, July 19th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $136.12.

Discover Financial Services Trading Down 1.2 %

NYSE:DFS opened at $148.68 on Friday. Discover Financial Services has a 12 month low of $79.04 and a 12 month high of $152.90. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28. The firm has a market cap of $37.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.95, a P/E/G ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 1.41. The company’s 50 day moving average is $137.08 and its 200-day moving average is $131.05.

Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $3.69 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.28 by $0.41. The firm had revenue of $5.91 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.36 billion. Discover Financial Services had a net margin of 12.88% and a return on equity of 20.92%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.59 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Discover Financial Services will post 13.15 EPS for the current year.

Discover Financial Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 21st will be issued a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 21st. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.88%. Discover Financial Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.93%.

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.