Synchrony vs First Citizens BancShares

This page compares Synchrony (Synchrony Financial) and First Citizens BancShares (First Citizens BancShares Inc Class A) across business models, financial performance, and market context, in a neutral, accessible manner. It presents the differences and similarities to aid understanding without asserting outcomes. Educational content, not financial advice.

This page compares Synchrony (Synchrony Financial) and First Citizens BancShares (First Citizens BancShares Inc Class A) across business models, financial performance, and market context, in a neutral...

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

SYF

Metric

FCNCA

$27.92B

Market Cap

$26.18B

19.95%

Potential Profit

12.53%

Buy

Analyst Rating

Buy

Why It's Moving

Synchrony Gears Up for Q4 Earnings Reveal as Strategic Partnerships Signal Expansion Momentum

Renewed partnership with METUS expands flexible HVAC financing options, tapping into rising demand for home comfort upgrades.
New credit card launch with The Toro Company targets lawn equipment buyers, widening Synchrony's retail financing footprint.
CareCredit integration with Clover App Market accelerates growth by enabling seamless financing for health and wellness providers.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

First Citizens BancShares Crushes Q4 Earnings Expectations with Robust Growth and Dividend Boost.

Earnings smashed estimates at $51.27 per share versus $44.24 expected, with revenue hitting $2.25 billion against $2.24 billion forecasts, underscoring operational strength.
Board declared a $2.10 quarterly common stock dividend payable March 16, reinforcing commitment to shareholders while returning $900 million via repurchases and prepaying $2.5 billion debt.
Analysts adjusted targets post-earnings—TD Cowen cut to $2,500 (Buy), Barclays to $2,346 (Equal-Weight), Citigroup to $2,100 (Neutral)—as shares dipped slightly to around $2,017.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Synchrony Gears Up for Q4 Earnings Reveal as Strategic Partnerships Signal Expansion Momentum

Renewed partnership with METUS expands flexible HVAC financing options, tapping into rising demand for home comfort upgrades.
New credit card launch with The Toro Company targets lawn equipment buyers, widening Synchrony's retail financing footprint.
CareCredit integration with Clover App Market accelerates growth by enabling seamless financing for health and wellness providers.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

First Citizens BancShares Crushes Q4 Earnings Expectations with Robust Growth and Dividend Boost.

Earnings smashed estimates at $51.27 per share versus $44.24 expected, with revenue hitting $2.25 billion against $2.24 billion forecasts, underscoring operational strength.
Board declared a $2.10 quarterly common stock dividend payable March 16, reinforcing commitment to shareholders while returning $900 million via repurchases and prepaying $2.5 billion debt.
Analysts adjusted targets post-earnings—TD Cowen cut to $2,500 (Buy), Barclays to $2,346 (Equal-Weight), Citigroup to $2,100 (Neutral)—as shares dipped slightly to around $2,017.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Investment Analysis

Synchrony

SYF

Pros

Synchrony Financial delivered strong Q3 2025 results with earnings per share significantly exceeding forecasts at $2.86 versus $2.21 expected.
The company maintains robust profitability with a return on tangible common equity of 30.6% and operating margins near 66%.
Management's disciplined underwriting and expense control support solid capital returns alongside ongoing share buybacks and consistent dividend growth.

Considerations

Growth prospects are limited with projected revenue rising only 0–1% annually through 2027, indicating constrained upside potential.
Higher funding costs and potential pressure on net interest margins due to elevated interest rates could impact profitability.
Consumer loan growth has begun to slow as consumers become more cautious, reducing potential lending expansion.

First Citizens BancShares

FCNCA

Pros

First Citizens BancShares reported strong Q3 2025 earnings with balance sheet growth and attractive valuation metrics including a reasonable price-to-earnings ratio near 11.6.
Diversified operations with segments including General Bank, Commercial Bank, SVB Commercial, and Rail leasing provide multiple revenue streams across sectors.
Ongoing expansion initiatives such as recent market expansions and real estate acquisitions support future growth opportunities.

Considerations

The banking sector and regional focus expose the company to macroeconomic and regulatory risks, including interest rate fluctuations and economic cyclicality.
Stock price showed recent underperformance despite solid fundamentals, indicating potential market skepticism or execution risks.
First Citizens carries risks associated with integration of acquired businesses and maintaining growth momentum across all segments.

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