Synchrony Reports First Quarter 2026 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF) reported first quarter 2026 results and announced capital actions. The Board declared a quarterly common dividend of $0.30 per share payable May 15, 2026 (record date May 5, 2026) and plans to raise the quarterly dividend to $0.34 beginning Q3 2026.

The Board also approved a $6.5 billion open-ended share repurchase program commencing Q2 2026, replacing a prior program with about $300 million remaining; repurchases are subject to capital levels, market conditions and regulatory requirements.

Positive

• $6.5 billion open-ended share repurchase program approved
• Quarterly common dividend declared at $0.30, payable May 15, 2026
• Board plans to increase quarterly dividend to $0.34 starting Q3 2026

Negative

• Repurchases may be suspended or modified subject to capital and regulatory conditions
• Dividend increase effective Q3 2026, not immediate for May 2026 payment

Key Figures

Common dividend current: $0.30 per share Planned dividend increase: $0.34 per share Share repurchase program: $6.5 billion +5 more

8 metrics

Common dividend current $0.30 per share Quarterly common stock dividend declared, payable May 15, 2026

Planned dividend increase $0.34 per share Planned quarterly common dividend beginning in Q3 2026

Share repurchase program $6.5 billion New common stock repurchase authorization with no expiration date

Series A preferred dividend $14.06 per share Quarterly dividend on 5.625% Series A Preferred Stock

Series B preferred dividend $20.63 per share Quarterly dividend on 8.250% Series B Preferred Stock

Series A depositary dividend $0.351563 per depositary share Dividend equivalent for Series A depositary shares

Series B depositary dividend $0.515625 per depositary share Dividend equivalent for Series B depositary shares

Prior program remaining $300 million Remaining capacity on prior repurchase program replaced by new plan

Market Reality Check

Price: $78.58 Vol: Volume 3,989,429 is 1.21x...

normal vol

$78.58 Last Close

Volume Volume 3,989,429 is 1.21x the 20-day average of 3,292,816 ahead of this earnings and capital return update. normal

Technical Shares trade above the 200-day MA, with price at $78.58 versus the 200-day MA at $73.88, reflecting a pre-news uptrend.

Peers on Argus

Scanner data did not flag a coordinated sector move, though key credit and finte...

Scanner data did not flag a coordinated sector move, though key credit and fintech peers like SOFI, ALLY, PYPL, COF, and OMF each showed positive price changes alongside SYF’s modest 0.31% gain.

Previous Earnings Reports

4 past events · Latest: Feb 19 (Positive)

Same Type Pattern 4 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 19	Earnings results	Positive	+1.5%	WEAV reported Q4 and FY 2025 revenue growth and margin improvement.
Jan 28	Earnings results	Neutral	-4.6%	SYF released Q4 2024 results with webcast and posted materials.
Oct 16	Earnings results	Neutral	+6.1%	SYF reported Q3 2024 results and hosted an outlook conference call.
Jul 17	Earnings results	Neutral	+1.0%	SYF released Q2 2024 financial results with webcast access.

Pattern Detected

Recent earnings-type releases in this tag set have generally produced modest, mostly positive single-day moves around the 1% range, with one larger negative reaction.

Recent Company History

Within earnings-tagged history, SYF’s prior quarterly results in July 2024, October 2024, and January 2025 were distributed via standard webcasts and materials, generating single-day moves from about -4.58% to 6.06%. Another tagged event from February 19, 2026 (for WEAV) showed a positive 1.54% reaction. Today’s announcement adds a dividend hike plan and a sizeable buyback atop this pattern of earnings-driven updates.

Historical Comparison

+1.0% avg move · Over the last four earnings-tagged events, the average next-day move was about 1%, with reactions ra...

earnings

+1.0%

Average Historical Move earnings

Over the last four earnings-tagged events, the average next-day move was about 1%, with reactions ranging from modest gains to a single larger pullback.

Earnings communications have followed a consistent pattern: results posted online and discussed via webcasts, with generally moderate single-day price responses.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement combines Q1 2026 results with a capital return boost: a planned dividend increase ...

Analysis

This announcement combines Q1 2026 results with a capital return boost: a planned dividend increase to $0.34 per share and a new $6.5 billion repurchase program without an expiration date. Historically, earnings-tagged events have led to moderate single-day moves. Investors may monitor execution of buybacks, sustainability of common and preferred dividends, and any shifts in credit performance discussed in the accompanying materials.

Key Terms

share repurchase program, non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, depositary shares, Rule 10b5-1 plans

4 terms

share repurchase program financial

"approved a new share repurchase program of up to $6.5 billion of the Company's common stock"

A share repurchase program is when a company buys back its own shares from the marketplace. This reduces the total number of shares available, which can increase the value of each remaining share and signal confidence in the company's prospects. For investors, it often suggests that the company believes its stock is undervalued or that it has extra cash to return to shareholders.

non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock financial

"5.625% Fixed Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A... Series B Preferred Stock"

Non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock is a type of investment that pays a fixed dividend forever, without a set end date. If the company skips some dividends in a year, you don’t get that money later, and it’s gone forever. It matters because investors get regular income but may miss out if the company faces financial trouble.

depositary shares financial

"Each outstanding share of the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock is represented by depositary shares"

Depositary shares are tradable certificates that represent a fractional piece of a larger security held by a third-party bank, like owning a slice of a single big pie instead of the whole pie. They let companies issue and investors buy smaller, more affordable portions of preferred stock or other instruments; holders usually receive proportional dividends and market pricing similar to ordinary shares, but may have limited voting rights and different liquidity or tax implications, which can affect income and resale value.

Rule 10b5-1 plans regulatory

"including through Rule 10b5-1 plans, and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time"

A Rule 10b5-1 plan is a prearranged schedule that lets company insiders buy or sell stock at set times or prices, set up when they do not possess confidential information. It acts like an automatic thermostat for trades, reducing the risk that otherwise-timed transactions could be accused of insider trading. Investors care because such plans increase transparency about insider activity and signal when insider trades are routine rather than reactive to private news.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Company Announces Quarterly Common Stock Dividend of $0.30 Per Share and Plans to Increase Quarterly Common Stock Dividend to $0.34 Per Share

Company also Announces Approval of a $6.5 Billion Share Repurchase Program

STAMFORD, Conn., April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF) today announced its first quarter 2026 results for the period ending March 31, 2026. The earnings news release and presentation can be found on the company's Investor Relations website at https://investors.synchrony.com/financial-information/financial-results. 

Today at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time, Brian Doubles, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Brian Wenzel Sr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call to review the financial results and outlook for certain business drivers. The conference call can be accessed via an audio webcast through the investor relations website at www.investors.synchrony.com, under Events and Presentations. A replay will also be available on the website. 

The Company also announced that its Board of Directors (the "Board") declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on May 15, 2026 to holders of record at the close of business on May 5, 2026. The Board also declared a quarterly cash dividend on the outstanding shares of its 5.625% Fixed Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (the "Series A Preferred Stock") and 8.250% Fixed Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B (the "Series B Preferred Stock"). Each outstanding share of the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock is represented by depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share. The dividends of approximately $14.06 per share on the Series A Preferred Stock (equivalent to $0.351563 per outstanding depositary share) and approximately $20.63 per share on the Series B Preferred Stock (equivalent to $0.515625 per outstanding depositary share) are payable on May 15, 2026 to holders of record at the close of business on May 5, 2026.

Additionally, the Company announced that the Board plans to increase the quarterly cash dividend from $0.30 to $0.34 per share of common stock beginning in third quarter 2026.

Last, the Company announced that the Board approved a new share repurchase program of up to $6.5 billion of the Company's common stock, which commences in the second quarter of 2026 and, in a change from the Company's prior share repurchase programs, does not have an expiration date.  The new share repurchase program replaces the Company's prior program, which was scheduled to expire on June 30, 2026 and had approximately $300 million remaining. 

The pace and amount of share repurchases are flexible. Repurchases under the program will be executed from time to time subject to various factors, including capital levels, financial performance, market conditions and legal and regulatory requirements, and in accordance with our capital plans. The Company's share repurchase program may be executed through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, including through Rule 10b5-1 plans, and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time.

About Synchrony 
Synchrony (NYSE: SYF) is a leading consumer financing company that has been at the heart of American commerce and opportunity for nearly a century. Synchrony delivers credit and banking products that empower tens of millions of consumers to improve their financial lives and access what matters most. Leveraging innovative solutions that are shaping the future of retail commerce, Synchrony supports the growth and success of some of the nation's most respected brands, alongside hundreds of thousands of small and midsize businesses, including health and wellness providers. Committed to excellence in service and culture, Synchrony is honored to be ranked the #1 Best Company to Work For® in the U.S. by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work®. For more information, visit www.synchrony.com.

Contacts 
Investor Relations: 
Kathryn Miller 
(203) 585-6291 
Kathryn.miller@syf.com 

Media Relations: 
Ashley Tufts 
(203) 216-6277 
ashley.tufts2@syf.com 

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SOURCE Synchrony

FAQ

What dividend did Synchrony (SYF) declare for Q1 2026 and when is it payable?

Synchrony declared a quarterly common dividend of $0.30 per share, payable May 15, 2026. According to the company, the dividend is payable to holders of record at the close of business on May 5, 2026.

When will Synchrony (SYF) raise its quarterly dividend to $0.34 per share?

The dividend increase to $0.34 per share is planned to begin in third quarter 2026. According to the company, this increase is scheduled to take effect starting Q3 2026, not with the May 15, 2026 payment.

What are the details of Synchrony's (SYF) new $6.5 billion share repurchase program?

The Board approved up to $6.5 billion in repurchases, commencing Q2 2026 with no expiration date. According to the company, repurchases may occur via open market or private transactions and are subject to capital, performance, market and regulatory factors.

How might the $6.5 billion repurchase program be executed for Synchrony (SYF)?

Repurchases may be executed through open market purchases, private transactions, or Rule 10b5-1 plans. According to the company, timing and size are flexible and will follow capital plans and legal and regulatory requirements.

Does Synchrony (SYF) have any remaining prior repurchase authority before the new program?

Yes, the prior program had approximately $300 million remaining and is replaced by the new program. According to the company, the new program supersedes the prior program and commences in the second quarter of 2026.