West Paces Advisors Inc. Has $41,000 Stake in Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS)

West Paces Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) by 110.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 316 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 166 shares during the quarter. West Paces Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Discover Financial Services were worth $41,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Partnership Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Discover Financial Services in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Riverview Trust Co bought a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Turtle Creek Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. 86.94% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Discover Financial Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:DFS traded down $1.25 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $126.42. 1,078,714 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,877,591. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.70 billion, a PE ratio of 14.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.12. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $124.47 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $118.22. Discover Financial Services has a 12 month low of $79.04 and a 12 month high of $131.65.

Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 18th. The financial services provider reported $1.10 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.98 by ($1.88). Discover Financial Services had a net margin of 10.56% and a return on equity of 17.07%. The company had revenue of $4.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.07 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $3.58 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Discover Financial Services will post 11.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Discover Financial Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 6th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 23rd were given a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 22nd. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.21%. Discover Financial Services’s payout ratio is presently 31.93%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently commented on the company. HSBC lifted their price objective on Discover Financial Services from $107.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, March 21st. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Discover Financial Services in a research report on Friday. They set a “hold” rating on the stock. BTIG Research initiated coverage on Discover Financial Services in a research report on Friday, June 7th. They set a “neutral” rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Discover Financial Services from $137.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 19th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn cut Discover Financial Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, March 15th. Thirteen analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Discover Financial Services has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $126.29.

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; private student loans, 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.