Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. Has $2.74 Million Stock Position in Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS)

Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) by 1.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 16,056 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 153 shares during the period. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in Discover Financial Services were worth $2,741,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of DFS. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Discover Financial Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services during the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Mattson Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services during the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Bfsg LLC bought a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services during the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in Discover Financial Services in the 4th quarter valued at about $41,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.94% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently commented on DFS. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “hold” rating and issued a $180.00 target price on shares of Discover Financial Services in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Discover Financial Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. TD Securities decreased their price target on shares of Discover Financial Services from $188.00 to $184.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Discover Financial Services from $169.00 to $129.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price objective on Discover Financial Services from $219.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $191.64.

Discover Financial Services Stock Performance

NYSE:DFS opened at $197.76 on Thursday. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $49.77 billion, a PE ratio of 12.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.16. Discover Financial Services has a twelve month low of $120.97 and a twelve month high of $207.42. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $184.68 and its 200 day simple moving average is $181.86.

Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The financial services provider reported $4.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.33 by $0.92. The business had revenue of $4.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.25 billion. Discover Financial Services had a net margin of 17.29% and a return on equity of 26.18%. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.10 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Discover Financial Services will post 13.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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.