Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) Shares Purchased by Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc.

Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,243 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 132 shares during the period. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc.’s holdings in Discover Financial Services were worth $1,996,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services in the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Y.D. More Investments Ltd lifted its position in shares of Discover Financial Services by 147.8% during the 2nd quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd now owns 223 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 133 shares during the period. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Discover Financial Services by 72.5% during the 2nd quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 226 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Discover Financial Services by 348.2% in the 2nd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 251 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 195 shares during the period. Finally, Riverview Trust Co purchased a new position in Discover Financial Services in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 86.94% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Discover Financial Services Stock Performance

Shares of DFS stock opened at $133.90 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $33.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.42. Discover Financial Services has a one year low of $79.04 and a one year high of $147.61. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $134.02 and a 200 day moving average price of $128.14.

Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 17th. The financial services provider reported $6.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.06 by $3.00. The company had revenue of $4.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.18 billion. Discover Financial Services had a net margin of 12.88% and a return on equity of 20.92%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 17.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.54 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Discover Financial Services will post 12.87 EPS for the current year.

Discover Financial Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 5th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 22nd were issued a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 22nd. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.09%. Discover Financial Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.93%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have commented on DFS shares. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Discover Financial Services from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on shares of Discover Financial Services from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, July 8th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Discover Financial Services from $135.00 to $137.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, July 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Discover Financial Services from $132.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, July 19th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on 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 investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Discover Financial Services has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $132.94.

Discover Financial Services 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.