Survey Reveals Drivers Underestimate Annual Car Costs by Over $4,500
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 17 2026
0mins
Should l Buy SYF?
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Spending Discrepancy: Synchrony's survey indicates that drivers are spending $4,565 more annually than they expected, which could strain household budgets and affect spending in other categories.
- Major Expense Contributors: The survey reveals that gas and insurance are the largest annual expenses at $1,956 and $1,730 respectively, with maintenance and service costs also significantly exceeding expectations, impacting drivers' financial planning.
- Decline in Multicar Households: Rising vehicle prices and maintenance costs have led to 65% of respondents managing only one vehicle, reflecting a decrease in multicar households compared to 2023 census data.
- Increased Spending Among Youth: Millennials and Gen Z are the highest spenders on car maintenance and related expenses, averaging $10,101 and $9,984 respectively, highlighting the growing financial pressure on younger consumers.
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Analyst Views on SYF
Wall Street analysts forecast SYF stock price to rise
15 Analyst Rating
10 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 68.320
Low
83.00
Averages
94.60
High
101.00
Current: 68.320
Low
83.00
Averages
94.60
High
101.00
About SYF
Synchrony Financial is a consumer financial services company focused on delivering digitally enabled product suites. The Company provides a range of credit products through financing programs it has established with a diverse group of national and regional retailers, local merchants, manufacturers, buying groups, industry associations and healthcare service providers. It offers private label, dual card, co-brand, and general-purpose credit cards, as well as short- and long-term installment loans, and savings products through Synchrony Bank (the Bank). The Company primarily manages its credit products through five sales platforms such as Home & Auto, Digital, Diversified & Value, Health & Wellness and Lifestyle. The Bank offers directly to retail, affinity relationships and commercial customers, a range of deposit products, including certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), money market accounts, savings accounts and sweep and affinity deposits.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Synchrony Named No. 1 Best Company to Work For in the U.S.
- Trust-Based Culture: Synchrony's recognition as the No. 1 Best Company to Work For reflects its high-trust culture, with 94% of employees affirming it as a great workplace, fostering innovation and enhancing customer experiences.
- Significant Performance Growth: Since 2020, Synchrony's net earnings surged from $360 million to $3.6 billion, with an EPS of $9.28, quadrupling since 2020, showcasing robust business growth and market competitiveness.
- AI Technology Utilization: Nearly 100% of senior leaders utilize AI tools, with 90% of employees trusting the company to use AI fairly, and 82% believing AI will create new growth opportunities, enhancing employee confidence and career development.
- Ongoing Employee Engagement: Synchrony enhances employee engagement and agility through a flexible hybrid work model and a skills-first talent approach, driving long-term business performance and innovation capabilities.
See More
Analysis of Upcoming Dividend Increases
- Nasdaq Dividend Growth: Nasdaq (NDAQ) is projected to increase its dividend by 12.5% in 2025, with a current yield of 1.3%, reflecting strong profitability and a consistent dividend growth potential despite its long-term performance mirroring tech-heavy indices.
- Synchrony Financial Outlook: Synchrony Financial (SYF) plans a 20% dividend increase in 2025, with a current yield of 1.8%, and its payout represents only 13% of estimated 2026 earnings, indicating room for further dividend expansion despite earnings variability.
- Victory Capital's Investment Strategy: Victory Capital (VCTR) is expected to raise its dividend by 4.2% in 2025, currently yielding 3.0%, and despite a recent failed acquisition attempt, the company maintains a strong history of dividend growth, with an announcement anticipated in early May.
- Paychex Market Performance: Paychex (PAYX) is projected to increase its dividend by 10.2% in 2025, with a yield of 4.7%, and despite facing economic headwinds, the company is expected to announce a dividend increase in early May, reflecting management's confidence in the current employment landscape.
See More
Intuitive Machines Sees Surge in Options Trading Volume
- Surge in Options Volume: Intuitive Machines Inc (Ticker: LUNR) experienced an options trading volume of 79,691 contracts today, equating to approximately 8 million shares, which represents about 61.6% of its average daily trading volume of 12.9 million shares over the past month, indicating strong market interest in its future performance.
- High Demand for Call Options: Notably, the $25 strike call option has seen significant activity with 2,842 contracts traded today, representing around 284,200 underlying shares of LUNR, suggesting that investors are optimistic about the stock's potential for future gains.
- Synchrony Financial Options Activity: Concurrently, Synchrony Financial (Ticker: SYF) has recorded an options trading volume of 22,549 contracts today, which translates to approximately 2.3 million shares, accounting for about 58.3% of its average daily trading volume of 3.9 million shares over the past month, reflecting active trading interest in its stock.
- Put Options Trading Insights: Within SYF's trading, the $60 strike put option has garnered attention with 10,002 contracts traded today, representing about 1 million shares of SYF, indicating that investors may be anticipating a potential decline in the stock's price.
See More
High Interest Rates Impact Credit Card Spending
- Decline in Credit Card Spending: Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston indicates that a 1 percentage point increase in credit card APR leads to a roughly 9% decrease in consumer spending, suggesting that consumer responses to interest rate changes are economically significant, potentially resulting in reduced overall consumption and impacting economic growth.
- Financial Status Impact: The study highlights that financially constrained consumers are more responsive to interest rate changes, with spending reductions of up to 15% for those carrying balances, reflecting increased financial pressure on lower-income households in a high-rate environment, which may lead to further contraction in spending.
- Interest Rates and Consumer Behavior: While some cardholders may be insensitive to rate changes, data shows that many adjust their spending behavior when rates rise, indicating that consumer spending decisions become more rational in high-interest contexts, which could affect revenues in retail and service sectors.
- Future Rate Expectations: Despite the federal funds rate remaining stable between 3.5% and 3.75%, market expectations for future rate hikes are increasing, which may further tighten consumer spending, especially against a backdrop of rising energy costs and growing concerns about stagflation.
See More
Impact of Sports Betting on Household Finances
- Surge in Betting Expenditure: The American Gaming Association estimates that legal sports betting for this year's NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments will reach $3.3 billion, marking a 54% increase over the past three years, indicating a rapid rise in sports betting participation, which may strain household financial stability.
- Deteriorating Credit Health: A report from the New York Federal Reserve highlights an increase in credit delinquencies in states with legalized betting, particularly among those under 40, suggesting that gambling may significantly impact young consumers' financial health and lead to higher bankruptcy risks.
- Declining Credit Scores: According to FICO, the national average credit score has dropped to 714, down two points from last year, primarily due to the resumption of student loan and mortgage delinquency reporting, reflecting an overall deterioration in consumer credit health.
- Economic Divergence: While some consumers face worsening credit conditions, FICO also notes a growing number of consumers exhibiting strong credit behaviors at both ends of the scoring spectrum, indicating a K-shaped recovery in the economy, where some borrowers are experiencing increased financial pressure.
See More
Synchrony Employees Participate in Charity Event
- Charity Event Overview: Over 150 Synchrony employees participated in the 11th annual 'Doubles Dive,' bravely plunging into cold waters to support the Connecticut-based SeriousFun Children's Network, which provides free camp experiences for children with serious illnesses from over 50 countries.
- Donation Matching Program: Synchrony will match donations at a 2:1 ratio, amplifying support for children and families in need, which reflects the company's ongoing commitment to community engagement and social responsibility.
- Global Participation Expansion: This year, more than 1,000 Synchrony employees will engage in local plunges or support the cause virtually, showcasing the global spirit of the 'Doubles Dive' and fostering unity and compassion among employees.
- Fundraising Achievements: Since its inception in 2016, the 'Doubles Dive' has raised over $1.4 million for nonprofit organizations, including SeriousFun Children's Network, highlighting Synchrony's proactive role in promoting social responsibility.
See More
Synchrony Named No. 1 Best Company to Work For in the U.S.
- Trust-Based Culture: Synchrony's recognition as the No. 1 Best Company to Work For reflects its high-trust culture, with 94% of employees affirming it as a great workplace, fostering innovation and enhancing customer experiences.
- Significant Performance Growth: Since 2020, Synchrony's net earnings surged from $360 million to $3.6 billion, with an EPS of $9.28, quadrupling since 2020, showcasing robust business growth and market competitiveness.
- AI Technology Utilization: Nearly 100% of senior leaders utilize AI tools, with 90% of employees trusting the company to use AI fairly, and 82% believing AI will create new growth opportunities, enhancing employee confidence and career development.
- Ongoing Employee Engagement: Synchrony enhances employee engagement and agility through a flexible hybrid work model and a skills-first talent approach, driving long-term business performance and innovation capabilities.
See More
Analysis of Upcoming Dividend Increases
- Nasdaq Dividend Growth: Nasdaq (NDAQ) is projected to increase its dividend by 12.5% in 2025, with a current yield of 1.3%, reflecting strong profitability and a consistent dividend growth potential despite its long-term performance mirroring tech-heavy indices.
- Synchrony Financial Outlook: Synchrony Financial (SYF) plans a 20% dividend increase in 2025, with a current yield of 1.8%, and its payout represents only 13% of estimated 2026 earnings, indicating room for further dividend expansion despite earnings variability.
- Victory Capital's Investment Strategy: Victory Capital (VCTR) is expected to raise its dividend by 4.2% in 2025, currently yielding 3.0%, and despite a recent failed acquisition attempt, the company maintains a strong history of dividend growth, with an announcement anticipated in early May.
- Paychex Market Performance: Paychex (PAYX) is projected to increase its dividend by 10.2% in 2025, with a yield of 4.7%, and despite facing economic headwinds, the company is expected to announce a dividend increase in early May, reflecting management's confidence in the current employment landscape.
See More
Intuitive Machines Sees Surge in Options Trading Volume
- Surge in Options Volume: Intuitive Machines Inc (Ticker: LUNR) experienced an options trading volume of 79,691 contracts today, equating to approximately 8 million shares, which represents about 61.6% of its average daily trading volume of 12.9 million shares over the past month, indicating strong market interest in its future performance.
- High Demand for Call Options: Notably, the $25 strike call option has seen significant activity with 2,842 contracts traded today, representing around 284,200 underlying shares of LUNR, suggesting that investors are optimistic about the stock's potential for future gains.
- Synchrony Financial Options Activity: Concurrently, Synchrony Financial (Ticker: SYF) has recorded an options trading volume of 22,549 contracts today, which translates to approximately 2.3 million shares, accounting for about 58.3% of its average daily trading volume of 3.9 million shares over the past month, reflecting active trading interest in its stock.
- Put Options Trading Insights: Within SYF's trading, the $60 strike put option has garnered attention with 10,002 contracts traded today, representing about 1 million shares of SYF, indicating that investors may be anticipating a potential decline in the stock's price.
See More
High Interest Rates Impact Credit Card Spending
- Decline in Credit Card Spending: Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston indicates that a 1 percentage point increase in credit card APR leads to a roughly 9% decrease in consumer spending, suggesting that consumer responses to interest rate changes are economically significant, potentially resulting in reduced overall consumption and impacting economic growth.
- Financial Status Impact: The study highlights that financially constrained consumers are more responsive to interest rate changes, with spending reductions of up to 15% for those carrying balances, reflecting increased financial pressure on lower-income households in a high-rate environment, which may lead to further contraction in spending.
- Interest Rates and Consumer Behavior: While some cardholders may be insensitive to rate changes, data shows that many adjust their spending behavior when rates rise, indicating that consumer spending decisions become more rational in high-interest contexts, which could affect revenues in retail and service sectors.
- Future Rate Expectations: Despite the federal funds rate remaining stable between 3.5% and 3.75%, market expectations for future rate hikes are increasing, which may further tighten consumer spending, especially against a backdrop of rising energy costs and growing concerns about stagflation.
See More
Impact of Sports Betting on Household Finances
- Surge in Betting Expenditure: The American Gaming Association estimates that legal sports betting for this year's NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments will reach $3.3 billion, marking a 54% increase over the past three years, indicating a rapid rise in sports betting participation, which may strain household financial stability.
- Deteriorating Credit Health: A report from the New York Federal Reserve highlights an increase in credit delinquencies in states with legalized betting, particularly among those under 40, suggesting that gambling may significantly impact young consumers' financial health and lead to higher bankruptcy risks.
- Declining Credit Scores: According to FICO, the national average credit score has dropped to 714, down two points from last year, primarily due to the resumption of student loan and mortgage delinquency reporting, reflecting an overall deterioration in consumer credit health.
- Economic Divergence: While some consumers face worsening credit conditions, FICO also notes a growing number of consumers exhibiting strong credit behaviors at both ends of the scoring spectrum, indicating a K-shaped recovery in the economy, where some borrowers are experiencing increased financial pressure.
See More
Synchrony Employees Participate in Charity Event
- Charity Event Overview: Over 150 Synchrony employees participated in the 11th annual 'Doubles Dive,' bravely plunging into cold waters to support the Connecticut-based SeriousFun Children's Network, which provides free camp experiences for children with serious illnesses from over 50 countries.
- Donation Matching Program: Synchrony will match donations at a 2:1 ratio, amplifying support for children and families in need, which reflects the company's ongoing commitment to community engagement and social responsibility.
- Global Participation Expansion: This year, more than 1,000 Synchrony employees will engage in local plunges or support the cause virtually, showcasing the global spirit of the 'Doubles Dive' and fostering unity and compassion among employees.
- Fundraising Achievements: Since its inception in 2016, the 'Doubles Dive' has raised over $1.4 million for nonprofit organizations, including SeriousFun Children's Network, highlighting Synchrony's proactive role in promoting social responsibility.
See More
