Survey Reveals True Costs of Car Ownership Burdening Consumers
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 day ago
0mins
Should l Buy SYF?
Source: PRnewswire
- Significant Spending Gap: Synchrony's survey reveals that car owners are spending $4,565 more annually than expected, totaling $7,303, which could increase household budget pressures and impact spending in other areas.
- Higher Burden on Young Drivers: Millennials and Gen Z report average annual expenses of $10,101 and $9,984 respectively, indicating that younger consumers face greater economic pressure from auto maintenance and related costs, potentially affecting their future purchasing decisions.
- Support Through Financing Solutions: The Synchrony Car Care Credit Card offers flexible financing options designed to help drivers manage routine maintenance and unexpected repair costs, thereby alleviating financial burdens and promoting better budget management.
- High Insurance Costs: The survey indicates that insurance is the largest annual expense for car owners at approximately $1,730, with other significant costs including maintenance, service, and tires, suggesting that rising expenses may compel consumers to reconsider their vehicle purchasing decisions.
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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: 72.310
Low
83.00
Averages
94.60
High
101.00
Current: 72.310
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.
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- Strategic Partnership Expansion: Synchrony has expanded its strategic partnership with Planet DDS, making CareCredit the preferred patient financing solution across all Planet DDS platforms, which is expected to significantly enhance patient financing accessibility and acceptance.
- Integration Innovation: The integration of CareCredit marks Synchrony's first application within an orthodontic-specific management system, Cloud 9, allowing over 2,500 orthodontic practices to embed financing options directly into their workflows, thereby streamlining financial processes and improving operational efficiency.
- Patient Financing Convenience: Patients can check their prequalification for the CareCredit credit card at dental practices or on any smart device without impacting their credit score, with practices receiving payments as quickly as two business days, enhancing the overall patient experience.
- Long-term Collaboration: This expansion builds on the existing partnership that began in 2020, demonstrating both parties' commitment to leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency in dental and orthodontic practices, supporting more predictable patient treatment outcomes.
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- Disconnect Between Data and Sentiment: Despite rising economic output and stock market gains, ordinary Americans are feeling increased financial pressure, as evidenced by credit card debt reaching a record $1.28 trillion in Q4 last year, indicating that economic prosperity is not benefiting the majority.
- Uneven Inflation Impact: According to Morgan Stanley, lower-income consumers faced significantly higher inflation rates for food and housing in 2024 compared to wealthier counterparts, exacerbating the gap between economic growth and consumer confidence and highlighting social inequality.
- 'Hiring Recession' in Job Market: While economic output per hour hit new highs, ordinary workers are anxious as the job market tightens, with December job openings falling to their lowest level since 2020, reflecting the disparity in economic benefits between high-income stockholders and the general workforce.
- Crisis of Trust in Economic Data: Surveys reveal that nearly 60% of Americans believe the economy is in recession, particularly among low-income households facing unstable financial situations, leading to a decline in trust in government economic data and highlighting the significant gap between economic prosperity and public sentiment.
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- 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.
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See More
Survey Reveals True Costs of Car Ownership Burdening Consumers
- Significant Spending Gap: Synchrony's survey reveals that car owners are spending $4,565 more annually than expected, totaling $7,303, which could increase household budget pressures and impact spending in other areas.
- Higher Burden on Young Drivers: Millennials and Gen Z report average annual expenses of $10,101 and $9,984 respectively, indicating that younger consumers face greater economic pressure from auto maintenance and related costs, potentially affecting their future purchasing decisions.
- Support Through Financing Solutions: The Synchrony Car Care Credit Card offers flexible financing options designed to help drivers manage routine maintenance and unexpected repair costs, thereby alleviating financial burdens and promoting better budget management.
- High Insurance Costs: The survey indicates that insurance is the largest annual expense for car owners at approximately $1,730, with other significant costs including maintenance, service, and tires, suggesting that rising expenses may compel consumers to reconsider their vehicle purchasing decisions.
See More
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See More
CareCredit Becomes Preferred Financing Solution for Planet DDS
- Strategic Partnership Expansion: Synchrony has expanded its strategic partnership with Planet DDS, making CareCredit the preferred patient financing solution across all Planet DDS platforms, which is expected to significantly enhance patient financing accessibility and acceptance.
- Integration Innovation: The integration of CareCredit marks Synchrony's first application within an orthodontic-specific management system, Cloud 9, allowing over 2,500 orthodontic practices to embed financing options directly into their workflows, thereby streamlining financial processes and improving operational efficiency.
- Patient Financing Convenience: Patients can check their prequalification for the CareCredit credit card at dental practices or on any smart device without impacting their credit score, with practices receiving payments as quickly as two business days, enhancing the overall patient experience.
- Long-term Collaboration: This expansion builds on the existing partnership that began in 2020, demonstrating both parties' commitment to leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency in dental and orthodontic practices, supporting more predictable patient treatment outcomes.
See More
The 'Boomcession' Phenomenon in the U.S. Economy
- Disconnect Between Data and Sentiment: Despite rising economic output and stock market gains, ordinary Americans are feeling increased financial pressure, as evidenced by credit card debt reaching a record $1.28 trillion in Q4 last year, indicating that economic prosperity is not benefiting the majority.
- Uneven Inflation Impact: According to Morgan Stanley, lower-income consumers faced significantly higher inflation rates for food and housing in 2024 compared to wealthier counterparts, exacerbating the gap between economic growth and consumer confidence and highlighting social inequality.
- 'Hiring Recession' in Job Market: While economic output per hour hit new highs, ordinary workers are anxious as the job market tightens, with December job openings falling to their lowest level since 2020, reflecting the disparity in economic benefits between high-income stockholders and the general workforce.
- Crisis of Trust in Economic Data: Surveys reveal that nearly 60% of Americans believe the economy is in recession, particularly among low-income households facing unstable financial situations, leading to a decline in trust in government economic data and highlighting the significant gap between economic prosperity and public sentiment.
See More
Survey Reveals Drivers Underestimate Annual Car Costs by Over $4,500
- 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.
See More
Survey Reveals True Costs of Car Ownership Burdening Consumers
- Significant Spending Gap: Synchrony's survey reveals that car owners are spending $4,565 more annually than expected, totaling $7,303, which could increase household budget pressures and impact spending in other areas.
- Higher Burden on Young Drivers: Millennials and Gen Z report average annual expenses of $10,101 and $9,984 respectively, indicating that younger consumers face greater economic pressure from auto maintenance and related costs, potentially affecting their future purchasing decisions.
- Support Through Financing Solutions: The Synchrony Car Care Credit Card offers flexible financing options designed to help drivers manage routine maintenance and unexpected repair costs, thereby alleviating financial burdens and promoting better budget management.
- High Insurance Costs: The survey indicates that insurance is the largest annual expense for car owners at approximately $1,730, with other significant costs including maintenance, service, and tires, suggesting that rising expenses may compel consumers to reconsider their vehicle purchasing decisions.
See More
Helix Partners Acquires $6.97 Million Stake in Cinemark Holdings
- New Investment Move: On February 13, 2026, Helix Partners Management LP disclosed a new position by acquiring 300,000 shares of Cinemark Holdings, valued at approximately $6.97 million, indicating confidence in the company's potential turnaround.
- Ownership Analysis: This acquisition represents 2.34% of Helix Partners' 13F reportable AUM, highlighting its strategic positioning within a diversified investment portfolio.
- Company Financials: Cinemark reported $858 million in revenue and $51 million in net income for Q3 2026, and despite a 21.1% decline in stock price over the past year, its fundamentals suggest resilience amid challenges.
- Future Outlook: With the elimination of pandemic-related debt and a $300 million share repurchase program alongside a 12.5% dividend increase, investors should monitor whether Cinemark can leverage its improved financial health to generate sustainable cash flow.
See More
Credit Card Companies Face Bipartisan Pressure
- Political Pressure Intensifies: Amid persistent inflation, Trump and Sanders have found common ground in seeking to lower credit card annual percentage rates, with Trump proposing a 10% cap and Sanders advocating for a permanent 15% cap, potentially reshaping the profitability of credit card companies.
- Cautious Industry Response: Major credit card issuers like Capital One are in a holding pattern amidst political rhetoric, fearing that if a cap is implemented, they will be compelled to cut credit lines, adversely affecting credit access for lower-income households.
- Profitability at Risk: Analysts predict that a long-term rate cap could reduce Capital One's earnings per share by 25% or wipe them out entirely, as credit card operations account for approximately 74% of its total revenue, primarily derived from interest on customer balances.
- Acquisition Impact Significant: Capital One's $35 billion acquisition of Discover last year will be affected by any interest rate limits, as Discover's credit card balances will also be impacted, further diminishing Capital One's competitive edge, especially without a robust payment network.
See More
