Synchrony Financial Announces Unaudited Earnings Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year Ended December 31, 2017; Announces Net Charge-Offs for the Fourth Quarter Ended December 31, 2017; Provides Earnings Guidance for the Year 2018
For the year, the company reported total interest income of $16,407 million against $14,778 million a year ago. Net interest income was $15,016 million compared to $13,530 million a year ago. Earnings before provision for income taxes were $3,324 million compared to $3,570 million a year ago. Net earnings attributable to common stockholders were $1,935 million compared to $2,251 million a year ago. Diluted EPS was $2.42 compared basic and diluted EPS of to $2.71 a year ago. Return on assets was 2.1% compared to 2.7% a year ago. Return on equity was 13.4% compared to 16.5% a year ago. Return on tangible common equity as 15.3% compared to 18.8% a year ago. Adjusted return on assets was 2.3% against 2.7% a year ago. Adjusted return on equity was 14.5% against 16.5% a year ago. Adjusted return on tangible common equity was 16.6% against 18.8% a year ago. Book value per share was $18.47 against $17.37 and tangible book value per share was $16.22 against $15.34 reported last year. Adjusted net earnings were $2,095 million against $2,251 million a year ago. Adjusted diluted EPS was $2.62 against $2.71 a year ago.
For the quarter, the company's net charge-offs were $1,141 million compared to $847 million a year ago.
Provided the earnings guidance for the year 2018. For the year, the company expects to generate a return on assets of around 2.5% in 2018, including the impact of lower corporate taxes and the estimated dilution from the PayPal transaction. Given the lower corporate tax rates passed in the tax act, the company expects their effective tax rate will be in the 24% to 25% range going forward. The company expects to grow sales volume at 2 to 3x broader retail sales and for e-commerce to continue with strong growth.