Synchrony Financial expects 2025 net revenue to fall amid moderate consumer spending

Jan 28 (Reuters) - Synchrony Financial SYF.N said on Tuesday it expects lower net revenue for 2025 as spending levels moderate and interest rates dip, sending shares of the credit card-focused consumer banking firm down about 5.5% in premarket trading.

Interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve are expected to trim the margins of lenders providing credit card debt, typically the costliest form of loans.

The Stamford, Connecticut-based company forecast 2025 net revenue in the range of $15.2 billion to $15.7 billion. It reported net revenue of about $16.13 billion for 2024.

However, its net interest income - the difference between interest earned on loans and paid out on deposits - rose to $4.59 billion in the fourth quarter, compared with $4.47 billion a year earlier.

Provision for credit losses decreased to $1.56 billion from $1.80 billion in the year-ago period, on lower risk of defaults.

The lender's purchase volume decreased by 3% in the quarter, reflecting a dip in spending on the company's credit cards as customers postponed discretionary purchases.

Purchase volume refers to the total dollar amount of transactions via a company's cards after deducting discounts and returns.

Synchrony's net income rose to $774 million, or $1.91 per share, in the three months ended Dec. 31, compared with $440 million, or $1.03 per share, a year earlier.

The company's shares had risen more than 70.2% in 2024.