** Shares in Discover Financial Services DFS.N up 2.4% on Wed hitting record high in session ahead of quarterly results due out after market close and quarterly conference call scheduled for before open on Thursday
** Capital One COF.N announced all-stock ~$35.3 bln deal to buy DFS in 2024. Deal still under regulatory review with October announcement NY AG investigating if the deal violates NY antitrust law. But DFS rallied Nov. 6 after U.S. voted in President Trump on hopes his administration loosens regulations
** COF shares also hit record on Wed after it reported Q4 profit jump late on Tuesday
** Wall Street analysts see the credit card co reporting adj EPS of $3.25 vs $1.54 in the year-ago quarter on rev of $4.46 bln, up from $4.2 bln a year-ago, as per latest from LSEG
** In last 8 quarters, DFS beat Street on adj EPS just 3 times while its rev beat estimates 7 times
** DFS shares last traded at $194.24 vs median PT of $194, up from $156 in Oct; with LSEG showing 16 analyst ratings, 2 'strong buy,' 4 'buy,' and 10 'hold'
** YTD shares in DFS up 12.2% after rising 54.1% in 2024; S&P 500 financial index .SPSY up 4% so far this year after 28.4% gain in 2024
(Reporting By Sinéad Carew)
((sinead.carew@thomsonreuters.com; +13322191897;))