BTIG affirms Synchrony Financial (NYSE: SYF) with a Buy rating and $42 price target today following Q4 results and outlook issued earlier.

Analyst Mark Palmer commented: While concerns about other card issuers may have some merit, we believe such qualms are largely misplaced in the case of SYF, and the company's 4Q15 report and FY16 outlook underline how it appears to be a positive outlier with regard to credit. We note that SYF maintained profitability throughout the financial crisis, so its team has particularly strong credentials in the risk management category.

On the firm's Buy rating: We believe enthusiasm for the stock may grow in coming months as the company approaches the potential implementation of a capital-return program in June following its upcoming submission of a capital plan to the Federal Reserve in April.

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