Compare Stocks › MSFT vs SYF
Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) vs Synchrony Financial (SYF)
MSFT
Microsoft Corporation
$389.02
VS
SYF
Synchrony Financial
$65.51
Rewards
MSFT
- ★Microsoft Corporation has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
- ★Gross margin of 68.6% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
- ★Microsoft Corporation scores 88/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with revenue predictability as the strongest competitive dimension.
SYF
- ★Free cash flow has grown at a 13.7% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.
- ★Share count has been reduced by 21% over the past 4 years through buybacks, increasing each share's claim on earnings.
- ★Each dollar of retained earnings has created $1.86 of market value — management is creating shareholder value.
Risks
MSFT
- ⚠FCF yield of 2.5% is below 3%, meaning the market is pricing in substantial future growth to justify the current price.
SYF
- ⚠Gross margin of 0.0% is low, suggesting a competitive or commodity-like market with limited pricing power.
- ⚠Synchrony Financial scores only 9/100 on the Economic Moat Score, suggesting limited durable competitive advantages.
- ⚠Altman Z-Score of 0.58 places the company in the distress zone — financial patterns resemble those of companies that experienced bankruptcy.
Key Valuation Metrics
Learn more →MSFT
SYF
Valuation
$71.61B
Free Cash Flow
N/A
2.48%
FCF Yield
N/A
24.33
Trailing P/E
7.06
20.64
Forward P/E
6.27
Quality & Moat
22.10%
ROIC
24.64%
26.05%
ROE
N/A
68.59%
Gross Margin
0.00%
0.41
PEG Ratio
0.91
Balance Sheet Safety
0.32
Debt / Equity
N/A
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
0.19
Net Debt / EBITDA
N/A
0.94%
Dividend Yield
1.83%
MSFT: 2Ties: 1SYF: 4
MSFTSYF
Historical Fundamentals
Learn more →MSFT
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
SYF
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
$1 Retained Earnings Test
Learn more →MSFT
$9.18
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$196.68B
Δ Market Cap
+$1.81T
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
SYF
$1.86
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Value Creator
Σ Retained
$7.86B
Δ Market Cap
+$14.58B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis
Learn more →MSFT
0.5% Overvalued
Price is 0.5% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $389.02
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $387.10
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
SYF
77.4% Margin of Safety
Price is 77.4% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $65.51
Strongly undervalued
Fairly valued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $289.61
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth
Learn more →MSFT
What growth rate is the market pricing in at $389?
+12.6%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +17.4%
The market implies +12.6% Owner Earnings growth, roughly in line with history — reasonably priced.
Standard FCF implies +17.4%, reflecting ongoing growth investment.
SYF
Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.
Economic Moat Score
Learn more →MSFT
88/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
Wide moat driven primarily by revenue predictability. Reinvestment Efficiency is the area most vulnerable to competitive pressure.
Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
SYF
9/100
No Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
No durable moat detected, though revenue predictability shows some competitive positioning. The business lacks consistent evidence of sustainable advantages.
Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
Forensic Accounting
Learn more →MSFT
-2.51
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone
M-Score Trend
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
SYF
-2.82
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone
M-Score Trend
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
Ownership Breakdown
Learn more →MSFT
Insiders 0.1%Institutions 76.0%Retail & Other 23.9%
No. of Institutional Holders8,054
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
SYF
Insiders 0.4%Institutions 107.3%
No. of Institutional Holders1,398
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
Insider Buying Activity
Learn more →MSFT
1
Buys (3M)
2
Buys (12M)
Total value (12M): $3.44M
STANTON JOHN W.
Director
$1.99M
@ $397.35 · 2026-02-18
SMITH BRADFORD LEE
President
$1.45M
@ $377.47 · 2025-04-23
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
SYF
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
No open market insider purchases found.
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.
Insider Selling Activity
Learn more →MSFT
1
Sells (3M)
13
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $172.43M
HOGAN KATHLEEN T
Officer
$5.05M
@ $409.55 · 2026-03-06
NUMOTO TAKESHI
Officer
$1.36M
@ $478.72 · 2025-12-04
ALTHOFF JUDSON
Officer
$6.27M
@ $491.52 · 2025-12-02
SMITH BRADFORD LEE
President
$19.97M
@ $518.64 · 2025-11-03
NADELLA SATYA
Chief Executive Officer
$75.32M
@ $504.78 · 2025-09-03
NUMOTO TAKESHI
Officer
$2.56M
@ $527.32 · 2025-08-12
NUMOTO TAKESHI
Officer
$1.39M
@ $463.00 · 2025-06-03
NUMOTO TAKESHI
Officer
$460,008
@ $460.01 · 2025-05-30
HOGAN KATHLEEN T
Officer
$9.76M
@ $453.77 · 2025-05-21
ALTHOFF JUDSON
Officer
$7.33M
@ $458.18 · 2025-05-19
COLEMAN AMY
Officer
$5.99M
@ $452.04 · 2025-05-15
SMITH BRADFORD LEE
President
$1.68M
@ $438.44 · 2025-05-05
SMITH BRADFORD LEE
President
$35.30M
@ $435.84 · 2025-05-05
NUMOTO TAKESHI
Officer
$1.12M
@ $447.41 · 2024-12-09
NUMOTO TAKESHI
Officer
$874,634
@ $437.32 · 2024-12-04
NUMOTO TAKESHI
Officer
$1.50M
@ $428.76 · 2024-12-02
ALTHOFF JUDSON
Officer
$10.43M
@ $417.00 · 2024-11-22
NUMOTO TAKESHI
Officer
$414,720
@ $414.72 · 2024-11-22
YOUNG CHRISTOPHER DAVID
Officer
$3.05M
@ $423.66 · 2024-11-12
HOGAN KATHLEEN T
Officer
$7.16M
@ $411.86 · 2024-09-10
NUMOTO TAKESHI
Officer
$1.03M
@ $411.04 · 2024-09-10
SMITH BRADFORD LEE
President
$16.10M
@ $402.59 · 2024-09-09
HOOD AMY E
Chief Financial Officer
$15.60M
@ $410.55 · 2024-09-05
NADELLA SATYA
Chief Executive Officer
$32.02M
@ $408.63 · 2024-09-04
NUMOTO TAKESHI
Officer
$235,535
@ $416.14 · 2024-06-03
ALTHOFF JUDSON
Officer
$10.64M
@ $425.68 · 2024-05-23
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
SYF
15
Sells (3M)
26
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $47.67M
WENZEL BRIAN J SR.
Chief Financial Officer
$4.49M
@ $67.32 · 2026-03-03
HOWSE CURTIS
Officer
$533,690
@ $67.71 · 2026-03-02
JUEL CAROL D
Chief Technology Officer
$1.14M
@ $67.71 · 2026-03-02
DOUBLES BRIAN D
Chief Executive Officer
$14.94M
@ $68.68 · 2026-03-02
CASELLAS ALBERTO B
Officer
$974,956
@ $67.71 · 2026-03-02
SCHALLER BARTON W
Officer
$878,876
@ $67.71 · 2026-03-02
OWENS DARRELL
Officer
$261,699
@ $67.71 · 2026-03-02
GENTLEMAN COURTNEY
Officer
$293,726
@ $67.71 · 2026-03-02
JUEL CAROL D
Chief Operating Officer
$3.14M
@ $70.60 · 2026-02-17
CASELLAS ALBERTO B
Officer
$2.93M
@ $70.60 · 2026-02-17
SCHALLER BARTON W
Officer
$2.49M
@ $70.60 · 2026-02-17
OWENS DARRELL
Officer
$727,462
@ $70.60 · 2026-02-17
GENTLEMAN COURTNEY
Officer
$850,377
@ $70.60 · 2026-02-17
HOWSE CURTIS
Officer
$3.80M
@ $72.32 · 2026-02-02
COVIELLO ARTHUR W JR
Director
$289,280
@ $72.32 · 2026-02-02
MOTHNER JONATHAN S
Officer
$2.33M
@ $72.80 · 2025-11-17
HOWSE CURTIS
Officer
$894,606
@ $74.02 · 2025-11-03
OWENS DARRELL
Officer
$221,246
@ $74.02 · 2025-11-03
COVIELLO ARTHUR W JR
Director
$591,440
@ $73.93 · 2025-11-03
WENZEL BRIAN J SR.
Chief Financial Officer
$595,980
@ $70.00 · 2025-08-05
NAYLOR JEFFREY G
Director
$1.38M
@ $68.75 · 2025-08-05
OWENS DARRELL
Officer
$40,770
@ $67.95 · 2025-08-04
GENTLEMAN COURTNEY
Officer
$48,177
@ $67.95 · 2025-08-04
HOWSE CURTIS
Officer
$739,700
@ $65.00 · 2025-06-24
NAYLOR JEFFREY G
Director
$650,000
@ $65.00 · 2025-06-24
MOTHNER JONATHAN S
Officer
$2.44M
@ $60.07 · 2025-05-19
WENZEL BRIAN J SR.
Chief Financial Officer
$3.76M
@ $60.01 · 2025-03-03
HOWSE CURTIS
Officer
$2.04M
@ $60.01 · 2025-03-03
JUEL CAROL D
Officer
$5.41M
@ $59.19 · 2025-03-03
CASELLAS ALBERTO B
Officer
$3.48M
@ $60.01 · 2025-03-03
SCHALLER BARTON W
Officer
$4.45M
@ $59.18 · 2025-03-03
OWENS DARRELL
Officer
$664,611
@ $60.01 · 2025-03-03
GENTLEMAN COURTNEY
Officer
$600,700
@ $60.01 · 2025-03-03
DOUBLES BRIAN D
Chief Executive Officer
$8.94M
@ $60.09 · 2025-02-28
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.
🎭 Mr. Market's Mood
Learn more →MSFT
😐Neutral(43/100)
"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"
Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
SYF
😨Fear(40/100)
"Market is pessimistic — investigate whether fears are temporary or structural"
Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
⚖️ Buffett Signal
Learn more →MSFT
⚪Awaiting DCF Data
The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.
DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (43)
SYF
⚪Awaiting DCF Data
The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.
DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Fear (40)