Synchrony Financial SYF delivered second-quarter 2021 earnings per share of $2.12, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.47 by 44.2%. The bottom line also compares favorably with the year-ago quarter’s report of 6 cents per share, aided by lower expenses.Results in DetailThe company’s net interest income dipped 2.5% year over year to $3.3 billion in the second quarter due to lower interest and fees on loans.Its other income dropped 6.3% year over year to $89 million due to higher program loyalty costs from higher purchase volume.In the quarter under review, loan receivables inched up 0.1% year over year to $78.4 billion.Deposits were $59.8 billion, down 6.7% from the year-ago quarter.Provision for credit losses declined 111.6% year over year to ($194) million) owing to reduced reserves and net charge-offs.Total other expense decreased 3.9% year over year to $948 million, attributable to reduced operational losses.Synchrony Financial Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Synchrony Financial price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Synchrony Financial QuoteSales Platforms UpdateHome & Auto period-end loan receivables were up 1% year over year. This was mainly owing to solid home partners and merchants. In the second quarter, interest and fees on loans were down 6% from the year-ago period. Purchase volume increased 25% year over year.Digital loan receivables rose 2% year over year while purchase volume surged 30% owing to better digitalbased partners. Interest and fees on loans slid 2%.Diversified & Value period-end loan receivables decreased 5% year over year. In the second quarter, purchase volume soared 51% year over year on the back of lifting government restrictions on retail experiences. Interest and fees on loans were down 14%. Health & Wellness period-end loan receivables increased 3% while purchase volume surged 53% year over year, riding on better consumer confidence. Interest and fees on loans decreased 2%.Lifestyle period-end loan receivables and purchase volume rose 9% each on the back of power sports. Interest and fees on loans increased 6% on the back of loans receivables growth.Financial Position (as of Jun 30, 2021)Total assets were $92 billion, down 4.7% year over year.Total borrowings were $13.5 billion, down 16.3% from the level on Jun 30, 2020.The company’s balance sheet was consistently strong during the reported quarter with total liquidity of $21.2 billion accounting for 23% of its total assets.While return on assets was 5.3%, the return on equity was 36.5%.Efficiency ratio was 39.6% in the second quarter of 2021.Capital DeploymentDuring the quarter under consideration, Synchrony Financial returned $521 million worth of capital via common stock dividends.Zacks RankSynchrony Financial currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Upcoming ReleasesHere are a few companies worth considering from the finance sector as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle:Ally Financial Inc. ALLY has an Earnings ESP of +6.64% and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), currently. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.Capital One Financial Corporation COF has an Earnings ESP of +3.71% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.Principal Financial Group, Inc. PFG has an Earnings ESP of +0.66% and is currently Zacks #3 Ranked. Zacks' Top Picks to Cash in on Artificial Intelligence In 2021, this world-changing technology is projected to generate $327.5 billion in revenue. Now Shark Tank star and billionaire investor Mark Cuban says AI will create "the world's first trillionaires." Zacks' urgent special report reveals 3 AI picks investors need to know about today.See 3 Artificial Intelligence Stocks With Extreme Upside Potential>>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Capital One Financial Corporation (COF): Free Stock Analysis Report Principal Financial Group, Inc. (PFG): Free Stock Analysis Report Ally Financial Inc. (ALLY): Free Stock Analysis Report Synchrony Financial (SYF): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research