SYF vs. T

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SYF (Synchrony Financial) and T (AT&T Inc.) are both stocks. SYF operates in Credit Services (Financial Services), while T operates in Telecom Services (Communication Services). Over the past 10 years, SYF returned 13.36%/yr vs 3.33%/yr for T. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

SYF vs. T - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Synchrony Financial (SYF) and AT&T Inc. (T). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SYF achieves a -11.35% return, which is significantly lower than T's -2.96% return. Over the past 10 years, SYF has outperformed T with an annualized return of 13.36%, while T has yielded a comparatively lower 3.33% annualized return.

SYF

• 1D: 1.42%
• 1M: 2.77%
• YTD: -11.35%
• 6M: -12.19%
• 1Y: 24.64%
• 3Y*: 31.82%
• 5Y*: 10.68%
• 10Y*: 13.36%

T

• 1D: 2.52%
• 1M: -1.87%
• YTD: -2.96%
• 6M: -1.93%
• 1Y: -12.71%
• 3Y*: 20.58%
• 5Y*: 7.38%
• 10Y*: 3.33%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SYF vs. T - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SYF Synchrony Financial	-11.35%	30.64%	74.01%	19.76%	-27.43%	36.40%	-0.08%	57.48%	-37.84%	8.35%
T AT&T Inc.	-2.96%	13.97%	44.08%	-2.74%	5.76%	-8.09%	-21.37%	45.55%	-22.25%	-4.01%

Correlation

The correlation between SYF and T is -0.00, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.07
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 31, 2014	0.30

The correlation between SYF and T shifts across timeframes, from -0.00 (1 year) to 0.31 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

EPS SYF : $9.85 T : $3.04
PE Ratio SYF : 7.45 T : 7.74
PEG Ratio SYF : 0.71 T : 0.32
PS Ratio SYF : 1.35 T : 1.35
Total Revenue (TTM) SYF : $19.92B T : $125.65B
Gross Profit (TTM) SYF : $12.16B T : $105.41B
EBITDA (TTM) SYF : $4.94B T : $54.70B

Return for Risk

SYF vs. T — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

SYF

SYF Risk / Return Rank: 61
SYF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
SYF Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
SYF Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SYF Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
SYF Martin Ratio Rank: 61

T

T Risk / Return Rank: 18
T Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
T Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
T Omega Ratio Rank: 18
T Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
T Martin Ratio Rank: 15

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

SYF vs. T - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Synchrony Financial (SYF) and AT&T Inc. (T). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	SYF	T	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.73	-0.59	+1.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.10	-0.72	+1.82
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	0.92	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.78	-0.59	+1.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.72	-1.22	+2.94

SYF vs. T - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SYF Sharpe Ratio is 0.73, which is higher than the T Sharpe Ratio of -0.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SYF and T, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

SYF vs. T - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SYF drawdown since its inception was -66.37%, roughly equal to the maximum T drawdown of -64.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SYF and T.

Drawdown Indicators

	SYF	T	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.37%	-64.15%	-2.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.61%	-21.87%	-5.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-37.75%	-21.87%	-15.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.65%	-32.01%	-14.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-66.37%	-42.35%	-24.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.40%	-18.12%	+1.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.99%	-15.72%	-1.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.48%	10.64%	+1.84%

Volatility

SYF vs. T - Volatility Comparison

Synchrony Financial (SYF) has a higher volatility of 9.32% compared to AT&T Inc. (T) at 8.21%. This indicates that SYF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than T based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SYF	T	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.32%	8.21%	+1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.51%	17.80%	+5.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.58%	22.13%	+7.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.81%	24.01%	+12.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.55%	23.73%	+15.82%

Dividends

SYF vs. T - Dividend Comparison

SYF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%, less than T's 4.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SYF Synchrony Financial	1.64%	1.38%	1.54%	2.51%	2.74%	1.90%	2.54%	2.39%	3.07%	1.45%	0.72%	0.00%
T AT&T Inc.	4.71%	4.47%	4.87%	6.62%	6.66%	8.46%	7.23%	5.22%	7.01%	5.04%	4.51%	5.46%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SYF and T in my portfolio?

SYF and T have a correlation of -0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SYF or T?

SYF has higher volatility (9.32%) compared to T (8.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SYF dropped -66.37% vs T's -64.15%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SYF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.73 vs -0.59), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.