Why Santander Consumer, Ally Financial Could Be In Trouble

Shares of Santander (MC:SAN) Consumer USA Holdings Inc. (NYSE:SC) lost 6.5% and Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY) declined 1.2%, on May 30. So, what’s the reason for the price fall?

Per a Bloomberg report, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, both the companies’ auto-finance partner is likely to announce formation of its own finance division in United States as early as Friday. Therefore, this will have a major adverse financial impact on both Santander Consumer and Ally Financial.

Santander Consumer has a 10-year financing agreement with Fiat Chrysler that was inked in 2013. According the company’s latest filings, the agreement can be cancelled in case Chrysler Capital is unable to fulfill origination targets within the first five years. This is could have “materially adverse impact” on Santander Consumer’s operations.

Moreover, as of Dec 31, 2017, Santander Consumer had financed 28% of Fiat Chrysler’s total loans and leases. This was significantly below the target of 65% to be reached by April-end.

For Ally Financial, which originated $2.44 billion worth of loans and leases for Fiat Chrysler dealers in 2017, the expected formation of Fiat Chrysler’s finance division will likely pose a problem. This loan origination accounts for more than 25% of the company’s consumer automotive business.

Therefore, in case Fiat Chrysler actually forms its finance division, it will have a substantial adverse impact on financial performance of Santander Consumer and Ally Financial.

Shares of Santander Consumer have rallied 10.7% while Ally Financial stock has lost 6%, over the last three months. On the other hand, the industry has declined 1.2% in the same time frame.



Currently, both Santander Consumer and Ally Financial carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Stocks to Consider

SLM Corporation (NASDAQ:SLM) has witnessed upward earnings estimate revision of 2% over the past 60 days for the current year. Also, its share price has increased 11.1% in a year. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

FirstCash, Inc.’s (NYSE:FCFS) earnings estimates for 2018 have been revised 5.4% upward over the past 60 days. The Zacks Rank #1 stock has surged 60% in the past year.

Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars?

Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge.

With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.

It's not the one you think.

See This Ticker Free >>

SLM Corporation (SLM): Free Stock Analysis Report

Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc. (SC): Free Stock Analysis Report

Ally Financial Inc. (ALLY): Free Stock Analysis Report

First Cash, Inc. (FCFS): Free Stock Analysis Report

Original post

Zacks Investment Research