64,408 Shares in SLM Co. (NASDAQ:SLM) Acquired by Moody Aldrich Partners LLC

Moody Aldrich Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of SLM Co. (NASDAQ:SLM - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 64,408 shares of the credit services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,776,000.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Waldron Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in SLM during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in shares of SLM during the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in shares of SLM by 358.7% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,399 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 1,094 shares in the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in shares of SLM in the third quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd raised its holdings in shares of SLM by 110.3% during the third quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 4,404 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $101,000 after acquiring an additional 2,310 shares in the last quarter. 98.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

SLM Stock Performance

SLM stock traded down $0.81 on Friday, reaching $27.91. 3,213,698 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,445,370. The stock has a market cap of $5.93 billion, a PE ratio of 10.53, a PEG ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.21. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $27.64 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $24.13. SLM Co. has a twelve month low of $18.84 and a twelve month high of $31.49. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.37.

SLM (NASDAQ:SLM - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 23rd. The credit services provider reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.56 by ($0.06). SLM had a return on equity of 31.66% and a net margin of 20.73%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that SLM Co. will post 3.07 EPS for the current year.

SLM Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 5th will be paid a $0.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 5th. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.86%. SLM's payout ratio is 19.62%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on SLM shares. Wedbush reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $26.00 target price on shares of SLM in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on SLM from $29.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of SLM from $26.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of SLM from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of SLM from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, SLM presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $29.82.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other SLM news, Director Robert S. Strong sold 4,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.25, for a total value of $122,625.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 83,130 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,265,292.50. This trade represents a 5.14 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 1.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

SLM Company Profile

SLM Corporation, through its subsidiaries, originates and services private education loans to students and their families to finance the cost of their education in the United States. It is also involved in the provision of retail deposit accounts, including certificates of deposit, money market accounts, and high-yield savings accounts; and interest-bearing omnibus accounts.