SLM (NASDAQ:SLM) Price Target Lowered to $26.00 at Barclays

SLM (NASDAQ:SLM - Free Report) had its price objective reduced by Barclays from $27.00 to $26.00 in a research report report published on Thursday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the credit services provider's stock.

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on SLM from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on SLM from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Wedbush cut their target price on SLM from $29.00 to $26.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 24th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on SLM from $24.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on SLM from $25.00 to $24.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $24.67.

SLM Price Performance

SLM stock traded down $0.59 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $22.21. 4,723,994 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,788,436. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.66, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 1.26. The company has a market capitalization of $4.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.94, a P/E/G ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.15. SLM has a 52-week low of $12.26 and a 52-week high of $23.95. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $21.90 and a 200-day moving average price of $21.49.

SLM (NASDAQ:SLM - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 23rd. The credit services provider reported ($0.23) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.07 by ($0.30). SLM had a return on equity of 41.84% and a net margin of 24.67%. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.11 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that SLM will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at SLM

In related news, Director Robert S. Strong sold 4,500 shares of SLM stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.70, for a total transaction of $102,150.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 101,093 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,294,811.10. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 1.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On SLM

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of SLM by 1,373.3% in the 1st quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,326 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 1,236 shares during the period. Waldron Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of SLM in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of SLM by 358.7% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,399 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 1,094 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of SLM in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $60,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of SLM by 378.1% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 3,050 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $66,000 after purchasing an additional 2,412 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.94% of the company's stock.

About SLM

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.