SLM Co. (NASDAQ:SLM) Given Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Shares of SLM Co. (NASDAQ:SLM - Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the eleven analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $29.82.

Several analysts have commented on SLM shares. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of SLM from $27.00 to $26.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 24th. Wedbush reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $26.00 price target on shares of SLM in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Compass Point lifted their price target on shares of SLM from $31.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on SLM from $26.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, December 19th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on SLM from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research report on Friday.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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

Institutional Trading of SLM

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in shares of SLM in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Waldron Private Wealth LLC bought a new position in SLM during the third quarter worth $31,000. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in SLM by 358.7% in the third 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. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in SLM during the third quarter valued at $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 purchasing an additional 2,310 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 98.94% of the company's stock.

SLM Price Performance

SLM traded down $0.29 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $29.01. 5,580,619 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,019,695. SLM has a 1-year low of $18.84 and a 1-year high of $31.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.16 billion, a PE ratio of 10.11, a P/E/G ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.21, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 1.27. The business's 50-day moving average price is $27.27 and its 200 day moving average price is $23.91.

SLM (NASDAQ:SLM - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 23rd. The credit services provider reported $0.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.56 by ($0.06). SLM had a net margin of 22.18% and a return on equity of 35.92%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that SLM will post 2.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

SLM Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.79%. SLM's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 18.12%.

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.