SLM Corporation (NASDAQ:SLM) Short Interest Down 21.9% in December

SLM Corporation (NASDAQ:SLM) saw a large decline in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 10,915,400 shares, a decline of 21.9% from the November 30th total of 13,975,878 shares. Currently, 5.4% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 4,752,275 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.3 days. Based on an average daily volume of 4,752,275 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.3 days. Currently, 5.4% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Trending Headlines about SLM

Here are the key news stories impacting SLM this week:

• Negative Sentiment: Schall Law Firm reminds investors of the class action against SLM and solicits lead‑plaintiff interest for purchasers during July 25–Aug 14, 2025; deadline to act is Feb 17, 2026. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman announces a class action filed against SLM and certain officers covering the same July 25–Aug 14 class period and urges investors to contact the firm. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Faruqi & Faruqi is investigating claims on behalf of SLM investors who purchased securities during the July 25–Aug 14, 2025 window and highlights the Feb 17, 2026 lead‑plaintiff deadline. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Levi & Korsinsky notifies SLM shareholders of a lead‑plaintiff deadline (Feb 17, 2026) in the securities lawsuit covering the July 25–Aug 14 period. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: The Law Offices of Howard G. Smith urges affected SLM shareholders to contact the firm ahead of the Feb 17, 2026 deadline for the class covering July 25–Aug 14, 2025. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Bernstein Liebhard announces a securities‑fraud class action has been filed against SLM for purchases during the July 25–Aug 14 period and solicits participation. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd notifies investors they can seek appointment as lead plaintiff in a class action (class period July 25–Aug 14); Feb 17, 2026 deadline emphasized. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: DJS Law Group alerts investors to the securities‑law suit against SLM covering the July 25–Aug 14 window and invites affected shareholders to discuss rights. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Earlier Schall Law Firm notice (Dec 29) duplicate reminding investors of the class action and Feb 17, 2026 lead‑plaintiff deadline for purchases between July 25 and Aug 14, 2025. Article Title

Institutional Trading of SLM

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of SLM. City Holding Co. bought a new position in shares of SLM in the second quarter worth $25,000. Triumph Capital Management bought a new position in SLM in the 3rd quarter valued at about $69,000. Anchor Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of SLM in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $94,000. Quarry LP bought a new stake in shares of SLM during the 1st quarter worth approximately $109,000. Finally, Quent Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of SLM during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $118,000. 98.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

SLM Stock Performance

NASDAQ SLM traded down $0.13 on Tuesday, reaching $27.22. The stock had a trading volume of 905,980 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,734,419. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.27, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.37. The company has a market cap of $5.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.14. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $27.75 and a two-hundred day moving average of $29.61. SLM has a 1-year low of $23.81 and a 1-year high of $34.97.

SLM (NASDAQ:SLM) last announced its earnings results on Monday, February 14th. The credit services provider reported $1.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. SLM had a net margin of 21.76% and a return on equity of 30.13%. The company had revenue of ($3.44) million during the quarter. SLM has set its FY 2022 guidance at $2.800-$3.000 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that SLM will post 3.07 EPS for the current year.

SLM Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 4th were given a $0.13 dividend. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 4th. SLM’s payout ratio is presently 18.25%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on SLM shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on SLM from $31.00 to $29.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of SLM in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Morgan Stanley set a $30.00 target price on SLM in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Barclays dropped their price target on SLM from $43.00 to $35.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of SLM from $35.00 to $30.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $31.60.

SLM Company Profile

SLM Corporation, operating as Sallie Mae Bank, is a leading U.S.-based consumer banking company specializing in education financing and related banking products. The company provides a range of private student loans for undergraduate and graduate studies, Parent PLUS loans, and specialized financing for career and certificate programs. In addition to its core lending services, Sallie Mae offers deposit products including savings accounts, checking accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, and credit cards tailored to students and young adults.

Founded in 1972 as the Student Loan Marketing Association—a government-sponsored enterprise—Sallie Mae was privatized in 2004 and has since focused on expanding its private education loan offerings and digital banking solutions.