SLM Corporation (NASDAQ:SLM) Given Average Rating of “Hold” by Analysts

Shares of SLM Corporation (NASDAQ:SLM) have received a consensus rating of “Hold” from the twelve ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $31.20.

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley set a $30.00 price target on shares of SLM in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of SLM in a report on Friday, December 5th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on SLM from $35.00 to $30.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Compass Point downgraded shares of SLM from a “buy” rating to a “sell” rating and lowered their target price for the company from $35.00 to $23.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price target on shares of SLM from $31.00 to $29.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th.

SLM Stock Performance

Shares of SLM stock traded down $0.14 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $26.85. The company had a trading volume of 1,818,626 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,931,302. The firm has a market cap of $5.45 billion, a PE ratio of 9.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.12. SLM has a one year low of $23.81 and a one year high of $34.97. 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 business has a fifty day simple moving average of $27.79 and a 200 day simple moving average of $29.15.

SLM (NASDAQ:SLM) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The credit services provider reported $0.63 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.84 by ($0.21). SLM had a return on equity of 30.13% and a net margin of 21.76%.The company had revenue of $172.70 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $382.50 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned ($0.23) EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that SLM will post 3.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

SLM Announces Dividend

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

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of SLM. MorganRosel Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in SLM in the third quarter worth $1,131,000. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its stake in shares of SLM by 1,289.3% during the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 66,908 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $1,852,000 after purchasing an additional 62,092 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in SLM in the first quarter worth about $1,472,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its position in SLM by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 1,802,829 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $52,949,000 after acquiring an additional 12,264 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Meritage Portfolio Management raised its position in shares of SLM by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Meritage Portfolio Management now owns 16,780 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $550,000 after acquiring an additional 464 shares in the last quarter. 98.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about SLM

Here are the key news stories impacting SLM this week:

• Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen/TipRanks maintained a Buy rating and a $35 price target, citing improving credit trends and normalization in trust performance that support upside for SLM. SLM Corp: Improving Credit Trends and Normalizing Trust Performance Support Buy Rating
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks preview pieces are flagging mixed expectations into the upcoming Q4/Dec-2025 release — one note explores key metrics market watchers will focus on, another says SLM lacks the ideal setup for an outright earnings beat. These previews increase focus on next week’s report but don’t provide new company-specific disclosures. Unlocking Q4 Potential of Sallie Mae (SLM) Sallie Mae (SLM) Earnings Expected to Grow: What to Know Ahead
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple plaintiffs’ law firms have filed suits and issued investor notices alleging securities fraud tied to SLM and are soliciting lead‑plaintiff motions for investors who bought shares between July 25, 2025 and Aug. 14, 2025 (lead‑plaintiff deadline Feb. 17, 2026). The proliferation of filings and reminders (Rosen, Pomerantz, Levi & Korsinsky, Glancy, Berger Montague, Robbins Geller, Faruqi & Faruqi, others) creates a litigation overhang that tends to weigh on the share price until outcomes or settlements clarify exposure. Rosen Law Firm Notice Pomerantz Filing Glancy Prongay & Murray Notice

About SLM

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.