Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Invests $5.11 Million in SLM Co. (NASDAQ:SLM)

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH bought a new stake in SLM Co. (NASDAQ:SLM - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 185,184 shares of the credit services provider's stock, valued at approximately $5,107,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned 0.09% of SLM as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in SLM. Private Trust Co. NA grew its holdings in SLM by 86.4% in the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 971 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 450 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in shares of SLM by 32.2% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,849 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 450 shares in the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in shares of SLM in the 4th quarter valued at about $86,000. Plato Investment Management Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of SLM in the 4th quarter valued at about $114,000. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its position in SLM by 489.7% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 4,476 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $123,000 after buying an additional 3,717 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.94% of the company's stock.

SLM Stock Performance

SLM stock traded down $0.37 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $31.81. 2,069,660 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,271,631. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $29.95 and its 200 day simple moving average is $28.98. The company has a quick ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.68 billion, a PE ratio of 12.00, a P/E/G ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.05. SLM Co. has a one year low of $19.39 and a one year high of $34.55.

SLM (NASDAQ:SLM - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The credit services provider reported $1.40 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.19 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $374.97 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $359.83 million. SLM had a net margin of 20.73% and a return on equity of 31.66%. The company's revenue was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.27 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that SLM Co. will post 3.07 earnings per share for the current year.

SLM Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.13 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 5th. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.63%. SLM's payout ratio is 18.71%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have issued reports on SLM shares. Barclays increased their price target on SLM from $34.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, May 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on SLM from $30.00 to $27.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of SLM from $34.00 to $38.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an "overweight" rating and set a $40.00 price objective (up previously from $33.00) on shares of SLM in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $32.30.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Robert S. Strong sold 3,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $31.15, for a total transaction of $93,450.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 35,195 shares in the company, valued at $1,096,324.25. The trade was a 7.85% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 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.