SLM Co. (NASDAQ:SLM) Receives $31.82 Consensus PT from Analysts

Shares of SLM Co. (NASDAQ:SLM - Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the eleven research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $31.82.

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on SLM from $30.00 to $27.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Barclays boosted their price target on SLM from $34.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on SLM from $34.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $40.00 price target (up from $33.00) on shares of SLM in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Robert S. Strong sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.15, for a total value of $93,450.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 35,195 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,096,324.25. This trade represents a 7.85% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 1.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Boston Partners lifted its holdings in shares of SLM by 3.9% in the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 12,246,797 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $338,889,000 after acquiring an additional 456,415 shares during the last quarter. Brave Warrior Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of SLM in the 1st quarter valued at about $277,704,000. FMR LLC lifted its holdings in shares of SLM by 39.0% in the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 7,529,496 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $207,664,000 after acquiring an additional 2,111,699 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of SLM by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 5,325,274 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $156,403,000 after acquiring an additional 149,629 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors bought a new position in shares of SLM in the 4th quarter valued at about $144,101,000. Institutional investors own 98.94% of the company's stock.

SLM Stock Up 1.4%

SLM stock traded up $0.45 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $32.82. 606,034 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,259,669. The stock has a market cap of $6.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.38, a P/E/G ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a quick ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.37. SLM has a fifty-two week low of $19.39 and a fifty-two week high of $34.55. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $29.78 and its 200 day moving average price is $28.88.

SLM (NASDAQ:SLM - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The credit services provider reported $1.40 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.19 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $374.97 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $359.83 million. SLM had a net margin of 20.73% and a return on equity of 31.66%. SLM's revenue was up 3.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.27 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that SLM will post 3.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

SLM Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 5th will be issued a $0.13 dividend. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.58%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 5th. SLM's dividend payout ratio is currently 18.71%.

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.