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SLM (SLM) Competitors

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$22.47 -0.19 (-0.84%)
Closing price 05/8/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$22.47 +0.00 (+0.00%)
As of 05/8/2026 07:44 PM Eastern
Extended trading is trading that happens on electronic markets outside of regular trading hours. This is a fair market value extended hours price provided by Massive. Learn more.

SLM vs. NAVI, WTFC, AXP, CFG, and COF

Should you be buying SLM stock or one of its competitors? The main competitors of SLM include Navient (NAVI), Wintrust Financial (WTFC), American Express (AXP), Citizens Financial Group (CFG), and Capital One Financial (COF). These companies are all part of the "finance" sector.

How does SLM compare to Navient?

SLM (NASDAQ:SLM) and Navient (NASDAQ:NAVI) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, valuation, profitability, media sentiment, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

SLM presently has a consensus price target of $29.80, suggesting a potential upside of 32.62%. Navient has a consensus price target of $9.29, suggesting a potential upside of 8.73%. Given SLM's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe SLM is more favorable than Navient.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
SLM
1 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.58
Navient
4 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.56

In the previous week, Navient had 1 more articles in the media than SLM. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for Navient and 4 mentions for SLM. Navient's average media sentiment score of 0.89 beat SLM's score of 0.35 indicating that Navient is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
SLM
0 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Navient
2 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

SLM has a beta of 1.01, meaning that its share price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Navient has a beta of 1.24, meaning that its share price is 24% more volatile than the S&P 500.

98.9% of SLM shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 97.1% of Navient shares are held by institutional investors. 1.3% of SLM shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 31.2% of Navient shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

SLM pays an annual dividend of $0.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. Navient pays an annual dividend of $0.64 per share and has a dividend yield of 7.5%. SLM pays out 14.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Navient pays out -101.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. SLM has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. Navient is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

SLM has a net margin of 26.42% compared to Navient's net margin of -1.94%. SLM's return on equity of 34.80% beat Navient's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
SLM26.42% 34.80% 2.53%
Navient -1.94%4.39%0.22%

SLM has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Navient. Navient is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than SLM, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
SLM$2.63B1.61$744.85M$3.616.22
Navient$3.20B0.25-$80M-$0.63N/A

Summary

SLM beats Navient on 13 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does SLM compare to Wintrust Financial?

SLM (NASDAQ:SLM) and Wintrust Financial (NASDAQ:WTFC) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, risk, dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, media sentiment, profitability and earnings.

SLM pays an annual dividend of $0.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. Wintrust Financial pays an annual dividend of $2.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.5%. SLM pays out 14.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Wintrust Financial pays out 18.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. SLM has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years and Wintrust Financial has increased its dividend for 12 consecutive years. SLM is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

In the previous week, Wintrust Financial had 7 more articles in the media than SLM. MarketBeat recorded 11 mentions for Wintrust Financial and 4 mentions for SLM. Wintrust Financial's average media sentiment score of 0.92 beat SLM's score of 0.35 indicating that Wintrust Financial is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
SLM
0 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Wintrust Financial
6 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Wintrust Financial has higher revenue and earnings than SLM. SLM is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Wintrust Financial, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
SLM$2.63B1.61$744.85M$3.616.22
Wintrust Financial$4.23B2.42$823.84M$11.9312.71

SLM has a net margin of 26.42% compared to Wintrust Financial's net margin of 20.11%. SLM's return on equity of 34.80% beat Wintrust Financial's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
SLM26.42% 34.80% 2.53%
Wintrust Financial 20.11%13.15%1.25%

SLM has a beta of 1.01, suggesting that its share price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Wintrust Financial has a beta of 0.86, suggesting that its share price is 14% less volatile than the S&P 500.

98.9% of SLM shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 93.5% of Wintrust Financial shares are held by institutional investors. 1.3% of SLM shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.2% of Wintrust Financial shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

SLM currently has a consensus price target of $29.80, indicating a potential upside of 32.62%. Wintrust Financial has a consensus price target of $168.92, indicating a potential upside of 11.39%. Given SLM's higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe SLM is more favorable than Wintrust Financial.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
SLM
1 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.58
Wintrust Financial
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
10 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.92

Summary

Wintrust Financial beats SLM on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does SLM compare to American Express?

American Express (NYSE:AXP) and SLM (NASDAQ:SLM) are both finance companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk, media sentiment, profitability, earnings and valuation.

SLM has a net margin of 26.42% compared to American Express' net margin of 15.13%. SLM's return on equity of 34.80% beat American Express' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
American Express15.13% 33.95% 3.73%
SLM 26.42%34.80%2.53%

American Express currently has a consensus price target of $357.47, indicating a potential upside of 13.20%. SLM has a consensus price target of $29.80, indicating a potential upside of 32.62%. Given SLM's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe SLM is more favorable than American Express.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
American Express
1 Sell rating(s)
13 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.32
SLM
1 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.58

American Express pays an annual dividend of $3.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.2%. SLM pays an annual dividend of $0.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. American Express pays out 23.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. SLM pays out 14.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. American Express has raised its dividend for 4 consecutive years and SLM has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. SLM is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

American Express has higher revenue and earnings than SLM. SLM is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than American Express, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
American Express$72.23B2.98$10.83B$16.0319.70
SLM$2.63B1.61$744.85M$3.616.22

In the previous week, American Express had 55 more articles in the media than SLM. MarketBeat recorded 59 mentions for American Express and 4 mentions for SLM. American Express' average media sentiment score of 1.12 beat SLM's score of 0.35 indicating that American Express is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
American Express
43 Very Positive mention(s)
6 Positive mention(s)
9 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
SLM
0 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

84.3% of American Express shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 98.9% of SLM shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of American Express shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.3% of SLM shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

American Express has a beta of 1.08, meaning that its stock price is 8% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, SLM has a beta of 1.01, meaning that its stock price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

American Express beats SLM on 11 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does SLM compare to Citizens Financial Group?

Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG) and SLM (NASDAQ:SLM) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, risk, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations, valuation and media sentiment.

SLM has a net margin of 26.42% compared to Citizens Financial Group's net margin of 16.21%. SLM's return on equity of 34.80% beat Citizens Financial Group's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Citizens Financial Group16.21% 8.31% 0.88%
SLM 26.42%34.80%2.53%

Citizens Financial Group has higher revenue and earnings than SLM. SLM is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Citizens Financial Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Citizens Financial Group$12.06B2.23$1.83B$4.2315.06
SLM$2.63B1.61$744.85M$3.616.22

94.9% of Citizens Financial Group shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 98.9% of SLM shares are held by institutional investors. 0.7% of Citizens Financial Group shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.3% of SLM shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Citizens Financial Group pays an annual dividend of $1.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.9%. SLM pays an annual dividend of $0.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. Citizens Financial Group pays out 43.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. SLM pays out 14.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. SLM has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years.

Citizens Financial Group presently has a consensus target price of $70.88, indicating a potential upside of 11.27%. SLM has a consensus target price of $29.80, indicating a potential upside of 32.62%. Given SLM's higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe SLM is more favorable than Citizens Financial Group.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Citizens Financial Group
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
19 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.95
SLM
1 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.58

In the previous week, Citizens Financial Group had 9 more articles in the media than SLM. MarketBeat recorded 13 mentions for Citizens Financial Group and 4 mentions for SLM. Citizens Financial Group's average media sentiment score of 1.03 beat SLM's score of 0.35 indicating that Citizens Financial Group is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Citizens Financial Group
8 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
5 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
SLM
0 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Citizens Financial Group has a beta of 0.7, suggesting that its share price is 30% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, SLM has a beta of 1.01, suggesting that its share price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Citizens Financial Group and SLM tied by winning 10 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does SLM compare to Capital One Financial?

SLM (NASDAQ:SLM) and Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, risk, institutional ownership, media sentiment, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations and valuation.

SLM has a net margin of 26.42% compared to Capital One Financial's net margin of 4.29%. SLM's return on equity of 34.80% beat Capital One Financial's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
SLM26.42% 34.80% 2.53%
Capital One Financial 4.29%10.59%1.78%

Capital One Financial has higher revenue and earnings than SLM. SLM is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Capital One Financial, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
SLM$2.63B1.61$744.85M$3.616.22
Capital One Financial$69.25B1.70$2.45B$2.8566.43

98.9% of SLM shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 89.8% of Capital One Financial shares are held by institutional investors. 1.3% of SLM shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.8% of Capital One Financial shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

SLM pays an annual dividend of $0.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. Capital One Financial pays an annual dividend of $3.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.7%. SLM pays out 14.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Capital One Financial pays out 112.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. SLM has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years. SLM is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

SLM currently has a consensus target price of $29.80, suggesting a potential upside of 32.62%. Capital One Financial has a consensus target price of $257.52, suggesting a potential upside of 36.01%. Given Capital One Financial's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Capital One Financial is more favorable than SLM.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
SLM
1 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.58
Capital One Financial
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
18 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.78

In the previous week, Capital One Financial had 36 more articles in the media than SLM. MarketBeat recorded 40 mentions for Capital One Financial and 4 mentions for SLM. Capital One Financial's average media sentiment score of 0.97 beat SLM's score of 0.35 indicating that Capital One Financial is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
SLM
0 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Capital One Financial
24 Very Positive mention(s)
6 Positive mention(s)
5 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

SLM has a beta of 1.01, meaning that its stock price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Capital One Financial has a beta of 1.05, meaning that its stock price is 5% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

SLM and Capital One Financial tied by winning 10 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding SLM and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NASDAQ and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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SLM vs. The Competition

MetricSLMFIN IndustryFinance SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$4.27B$10.40B$13.52B$12.12B
Dividend Yield2.29%5.24%5.75%5.20%
P/E Ratio6.2214.5222.7125.39
Price / Sales1.611.59184.6775.96
Price / Cash5.828.2620.3053.47
Price / Book1.941.682.216.81
Net Income$744.85M$421.68M$1.11B$333.04M
7 Day Performance-0.97%-0.51%0.66%3.17%
1 Month Performance4.80%6.38%2.52%7.14%
1 Year Performance-30.17%18.13%13.54%41.22%

SLM Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
SLM
SLM
4.0502 of 5 stars
$22.47
-0.8%
$29.80
+32.6%
N/A$4.27B$2.63B6.221,788
NAVI
Navient
2.9242 of 5 stars
$8.98
-2.1%
$9.29
+3.4%
N/A$861.88M$3.20BN/A2,100
WTFC
Wintrust Financial
4.7691 of 5 stars
$148.95
-0.4%
$168.92
+13.4%
N/A$10.09B$4.23B12.495,902
AXP
American Express
4.5882 of 5 stars
$319.25
-0.1%
$357.47
+12.0%
N/A$218.13B$72.23B19.9276,800
CFG
Citizens Financial Group
4.9028 of 5 stars
$63.58
-1.3%
$70.88
+11.5%
N/A$27.38B$12.06B15.0317,398

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This page (NASDAQ:SLM) was last updated on 5/9/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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