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Verdict
Quantitative factor alignment verified for current market regime.
Quant Score
Rank
#4454
Positioning
Market Dominance
Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate
Banking
$5.8B
Jonathan W. Witter
SLM Corporation originates and services private education loans to students and their families to finance the cost of their education in the United States. It also offers retail deposit accounts, including certificates of deposit and money market deposit accounts. The company was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Newark, Delaware.
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Dates updated upon official exchange announcement.
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X-AXIS: EV/EBITDA (LOWER = CHEAPER) | Y-AXIS: ROE (HIGHER = ELITE) | RED CIRCLE = SLM ANALYSIS TARGET
| Stock | Rating | Score▼ | Quality | Value | Momentum | P/E | EV/EBITDA | ROE | ROA | Gross Mgn | Op Mgn | Net Mgn | Rev Growth | Div Yield | D/E | Mkt Cap | AUDIT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$SII SPROTT INC. | 75 | 91 | 87 | 98 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $0 | VS | |
$PUK PRUDENTIAL PLC | 73 | 88 | 97 | 80 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $0 | VS | |
$NMR NOMURA HOLDINGS INC | 72 | 81 | 92 | 87 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $0 | VS | |
$PSLV Sprott Physical Silver Trust | 69 | 82 | 80 | 98 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $0 | VS | |
$UFCS UNITED FIRE GROUP INC | 68 | 81 | 93 | 76 | 5.0x | 3.5x | 13.2% | 4.1% | 99.9% | 14.7% | 11.1% | 9.2% | 2.1% | 16.0x | $775M | VS | |
$SLF SUN LIFE FINANCIAL INC | 68 | 83 | 95 | 63 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $0 | VS | |
$CBOE Cboe Global Markets, Inc. | 68 | 75 | 63 | 77 | 21.3x | 15.7x | 24.0% | 13.7% | 41.7% | 32.4% | 26.4% | 8.2% | 1.1% | 30.0x | $25.7B | VS | |
$VTMX Vesta Real Estate Corporation, S.A.B. de C.V. | 67 | 69 | 77 | 80 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $0 | VS | |
$PHYS Sprott Physical Gold Trust | 67 | 64 | 82 | 91 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | $0 | VS | |
$GLDM World Gold Trust | 66 | 54 | 85 | 92 | 11.3x | 11.3x | - | 20.9% | 100.0% | 97.1% | 554.8% | -19.0% | 0.0% | - | $32.0B | VS | |
$SLM SLM Corp | 31 | 27 | 39 | 15 | 9.7x | 16.0x | 19.0% | 1.6% | 0.0% | 23.5% | 17.8% | 2.5% | 1.9% | 219.0x | $5.8B | ||
| SECTOR BENCH | - | - | - | - | - | 11.9x | 7.8x | 9.0% | 1.3% | 77.7% | 18.1% | 21.9% | 10.7% | 2.0% | 0.5x | - | REF |
SLM Corp (SLM) receives a "Avoid" rating with a composite score of 31.1/100. It ranks #4454 out of 7,333 stocks in our coverage universe and carries a 1-star rating. Ratings are driven by a 6-factor quantitative model measuring quality, value, momentum, investment, stability, and short interest.
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Lagging peers — losers tend to keep underperforming
Fair valuation relative to peers
Weak fundamentals — higher risk of value trap
High volatility — wider range of outcomes increases timing risk
Aggressive spending — empire-building risk, dilutive growth
Below-average composite — caution warranted
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Relative valuation derived from Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate sector benchmarks. Model weights: EV/EBITDA (40%), P/B (35%), P/S (25%). Re-calculated daily.
Projection based on user-defined inputs. Re-calculated daily against current market data.
Reverse DCF Framework — Mauboussin Methodology
Institutional-grade Reverse DCF analysis. This model identifies the growth hurdles embedded in current market prices. When implied growth is significantly lower than historical or projected rates, a margin of safety may exist. Re-audited daily.
No analyst ratings for SLM.
View All Ratings| Factor | Global | Sector | Tilt |
|---|---|---|---|
| PROFITABILITY | 27 | 16 | +11ALPHA |
| MOMENTUM | 15 | 8 | +7ALPHA |
| VALUATION | 39 | 41 | -2NEUTRAL |
| INVESTMENT | 31 | 43 | -12DRAG |
| STABILITY | 35 | 27 | +8ALPHA |
| SHORT INT | 33 | 24 | +9ALPHA |
Global = full universe. Sector = relative to industry peers. Positive tilt indicates idiosyncratic strength.
ROIC 35.4% vs WACC 6.3% (spread +29.1%)
GM 0% vs sector 78%, OM 23% vs sector 18%
Capital turnover 1.44x
Rev growth 3%, 10yr history
Interest coverage 3.5x, Net debt/EBITDA 1.8x
Composite assessment of profitability, capital efficiency, and financial strength. Top-tier entities demonstrate sustainable cash flow generation and elite competitive moats.
Profit generated per dollar of shareholder equity
Efficiency of asset utilization
Pricing power and cost efficiency
Core business profitability
Bottom-line profitability
The Quality factor evaluates the persistence and magnitude of realized cash flows. Companies with scores >70 exhibit superior pricing power and structural financial resilience through diverse economic regimes.
Our uncertainty rating tracks the predictability of future cash flows and potential for permanent capital loss. Moderate visibility with standard industry cyclicality.
We rate SLM Corp (SLM) as Avoid with a composite score of 31.1/100 at a current price of $19.84. The stock falls in the bottom quintile, and the multi-factor weakness suggests a high probability of continued underperformance.
SLM Corp holds a top-quartile position (#0 of 50) within the Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate sector, based on our composite quantitative scoring across quality, value, momentum, and stability factors. The composite score of 31.1/100 places it at rank #4454 in our full universe.
Narrow
High
Standard
Fair Value
Returns on equity of 19.0% exceed cost of capital.
Stable competitive position in a defensive sector.
Leverage of 219% D/E amplifies downside risk.
Weak momentum suggests persistent institutional selling pressure.
Below-average quality raises earnings sustainability concerns.
SLM Corp represents a avoid based on multi-factor quantitative performance.
Our quantitative model flags SLM Corp with an Avoid rating, assigning a composite score of 31.1/100 and 1 out of 5 stars. Ranked #4454 of 7,333 stocks, SLM falls in the bottom tier across key factors. Historically, stocks with this profile have faced elevated risk of underperformance and capital loss.
SLM's quality score of 27/100 is below average, suggesting challenges with profitability or capital efficiency. The company reports a return on equity of 19.0% (sector avg: 9.0%), gross margins of 0.0% (sector avg: 77.7%), net margins of 17.8% (sector avg: 21.9%). Investors should examine whether management is actively addressing these weaknesses or if they reflect structural industry headwinds.
With a value score of 39/100, SLM appears somewhat expensive relative to its fundamentals. Key valuation metrics include a P/E ratio of 9.65x, an EV/EBITDA of 15.99x, a P/B ratio of 1.84x. Investors paying a premium here are likely betting on above-average growth or margin expansion to justify current prices.
SLM Corp's investment score of 31/100 suggests limited reinvestment activity. Key growth metrics include revenue growth of 2.5% vs. a sector average of 10.7% and a return on assets of 1.6% (sector: 1.3%). While this can be positive for mature, cash-generative businesses returning capital to shareholders, it may also signal a lack of growth opportunities or management conservatism.
SLM Corp is experiencing notably weak momentum with a score of just 15/100. The stock has underperformed its peers and is trending below major moving averages. Revenue growth stands at 2.5% year-over-year, while a beta of 1.14 reflects its sensitivity to broader market moves. While deep momentum weakness can occasionally present value opportunities, it often reflects deteriorating fundamentals or structural headwinds that may persist.
SLM's stability score of 35/100 signals elevated volatility and/or leverage concerns. Key stability metrics include a beta of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 219.00x (sector avg: 0.5x). Investors should be prepared for wider-than-average price swings and consider position sizing accordingly to manage portfolio risk.
SLM Corp's short interest score of 33/100 reveals significant bearish positioning, suggesting institutional investors are actively betting against the stock. Specific risk factors include elevated leverage (D/E: 219.00x). At $5.8B (mid-cap), SLM carries meaningful risk and is best suited for investors with high risk tolerance who have thoroughly evaluated the bear thesis.
SLM offers a modest dividend yield of 1.9%. This compares to a sector average dividend yield of 2.0%. While the income contribution is relatively small, even a small dividend signals management's commitment to shareholder returns and can serve as a signal of financial discipline.
SLM Corp is a mid-cap company in the Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate sector, ranked #0 of 50 in its sector (100th percentile) and #4454 of 7,333 overall (39th percentile). Key comparisons include ROE of 19.0% exceeding the 9.0% sector median and operating margins of 23.5% above the 18.1% sector average. This top-quartile standing reflects exceptional competitive strength relative to Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate peers.
While SLM currently exhibits a AVOID profile, superior opportunities exist within the FINANCE, INSURANCE, AND REAL ESTATE sector. Our model identifies several "Strong Buy" candidates with higher quality scores and more attractive valuations among direct industry competitors.
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Improvement in Momentum (15) would have the largest impact on the composite score.
EV/EBITDA 106% ABOVE SECTOR MEDIAN
ROE 111% ABOVE SECTOR MEDIAN (FAVORABLE)
Gross Margin 100% BELOW SECTOR MEDIAN
Above 50MA
37.18%
Net New Highs
+51081
The Rosen Law Firm is reminding investors in SLM Corporation (Sallie Mae) about a class action lawsuit filed against the company. The lawsuit alleges that Sallie Mae made false and misleading statements between July 25, 2025, and August 14, 2025, regarding its business operations, loss mitigation, and loan modification programs, leading to investor damages. Shareholders who purchased SLM securities during this period are urged to contact the firm, with a deadline of February 17, 2026, to serve as lead plaintiff.
The Gross Law Firm has announced a class action lawsuit against SLM Corporation (NASDAQ: SLM), urging investors who purchased shares between July 25, 2025, and August 14, 2025, to contact them. The lawsuit alleges that SLM made false or misleading statements by failing to disclose a significant increase in early-stage delinquencies, thus misrepresenting the stability of its private education loan delinquency rates. The deadline for shareholders to seek lead plaintiff appointment is February 17, 2026.
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP has informed investors of SLM Corporation (NASDAQ: SLM) about a class action securities lawsuit. The lawsuit seeks to recover losses for investors who purchased SLM stock between July 25, 2025, and August 14, 2025, alleging that the company made false statements about increasing early stage delinquencies and the effectiveness of its loss mitigation programs. Investors who suffered losses have until February 17, 2026, to request appointment as lead plaintiff.
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP has announced a class action securities lawsuit against SLM Corporation (NASDAQ: SLM). The lawsuit alleges that SLM Corporation made false statements and concealed significant increases in early-stage delinquencies, thereby misrepresenting the effectiveness of its loss mitigation programs and the stability of its private education loan delinquency rates. Investors who suffered losses between July 25, 2025, and August 14, 2025, have until February 17, 2026, to request to be appointed as lead plaintiff.
Sallie Mae has announced the appointment of Steve Turner as its new Chief Technology and Enablement Officer, aiming to strengthen its technology foundation and drive innovation. Turner brings over 25 years of technology leadership experience, including roles at Bank of America and Walgreens. This executive team enhancement aligns with Sallie Mae's strong financial performance, marked by significant return on equity and revenue growth, and follows a recent earnings beat for Q4.