SLM (NASDAQ:SLM) Stock

SLM Corp is the largest student lender in the country. It makes and holds student loans through the guaranteed Federal Family Education Loan Program as well as through private channels. It also engages in debt-management operations, including accounts receivable and collections services, and runs college savings programs.

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Wall Street raised SLM&#39;s price targets after Q4 earnings release. EPS missed, but fiscal 2025 outlook higher than estimates. Analysts maintain ratings.

SLM&#39;s Loan Growth And Expense Control In Focus, Analysts Adjust Price Forecasts

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The Biden administration on Monday announced more federal student loan forgiveness, bringing the administration&#39;s total student loan forgiveness to $183.6 billion for more than 5 million borrowers. 

Biden Announces More Student Loan Forgiveness, Bringing Debt Relief To Nearly 5 Million Borrowers

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The Biden administration withdrew two major student loan forgiveness plans on Friday, just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump is set to enter the Oval Office. Here&#39;s a look at what it means for borrowers and student loan service providers.

Biden Dumps Student Loan Forgiveness Plans: What It Means For Borrowers, Loan Providers Like SoFi

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Providing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish, 10 analysts have published ratings on SLM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NASDAQ">SLM</a>) in the last three months.
The table below offers a condensed view of their recent ratings, showcasing the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">4</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts provide deeper insights through their assessments of 12-month price targets, revealing an average target of $31.7, a high estimate of $38.00, and a low estimate of $27.00. This upward trend is evident, with the current average reflecting a 9.31% increase from the previous average price target of $29.00.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1739887211_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Understanding Analyst Ratings: A Comprehensive Breakdown</h2>
A clear picture of SLM's perception among financial experts is painted with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Mark Devries</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$38.00</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jon Afstrom</td>
<td>RBC Capital</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Richard Shane</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$29.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Kaye</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$33.00</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Giuliano Bologna</td>
<td>Compass Point</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sanjay Sakhrani</td>
<td>Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Richard Shane</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$29.00</td>
<td>$27.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jeffery Harte</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
<td>$26.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Richard Shane</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$27.00</td>
<td>$24.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sanjay Sakhrani</td>
<td>Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$27.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts respond to changes in market conditions and company performance, frequently updating their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to SLM. This information offers a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Delving into assessments, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings communicate expectations for the relative performance of SLM compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts explore the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of SLM's stock. This examination reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Capture valuable insights into SLM's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SLM/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on SLM analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Get to Know SLM Better</h2>
SLM Corp is the largest student lender in the country. It makes and holds student loans through the guaranteed Federal Family Education Loan Program as well as through private channels. It also engages in debt-management operations, including accounts receivable and collections services, and runs college savings programs.
<h3>Understanding the Numbers: SLM's Finances</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Positioned below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization faces constraints in size. This could be influenced by factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Revenue Growth: SLM's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has been noteworthy. As of 31 December, 2024, the company achieved a revenue growth rate of approximately 1.57%. This indicates a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Financials sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.
Net Margin: SLM's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional net margin, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable net margin of 27.49%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): SLM's ROE excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 5.65%. This signifies robust financial management and efficient use of shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.36%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: SLM's debt-to-equity ratio surpasses industry norms, standing at 3.37. This suggests the company carries a substantial amount of debt, posing potential financial challenges.
<h2>How Are Analyst Ratings Determined?</h2>
Analyst ratings serve as essential indicators of stock performance, provided by experts in banking and financial systems. These specialists diligently analyze company financial statements, participate in conference calls, and engage with insiders to generate quarterly ratings for individual stocks.
Some analysts also offer predictions for helpful metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates to provide further guidance as to what to do with certain tickers. It is important to keep in mind that while stock and sector analysts are specialists, they are also human and can only forecast their beliefs to traders.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Analyst Expectations For SLM's Future

Barclays analyst Mark Devries maintains SLM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NASDAQ">SLM</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $34 to $38.

Barclays Maintains Overweight on SLM, Raises Price Target to $38

SLM's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NYSE">SLM</a>) short percent of float has fallen 4.53% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 8.87 million shares sold short, which is 5.06% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 3.34 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>SLM Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1739565912_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for SLM has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing SLM's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, SLM's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 6.72%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

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(SLM) - Analyzing SLM's Short Interest

Wall Street analysts raised their price targets on SLM Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NASDAQ">SLM</a>) after the company released its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/01/b43177801/sallie-mae-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2024-financial-results" rel="noreferrer noopener">fourth-quarter print</a> Thursday amid an exciting earnings season.
SLM&#8217;s fourth-quarter EPS of $0.50 missed the analyst estimate. The net interest income of $362.00 million missed the analyst estimate of $373.96 million.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43191472/broadcom-powers-solidigms-high-capacity-ssds-key-driver-for-ai-and-data-intensive-growth" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broadcom Powers Solidigm&#8217;s High-Capacity SSDs, A Key Driver for AI and Data-Intensive Growth</a>
SLM expects fiscal 2025 EPS of $3.00-$3.10 versus $3.35 analyst estimate. It expects non-interest expenses of $655 million-$675 million.
Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods analyst Sanjay Sakhrani maintained SLM with a Market Perform with a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SLM/analyst-ratings" rel="noreferrer noopener">price target of&nbsp;$30</a>.
RBC Capital&nbsp;analyst Jon G. Arfstrom reiterated an Outperform on SLM and raised the price target&nbsp;to $32 from $30.
JP Morgan analyst Richard Shane maintained SLM with a Neutral and raised the price target from $29 to $30.
Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods: SLM reported core EPS of $0.50, which compares to Sakhrani&#8217;s estimate of $0.58. The miss to the analyst&#8217;s EPS estimate was driven by higher provision (-$0.15/share) and lower net interest income (-$0.01/share), partially offset by lower expenses (+$0.02/share) and a lower tax rate (+$0.06/share).
SLM reported a miss relative to Sakhrani&#8217;s expectations on higher provisions, while Pre-provision Net Revenue (PPNR) aligned with expectations. Core trends were mixed, with originations and the Delinquency (DQ) rate being better, PPNR and the net charge-off (NCO) rate being in line, and the Net interest margin rate being weaker. The company provided a 2025 outlook with EPS and loan origination growth better than Sakhrani&#8217;s expectations, while the NCO rate and expenses are in line.
RBC Capital: Core results were acceptable in a seasonally softer origination quarter. Highlights included substantial loan growth, some modest margin reduction, and a meaningful decrease in expense levels. Credit trends were more mixed with higher NCOs sequentially, though management remains hopeful that losses should continue to normalize lower in 2025 towards its longer-term loss range. 
The 2025 outlook calls for solid origination growth and manageable expense levels. Further, the company plans to sell $2 billion in loans in the first quarter of 2025, which should support the updated EPS guide. Arfstrom&#8217;s thesis remains consistent, as he noted continued progress in the gradual shift toward a more balanced growth model. However, additional loan sales and buyback activity will likely continue over the near-to-medium term.
Arfstrom adjusted his 2025E EPS from $2.90 to $3.00 and his 2026E EPS from $3.20 to $3.40. The price target of $32 is ~10.5 times Arfstrom&#8217;s 2025 EPS estimate. The target primarily mirrors the analyst&#8217;s profitability and risk assessment of the company relative to a peer group of similar companies. The assumed multiple is consistent with a peer group of consumer finance-oriented operators.
JP Morgan: SLM reported GAAP and core EPS of $0.50, below Shane&#8217;s estimate of $0.57, and Street estimates of $0.55, driven by elevated provision expense. SLM provided 2025 guidance, which the analyst noted matches expectations.
However, balance sheet growth may exceed the company&#8217;s long-term framework of 5%-6% year-on-year, which could drive incremental reserve build in 2025. There were no loan sales in the fourth quarter of 2024, but the company announced a $2 billion loan sale in the first quarter of 2025, followed by additional loan sales in 2025.
Shane valued SLM based on a forward multiple of core earnings. In determining a December 2025 price target, he applied a multiple of 9.00 times (versus 8.75 times prior) on his 2026 core EPS estimate of $3.32 (versus $3.33 prior). The multiple reflects higher growth potential as SLM continues to take market share. The price target implies a 4.5% potential annualized total return.
Price Action: SLM stock is down 0.27% at $29.22 at last check Friday.
Also Read:
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</ul>
Photo by Ground Picture on Shutterstock.

SLM's Loan Growth And Expense Control In Focus, Analysts Adjust Price Forecasts

RBC Capital analyst Jon Afstrom maintains SLM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NASDAQ">SLM</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $30 to $32.

RBC Capital Maintains Outperform on SLM, Raises Price Target to $32

Providing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish, 8 analysts have published ratings on SLM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NASDAQ">SLM</a>) in the last three months.
The table below summarizes their recent ratings, showcasing the evolving sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">5</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The 12-month price targets, analyzed by analysts, offer insights with an average target of $30.88, a high estimate of $34.00, and a low estimate of $27.00. This current average has increased by 9.31% from the previous average price target of $28.25. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1737741642_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Breaking Down Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Examination</h2>
The analysis of recent analyst actions sheds light on the perception of SLM by financial experts. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Richard Shane</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$29.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Kaye</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$33.00</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Giuliano Bologna</td>
<td>Compass Point</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$34.00</td>
<td>$31.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sanjay Sakhrani</td>
<td>Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Richard Shane</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$29.00</td>
<td>$27.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jeffery Harte</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$32.00</td>
<td>$26.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Richard Shane</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$27.00</td>
<td>$24.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sanjay Sakhrani</td>
<td>Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Market Perform</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$27.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: In response to dynamic market conditions and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their reaction to recent developments related to SLM. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Offering a comprehensive view, analysts assess stocks qualitatively, spanning from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of SLM compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of SLM's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Understanding these analyst evaluations alongside key financial indicators can offer valuable insights into SLM's market standing. Stay informed and make well-considered decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SLM/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on SLM analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Delving into SLM's Background</h2>
SLM Corp is the largest student lender in the country. It makes and holds student loans through the guaranteed Federal Family Education Loan Program as well as through private channels. It also engages in debt-management operations, including accounts receivable and collections services, and runs college savings programs.
<h3>SLM: Financial Performance Dissected</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Reflecting a smaller scale, the company's market capitalization is positioned below industry averages. This could be attributed to factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Decline in Revenue: Over the 3 months period, SLM faced challenges, resulting in a decline of approximately -6.1% in revenue growth as of 30 September, 2024. This signifies a reduction in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Financials sector.
Net Margin: SLM's net margin is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of -12.97%, the company may encounter challenges in effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): SLM's ROE is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of -2.54%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial returns.
Return on Assets (ROA): The company's ROA is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of -0.17%, the company may need to address challenges in generating satisfactory returns from its assets.
Debt Management: SLM's debt-to-equity ratio is notably higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 3.21, the company relies more heavily on borrowed funds, indicating a higher level of financial risk.
<h2>How Are Analyst Ratings Determined?</h2>
Experts in banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their comprehensive research involves attending company conference calls and meetings, analyzing financial statements, and engaging with insiders to generate what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Analysts may enhance their evaluations by incorporating forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, delivering additional guidance to investors. It is vital to acknowledge that, although experts in stocks and sectors, analysts are human and express their opinions when providing insights.
Breaking: Wall Street's Next Big Mover
Benzinga's #1 analyst just identified a stock poised for explosive growth. This under-the-radar company could surge 200%+ as major market shifts unfold. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/turning-point-trader-checkout-2/?t=Tu1tu3arja3be22tu36&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for urgent details</a>.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Assessing SLM: Insights From 8 Financial Analysts

JP Morgan analyst Richard Shane maintains SLM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NASDAQ">SLM</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $29 to $30.

JP Morgan Maintains Neutral on SLM, Raises Price Target to $30

Wells Fargo analyst Michael Kaye maintains SLM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NASDAQ">SLM</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $32 to $33.

Wells Fargo Maintains Overweight on SLM, Raises Price Target to $33

Compass Point analyst Giuliano Bologna maintains SLM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NASDAQ">SLM</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $31 to $34.

Compass Point Maintains Buy on SLM, Raises Price Target to $34

Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods analyst Sanjay Sakhrani maintains SLM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NASDAQ">SLM</a>) with a Market Perform and raises the price target from $30 to $32.

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Maintains Market Perform on SLM, Raises Price Target to $32

SLM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NASDAQ">SLM</a>) just disclosed its Q4 earnings on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 04:30 PM.
Here's a brief overview of the earnings report.
<h3>Earnings</h3>
SLM missed estimated earnings by -9.0%, reporting an EPS of $0.5 versus an estimate of $0.55.
Revenue was down $23.81 million from the same period last year.
<h3>Overview of Past Earnings</h3>
During the previous quarter, the company missed on EPS by $0.29, leading to a 3.0% drop share price change the next day.
Here's a look at SLM's past performance:

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Quarter</th>
<th>Q3 2024</th>
<th>Q2 2024</th>
<th>Q1 2024</th>
<th>Q4 2023</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>EPS Estimate</td>
<td>0.06</td>
<td>0.84</td>
<td>1.07</td>
<td>0.89</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EPS Actual</td>
<td>-0.23</td>
<td>1.11</td>
<td>1.27</td>
<td>0.72</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Revenue Estimate</td>
<td>379.67M</td>
<td>362.83M</td>
<td>387.89M</td>
<td>378.36M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Revenue Actual</td>
<td>359.40M</td>
<td>372.17M</td>
<td>387.00M</td>
<td>386.00M</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

New investors should note that it is sometimes not an earnings beat or miss that most affects the price of a stock, but the guidance (or forecast).
<h3>Guidance</h3>
SLM management provided guidance for FY 2025, expecting earnings between $3.0 and $3.1 per share.
To track all earnings releases for SLM <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/SLM/earnings">visit their earnings calendar here.</a> 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Earnings

SLM Earnings Review: Q4 Summary

Guidance

SLM Corp Sees FY25 EPS $3.00-$3.10 Vs $3.05 Est.; Non-Interest Expenses $655M-$675M

SLM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NASDAQ">SLM</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.50 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $0.56 by 10.71 percent. This is a 30.56 percent decrease over earnings of $0.72 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $362.00 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $373.96 million by 3.20 percent. This is a 6.22 percent decrease over sales of $386.00 million the same period last year.

Earnings Misses

SLM Q4 EPS $0.50 Misses $0.56 Estimate, Sales $362.00M Miss $373.96M Estimate

<h3>Companies Reporting Before The Bell</h3>
• Elevance Health (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELV#NYSE">ELV</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $3.86 per share on revenue of $44.72 billion. 
• Chunghwa Telecom (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHT#NYSE">CHT</a>) is projected to report earnings for its fourth quarter. 
• WNS (Hldgs) (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WNS#NYSE">WNS</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $1.04 per share on revenue of $332.22 million. 
• Pacific Premier Bancorp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PPBI#NASDAQ">PPBI</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.31 per share on revenue of $142.92 million. 
• OSI Systems (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OSIS#NASDAQ">OSIS</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $2.33 per share on revenue of $406.61 million. 
• Union Pacific (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNP#NYSE">UNP</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $2.78 per share on revenue of $6.15 billion. 
• Texas Capital Bancshares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TCBI#NASDAQ">TCBI</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $1.08 per share on revenue of $283.78 million. 
• Old Republic Intl (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ORI#NYSE">ORI</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.69 per share on revenue of $2.11 billion. 
• West Bancorp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WTBA#NASDAQ">WTBA</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.40 per share on revenue of $21.42 million. 
• Valley Ntl (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VLY#NASDAQ">VLY</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.14 per share on revenue of $467.97 million. 
• MarineMax (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HZO#NYSE">HZO</a>) is projected to report quarterly loss at $0.18 per share on revenue of $485.52 million. 
• First BanCorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FBP#NYSE">FBP</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.41 per share on revenue of $236.55 million. 
• Novagold Resources (AMEX:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NG#AMEX">NG</a>) is estimated to report earnings for its fourth quarter. 
• Northern Trust (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NTRS#NASDAQ">NTRS</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $2.00 per share on revenue of $1.93 billion. 
• Dr Reddy's Laboratories (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RDY#NYSE">RDY</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.19 per share on revenue of $964.48 million. 
• Amalgamated Financial (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMAL#NASDAQ">AMAL</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.87 per share on revenue of $81.90 million. 
• MakeMyTrip (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MMYT#NASDAQ">MMYT</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.45 per share on revenue of $264.99 million. 
• Heritage Financial (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HFWA#NASDAQ">HFWA</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.44 per share on revenue of $60.71 million. 
• Dime Community Bancshares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DCOM#NASDAQ">DCOM</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.45 per share on revenue of $62.64 million. 
• McCormick &amp; Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MKC#NYSE">MKC</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.77 per share on revenue of $1.77 billion. 
• American Airlines Gr (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAL#NASDAQ">AAL</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.39 per share on revenue of $13.13 billion. 
• TAL Education (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TAL#NYSE">TAL</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.06 per share on revenue of $539.86 million. 
• Global X Guru Index ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GURU#NYSE">GURU</a>) is projected to report quarterly loss at $0.09 per share on revenue of $7.55 million. 
• LSI Industries (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LYTS#NASDAQ">LYTS</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.20 per share on revenue of $129.20 million. 
• GATX (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GATX#NYSE">GATX</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $1.78 per share on revenue of $399.00 million. 
• Independent Bank (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IBCP#NASDAQ">IBCP</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.76 per share on revenue of $48.94 million. 
• Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCX#NYSE">FCX</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.35 per share on revenue of $6.27 billion. 
• Banc of California (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BANC#NYSE">BANC</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.23 per share on revenue of $272.18 million. 
• GE Aero (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GE#NYSE">GE</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $1.05 per share on revenue of $9.84 billion. 
• Atlantic Union Bankshares (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AUB#NYSE">AUB</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.79 per share on revenue of $222.26 million. 
<h3>Companies Reporting After The Bell</h3>
• Texas Instruments (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TXN#NASDAQ">TXN</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $1.20 per share on revenue of $3.87 billion. 
• Covenant Logistics Gr (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVLG#NYSE">CVLG</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.50 per share on revenue of $284.91 million. 
• OceanFirst Financial (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/OCFC#NASDAQ">OCFC</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.36 per share on revenue of $94.95 million. 
• First Western Financial (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MYFW#NASDAQ">MYFW</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.26 per share on revenue of $24.41 million. 
• SouthState (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSB#NYSE">SSB</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $1.73 per share on revenue of $434.57 million. 
• Five Point Holdings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FPH#NYSE">FPH</a>) is likely to report earnings for its fourth quarter. 
• USCB Financial Holdings (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USCB#NASDAQ">USCB</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.37 per share on revenue of $22.41 million. 
• First Financial Bancor (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FFBC#NASDAQ">FFBC</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.65 per share on revenue of $216.32 million. 
• First Bank (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FRBA#NASDAQ">FRBA</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.39 per share on revenue of $32.84 million. 
• SLM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NASDAQ">SLM</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.56 per share on revenue of $371.74 million. 
• MidWestOne Financial Gr (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MOFG#NASDAQ">MOFG</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $0.72 per share on revenue of $57.00 million. 
• Midland States Bancorp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSBI#NASDAQ">MSBI</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.67 per share on revenue of $73.57 million. 
• Metropolitan Bank Holding (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCB#NYSE">MCB</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $1.49 per share on revenue of $67.43 million. 
• Customers Bancorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CUBI#NYSE">CUBI</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $1.20 per share on revenue of $164.07 million. 
• East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EWBC#NASDAQ">EWBC</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $2.12 per share on revenue of $659.00 million. 
• Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ISRG#NASDAQ">ISRG</a>) is estimated to report quarterly earnings at $1.75 per share on revenue of $2.20 billion. 
• Glacier Bancorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GBCI#NYSE">GBCI</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.52 per share on revenue of $224.99 million. 
• Business First Bancshares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BFST#NASDAQ">BFST</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.49 per share on revenue of $75.13 million. 
• SB Finl Gr (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SBFG#NASDAQ">SBFG</a>) is expected to report quarterly earnings at $0.41 per share on revenue of $10.20 million. 
• Byline Bancorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BY#NYSE">BY</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.61 per share on revenue of $100.39 million. 
• Eastern Bankshares (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EBC#NASDAQ">EBC</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.34 per share on revenue of $184.71 million. 
• 1st Source (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SRCE#NASDAQ">SRCE</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $1.33 per share on revenue of $97.65 million. 
• Associated Banc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASB#NYSE">ASB</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.52 per share on revenue of $337.81 million. 
• Columbia Banking System (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COLB#NASDAQ">COLB</a>) is projected to report quarterly earnings at $0.66 per share on revenue of $489.74 million. 
• CSX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CSX#NASDAQ">CSX</a>) is likely to report quarterly earnings at $0.44 per share on revenue of $3.61 billion. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

AMAL

BANC

BFST

COLB

CUBI

CVLG

DCOM

streetTRACKS Dow Jones U.S. Large Cap Value Index Fund

EWBC

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Earnings Scheduled For January 23, 2025

JP Morgan analyst Richard Shane maintains SLM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NASDAQ">SLM</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $27 to $29.

JP Morgan Maintains Neutral on SLM, Raises Price Target to $29

The Biden administration on Monday announced more federal student loan forgiveness, bringing the administration&#8217;s total student loan forgiveness to $183.6 billion for more <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/personal-finance/25/01/42803225/plans-to-forgive-4-28-billion-in-student-loans-for-54900-borrowers-halted-what-this-means-for-millions-still-drowning-in-debt">than 5 million borrowers.&nbsp;</a>
The Details: The Department of Education <a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/biden-harris-administration-surpasses-5-million-borrowers-approved-student-loan-forgiveness">announced several types</a> of discharges on Monday including the approval of nearly 85,000 borrowers for $1.26 billion in student loan relief based upon borrower defense findings that the institutions had misled and cheated borrowers.&nbsp;
The DOE also announced the approval of 6,100 borrowers for $465 million through Public Service Loan Forgiveness Second and $2.5 billion in relief for 61,000 borrowers with a total and permanent disability.
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"Four years ago, President Biden made a promise to fix a broken student loan system. Today, life-changing student debt relief is possible for more than five million borrowers—more than any other administration in history," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.&nbsp;
"Thanks to our tireless and unapologetic efforts to work toward a system that is affordable and accountable to both students and taxpayers, today's announcement includes additional relief for borrowers misled and cheated by their institutions, borrowers with disabilities, as well as additional loan forgiveness for public servants," Cardona added.&nbsp;
Student Loan Servicers: The latest round of student loan forgiveness could have repercussions for loan providers including SoFi Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOFI#NASDAQ">SOFI</a>), Navient Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NAVI#NASDAQ">NAVI</a>) and SLM Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NASDAQ">SLM</a>). 
Student loan servicers could lose revenue in the form of interest income and fees related to the latest loan discharges.&nbsp;
Additionally, the rollout of forgiveness programs often requires servicers to update systems, retrain staff and manage complex transitions, all of which would increase expenses.
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Image: Shutterstock

Macro Economic Events

Economics

General

White House Says Biden Approves Student Loan Relief For More Than 150,000 Borrowers

The Biden administration withdrew two major student loan forgiveness plans Friday, just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. Here's a look at what it means for borrowers and student <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42635567/biden-student-loan-forgiveness-tops-180-billion-with-latest-relief">loan service providers.</a> 
The Details: The Education Department posted notices in the Federal Register that it was withdrawing two proposals that could have reduced student loan debt for millions of borrowers, including those with financial hardship and those who have been in repayment for years, CNBC reported. 
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/12/42669113/waymos-autonomous-vehicles-are-safer-than-human-drivers-report">Waymo&#8217;s Autonomous Vehicles Are Safer Than Human Drivers: Report</a>
The department wrote that it was withdrawing the proposed rules due to "operational challenges in implementing the proposals." It also said it would focus its resources on "helping at-risk borrowers return to repayment successfully" as the administration prepares to leave office in the next month.&nbsp;
"The Biden administration knew that the proposals for broad student loan forgiveness would have been thwarted by the Trump administration," higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/23/student-loan-forgiveness-plans-withdrawn-by-biden-administration.html"> told</a> CNBC.&nbsp;
What Else: Also on Friday, the Department of Education announced another $4.28 billion in<a href="https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/biden-harris-administration-approves-additional-428-billion-student-debt-relief-nearly-55000-public-service-workers-0"> loan forgiveness</a> for nearly<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/student-debt"> 55,000 public service workers</a> which brought the total amount of student loan forgiveness under the Biden administration to $180 billion.
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona emphasized the administration's commitment to student loan relief for public service workers in a statement Friday. 
"Four years ago, the Biden-Harris Administration made a pledge to America&#8217;s teachers, service members, nurses, first responders, and other public servants that we would fix the broken Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, and I&#8217;m proud to say that we delivered," Cardona said.
Loan Servicers: The administration's withdrawal of the additional loan forgiveness proposals is potentially a positive development for student loan providers including SoFi Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOFI#NASDAQ">SOFI</a>), Navient Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NAVI#NASDAQ">NAVI</a>) and SLM Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NASDAQ">SLM</a>)&nbsp;
Student loan providers would have lost revenue if Biden's student loan forgiveness plans had gone through. 
Additionally, the rollout of forgiveness programs often requires servicers to update systems, retrain staff and manage complex transitions, all of which would increase expenses.
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Image: Shutterstock.

SLM's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLM#NYSE">SLM</a>) short percent of float has risen 4.85% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 8.05 million shares sold short, which is 4.54% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.56 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>SLM Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734973213_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for SLM has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing SLM's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, SLM's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 6.38%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Peering Into SLM's Recent Short Interest

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Sallie Mae to Release Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2024 Financial Results

Sallie Mae Appoints Henry Greig to Its Board of Directors

Sallie Mae Declares Dividends on Preferred Stock Series B and Common Stock

Sallie Mae Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2024 Financial Results

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