SLM (NASDAQ:SLM) Announces Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.14 EPS

SLM (NASDAQ:SLM) issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The credit services provider reported $1.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.14, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $656.82 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $383.43 million. SLM had a return on equity of 30.13% and a net margin of 21.76%.

SLM Stock Up 1.0%

Shares of SLM stock traded up $0.27 on Thursday, reaching $26.70. 2,575,504 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,224,548. The company has a market capitalization of $5.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.12. SLM has a 12-month low of $23.81 and a 12-month high of $34.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.27, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a current ratio of 1.37. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $27.74 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $29.00.

SLM Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 5th will be given a dividend of $0.13 per share. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 5th. SLM’s payout ratio is presently 18.25%.

SLM News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting SLM this week:

• Positive Sentiment: SLM declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.13 per share (record/ex‑dividend dates in March), representing an annualized yield near 2.0% — a supportive cash-return signal that can bolster investor sentiment.
• Neutral Sentiment: Upcoming earnings are a near-term catalyst: multiple previews and “earnings to watch” notes flag SLM’s Q4 report due tomorrow, which could drive short‑term volatility depending on loan growth, net interest margin and credit costs. Earnings to watch: Sallie Mae (SLM) reports Q4 results tomorrow
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary on valuation after recent share weakness may influence longer‑term positioning; analysts and writeups are reassessing SLM’s multiples and growth outlook following last quarter’s mixed results. Assessing SLM (SLM) Valuation After Recent Share Price Weakness
• Negative Sentiment: A class action complaint was filed against SLM and certain officers covering the July 25–Aug 14, 2025 period; Pomerantz announced the suit seeking damages under Section 10(b)/Rule 10b‑5 — this is a direct legal headwind. Pomerantz Law Firm Announces the Filing of a Class Action Against SLM Corporation and Certain Officers – SLM
• Negative Sentiment: Several national plaintiff firms (e.g., Faruqi & Faruqi; Bernstein Liebhard; Berger Montague; Gross; Rosen; Levi & Korsinsky; Robbins; others) have issued investor alerts or investigations and remind investors of a Feb 17, 2026 lead‑plaintiff deadline — this amplifies litigation risk and may pressure sentiment and liquidity.
  DEADLINE ALERT: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Investigates Claims on Behalf of Investors of SLM Corporation
  Bernstein Liebhard Deadline Alert

Institutional Investors Weigh In On SLM

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of SLM by 6.6% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 21,350 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $627,000 after purchasing an additional 1,319 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its position in SLM by 6.1% in the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 36,889 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,210,000 after purchasing an additional 2,109 shares during the period. Entropy Technologies LP boosted its position in shares of SLM by 616.6% during the 3rd quarter. Entropy Technologies LP now owns 109,485 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $3,031,000 after acquiring an additional 94,207 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of SLM by 33.4% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 547,724 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $16,087,000 after purchasing an additional 137,285 shares during the period. Finally, Triumph Capital Management bought a new stake in SLM in the third quarter valued at $69,000. 98.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of SLM from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, October 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an “underweight” rating and issued a $25.00 price target (down from $29.00) on shares of SLM in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on shares of SLM from $31.00 to $29.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Morgan Stanley set a $30.00 target price on SLM in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $37.00 price target on SLM in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, SLM presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $31.20.

SLM Company Profile

SLM Corporation, operating as Sallie Mae Bank, is a leading U.S.-based consumer banking company specializing in education financing and related banking products. The company provides a range of private student loans for undergraduate and graduate studies, Parent PLUS loans, and specialized financing for career and certificate programs. In addition to its core lending services, Sallie Mae offers deposit products including savings accounts, checking accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, and credit cards tailored to students and young adults.

Founded in 1972 as the Student Loan Marketing Association—a government-sponsored enterprise—Sallie Mae was privatized in 2004 and has since focused on expanding its private education loan offerings and digital banking solutions.