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SLM (SLM)
NASDAQ:SLM

SLM (SLM) AI Stock Analysis

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SL

SLM

(NASDAQ:SLM)

Rating:66Neutral
Price Target:
SLM's overall score reflects strong profitability and strategic corporate actions, tempered by liquidity concerns and technical caution. The stock is fairly valued, with growth potential supported by recent corporate events and earnings call insights.
Positive Factors
Credit Performance
Delinquency rates eased further, showing good progress as they fell for the third consecutive month.
Financial Performance
SLM achieved a solid execution on a $2 billion loan sale, contributing to a strong financial performance.
Partnerships and Joint Ventures
SLM evaluating alternatives to loan sales, such as partnerships/JVs, something viewed positively with potential for multiple expansion.
Negative Factors
Delinquency Trends
Delinquency rates continue to increase year-over-year, indicating potential future challenges in credit performance.
Loan Modifications
In April, loans in modifications accounted for 12.00% of total loans, up from 11.76% in March.
Net Loss Rates
Net loss rates rose sharply, highlighting volatility in the monthly ABS net loss rates.

SLM (SLM) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

SLM Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSLM Corporation, commonly known as Sallie Mae, is a publicly traded company that primarily operates in the financial services sector. It specializes in providing education loans, focusing on private student loans for undergraduate, graduate, and professional education. Sallie Mae also offers various financial products, including savings accounts, CDs, and credit cards, aiming to support students and their families in financing higher education.
How the Company Makes MoneySLM Corporation makes money primarily through the origination and servicing of private student loans, which are not funded or guaranteed by the federal government. The company earns revenue from the interest on these loans, as well as fees associated with loan origination and servicing. Additionally, Sallie Mae generates income from its consumer banking operations, including interest and fees from deposits, CDs, and credit card products. The company's earnings are influenced by interest rate environments, demand for private student loans, and its ability to manage credit risk effectively.

SLM Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 24, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 14.73%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 23, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted strong deposit growth, improved credit quality, and a robust capital position, along with strategic dividend and stock repurchase actions. However, challenges such as decreased non-interest income, elevated loan payoffs, and uncertainties in M&A activity presented notable concerns. The sentiment is balanced by the bank's optimism about its strategic positioning and future growth opportunities.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Solid Deposit Growth and Margin Expansion
South Plains Financial reported strong deposit growth and healthy margin expansion due to improved cost of funds and loan growth in line with expectations.
Improvement in Credit Quality
The credit quality of the loan portfolio strengthened, with the nonperforming assets to total assets ratio improving to 16 basis points from 58 basis points at year-end 2024.
Strong Capital Position
The bank's consolidated common equity tier one risk-based capital ratio was 13.59% and the tier one leverage ratio was 12.04%, indicating a strong capital position to support growth and opportunities.
Dividend and Stock Repurchase Program
The board authorized a 15¢ per share quarterly dividend and a $15,000,000 stock repurchase program, with $8,300,000 spent to repurchase 250,000 shares in the first quarter.
Significant Loan Growth in Permian Market
The bank experienced significant loan growth in the Permian market, the strongest since entering the market in 2019, attributed to attracting high-quality customer relationships.
Tangible Book Value Increase
Tangible book value per share increased to $26.05 from $25.40, driven by net income and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income.
Negative Updates
Decrease in Non-Interest Income
Non-interest income decreased to $10,600,000 from $13,300,000 due to a decrease in mortgage banking revenues and fair value adjustment of mortgage servicing rights.
Elevated Loan Payoffs
Loan payoffs were elevated, with expectations that this trend may continue into the next quarter, potentially impacting loan growth.
Uncertainty in M&A Activity
Community bank M&A activity was expected to pick up but has been hindered by general uncertainty, affecting both buyers and sellers.
Lower Diluted Earnings Per Share
Diluted earnings per share decreased to $0.72 from $0.96 in the linked quarter, with a significant impact from the mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment.
Challenges in Major Metropolitan Markets
Loans in major metropolitan markets such as Dallas, Houston, and El Paso decreased, with early loan payments exceeding new loan production.
Company Guidance
During the South Plains Financial First Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the company provided a detailed financial overview and guidance for future operations. The call highlighted a strong performance in the first quarter, with deposit growth and loan expansion aligning with expectations. The nonperforming assets total assets ratio improved significantly to 16 basis points from 58 basis points at the end of 2024. The consolidated common equity tier one risk-based capital ratio stood at 13.59%, and the tier one leverage ratio at 12.04%. South Plains Financial announced a 15¢ per share quarterly dividend, marking the twenty-fourth consecutive payment. The company's stock repurchase program authorized a $15 million buyback, with $8.3 million spent on repurchasing 250,000 shares in the first quarter, leaving $7 million in capacity. Loan portfolio yield was 6.67%, and net interest margin increased to 3.81% from 3.75% in the previous quarter. Non-interest income was $10.6 million, representing 22% of bank revenues, a slight decrease from 26% in the prior quarter. The allowance for credit losses to total loans held for investment was 1.40%, with the bank well-capitalized, maintaining a tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio of 9.64%. Looking forward, the bank anticipates moderate loan growth but maintains a cautious outlook due to economic uncertainties and potential impacts from recent tariff announcements.

SLM Financial Statement Overview

Summary
SLM demonstrates strong profitability with solid profit margins and an improved leverage position. However, declining revenue growth and negative cash flow metrics present concerns about sustainability and liquidity.
Income Statement
72
Positive
The company exhibits strong profitability with a solid gross profit margin of 76.1% and a net profit margin of 39.4% in the TTM period. However, the revenue growth rate showed a decline of 40.0% from the previous year, which is concerning. EBIT and EBITDA margins are robust at 27.1% and 20.5%, respectively, indicating efficient operational performance.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a strong equity ratio of 8.3%, suggesting a decent level of financial stability. However, the debt-to-equity ratio has improved to 0.0 in the TTM period due to zero debt, indicating reduced financial leverage. Return on equity remains impressive at 25.8%, showcasing effective use of shareholder funds.
Cash Flow
58
Neutral
The cash flow analysis indicates challenges with negative free cash flow in the TTM period, suggesting potential liquidity issues. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is negative, highlighting inefficiencies in converting profits to cash. The free cash flow to net income ratio is also negative, reflecting cash management concerns.
Breakdown
TTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
2.15B2.62B1.46B1.82B2.03B1.81B
Gross Profit
1.78B2.27B890.43M1.29B1.53B1.58B
EBIT
911.73M1.63B1.09B637.55M1.54B1.15B
EBITDA
812.14M1.63B1.13B0.00762.91M1.25B
Net Income Common Stockholders
622.93M608.33M581.39M469.01M1.16B880.69M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
8.35B4.70B4.15B4.67B6.85B6.45B
Total Assets
30.63B30.07B29.17B28.81B29.22B30.77B
Total Debt
4.92B6.44B5.23B5.24B5.93B5.19B
Net Debt
-1.29B1.74B1.08B619.00M1.60B733.92M
Total Liabilities
28.02B27.91B27.29B27.08B5.93B5.19B
Stockholders Equity
2.61B2.16B1.88B1.73B2.15B2.56B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
-399.94M-329.39M-144.64M4.99M-49.52M2.15B
Operating Cash Flow
-399.94M-322.41M-144.64M4.99M-49.52M-182.67M
Investing Cash Flow
600.59M675.99M-12.46M1.08B2.60B947.33M
Financing Cash Flow
-65.12M228.16M-316.23M-854.89M-2.62B-1.88B

SLM Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price32.16
Price Trends
50DMA
29.99
Positive
100DMA
29.63
Positive
200DMA
26.65
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.51
Positive
RSI
52.16
Neutral
STOCH
12.32
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SLM, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 32.16 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 32.96, above the 50-day MA of 29.99, and above the 200-day MA of 26.65, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.51 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 52.16 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 12.32 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for SLM.

SLM Risk Analysis

SLM disclosed 34 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. SLM reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 2 New Risks
1.
The interest rate and maturity characteristics of our earning assets do not fully match the interest rate and maturity characteristics of our funding arrangements, which may negatively impact the level of our net interest income. Q4, 2024
2.
We may have exposure to risks related to the Spin-Off, indemnification claims, and/or Navient's creditworthiness. Q4, 2024

SLM Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (64)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
73
Outperform
$5.87B21.5817.24%13.77%20.95%
NNNNI
68
Neutral
$4.17B22.065.64%0.98%-2.56%43.22%
OMOMF
68
Neutral
$6.35B11.2917.46%7.80%9.07%
SLSLM
66
Neutral
$6.75B11.5827.60%1.49%-0.70%-12.72%
64
Neutral
$12.87B9.817.76%16985.65%12.28%-7.83%
63
Neutral
$11.15B26.683.84%3.31%-2.99%-43.64%
LCLC
60
Neutral
$1.21B23.843.86%5.72%31.82%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SLM
SLM
32.16
11.75
57.57%
CACC
Credit Acceptance
505.60
31.27
6.59%
NNI
Nelnet
114.59
15.49
15.63%
ALLY
Ally Financial
36.30
-1.39
-3.69%
LC
LendingClub
10.60
2.43
29.74%
OMF
OneMain Holdings
53.35
8.12
17.95%

SLM Corporate Events

DividendsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
SLM Corporation Reports Strong Q1 2025 Financial Results
Positive
May 6, 2025

In the first quarter of 2025, SLM Corporation reported a GAAP net income of $301 million and a diluted earnings per share of $1.40. The company experienced a 7.3% growth in private education loan originations compared to the previous year, reaching $2.8 billion. SLM also achieved a 60% return on common equity and paid a common stock dividend of $0.13 per share. Despite a decrease in net interest margin and deposit portfolio balances, the company maintained strong financial metrics, including a 12.9% total risk-based capital ratio. The sale of $2.0 billion in private education loans contributed to a $188 million gain, highlighting the company’s effective capital allocation strategy.

Executive/Board Changes
SLM Appoints New Directors to Strengthen Board
Positive
Apr 25, 2025

On April 23, 2025, SLM Corporation appointed Dr. Daniel Greenstein and Mr. Gary Millerchip as new directors, expanding the Board from twelve to fourteen members. Dr. Greenstein brings extensive experience in higher education strategy and innovation, while Mr. Millerchip offers a strong background in finance and corporate strategy. Their appointments are expected to enhance the Board’s expertise and support the company’s strategic priorities. Additionally, Robert S. Strong announced his retirement from the Board effective June 17, 2025, leading to a subsequent reduction in Board size to thirteen members.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
SLM Releases Presentation on Student Loan Portfolio
Neutral
Apr 24, 2025

On April 24, 2025, SLM Corporation released a presentation on its website detailing the historical performance of its Smart Option Student Loan portfolio as of March 31, 2025. The company has been actively involved in securitization and sales of its private education loans, with significant transactions occurring annually from 2020 to 2025. In the first quarter of 2025, Sallie Mae sold approximately $2.0 billion of private education loans to an unaffiliated third party, reflecting its ongoing strategy to manage its loan portfolio and maintain liquidity.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.