SLM Corporation (NASDAQ:SLM) Sees Significant Decline in Short Interest

SLM Corporation (NASDAQ:SLM) was the recipient of a large drop in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 10,915,400 shares, a drop of 21.9% from the November 30th total of 13,975,878 shares. Approximately 5.4% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 4,752,275 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.3 days. Based on an average daily volume of 4,752,275 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.3 days. Approximately 5.4% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently weighed in on SLM. TD Cowen raised their price objective on SLM from $39.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on SLM from $35.00 to $30.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on SLM from $31.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on SLM from $40.00 to $31.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Compass Point lowered shares of SLM from a “buy” rating to a “sell” rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $35.00 to $23.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $31.60.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On SLM

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Millennium Management LLC grew its holdings in SLM by 378.4% in the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 2,633,072 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $77,333,000 after purchasing an additional 2,082,687 shares during the period. Twin Tree Management LP raised its holdings in shares of SLM by 9,808.3% during the first quarter. Twin Tree Management LP now owns 39,633 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $1,164,000 after purchasing an additional 39,233 shares during the period. Brave Warrior Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of SLM during the 1st quarter worth about $277,704,000. Trexquant Investment LP acquired a new stake in shares of SLM in the 1st quarter valued at about $3,120,000. Finally, Strs Ohio bought a new stake in SLM in the 1st quarter valued at about $1,472,000. 98.94% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key SLM News

Here are the key news stories impacting SLM this week:

• Negative Sentiment: Schall Law Firm reminds investors of the class action against SLM and solicits lead‑plaintiff interest for purchasers during July 25–Aug 14, 2025; deadline to act is Feb 17, 2026. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman announces a class action filed against SLM and certain officers covering the same July 25–Aug 14 class period and urges investors to contact the firm. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Faruqi & Faruqi is investigating claims on behalf of SLM investors who purchased securities during the July 25–Aug 14, 2025 window and highlights the Feb 17, 2026 lead‑plaintiff deadline. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Levi & Korsinsky notifies SLM shareholders of a lead‑plaintiff deadline (Feb 17, 2026) in the securities lawsuit covering the July 25–Aug 14 period. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: The Law Offices of Howard G. Smith urges affected SLM shareholders to contact the firm ahead of the Feb 17, 2026 deadline for the class covering July 25–Aug 14, 2025. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Bernstein Liebhard announces a securities‑fraud class action has been filed against SLM for purchases during the July 25–Aug 14 period and solicits participation. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd notifies investors they can seek appointment as lead plaintiff in a class action (class period July 25–Aug 14); Feb 17, 2026 deadline emphasized. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: DJS Law Group alerts investors to the securities‑law suit against SLM covering the July 25–Aug 14 window and invites affected shareholders to discuss rights. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Earlier Schall Law Firm notice (Dec 29) duplicate reminding investors of the class action and Feb 17, 2026 lead‑plaintiff deadline for purchases between July 25 and Aug 14, 2025. Article Title

SLM Trading Down 0.5%

NASDAQ:SLM traded down $0.13 on Tuesday, reaching $27.22. 905,980 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,734,419. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.27. SLM has a 1-year low of $23.81 and a 1-year high of $34.97. The company’s 50 day moving average is $27.75 and its 200-day moving average is $29.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.14.

SLM (NASDAQ:SLM) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 14th. The credit services provider reported $1.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. SLM had a net margin of 21.76% and a return on equity of 30.13%. The firm had revenue of ($3.44) million for the quarter. SLM has set its FY 2022 guidance at $2.800-$3.000 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that SLM will post 3.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

SLM Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, December 4th were given a $0.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, December 4th. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. SLM’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 18.25%.

About SLM

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.