Rankings Financial data & insurance broking Sallie Mae
Sallie Mae
84
15070100
A view of the same findings, not a new score. How it works
In the 70+ zone: a score above 70 with more than 20% upside to the median analyst target.
Biggest deductions
- Credit quality−4
- Interest margin−3
- Quality of growth−3
Strengths
- Buybacks and dividends below earnings+3
How the score is built
From 100 to 84, step by step: points off for the business, the price and the cracks, back for documented strengths, then three data adjustments.
Start
Score
Hover or select a step to see what drove it. Steps with findings open them below.
Key numbers
As of 2 Nov 2026. Analyst targets tend to be optimistic; read upside as a hint, not a forecast.
- Price
- 17.88 USD
- Median analyst target
- 24.00 USD
- Upside to median
- +34.2%
- Analysts
- 9
- Target range
- 22.00 – 30.00 USD
- 52-week change
- −33%
- P/E (trailing)
- 6.3
- Forward P/E
- 6.7
- PEG
- n/a
Findings
Every deduction and every plus, with its source. Open a step to read them.
Business
Is the company getting stronger, not just bigger? · 3 findings−8 of −30
- −3Interest marginNet interest margin fell to 4.75% in Q2 2026 from 5.31% a year earlier (−56 bp); management calls Q2 the bottom, but the low-to-mid 5% target has not yet been reached.
- −3Quality of growthQ2 EPS USD 0.29 (−9%) vs expected 0.46; 2026 guidance of USD 3.10–3.20 is below 3.46 in 2025, and analysts expect −13% in revenue in 2026. TTM EPS of 3.59 is lifted by gains on loan sales.
- −2Business modelThe shift to a model in which new loans are sold on to partners (including KKR) means the loan portfolio is expected to be flat to slightly declining in the short term; earnings become more dependent on one-off-like sale gains and less on a growing balance sheet.
Price
Today's multiples against the company's own history and its peers. · 1 finding−1 of −35
- −1Multiples vs own historyP/TBV 1.89 and P/B 1.88 vs P/B 2.24–2.71 in 2021–2025; trailing P/E 6.1 vs 5.0–9.9 and forward P/E about 7.0 vs 6.2–9.8. Cheap vs its own history, but trailing P/E is flattered by sale gains.
Cracks
Cash flow, customers, debt, insiders, guidance and what sits behind the headline numbers. · 3 findings−6 of −35
- −4Credit qualityNet loss rose to USD 113m in Q2 from USD 94m a year earlier, and delinquencies rose to 3.72% of loans in repayment from 3.51%; management points to 'misaligned third-party debt resolution practices' (debt advisers who get borrowers with the ability to pay to stop paying). Loss guidance USD 365–385m for 2026.
- −1CompetitionThe abolition of Grad PLUS opens a graduate market of about USD 5bn, but analysts expect sharper competition from banks and fintechs for exactly that segment; Q2 originations grew only 4.5% vs full-year guidance of 12-14%.
- −1
Plus
Only documented strengths. · 1 finding+3 of +15
- +3Buybacks and dividends below earningsThe share count is down 6.7% in a year (USD 200m ASR completed in June, USD 242m remaining in the 2026 program) and the payout ratio is only 14.5%; total shareholder yield 9.1% vs earnings yield 17.6%, so distributions are clearly below earnings.
Caveats
What the score does not capture, or where the data is weak.
The Q3 report is due on 22 Oct 2026 (after the close) and is not included; data as of 16 Oct 2026. Bank (SLM Corp): EV, ROIC and FCF are not meaningful (negative operating cash flow is due to loan growth); valuation on P/TBV and P/E. Trailing EPS (3.59) is lifted by gains on loan sales (strategic partnerships, including KKR); 2026 guidance is 3.10–3.20. Capital ratios (CET1) and 10-year multiple history have not been retrieved (only 2021–2025). Insider trading and political risk in the federal student loan system have not been investigated. Short interest 9.1%.
Also in Financial data & insurance broking
The highest scores in the same industry.
