SLM Co. (NASDAQ:SLM) Shares Acquired by Quantinno Capital Management LP

Quantinno Capital Management LP boosted its holdings in SLM Co. (NASDAQ:SLM) by 107.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 34,388 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 17,799 shares during the period. Quantinno Capital Management LP’s holdings in SLM were worth $786,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in SLM in the 2nd quarter valued at about $235,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of SLM by 45.7% in the second quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 166,538 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $3,462,000 after buying an additional 52,247 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its stake in shares of SLM by 119.9% during the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 12,979 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $270,000 after buying an additional 7,076 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in SLM during the second quarter worth approximately $60,000. Finally, Commonwealth Equity Services LLC purchased a new stake in SLM in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $298,000. 98.94% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

SLM Price Performance

SLM stock opened at $27.18 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.47, a PEG ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.21. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $24.34 and a 200-day moving average of $22.39. SLM Co. has a 52-week low of $17.94 and a 52-week high of $28.22.

SLM (NASDAQ:SLM) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 23rd. The credit services provider reported ($0.23) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.07 by ($0.30). The company had revenue of $652.64 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $363.40 million. SLM had a net margin of 22.18% and a return on equity of 35.92%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.11 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that SLM Co. will post 2.73 EPS for the current year.

SLM Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 5th will be issued a $0.13 dividend. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.91%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 5th. This is a boost from SLM’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.11. SLM’s dividend payout ratio is currently 18.12%.

Insider Buying and Selling at SLM

In other SLM news, Director Robert S. Strong sold 4,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.25, for a total value of $122,625.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 83,130 shares in the company, valued at $2,265,292.50. The trade was a 5.14 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 1.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on SLM shares. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $26.00 price target on shares of SLM in a research note on Thursday, October 24th. Wedbush reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $26.00 target price on shares of SLM in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of SLM in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. They set a “buy” rating and a $27.00 price objective for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of SLM from $24.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on shares of SLM from $27.00 to $26.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, SLM has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $26.80.

SLM Profile

SLM Corporation, through its subsidiaries, originates and services private education loans to students and their families to finance the cost of their education in the United States. It is also involved in the provision of retail deposit accounts, including certificates of deposit, money market accounts, and high-yield savings accounts; and interest-bearing omnibus accounts.