SLM Target of Unusually Large Options Trading (NASDAQ:SLM)

SLM Co. (NASDAQ:SLM) was the target of unusually large options trading on Tuesday. Investors purchased 5,628 put options on the stock. This is an increase of 458% compared to the typical daily volume of 1,008 put options.

SLM Price Performance

SLM stock opened at $29.93 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.37, a quick ratio of 1.27 and a current ratio of 1.32. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $29.54 and its 200-day moving average price is $26.32. SLM has a one year low of $19.39 and a one year high of $32.65. The company has a market capitalization of $6.30 billion, a PE ratio of 11.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.23.

SLM (NASDAQ:SLM) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 23rd. The credit services provider reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.56 by ($0.06). SLM had a net margin of 20.73% and a return on equity of 31.66%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that SLM will post 3.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

SLM Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 5th were paid a $0.13 dividend. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.74%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 5th. SLM’s payout ratio is 19.62%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

SLM has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on SLM from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Friday, January 24th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on SLM from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Barclays boosted their price objective on SLM from $34.00 to $38.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Compass Point raised their target price on shares of SLM from $31.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of SLM from $29.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $31.45.

Insider Buying and Selling at SLM

In other SLM news, Director Robert S. Strong sold 40,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $28.57, for a total value of $1,142,800.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 43,163 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,233,166.91. This trade represents a 48.10 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of SLM

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SLM. Private Trust Co. NA raised its stake in SLM by 86.4% during the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 971 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 450 shares in the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in shares of SLM in the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of SLM by 32.2% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,849 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 450 shares in the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new position in shares of SLM in the 4th quarter valued at about $86,000. Finally, Plato Investment Management Ltd purchased a new position in SLM in the fourth quarter worth about $114,000. 98.94% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About SLM

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.