SLM Corp (SLM)
NASDAQFinancialsFinancial - Credit ServicesSnapshot 2026-09-04
$27.08+2.23%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NASDAQFinancialsFinancial - Credit ServicesSnapshot 2026-09-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · SLM
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within financials on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-09-04.
The screen ranks SLM against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 3 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 2 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Financials names rated strong grew net income 67% of the time over the next year (vs 56% for the rest of the cohort, n=7680).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
A guidance track record builds as the company issues and delivers on guidance.
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Continue to increase private education loan originations, leveraging product enhancements and federal student lending reforms to drive growth.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Private Education Loan originations grew from a 6% year-over-year increase in 2025-Q3 to 5% in 2026-Q1 and 4.5% in 2026-Q2. Management has consistently emphasized originations growth, and the trajectory shows steady growth aligned with their stated goals.
“Private Education Loan originations increased 4.5% from the year-ago quarter.”
“Private Education Loan originations increased 5% from the year-ago quarter.”
“6% Private Education Loan Originations Growth from Year-Ago Quarter.”
Control non-interest expenses to remain consistent with guidance while supporting investments in product enhancements and growth.
Management stated this priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Non-interest expenses were $180 million in 2025-Q3, $171 million in 2026-Q1, and $195 million in 2026-Q2, consistent with full-year guidance. The trajectory shows management maintaining cost discipline while supporting growth investments, delivering on their stated expense management goals.
Maintain credit performance within expectations, managing net charge-offs and delinquencies through disciplined underwriting and loss mitigation.
Management stated this priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. Net charge-offs were $89 million in 2026-Q1 and increased to $113 million in 2026-Q2, with delinquencies rising slightly to 3.72%. In 2025-Q3, net charge-offs were 1.95% of average loans in repayment. The trajectory shows credit performance broadly within expectations but with some pressure in 2026-Q2, consistent with management's focus on disciplined credit management.
Execute accelerated share repurchase program to return capital to shareholders while maintaining financial flexibility.
Stated in 2 of last 2 quarters. The accelerated share repurchase program was initiated in 2026-Q1 with $200 million committed and 8.4 million shares delivered, concluding in 2026-Q2 with a total of 9.3 million shares repurchased. Management has delivered on this capital allocation priority as planned.
Continue paying quarterly common stock dividends at $0.13 per share to return capital to shareholders.
Stated in 3 of last 3 quarters. The company consistently paid a quarterly dividend of $0.13 per share in 2025-Q3, 2026-Q1, and 2026-Q2. Management has maintained this dividend payout, delivering on its commitment to return capital to shareholders.
Over the trailing year it converted -0.30x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Financials names rated fragile grew net income 52% of the time over the next year (vs 61% for the rest of the cohort, n=6844).
Most sensitive to the broad stock market.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, Fed net liquidity, long-term interest rates (low R² over the window).
14 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by executive changes. Historically, Financials names rated neutral grew net income 56% of the time over the next year (vs 58% for the rest of the cohort, n=3751).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-09-04.
“Non-interest expenses totaled $195 million, consistent with expectations and full-year guidance.”
“Non-interest expenses totaled $171 million, increasing compared to the year-ago quarter and consistent with full-year guidance.”
“$180 million Non-Interest Expenses in Q3 2025.”
“Net charge-offs were $113 million, delinquencies 3.72% for Q2 2026.”
“Net charge-offs of $89 million were consistent with expectations.”
“Strong credit performance with 1.95% net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans in repayment.”
“The $200 million accelerated share repurchase concluded in June 2026, with final delivery of 0.9 million shares.”
“The Company entered into a $200 million accelerated share repurchase in March 2026, including initial delivery of 8.4 million shares.”
“Paid a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.13 per share on June 15, 2026.”
“Paid a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.13 per share.”
“$0.13 Common stock dividend per share paid in Q3 2025.”