SLM Co. (NASDAQ:SLMBP) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

SLM Co. (NASDAQ:SLMBP) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 21,956 shares, an increase of 90.2% from the November 30th total of 11,542 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 7,335 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.0 days. Based on an average trading volume of 7,335 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.0 days.

SLM Price Performance

SLM stock opened at $73.38 on Friday. SLM has a fifty-two week low of $65.50 and a fifty-two week high of $83.15. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $75.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $75.44.

SLM (NASDAQ:SLMBP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 14th. The company reported $1.15 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of ($3.44) million during the quarter.

SLM Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 4th were given a dividend of $1.5122 per share. This represents a $6.05 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.2%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 4th.

Analyst Ratings Changes

SLMBP has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of SLM in a research note on Friday, December 5th. UBS Group set a $40.00 target price on shares of SLM in a report on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods restated a “market perform” rating on shares of SLM in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, SLM currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $40.00.

About SLM

SLM Corporation, doing business as Sallie Mae, is a U.S.-based provider of private student loans, servicing, and banking products. The company specializes in originating and servicing education loans for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, as well as career and technical training programs. In addition to its core student lending business, Sallie Mae offers deposit products, credit cards and digital tools designed to help customers manage personal finances and plan for higher-education expenses.

Sallie Mae’s product suite includes fixed- and variable-rate private student loans, graduate student loans, parent loans and career training loans.