SLM Co. (NASDAQ:SLMBP) Short Interest Update

SLM Co. (NASDAQ:SLMBP) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 31,311 shares, a growth of 42.6% from the December 15th total of 21,956 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 12,905 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.4 days. Based on an average trading volume of 12,905 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.4 days.

SLM Price Performance

SLMBP opened at $72.86 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $74.38 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $75.15. SLM has a fifty-two week low of $65.50 and a fifty-two week high of $83.15.

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 issued a $1.5122 dividend. This represents a $6.05 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.3%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, December 4th.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of SLM in a report on Friday, December 5th. UBS Group set a $40.00 price objective on SLM in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reissued a “market perform” rating on shares of SLM in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $40.00.

SLM Company Profile

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.