Based on the aggregated intelligence of 135,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, SLM Corp.
With that in mind, let's take a closer look at SLM's business and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.
SLM facts
Headquarters (founded) |
Reston, Va. (1972) |
Market Cap |
$3.81 billion |
Industry |
Credit Services |
Trailing-12-Month (TTM) Revenue |
$756.6 million |
Management |
Vice Chairman/CEO Albert Lord Vice Chairman/CFO John Remondi |
Return on Equity (average, last five years and TTM) |
20.7% and (2.6%) |
3-Month Return |
96% |
Competitors |
Bank of America
Wells Fargo |
CAPS Members Bearish on SLM Also Bearish on |
Citigroup
Pulte Homes |
CAPS Members Bullish on SLM Also Bullish on |
General Electric
Apple |
Sources: Capital IQ, a division of Standard & Poor's, and Motley Fool CAPS.
Over on CAPS, fully 95 of the 490 members who have rated SLM -- some 19% -- believe the stock will underperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bears include cashsage and fmahnke, both of whom are ranked in the top 10% of our community.
Last month, cashsage refused to lend SLM any support: "SLM has one of the most illiquid balance sheets. It is also loss making. Its customers, mostly students, are among the least solvent among the population."
In a pitch from last week, fmahnke also tapped the stock as one that lends itself to trouble:
I'm concerned about the student lending business in general. Although it is difficult to discharge these loans in bankruptcy, they are largely uncollateralized and can be deferred almost indefinitely for a wide variety of circumstances. In a macro economic environment characterized by rising unemployment, I think it could be difficult to collect to these loans. [Sallie Mae] may find that cash flow on these loans may not be as consistent as their schedule debt repayment and preferred stock repayment obligations.
What do you think about SLM, or any other stock for that matter? Make your voice heard on Motley Fool CAPS today. More than 135,000 investors are waiting to hear what you have to say. CAPS is 100% free, so simply click here to get started.