SLM Should I Buy
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$
0.000
0.000(0.000%)
At close0.000(0.000%)Aft-market
ET
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SLM is not a good buy right now for an impatient investor. The longer-term trend is still bearish (SMA200 > SMA20 > SMA5), insiders have been aggressively selling recently, options positioning is heavily defensive (puts dominating calls), and the news flow is dominated by class-action litigation tied to delinquency disclosures. While MACD is turning up and several banks recently raised targets on improved long-term growth guidance, the near-term risk/reward does not favor initiating a new position at $27.01.
Trend/structure: Bearish overall based on moving averages (SMA_200 > SMA_20 > SMA_5), implying price is still below key longer-term trend levels. Momentum: MACD histogram is positive and expanding (0.0186), suggesting a short-term momentum attempt upward, but it’s counter-trend versus the bearish MA stack. RSI: RSI(6)=50.12 (neutral), confirming no strong edge from momentum/mean-reversion right now. Levels: Pivot 27.312 is slightly above the current price (27.01). Near support S1=25.952 then S2=25.112; resistance R1=28.672 then R2=29.512. For an impatient buyer, the stock is not showing a clean breakout above pivot/R1, and downside to S1 is relatively close. Pattern-based forecast provided: modestly positive 1-month expectation (+1.15%) but flat-to-slightly negative 1-week (-0.07%), consistent with weak near-term edge.
Intellectia Proprietary Trading Signals
cite higher long-term earnings growth expectations and strong forward EPS growth outlook (high teens to low 20% into 2027 in one note).
alleging failure to disclose rising early-stage delinquencies; lead plaintiff deadline Feb 17,
This can suppress near-term multiple expansion and keep downside tail risk elevated.
Latest quarter: 2025/Q4. Revenue rose to $420.6M (+16.10% YoY). Net income increased to $229.4M (+114.00% YoY). EPS was $1.12 (+124.00% YoY). Overall, the quarter shows strong YoY growth in profitability and earnings power, which is a clear positive; however, the current news cycle is focused on delinquency disclosure allegations, which can dominate near-term trading regardless of the reported growth rates.
Recent trend: After a negative reset around the Dec 9 investor forum (multiple downgrades/target cuts, including Compass Point to Sell with $23 and Morgan Stanley downgrade to Equal Weight), sentiment improved into Jan 23 with two notable target raises (Deutsche Bank to $40, Wells Fargo to $32), both reiterating bullish/overweight stances. Wall Street pros (bull case): Improved long-term earnings growth expectations, supportive fundamentals into 2026 (delinquencies lower in some notes, loan growth reacceleration, increased capital return). Wall Street cons (bear case): The investor forum signaled a “reset”/transitory headwinds; concerns about mechanically-inflated credit metrics from partnership strategy, reduced gain-on-sale, higher opex, and the market’s sensitivity to credit/delinquency narratives. Net: Analysts lean constructive overall, but there is still a meaningful split with at least one prominent Sell and recent litigation headlines adding near-term pressure.
