COMPARE · Data as of August 28, 2026
BFH vs SLM
Verdict: Side-by-side breakdown using the Bull Rankings model. BFH scored 80.0, SLM scored 66.0 — BFH leads.
Compare another set
Different reporting periods. SLM's fundamentals are as of June 2026, but BFH's are as of March 2026 — a 3-month gap. Growth, margin and valuation figures below therefore describe different windows and aren't strictly like-for-like.
BFH
Bread Financial Holdings, Inc.
70.1Fin
$105.74 · $4.1B
fundamentals as of
Strength gap
1.3
SLM leads
SLM
SLM Corporation
71.4Fin
$26.47 · $5.0B
fundamentals as of
At a glance · who leads each dimension, on the model's own rules
- Fastest growthSLM+7.3%
- Largest discount to fair valueBFH-88%
Side by side · every name on one set of axes
Fundamentals, head-to-head
BFH
SLM
$2.2bB
FCF
-$325mF
+0.2%C
Rev
+7.3%B
—
D/E
2.36C
8.4xA-
P/E
—
3.91D
PEG
0.51A-
—
P/S
3.0xB+
Winner per row is the stronger grade; where grades tie, the better figure breaks it. A true tie or a missing value shows no highlight.
Valuation · DCF cross-check
BFH
SLM
88% below
Price vs fair valuelower is cheaper
—
decline
Growth the price implies10-yr FCF · lower = less priced in
—
+659%
1-yr DCF upside
—
+723%
5-yr DCF upside
—
+823%
10-yr DCF upside
—
The DCF is a cross-check on intrinsic value, separate from the quality-growth score above.
The companies
BFHBread Financial Holdings, Inc.
Why now
Credit Services · market cap $4.1b. 8% off the 52-week high of $114.53. 16 sell-side analysts rate this a Buy with a mean 1-yr target of $115.44 (implying +9% upside).
Moat
Net margin 21% sits well above the S&P median (~11%) — suggests structural pricing advantage or cost discipline competitors can't quickly close. ROE 17% sits above Buffett's preferred 15% threshold — the equity base is compounding at a rate the market struggles to discount accurately. Free cash flow runs well ahead of reported net income — non-cash charges (depreciation, intangible amortization) are holding down GAAP earnings while cash generation stays strong.
Risk
Regulatory capital risk — stricter capital requirements (CCAR, Basel) can force a dividend cut or a capital raise; the largest banks are most exposed because they're held to the tightest standards.
SLMSLM Corporation
Why now
Credit Services · market cap $5.0b. 17% off the 52-week high of $32.07. PEG 0.51 — paying under fair value for the growth rate. 11 sell-side analysts rate this a Buy with a mean 1-yr target of $28.55 (implying +8% upside).
Moat
Net margin 44% is exceptional — pricing-power territory rare outside premium software, branded staples, and specialty pharma. ROE 30% — top-decile capital efficiency. Either pricing leverage, low capital intensity, or aggressive buybacks; the durability story depends on which.
Risk
D/E 2.36 is elevated — limits strategic flexibility and raises refinancing exposure if rates stay higher for longer. Free cash flow is negative (-$325m) — capital raises or debt issuance likely required; dilution / leverage risk. Balance-sheet financial — book value, net interest margin, and credit loss provisions are the lever points; a rates regime change or a deterioration in the loan book moves the stock more than EPS does.
Verdict — model-derived comparison
Generating verdict… typically 5–10 seconds
Not investment advice. The Bull Rankings publishes a quantitative ranking model and accompanying analysis for general informational purposes only. Nothing on this page is a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security; nothing is personalized to your circumstances, risk tolerance, or tax situation. Investing carries the risk of loss — invest at your own risk and consider consulting a licensed financial professional before acting on anything you read here. See terms and methodology for full disclosures.