COMPARE · Data as of August 28, 2026
SLM vs SYF
Verdict: Side-by-side breakdown using the Bull Rankings model. SLM scored 66.0, SYF scored 85.0 — SYF leads.
Compare another set
SLM
SLM Corporation
71.4Fin
$26.47 · $5.0B
fundamentals as of
Strength gap
0.0
Tied
SYF
Synchrony Financial
71.4Fin
$78.05 · $25.4B
fundamentals as of
At a glance · who leads each dimension, on the model's own rules
- Fastest growthSLM+7.3%
- Largest discount to fair valueSYF-82%
Side by side · every name on one set of axes
Fundamentals, head-to-head
SLM
SYF
-$325mF
FCF
$9.7bB+
+7.3%B
Rev
-0.5%D+
2.36C
D/E
—
3.0xB+
P/S
—
0.51A-
PEG
1.14B+
—
P/E
8.2xA-
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
SLM
SYF
—
Price vs fair valuelower is cheaper
82% below
—
Growth the price implies10-yr FCF · lower = less priced in
decline
—
1-yr DCF upside
+392%
—
5-yr DCF upside
+452%
—
10-yr DCF upside
+547%
The DCF is a cross-check on intrinsic value, separate from the quality-growth score above.
The companies
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.
SYFSynchrony Financial
Why now
Credit Services · market cap $25.4b. 12% off the 52-week high of $88.77. 23 sell-side analysts rate this a Buy with a mean 1-yr target of $89.30 (implying +14% upside).
Moat
Net margin 36% is exceptional — pricing-power territory rare outside premium software, branded staples, and specialty pharma. ROE 21% 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
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.