COMPARE · Data as of August 21, 2026
SLM vs WU
Verdict: Side-by-side breakdown using the Bull Rankings model. SLM scored 66.0, WU scored 76.0 — WU leads.
Compare another set
SLM
SLM Corporation
83.7Fin
$26.46 · $5.0B
fundamentals as of
Strength gap
19.4
SLM leads
WU
The Western Union Company
64.3Fin
$7.30 · $2.3B
fundamentals as of
At a glance · who leads each dimension, on the model's own rules
- Fastest growthSLM+7.3%
- Strongest balance sheetSLM2.36
- Largest discount to fair valueWU-88%
Side by side · every name on one set of axes
Fundamentals, head-to-head
SLM
WU
-$325mF
FCF
$565mC+
+7.3%B
Rev
-1.4%D+
2.36C
D/E
2.95C
3.0xB+
P/S
—
0.51A-
PEG
13.16D
—
P/E
5.9xA
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
WU
—
Price vs fair valuelower is cheaper
88% below
—
Growth the price implies10-yr FCF · lower = less priced in
decline
—
1-yr DCF upside
+568%
—
5-yr DCF upside
+706%
—
10-yr DCF upside
+971%
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.
WUThe Western Union Company
Why now
Credit Services · market cap $2.3b. Down 29% from 52-week high of $10.35 — deep drawdown territory. 14 sell-side analysts rate this an Underperform with a mean 1-yr target of $7.09 (implying -3% upside).
Moat
ROE 43% — top-decile capital efficiency. Either pricing leverage, low capital intensity, or aggressive buybacks; the durability story depends on which. FCF converts 143% of net income — earnings translate cleanly into cash, a sign that working capital and capex are well-disciplined.
Risk
D/E 2.95 is elevated — limits strategic flexibility and raises refinancing exposure if rates stay higher for longer. Dividend payout 76% of earnings on a 13.1% yield — distribution coverage is thin; one earnings stumble could force a dividend cut. 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.