SLM Q4 Profit Down - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - SLM Corp. (SLM), commonly known as Sallie Mae, Thursday reported fourth-quarter profit of $265 million or $0.60 per share, down from $343 million or $0.74 per share in the same period last year.

Net income from continuing operations totaled $211 million or $0.47 per share, down from $348 million or $0.74 per share last year. Fourth-quarter included a loss of $59 million or $0.13 per share from discontinued operations.

Core earnings for the quarter was $275 million or $0.61 per share. On average, eight analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to earn $0.73 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Net-interest income dropped 5 percent to $789 million from $832 million last year. Other income totaled $75 million, down 67 percent from $228 million last year.