Top 10 Companies That Beat Sales Forecasts

2. SLM Corp.(SLM) is an education finance company. Second-quarter revenue stretched 13% to $1.7 billion, exceeding the consensus forecast by 52%. SLM swung to a profit of $338 million, or 63 cents a share, from a loss of $123 million, or 31 cents, a year earlier. The operating margin declined from 61% to 57%. SLM holds $199 billion of debt, converting to a debt-to-equity ratio of 39. SLM's stock sells for a forward earnings multiple of 8.1 and a book value multiple of 1.1, 33% and 50% discounts to peer averages. Of analysts covering SLM, seven, or 64%, rate its stock "buy" and four rate it "hold." A median target of $15.50 suggests a 35% return.