Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare Navient Corporation SR NT 6% 121543 (JSM) vs Navient Corporation (NAVI) Stock
Analyze side-by-side fundamentals, valuation, growth, and profitability to decide which stock is the better buy.
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Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | JSM | 229.5% revenue growth vs NAVI's -12.4% |
| Value | NAVI | Lower P/E (12.7x vs 16.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | JSM | 3.4% net margin vs NAVI's 3.1% |
| Stability / Safety | JSM | Beta 0.20 vs NAVI's 1.08, lower leverage |
| Dividends | JSM | 3.3% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs NAVI's 7.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) | JSM | +7.7% vs NAVI's -34.1% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | JSM | -0.1% ROA vs NAVI's -0.1%, ROIC 4.1% vs 0.2% |
Who Each Stock Is For
Income & stability
Growth exposure
Long-term compounding (10Y)
Sleep-well-at-night portfolio
Defensive / Recession hedge
Business Model
What each company does and how it makes money
Navient is a financial services company that manages and services education loans and provides business processing solutions. It makes money primarily through interest income from its portfolio of federal and private student loans — roughly 80% from federal loans and 20% from private loans — supplemented by servicing fees and business processing revenue. Its key advantage is its scale as one of the largest student loan servicers with deep expertise in the complex federal loan system and established government contracts.
Navient is a financial services company that manages education loans and provides business processing solutions for education, healthcare, and government clients. It makes money primarily through loan servicing fees and interest income from its education loan portfolio—including federally guaranteed FFELP loans and private student loans—along with business processing fees from healthcare and government clients. The company's key advantage is its specialized expertise in complex education loan servicing and its established relationships with federal and state government agencies.
Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Financial Metrics Comparison
Side-by-side fundamentals across 2 stocks. BestLagging
Financial Scorecard
JSM leads in 4 of 6 categories (Financial Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). NAVI leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
Financial Metrics (TTM)
NAVI and JSM operate at a comparable scale, with $4.2B and $3.8B in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 3.4% (JSM) to 3.1% (NAVI).
| Metric | JSMNavient Corporati… | NAVINavient Corporati… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.8B | $4.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $3.9B | -$77M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$50M | -$50M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $275M | $275M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +91.7% | +20.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +73.9% | +4.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +3.4% | +3.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +12.1% | +10.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -46.0% | -46.0% |
Valuation Metrics
At 7.4x trailing earnings, NAVI trades at a 54% valuation discount to JSM's 16.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, JSM's 21.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than NAVI's 280.4x.
| Metric | JSMNavient Corporati… | NAVINavient Corporati… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $5.3B | $841M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $46.4B | $48.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 16.14x | 7.45x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 12.67x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 21.29x | 280.37x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.39x | 0.20x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.80x | 0.37x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 11.57x | 1.83x |
Profitability & Efficiency
JSM delivers a -2.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-2 in annual profit, vs $-2 for NAVI. JSM carries lower financial leverage with a 16.35x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to NAVI's 18.43x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), JSM scores 8/9 vs NAVI's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | JSMNavient Corporati… | NAVINavient Corporati… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -2.1% | -2.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -0.1% | -0.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +4.1% | +0.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +5.4% | +0.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 8 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 16.35x | 18.43x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $3.0B | $47.9B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $2.1B | $722M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $43.2B | $48.7B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.17x | -0.03x |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in JSM five years ago would be worth $11,072 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,202 for NAVI. Over the past 12 months, JSM leads with a +7.7% total return vs NAVI's -34.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors JSM at 6.8% vs NAVI's -16.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | JSMNavient Corporati… | NAVINavient Corporati… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -3.8% | -31.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +7.7% | -34.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +22.0% | -40.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +10.7% | -8.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +96.6% | +40.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +6.8% | -16.0% |
Risk & Volatility
JSM is the less volatile stock with a 0.20 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than NAVI's 1.08 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. JSM currently trades 93.8% from its 52-week high vs NAVI's 54.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | JSMNavient Corporati… | NAVINavient Corporati… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.20x | 1.08x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $20.65 | $16.07 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $16.51 | $8.50 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +93.8% | +54.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 45.8 | 27.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 19K | 827K |
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates JSM as "Hold" and NAVI as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 13.8% upside for NAVI (target: $10) vs -9.7% for JSM (target: $18). For income investors, NAVI offers the higher dividend yield at 7.17% vs JSM's 3.32%.
| Metric | JSMNavient Corporati… | NAVINavient Corporati… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $17.50 | $10.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 2 | 24 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.3% | +7.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.64 | $0.63 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +3.4% | +21.3% |
Historical Charts
Charts are rendered on first load. Hover for details.
Chart 1Total Return — 5 Years (Rebased to 100)
| Stock | Mar 20 | Feb 26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navient Corporation… (JSM) | 100 | 85.89 | -14.1% |
| Navient Corporation (NAVI) | 100 | 86.18 | -13.8% |
Navient Corporation… (JSM) returned +11% over 5 years vs Navient Corporation (NAVI)'s -8%. A $10,000 investment in JSM 5 years ago would be worth $11,072 today (including dividends reinvested).
Chart 2Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2015 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navient Corporation… (JSM) | $4.3B | $3.8B | -11.3% |
| Navient Corporation (NAVI) | $5.2B | $4.2B | -18.2% |
Navient Corporation SR NT 6% 121543's revenue grew from $4.3B (2015) to $3.8B (2024) — a -1.3% CAGR. Navient Corporation's revenue grew from $5.2B (2015) to $4.2B (2024) — a -2.2% CAGR.
Chart 3Net Margin Trend — 10 Years
| Stock | 2015 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navient Corporation… (JSM) | 22.9% | 3.4% | -85.0% |
| Navient Corporation (NAVI) | 19.0% | 3.1% | -83.7% |
Navient Corporation SR NT 6% 121543's net margin went from 23% (2015) to 3% (2024). Navient Corporation's net margin went from 19% (2015) to 3% (2024).
Chart 4P/E Ratio History — 8 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navient Corporation… (JSM) | 22.9 | 14.8 | -35.4% |
| Navient Corporation (NAVI) | 12.8 | 11.3 | -11.7% |
Navient Corporation SR NT 6% 121543 has traded in a 4x–23x P/E range over 8 years; current trailing P/E is ~16x. Navient Corporation has traded in a 4x–13x P/E range over 8 years; current trailing P/E is ~7x.
Chart 5EPS Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2015 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navient Corporation… (JSM) | 2.57 | 1.2 | -53.3% |
| Navient Corporation (NAVI) | 2.61 | 1.18 | -54.8% |
Navient Corporation SR NT 6% 121543's EPS grew from $2.57 (2015) to $1.20 (2024) — a -8% CAGR. Navient Corporation's EPS grew from $2.61 (2015) to $1.18 (2024) — a -8% CAGR.
Chart 6Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
Navient Corporation SR NT 6% 121543 generated $459M FCF in 2024 (-35% vs 2021). Navient Corporation generated $459M FCF in 2024 (-35% vs 2021).
JSM vs NAVI: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is JSM or NAVI a better buy right now?
Navient Corporation (NAVI) offers the better valuation at 7.4x trailing P/E (12.7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Navient Corporation SR NT 6% 121543 (JSM) a "Hold" — based on 2 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — JSM or NAVI?
On trailing P/E, Navient Corporation (NAVI) is the cheapest at 7.4x versus Navient Corporation SR NT 6% 121543 at 16.1x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — JSM or NAVI?
Over the past 5 years, Navient Corporation SR NT 6% 121543 (JSM) delivered a total return of +10.7%, compared to -8.0% for Navient Corporation (NAVI). A $10,000 investment in JSM five years ago would be worth approximately $11K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: JSM returned +96.6% versus NAVI's +40.3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — JSM or NAVI?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Navient Corporation SR NT 6% 121543 (JSM) is the lower-risk stock at 0.20β versus Navient Corporation's 1.08β — meaning NAVI is approximately 427% more volatile than JSM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Navient Corporation SR NT 6% 121543 (JSM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 16% versus 18% for Navient Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — JSM or NAVI?
Navient Corporation SR NT 6% 121543 (JSM) is the more profitable company, earning 3.4% net margin versus 3.1% for Navient Corporation — meaning it keeps 3.4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: JSM leads at 73.9% versus 4.1% for NAVI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — JSM leads at 91.7%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Is JSM or NAVI more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NAVI: 13.8% to $10.00.
07Which pays a better dividend — JSM or NAVI?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends. Navient Corporation (NAVI) offers the highest yield at 7.2%, versus 3.3% for Navient Corporation SR NT 6% 121543 (JSM).
08Is JSM or NAVI better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Navient Corporation SR NT 6% 121543 (JSM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.20), 3.3% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (JSM: +96.6%, NAVI: +40.3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
09What are the main differences between JSM and NAVI?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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