WRLD vs SLM vs NAVI vs FICO

For growth investors, Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) is the stronger pick with 15.

9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -23. 7% for Navient Corporation (NAVI). SLM Corporation (SLM) offers the better valuation at 6. 5x trailing P/E (7. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate SLM Corporation (SLM) a "Buy" — based on 25 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.

On trailing P/E, SLM Corporation (SLM) is the cheapest at 6.

5x versus Fair Isaac Corporation at 42. 6x. On forward P/E, SLM Corporation is actually cheaper at 7. 3x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: World Acceptance Corporation wins at 0. 59x versus Fair Isaac Corporation's 0. 96x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) delivered a total return of +127.

7%, compared to -30. 9% for Navient Corporation (NAVI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FICO returned +949. 1% versus NAVI's +15. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

86β versus World Acceptance Corporation's 1. 27β — meaning WRLD is approximately 48% more volatile than FICO relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, World Acceptance Corporation (WRLD) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 120% versus 19% for Navient Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) is pulling ahead at 15.

9% versus -23. 7% for Navient Corporation (NAVI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Fair Isaac Corporation grew EPS 29. 8% year-over-year, compared to -168. 6% for Navient Corporation. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) is the more profitable company, earning 32.

7% net margin versus -2. 5% for Navient Corporation — meaning it keeps 32. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NAVI leads at 77. 1% versus 28. 1% for WRLD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NAVI leads at 87. 0%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, World Acceptance Corporation (WRLD) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 59x versus Fair Isaac Corporation's 0. 96x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, SLM Corporation (SLM) trades at 7. 3x forward P/E versus 26. 4x for Fair Isaac Corporation — 19. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FICO: 46. 0% to $1649. 11.

In this comparison, SLM (14.

9% yield), NAVI (7. 2% yield) pay a dividend. WRLD, FICO do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

86), +949. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FICO: +949. 1%, WRLD: +266. 2%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (WRLD (Financial Services) and SLM (Financial Services) and NAVI (Financial Services) and FICO (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: WRLD is a small-cap deep-value stock; SLM is a small-cap deep-value stock; NAVI is a small-cap income-oriented stock; FICO is a mid-cap high-growth stock. SLM, NAVI pay a dividend while WRLD, FICO do not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.