HERNDON, Va. - Navient (NASDAQ:NAVI), a major player in the education finance sector, has come to a settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the company announced today. This agreement resolves litigation and investigations that have been ongoing for several years.
The company stated that the settlement allows them to put these issues, which date back a decade, to rest. Although Navient has expressed disagreement with the allegations made by the CFPB, they consider the resolution a significant step in the company's ongoing transformation process.
Navient has shifted its business model away from federal student loan servicing. In 2021, the firm transitioned out of servicing government student loans, having transferred its contract to a third party with the Department of Education's approval. Additionally, earlier this year, Navient finalized an agreement to outsource the servicing of its legacy Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) student loan portfolios. This outsourcing arrangement took effect on July 1, 2024, and Navient will continue to oversee its third-party servicing provider to ensure compliance with the operational terms of the agreement.
Navient is known for providing technology-enabled solutions in education finance and business processing. The company aims to simplify complex programs and has a track record of delivering results for clients across the education, healthcare, and government sectors.
The financial terms of the settlement with the CFPB have not been disclosed. This move marks a significant change for Navient, which was once a large servicer and purchaser of federal student loans. The company's strategy now focuses on leveraging its technology and expertise to provide services that support its clients' success.
This news comes directly from a press release issued by Navient and provides a factual update on the company's legal and operational status without any additional commentary or speculation.
In other recent news, Navient Corporation has declared a third-quarter dividend of $0.16 per share, demonstrating its commitment to providing value to shareholders. The education finance leader has also made significant progress in its strategic restructuring, including the sale of its Healthcare Services (NASDAQ:HCSG) business, Xtend, to CorroHealth for $365 million. This move aligns with Navient's strategy to streamline its operations and focus on its core business segments.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) has maintained an Equalweight rating on Navient shares, citing the positive financial impact of Xtend's sale. The company has also updated its full-year 2024 earnings per share (EPS) guidance to $1.35 to $1.55, reflecting strategic initiatives such as a servicing outsourcing agreement with MOHELA and ongoing discussions for the divestment of its Business Processing Solutions division.
In addition to these developments, Navient is exploring opportunities to deepen relationships with students and college graduates through its Earnest business. These are among the recent developments that investors should be aware of. As always, it is important to rely on factual information and avoid speculation when considering these updates.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of Navient's recent settlement and strategic shift away from federal student loan servicing, financial metrics and insights from InvestingPro provide a clearer picture of the company's current standing and future outlook. As of the last twelve months leading up to Q2 2024, Navient's market capitalization stands at approximately $1.6 billion, with a price to earnings (P/E) ratio adjusted for the period at 8.72. This valuation metric suggests that investors may find the stock to be undervalued compared to historical earnings.
Despite challenges, Navient has demonstrated a commitment to returning value to shareholders. This is evidenced by the company maintaining dividend payments for 14 consecutive years, with a current dividend yield of 4.37%. Moreover, the company's liquid assets surpass its short-term obligations, indicating a strong liquidity position. These factors, combined with a share price trading near its 52-week low, may present a potential opportunity for investors seeking income-generating investments in the education finance sector.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that management has been actively engaging in share buybacks, a sign of confidence in the company's intrinsic value. Additionally, analysts predict that Navient will remain profitable this year despite expectations of a net income drop and sales decline. For those interested in a deeper analysis, there are 9 additional InvestingPro Tips available that could provide further insights into Navient's financial health and operational strategies.
For more detailed information and additional InvestingPro Tips on Navient, interested parties can visit InvestingPro Navient.
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