SLM Corporation (SLM) IV/HV History

Comparing implied volatility to historical (realized) volatility reveals whether options are priced rich or cheap relative to actual price movement. Persistent gaps can signal trading opportunities.

SLM Corporation (SLM) operates in the Financial Services sector, specifically the Financial - Credit Services industry, with a market capitalization near $4.02B, listed on NASDAQ, employing roughly 1,710 people, carrying a beta of 1.02 to the broader market. SLM Corporation, through its subsidiaries, originates and services private education loans to students and their families to finance the cost of their education in the United States. Led by Jonathan W. Witter, public since 1983-09-23.

Snapshot as of May 15, 2026.

Spot Price
$21.18
ATM IV
39.9%
HV 20-Day
28.8%
HV 60-Day
49.2%
IV Rank
51.4%
IV Percentile
71.4%

As of May 15, 2026, SLM Corporation (SLM) ATM implied volatility is 39.9%. 20-day realized volatility is 28.8%, producing an IV-HV spread of +11.1 vol points. Options are pricing in more volatility than the stock has recently delivered, the volatility risk premium. IV rank is 51.4%.

How SLM iv/hv history Data Feeds Strategy Selection

Strategy selection on SLM Corporation options does not derive from any single metric in isolation. The iv/hv history view above sits inside a broader read: ATM IV currently sits at 39.9% and dealer gamma exposure is positive, so dealer hedging is mechanically mean-reverting. Combine the iv/hv history data here with the volatility-skew surface, dealer-gamma exposure, max-pain level, and upcoming-events calendar to build a positioning thesis. Risk-defined structures (credit spreads, debit spreads, iron condors) are usually safer than naked positions while the regime is uncertain; the data on this page anchors the inputs but does not by itself constitute a trade thesis.

Learn how implied vs realized volatility is reported and how to read the data →

Frequently asked SLM iv/hv history questions

Is SLM options pricing rich or cheap right now?
As of May 15, 2026, SLM Corporation (SLM) ATM IV is 39.9% against 20-day realized volatility of 28.8%. IV rank is 51.4%. SLM options are pricing in more volatility than the stock has recently realized: a positive variance risk premium worth 11.1 vol points.
What is the SLM variance risk premium?
The variance risk premium is the persistent gap between implied and subsequently realized volatility. In equity markets it averages positive because option sellers demand compensation for bearing variance shocks. SLM is currently priced consistently with this premium, which is one input to whether short-vol or long-vol structures carry their typical edge.
What does SLM IV rank mean for strategy selection?
IV rank normalizes the current ATM IV to its 1-year range: 0% is the low, 100% is the high. SLM's current rank of 51.4% signals where current pricing sits in its own 1-year history. High-rank regimes typically favor premium-selling structures (credit spreads, condors, covered calls); low-rank regimes typically favor premium-buying or long-volatility structures.