Client 1ST Advisory Group LLC Takes Position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Client 1ST Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 2,362 shares of the credit services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,244,000. Mastercard comprises about 0.5% of Client 1ST Advisory Group LLC's holdings, making the stock its 27th biggest position.

Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MA. State Street Corp increased its holdings in Mastercard by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 35,288,912 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $17,425,665,000 after buying an additional 257,312 shares during the period. FMR LLC raised its position in Mastercard by 3.4% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 21,355,081 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $10,545,139,000 after purchasing an additional 700,769 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Mastercard by 2.5% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 18,375,053 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $9,043,972,000 after purchasing an additional 453,773 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 120,665.3% in the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 8,041,758 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $3,971,020,000 after purchasing an additional 8,035,099 shares during the period. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 7,501,814 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $3,800,836,000 after buying an additional 304,293 shares during the period. 97.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Mastercard Stock Up 0.4 %

MA stock traded up $2.08 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $525.22. 2,373,992 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,205,146. The stock has a market cap of $482.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 1.10. Mastercard Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $427.45 and a fifty-two week high of $537.70. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $524.28 and its 200 day moving average price is $494.92. The company has a quick ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The credit services provider reported $3.89 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.73 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $7.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.27 billion. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.26% and a return on equity of 178.27%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 12.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.39 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 14.46 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard declared that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program on Tuesday, December 17th that allows the company to repurchase $12.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the credit services provider to buy up to 2.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually a sign that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 7th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.76 per share. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.58%. This is a boost from Mastercard's previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 10th. Mastercard's payout ratio is presently 19.97%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently weighed in on MA. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Mastercard from $545.00 to $575.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Macquarie increased their price target on Mastercard from $505.00 to $565.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on Mastercard from $550.00 to $565.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 14th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Finally, Susquehanna raised their price target on shares of Mastercard from $540.00 to $605.00 and gave the company a "positive" rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $566.63.

Mastercard Profile

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions.