APG Asset Management N.V. Boosts Position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

APG Asset Management N.V. grew its stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 459.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 803,500 shares of the credit services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 659,931 shares during the period. Mastercard comprises approximately 1.1% of APG Asset Management N.V.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest holding. APG Asset Management N.V. owned approximately 0.09% of Mastercard worth $408,594,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of MA. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter worth approximately $6,022,224,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in Mastercard in the fourth quarter worth approximately $837,017,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Mastercard by 79,739.7% during the fourth quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,555,277 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $818,962,000 after buying an additional 1,553,329 shares during the period. FMR LLC boosted its position in Mastercard by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 22,267,937 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $11,725,627,000 after acquiring an additional 912,856 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP increased its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 9.1% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 9,760,740 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $5,139,713,000 after acquiring an additional 817,836 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.28% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Mastercard news, CEO Michael Miebach sold 15,775 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.16, for a total value of $8,678,774.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 84,871 shares in the company, valued at approximately $46,692,629.36. This trade represents a 15.67 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Edward Grunde Mclaughlin sold 7,132 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $534.68, for a total transaction of $3,813,337.76. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 34,524 shares of the company's stock, valued at $18,459,292.32. The trade was a 17.12 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Mastercard Stock Performance

NYSE MA traded up $10.32 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $509.66. 3,735,418 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,610,028. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1 year low of $428.86 and a 1 year high of $582.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03. The business's 50 day moving average is $542.81 and its 200-day moving average is $528.27. The company has a market capitalization of $464.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.69, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.06.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The credit services provider reported $3.82 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.71 by $0.11. Mastercard had a return on equity of 188.47% and a net margin of 45.71%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard announced that its board has initiated a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, December 17th that authorizes the company to repurchase $12.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the credit services provider to purchase up to 2.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.76 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 9th. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.60%. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio is currently 21.89%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Monness Crespi & Hardt cut Mastercard from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on shares of Mastercard from $618.00 to $665.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Evercore ISI started coverage on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Wednesday. They issued an "in-line" rating and a $550.00 price objective on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "buy" rating and set a $633.00 target price on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Finally, Citigroup upped their price target on Mastercard from $584.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-three have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $607.96.

Mastercard Company 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.