Artemis Investment Management LLP Grows Stock Position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Artemis Investment Management LLP grew its holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 11.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 10,329 shares of the credit services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 1,061 shares during the period. Artemis Investment Management LLP's holdings in Mastercard were worth $5,439,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Kelly Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $6,630,000. Oak Ridge Investments LLC grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 6.0% during the fourth quarter. Oak Ridge Investments LLC now owns 36,063 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $18,990,000 after buying an additional 2,045 shares during the last quarter. HF Advisory Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 10.3% during the fourth quarter. HF Advisory Group LLC now owns 3,722 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $1,960,000 after buying an additional 349 shares in the last quarter. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,470 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $2,880,000 after acquiring an additional 126 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sandy Cove Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 6.0% during the 4th quarter. Sandy Cove Advisors LLC now owns 692 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $364,000 after acquiring an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have commented on MA. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $496.00 to $532.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $572.00 price target on shares of Mastercard in a report on Thursday, November 14th. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on Mastercard from $545.00 to $575.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price target on Mastercard from $533.00 to $567.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $566.63.

Mastercard Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE:MA traded up $2.08 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $525.22. 2,373,992 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,205,146. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $524.28 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $494.92. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12-month low of $427.45 and a 12-month high of $537.70. The stock has a market cap of $482.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick 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 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.73 by $0.16. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.26% and a return on equity of 178.27%. The firm had revenue of $7.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.27 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $3.39 EPS. The business's revenue was up 12.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 14.46 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 7th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 9th will be given a dividend of $0.76 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 10th. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.58%. This is a boost from Mastercard's previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.97%.

Mastercard declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Tuesday, December 17th that authorizes the company to repurchase $12.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the credit services provider to purchase up to 2.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often a sign that the company's board believes its shares are undervalued.

About Mastercard

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.