Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. Decreases Stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. lessened its holdings in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 8.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 176,589 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 16,973 shares during the period. Mastercard accounts for approximately 1.0% of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A.'s holdings in Mastercard were worth $93,255,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of MA. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter valued at about $6,022,224,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Mastercard during the fourth quarter worth about $837,017,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Mastercard by 79,739.7% in the 4th quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,555,277 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $818,962,000 after purchasing an additional 1,553,329 shares during the last quarter. Sanders Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $617,303,000. Finally, Demars Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 50,438.6% during the 4th quarter. Demars Financial Group LLC now owns 981,460 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $516,807,000 after buying an additional 979,518 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the company's stock.

Mastercard Trading Up 0.5 %

NYSE:MA opened at $530.11 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1 year low of $428.86 and a 1 year high of $582.23. The stock has a market cap of $483.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.16, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.06. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $535.32 and a 200-day simple moving average of $529.34.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The credit services provider reported $3.82 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.71 by $0.11. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.71% and a return on equity of 188.47%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 9th will be given a $0.76 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 9th. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.57%. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.89%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Mastercard

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on MA shares. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Mastercard from $585.00 to $625.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Tigress Financial reiterated a "strong-buy" rating on shares of Mastercard in a report on Monday, March 10th. Monness Crespi & Hardt lowered shares of Mastercard from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Mastercard from $595.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Mastercard from $654.00 to $644.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-three have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Mastercard presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $607.96.

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.

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