Busey Bank Boosts Position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Busey Bank raised its holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 1.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 89,232 shares of the credit services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 1,190 shares during the quarter. Mastercard makes up 1.5% of Busey Bank's holdings, making the stock its 14th largest holding. Busey Bank's holdings in Mastercard were worth $46,987,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Highline Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard during the third quarter valued at about $25,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 2nd quarter valued at about $34,000. First Personal Financial Services purchased a new position in shares of Mastercard in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Mastercard by 74.0% during the 3rd quarter. Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 87 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the third quarter valued at approximately $54,000. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Mastercard Stock Up 2.9 %

MA traded up $16.01 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $564.81. 6,002,898 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,783,383. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $526.58 and a 200 day moving average of $499.80. The firm has a market cap of $518.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 42.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.10 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 Incorporated has a 12-month low of $428.86 and a 12-month high of $576.94.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The credit services provider reported $3.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.71 by $0.11. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.26% and a return on equity of 178.27%. Analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 14.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard declared that its board has initiated a share buyback plan 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 reacquire up to 2.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically an indication that the company's management believes its stock is undervalued.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 7th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 9th will be issued a $0.76 dividend. This is an increase from Mastercard's previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 10th. Mastercard's payout ratio is presently 23.00%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have weighed in on MA. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on Mastercard from $580.00 to $618.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Oppenheimer dropped their target price on Mastercard from $591.00 to $588.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Mastercard from $572.00 to $584.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Seaport Res Ptn downgraded shares of Mastercard from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $545.00 to $575.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Mastercard presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $567.29.

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.