Farringdon Capital Ltd. Takes Position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Farringdon Capital Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 5,429 shares of the credit services provider's stock, valued at approximately $2,859,000. Mastercard comprises approximately 1.2% of Farringdon Capital Ltd.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest position.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Demars Financial Group LLC grew its position in shares of Mastercard by 50,438.6% in 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. Greenwood Gearhart Inc. bought a new stake in Mastercard in the fourth quarter worth $364,000. MSH Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the 4th quarter valued at about $302,000. Zacks Investment Management increased its position in shares of Mastercard by 2.1% during the fourth quarter. Zacks Investment Management now owns 44,677 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $23,526,000 after acquiring an additional 929 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 13.4% in the 4th quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 78,640 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $41,410,000 after purchasing an additional 9,317 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.28% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Edward Grunde Mclaughlin sold 7,132 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $534.68, for a total value of $3,813,337.76. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 34,524 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,459,292.32. This trade represents a 17.12 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, 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 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 $46,692,629.36. This trade represents a 15.67 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on MA shares. Susquehanna increased their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $605.00 to $670.00 and gave the company a "positive" rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Citigroup raised their price target on Mastercard from $584.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. UBS Group upped their price objective on Mastercard from $600.00 to $660.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Seaport Res Ptn cut Mastercard from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, Piper Sandler reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $635.00 price objective (up previously from $591.00) on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-three have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $607.96.

Mastercard Price Performance

MA traded up $4.03 during trading on Friday, hitting $517.46. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,329,748 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,624,648. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $471.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.25, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.06. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $537.86 and its 200 day simple moving average is $529.02. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $428.86 and a twelve month high of $582.23.

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, topping the consensus estimate 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 Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.76 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 9th. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.59%. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio is presently 21.89%.

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.