Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) Position Cut by Flossbach Von Storch SE

Flossbach Von Storch SE decreased its holdings in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 3.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 700,899 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 25,310 shares during the quarter. Mastercard comprises 1.5% of Flossbach Von Storch SE's holdings, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. Flossbach Von Storch SE owned approximately 0.08% of Mastercard worth $369,072,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Highline Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the third quarter worth about $25,000. First Personal Financial Services purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in Mastercard during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $55,000. Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Mastercard by 24.1% during the 4th quarter. Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 108 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $57,000 after buying an additional 21 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Mastercard in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $54,000. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Mastercard Trading Down 1.0 %

NYSE:MA traded down $5.85 on Friday, hitting $557.44. 1,620,907 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,559,466. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $538.41 and a 200-day moving average of $512.53. The stock has a market cap of $511.63 billion, a PE ratio of 40.13, a PEG ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. Mastercard Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $428.86 and a fifty-two week high of $576.94.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last posted 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, equities analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.76 per share. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.55%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 9th. Mastercard's payout ratio is 21.89%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on MA. Susquehanna increased their price objective on Mastercard from $605.00 to $670.00 and gave the company a "positive" rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on Mastercard from $550.00 to $565.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Mastercard from $496.00 to $532.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Raymond James reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $640.00 price target (up previously from $614.00) on shares of Mastercard in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $572.00 to $650.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $606.11.

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.