8,022 Shares in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) Acquired by Inkwell Capital LLC

Inkwell Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 8,022 shares of the credit services provider's stock, valued at approximately $4,224,000. Mastercard accounts for about 4.5% of Inkwell Capital LLC's holdings, making the stock its 7th biggest holding.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of MA. Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Mastercard by 4.8% during the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 3,031,915 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $1,497,160,000 after acquiring an additional 138,842 shares in the last quarter. White Knight Strategic Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 16.9% during the third quarter. White Knight Strategic Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,904 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $940,000 after purchasing an additional 275 shares during the period. Ironwood Investment Counsel LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Ironwood Investment Counsel LLC now owns 18,112 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $8,944,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Kolinsky Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Mastercard by 8.1% during the 3rd quarter. Kolinsky Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,834 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $905,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the period. Finally, L.M. Kohn & Company raised its position in Mastercard by 6.8% during the third quarter. L.M. Kohn & Company now owns 10,120 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $4,997,000 after acquiring an additional 647 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.28% of the company's stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Mastercard

In related news, insider Edward Grunde Mclaughlin sold 7,132 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $534.68, for a total value of $3,813,337.76. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 34,524 shares of the company's stock, valued at $18,459,292.32. This represents a 17.12 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Michael Miebach sold 15,775 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated 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 directly owns 84,871 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $46,692,629.36. This represents a 15.67 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Macquarie increased their target price on Mastercard from $565.00 to $645.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Susquehanna raised their target price on shares of Mastercard from $605.00 to $670.00 and gave the stock a "positive" rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. UBS Group increased their price target on Mastercard from $600.00 to $660.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Finally, Raymond James reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $640.00 target price (up from $614.00) on shares of Mastercard in a research note 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 assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $606.11.

Mastercard Stock Down 1.9 %

MA traded down $10.44 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $536.94. 1,653,916 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,546,425. 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 12-month low of $428.86 and a 12-month high of $582.23. The firm has a market cap of $489.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.10. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $551.87 and a 200 day moving average of $528.12.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The credit services provider reported $3.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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%. Analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

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

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.