Kelly Financial Services LLC Makes New $6.63 Million Investment in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Kelly Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 12,590 shares of the credit services provider's stock, valued at approximately $6,630,000. Mastercard makes up 2.0% of Kelly Financial Services LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest position.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MA. Highline Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Mastercard in the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard during the 2nd quarter worth about $34,000. First Personal Financial Services purchased a new position in Mastercard in the 3rd quarter valued at about $39,000. Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in 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 buying an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard during the third quarter valued at approximately $55,000. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently commented on MA shares. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $572.00 price target on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Mastercard from $572.00 to $584.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. Seaport Res Ptn lowered Mastercard from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on Mastercard from $545.00 to $575.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report 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 given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $566.63.

Mastercard Stock Up 0.4 %

NYSE:MA traded up $2.08 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $525.22. The stock had a trading volume of 2,373,992 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,205,146. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $427.45 and a twelve month high of $537.70. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $524.28 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $494.59. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36. The company has a market capitalization of $482.06 billion, a PE ratio of 39.73, a PEG ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 1.10.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 31st. The credit services provider reported $3.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.73 by $0.16. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.26% and a return on equity of 178.27%. The business had revenue of $7.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.27 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.39 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 12.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 14.46 EPS for the current 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 Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 7th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.76 per share. This is a boost from Mastercard's previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 10th. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.58%. Mastercard's payout ratio is presently 19.97%.

About Mastercard

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.