Kentucky Retirement Systems Lowers Position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Kentucky Retirement Systems lessened its position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 1.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 56,696 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 781 shares during the period. Mastercard comprises 0.9% of Kentucky Retirement Systems' investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest holding. Kentucky Retirement Systems' holdings in Mastercard were worth $29,854,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Highline Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. First Personal Financial Services purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $39,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $54,000. Raelipskie Partnership lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 120.0% during the 3rd quarter. Raelipskie Partnership now owns 110 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $54,000 after buying an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $55,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the company's stock.

Mastercard Price Performance

MA traded down $5.85 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $557.44. 2,256,092 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,585,452. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $511.63 billion, a PE ratio of 40.13, a P/E/G ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 1.10. The business's 50-day moving average price is $538.41 and its 200 day moving average price is $512.53. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1-year low of $428.86 and a 1-year high of $576.94.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The credit services provider reported $3.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

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

Mastercard declared that its board has authorized a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, December 17th that permits the company to repurchase $12.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the credit services provider to reacquire up to 2.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually an indication that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MA has been the topic of several research reports. TD Cowen raised their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $533.00 to $567.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Susquehanna raised their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $605.00 to $670.00 and gave the stock a "positive" rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Seaport Res Ptn downgraded shares of Mastercard from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on shares of Mastercard from $654.00 to $644.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Mizuho lifted 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. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $606.11.

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.