Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) Holdings Lowered by JLB & Associates Inc.

JLB & Associates Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 2.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 61,860 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 1,697 shares during the period. Mastercard accounts for approximately 4.4% of JLB & Associates Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 2nd biggest position. JLB & Associates Inc.'s holdings in Mastercard were worth $32,574,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of MA. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 120,665.3% in the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 8,041,758 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $3,971,020,000 after buying an additional 8,035,099 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 51.7% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 5,765,714 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $2,846,187,000 after buying an additional 1,965,782 shares during the period. FMR LLC grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 3.4% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 21,355,081 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $10,545,139,000 after buying an additional 700,769 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 2.5% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 18,375,053 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $9,043,972,000 after buying an additional 453,773 shares during the period. Finally, Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 52.8% in the 3rd quarter. Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. now owns 1,185,081 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $573,017,000 after buying an additional 409,334 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.28% of the company's stock.

Mastercard Stock Down 1.0 %

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

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

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Shareholders 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 is Wednesday, April 9th. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio is presently 21.89%.

Mastercard declared that its board has approved a share buyback plan on Tuesday, December 17th that authorizes the company to repurchase $12.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the credit services provider to purchase up to 2.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently weighed in on MA. TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of Mastercard from $533.00 to $567.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Mastercard from $572.00 to $650.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $595.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Monness Crespi & Hardt upgraded shares of Mastercard from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $640.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Raymond James restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $640.00 price objective (up from $614.00) on shares of Mastercard 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 company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, 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.