Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. Purchases 4,256 Shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. increased its holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 10.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 44,249 shares of the credit services provider's stock after buying an additional 4,256 shares during the period. Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P.'s holdings in Mastercard were worth $23,300,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Mastercard by 6.7% during the fourth quarter. Berkeley Capital Partners LLC now owns 696 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $366,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the period. iA Global Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in Mastercard by 14.6% during the 4th quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 260,577 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $137,212,000 after acquiring an additional 33,111 shares during the period. Wilkins Investment Counsel Inc. purchased a new stake in Mastercard in the 4th quarter worth approximately $513,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its holdings in Mastercard by 47.6% in the 4th quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 427,116 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $224,906,000 after purchasing an additional 137,815 shares during the period. Finally, First National Bank of Hutchinson grew its position in shares of Mastercard by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. First National Bank of Hutchinson now owns 2,561 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $1,349,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares in the last quarter. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Mastercard Trading Up 1.5 %

NYSE MA traded up $8.13 during trading on Monday, hitting $543.82. The company had a trading volume of 2,758,655 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,377,778. The company's fifty day moving average is $548.32 and its 200-day moving average is $525.42. Mastercard Incorporated has a one year low of $428.86 and a one year high of $582.23. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The company has a market cap of $495.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.10.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly 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%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback plan on Tuesday, December 17th that authorizes the company to buyback $12.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the credit services provider to reacquire up to 2.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are usually a sign that the company's management 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 given a dividend of $0.76 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 9th. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.56%. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio is presently 21.89%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Edward Grunde Mclaughlin sold 7,132 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $534.68, for a total transaction of $3,813,337.76. Following the sale, the insider now owns 34,524 shares of the company's stock, valued at $18,459,292.32. The trade was a 17.12 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Raymond James reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $640.00 price objective (up previously from $614.00) on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Friday, January 31st. DZ Bank raised Mastercard from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $620.00 price objective for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. William Blair reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $585.00 to $625.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" 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 given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Mastercard has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus 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.