Guinness Atkinson Asset Management Inc Has $7.78 Million Stock Position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Guinness Atkinson Asset Management Inc decreased its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 6.5% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 14,774 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 1,025 shares during the period. Mastercard comprises 4.0% of Guinness Atkinson Asset Management Inc's investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest position. Guinness Atkinson Asset Management Inc's holdings in Mastercard were worth $7,780,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Highline Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Mastercard in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in Mastercard during the second quarter valued at $34,000. First Personal Financial Services acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the third quarter valued at about $39,000. Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Mastercard by 74.0% during the third quarter. Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 87 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard during the third quarter valued at approximately $54,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the company's stock.

Mastercard Trading Up 0.4 %

MA stock traded up $2.08 during midday trading on Monday, 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 12-month low of $427.45 and a 12-month high of $537.70. The company's 50-day moving average price is $524.28 and its 200 day moving average price is $494.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 1.29. The firm has a market cap of $482.06 billion, a PE ratio of 39.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 1.10.

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

Mastercard announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback 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 stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually an indication that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on MA shares. Oppenheimer lowered their target price on Mastercard from $591.00 to $588.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 19th. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on Mastercard from $545.00 to $575.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. TD Cowen upped their price objective on Mastercard from $533.00 to $567.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, November 15th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $572.00 target price on shares of Mastercard in a report on Thursday, November 14th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Mastercard presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $566.63.

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.