Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) is Dash Acquisitions Inc.'s 7th Largest Position

Dash Acquisitions Inc. raised its stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 3.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 46,308 shares of the credit services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 1,676 shares during the quarter. Mastercard accounts for about 5.7% of Dash Acquisitions Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest position. Dash Acquisitions Inc.'s holdings in Mastercard were worth $25,347,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of MA. Highline Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard during the third quarter worth $25,000. First Personal Financial Services purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 3rd quarter valued at $39,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 3rd quarter worth $54,000. Raelipskie Partnership boosted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 120.0% in 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 bought a new position in Mastercard during the third quarter valued at about $55,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.28% of the company's stock.

Mastercard Price Performance

NYSE MA traded down $5.85 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $557.44. 1,620,907 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,559,466. The company has a market cap of $511.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 1.10. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $538.41 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $512.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.03. 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 quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The credit services provider reported $3.82 earnings per share 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, analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase 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 purchase up to 2.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often a sign that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on MA shares. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $584.00 to $650.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on Mastercard from $618.00 to $665.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. KeyCorp raised their target price on Mastercard from $600.00 to $630.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Mastercard from $585.00 to $625.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Raymond James reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $640.00 price objective (up previously 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 given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Mastercard has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target 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.