Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC Raises Stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC raised its holdings in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 4.0% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 59,941 shares of the credit services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 2,297 shares during the quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC's holdings in Mastercard were worth $31,563,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in Mastercard by 4.8% during the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 3,031,915 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $1,497,160,000 after acquiring an additional 138,842 shares in the last quarter. Algert Global LLC purchased a new position in shares of Mastercard during the third quarter valued at about $1,540,000. FORA Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the third quarter worth about $673,000. MayTech Global Investments LLC lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 17.4% in the third quarter. MayTech Global Investments LLC now owns 77,168 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $38,106,000 after buying an additional 11,432 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its holdings in Mastercard by 18.6% during the 3rd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 430,699 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $212,679,000 after buying an additional 67,663 shares in the last quarter. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other news, insider Edward Grunde Mclaughlin sold 7,132 shares of the company'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 transaction, the insider now owns 34,524 shares in the company, valued at $18,459,292.32. This represents a 17.12 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Michael Miebach sold 15,775 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.16, for a total transaction of $8,678,774.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 84,871 shares of the company's stock, valued at $46,692,629.36. This trade represents a 15.67 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Mastercard Stock Up 0.0 %

Shares of NYSE MA traded up $0.05 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $548.17. 1,213,298 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,750,902. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1 year low of $428.86 and a 1 year high of $582.23. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $551.05 and a 200 day moving average of $527.59. The stock has a market cap of $499.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.47, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The credit services provider reported $3.82 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.71 by $0.11. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.71% and a return on equity of 188.47%. On average, research analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Tuesday, December 17th that permits the company to buyback $12.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the credit services provider to reacquire up to 2.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often an indication that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 9th will be issued a $0.76 dividend. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.55%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 9th. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio is currently 21.89%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently issued reports on MA shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Piper Sandler reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $635.00 price target (up previously from $591.00) on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Oppenheimer decreased their target price on shares of Mastercard from $591.00 to $588.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on Mastercard from $572.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Four research 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. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $606.11.

Mastercard 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.