Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) Stake Reduced by Prudential Financial Inc.

Prudential Financial Inc. reduced its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 8.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 875,559 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 79,695 shares during the period. Mastercard makes up approximately 0.6% of Prudential Financial Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its 21st largest holding. Prudential Financial Inc. owned approximately 0.10% of Mastercard worth $461,043,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Jackson Thornton Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Mastercard by 4.4% during the fourth quarter. Jackson Thornton Wealth Management LLC now owns 564 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $297,000 after buying an additional 24 shares in the last quarter. Angeles Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Mastercard by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Angeles Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,150 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $606,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares during the period. Twin City Private Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. Twin City Private Wealth LLC now owns 2,968 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $1,563,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Clune & Associates LTD. purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth $305,000. Finally, Crowley Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Mastercard in the 4th quarter valued at $938,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.28% of the company's stock.

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Mastercard Stock Performance

MA stock traded down $9.76 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $547.81. The company had a trading volume of 635,113 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,369,728. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $550.27 and a 200 day moving average price of $526.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $499.44 billion, a PE ratio of 39.41, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.10. Mastercard Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $428.86 and a fifty-two week high of $582.23.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The credit services provider reported $3.82 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.71 by $0.11. Mastercard had a return on equity of 188.47% and a net margin of 45.71%. Analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 9th will be issued a $0.76 dividend. 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 presently 21.89%.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Raymond James restated 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. William Blair reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Friday, January 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Macquarie lifted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $565.00 to $645.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Piper Sandler reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $635.00 price objective (up previously from $591.00) on shares of Mastercard in a report on Friday, January 31st. Four 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. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $606.11.

Insider Activity at Mastercard

In related news, insider Edward Grunde Mclaughlin sold 7,132 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $534.68, for a total value of $3,813,337.76. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 34,524 shares in the company, valued at $18,459,292.32. This trade represents a 17.12 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Michael Miebach sold 15,775 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.16, for a total value of $8,678,774.00. Following the transaction, 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 position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.