Synergy Asset Management LLC Has $9.85 Million Position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Synergy Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 101.6% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 19,372 shares of the credit services provider's stock after buying an additional 9,762 shares during the period. Synergy Asset Management LLC's holdings in Mastercard were worth $9,845,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of MA. Goldstein Advisors LLC grew its position in Mastercard by 1.3% during the third quarter. Goldstein Advisors LLC now owns 1,516 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $749,000 after buying an additional 20 shares during the period. Community Bank N.A. grew its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Community Bank N.A. now owns 2,190 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $1,081,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares during the period. Raab & Moskowitz Asset Management LLC increased its stake in Mastercard by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Raab & Moskowitz Asset Management LLC now owns 1,398 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $690,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. Boltwood Capital Management raised its holdings in Mastercard by 1.0% during the fourth quarter. Boltwood Capital Management now owns 2,055 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $1,082,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Traveka Wealth LLC boosted its position in Mastercard by 1.4% during the fourth quarter. Traveka Wealth LLC now owns 1,478 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $778,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares in the last quarter. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Mastercard Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MA traded up $16.01 during trading on Thursday, hitting $564.81. 6,002,145 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,782,974. The company has a market capitalization of $518.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 1.10. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $526.58 and its 200-day simple moving average is $499.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a current ratio of 1.29. 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 issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The credit services provider reported $3.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.71 by $0.11. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.26% and a return on equity of 178.27%. Sell-side analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 14.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, December 17th that allows the company to buyback $12.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the credit services provider to reacquire up to 2.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally a sign that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 7th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 9th will be issued a $0.76 dividend. This is a positive change from Mastercard's previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 10th. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio is currently 23.00%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have issued reports on MA shares. William Blair reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Mastercard in a report on Monday, November 25th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, December 9th. KeyCorp raised their price target on shares of Mastercard from $515.00 to $580.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Mastercard from $593.00 to $580.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $580.00 to $618.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Mastercard has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $567.29.

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.