Teacher Retirement System of Texas Buys 137,815 Shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Teacher Retirement System of Texas increased its stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 47.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 427,116 shares of the credit services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 137,815 shares during the quarter. Mastercard comprises about 0.8% of Teacher Retirement System of Texas' portfolio, making the stock its 14th biggest position. Teacher Retirement System of Texas' holdings in Mastercard were worth $224,906,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. NewSquare Capital LLC bought a new position in Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Mastercard during the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Marshall Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Truvestments Capital LLC boosted its position in Mastercard by 62.5% during the 4th quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 65 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FPC Investment Advisory Inc. boosted its holdings in Mastercard by 483.3% during the fourth quarter. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 70 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.28% of the company's stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently issued reports on MA. Susquehanna upped their target price on Mastercard from $605.00 to $670.00 and gave the stock a "positive" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Seaport Res Ptn cut shares of Mastercard from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. Monness Crespi & Hardt upgraded shares of Mastercard from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $640.00 target price for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Macquarie raised their price target on Mastercard from $565.00 to $645.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Piper Sandler restated an "overweight" rating and set a $635.00 target price (up previously from $591.00) on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Four equities research 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. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $606.11.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Edward Grunde Mclaughlin sold 7,132 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $534.68, for a total value of $3,813,337.76. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 34,524 shares in the company, valued at $18,459,292.32. This trade represents a 17.12 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Mastercard Stock Up 1.5 %

NYSE:MA traded up $8.13 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $543.82. 2,758,655 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,377,778. 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 company has a market cap of $495.81 billion, a PE ratio of 39.15, a PEG ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.10. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $547.55 and its 200-day simple moving average is $524.95. Mastercard Incorporated has a one year low of $428.86 and a one year high of $582.23.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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%. Equities analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared 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 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.56%. Mastercard's payout ratio is currently 21.89%.

Mastercard declared that its board has authorized a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, December 17th that allows the company to repurchase $12.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the credit services provider to purchase up to 2.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company's management believes its shares are undervalued.

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.