EFG Asset Management Americas Corp. Increases Stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

EFG Asset Management Americas Corp. raised its holdings in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) by 42.5% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 28,892 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after buying an additional 8,616 shares during the quarter. Mastercard comprises 2.5% of EFG Asset Management Americas Corp.’s portfolio, making the stock its 6th largest holding. EFG Asset Management Americas Corp.’s holdings in Mastercard were worth $12,746,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. VitalStone Financial LLC grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 300.0% during the fourth quarter. VitalStone Financial LLC now owns 60 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Westend Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Mastercard in the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Palisade Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Mastercard in the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Scarborough Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Finally, Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the fourth quarter valued at about $30,000. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Mastercard Stock Performance

MA stock traded down $1.24 during trading on Friday, hitting $476.12. 2,116,234 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,444,963. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1 year low of $359.77 and a 1 year high of $490.00. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $456.26 and its 200 day simple moving average is $459.59. The company has a market cap of $442.61 billion, a PE ratio of 37.86, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.10.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 9th were given a dividend of $0.66 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 9th. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.55%. Mastercard’s dividend payout ratio is presently 20.99%.

Insider Activity at Mastercard

In related news, insider Raj Seshadri sold 3,464 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $447.84, for a total value of $1,551,317.76. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 13,736 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,151,530.24. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, insider Raj Seshadri sold 3,464 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $447.84, for a total value of $1,551,317.76. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 13,736 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,151,530.24. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 116,000 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $443.63, for a total transaction of $51,461,080.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 92,998,308 shares in the company, valued at approximately $41,256,839,378.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 1,167,931 shares of company stock worth $531,284,982. 0.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have issued reports on MA shares. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Mastercard from $528.00 to $538.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Compass Point initiated coverage on shares of Mastercard in a report on Wednesday. They set a “neutral” rating and a $525.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $500.00 to $570.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. Piper Sandler increased their target price on Mastercard from $531.00 to $536.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $530.00 to $536.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-one have issued a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Mastercard presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $510.88.

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.