Mastercard (NYSE:MA) Upgraded to “Buy” at DZ Bank

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) was upgraded by stock analysts at DZ Bank from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a note issued to investors on Tuesday,Finviz reports. The firm presently has a $620.00 target price on the credit services provider’s stock. DZ Bank’s price objective points to a potential upside of 9.84% from the company’s previous close.

Several other analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Mizuho lifted their price target on Mastercard from $496.00 to $532.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price target on Mastercard from $510.00 to $580.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Mastercard from $595.00 to $650.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn cut shares of Mastercard from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $599.42.

Mastercard Stock Performance

Shares of MA opened at $564.48 on Tuesday. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $528.28 and its 200-day moving average price is $501.78. The company has a quick ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The stock has a market cap of $518.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.64, a P/E/G ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 1.10. Mastercard has a 52 week low of $428.86 and a 52 week high of $576.94.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The credit services provider reported $3.82 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.71 by $0.11. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.71% and a return on equity of 188.47%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Mastercard will post 16.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard announced that its board has initiated a share buyback plan 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 plans are usually an indication that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Institutional Trading of Mastercard

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Highline Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Marshall Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Mastercard in the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. First Personal Financial Services bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 3rd quarter worth $39,000. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. increased its position in shares of Mastercard by 483.3% during the fourth quarter. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 70 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 58 shares during the period. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Mastercard in the 3rd quarter worth $54,000. 97.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.