Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) Stock Holdings Lessened by Tranquility Partners LLC

Tranquility Partners LLC trimmed its stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) by 1.9% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 9,115 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after selling 178 shares during the quarter. Mastercard accounts for 1.8% of Tranquility Partners LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest position. Tranquility Partners LLC’s holdings in Mastercard were worth $4,813,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Hemington Wealth Management increased its holdings in Mastercard by 2.6% in the fourth quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 2,051 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,080,000 after buying an additional 52 shares during the last quarter. Park Capital Management LLC WI acquired a new position in Mastercard in the fourth quarter worth approximately $776,000. Ingalls & Snyder LLC increased its holdings in Mastercard by 3.4% in the fourth quarter. Ingalls & Snyder LLC now owns 15,561 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $8,194,000 after buying an additional 517 shares during the last quarter. Consolidated Planning Corp acquired a new position in Mastercard in the fourth quarter worth approximately $4,019,000. Finally, Warren Street Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Mastercard by 6.1% in the fourth quarter. Warren Street Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,111 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $585,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the company’s stock.

Mastercard Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MA opened at $564.33 on Thursday. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $428.86 and a twelve month high of $576.94. The firm has a market cap of $517.96 billion, a PE ratio of 40.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a current ratio of 1.03. The business has a fifty day moving average of $533.07 and a 200-day moving average of $507.89.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The credit services provider reported $3.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.98 EPS for the current fiscal 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 given a $0.76 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 9th. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.54%. Mastercard’s payout ratio is 21.89%.

Mastercard announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Tuesday, December 17th that permits the company to repurchase $12.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the credit services provider to repurchase up to 2.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have commented on MA. Mizuho increased their price target on Mastercard from $496.00 to $532.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Oppenheimer lowered their price target on Mastercard from $591.00 to $588.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 19th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on Mastercard from $510.00 to $580.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Mastercard from $654.00 to $644.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, TD Cowen raised their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $533.00 to $567.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $603.08.

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.