Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) Position Lessened by Gulf International Bank UK Ltd

Gulf International Bank UK Ltd lowered its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) by 1.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 64,885 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after selling 683 shares during the quarter. Mastercard comprises approximately 0.9% of Gulf International Bank UK Ltd’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest holding. Gulf International Bank UK Ltd’s holdings in Mastercard were worth $34,166,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MA. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Mn Services Vermogensbeheer B.V. now owns 330,792 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $174,185,000 after purchasing an additional 6,400 shares during the last quarter. K.J. Harrison & Partners Inc grew its stake in Mastercard by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. K.J. Harrison & Partners Inc now owns 10,358 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $5,411,000 after acquiring an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Apriem Advisors acquired a new position in Mastercard in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $2,659,000. Walter Public Investments Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 11.8% during the 4th quarter. Walter Public Investments Inc. now owns 44,819 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $23,600,000 after buying an additional 4,729 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GenTrust LLC lifted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. GenTrust LLC now owns 1,138 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $599,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.28% of the company’s stock.

Mastercard Stock Down 0.6 %

Shares of Mastercard stock opened at $560.86 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $511.34 billion, a PE ratio of 40.38, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.10. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $541.04 and its 200 day simple moving average is $516.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03. Mastercard Incorporated has a 52-week low of $428.86 and a 52-week high of $576.94.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The credit services provider reported $3.82 EPS 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%. On average, analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 9th will be issued a $0.76 dividend. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.54%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 9th. Mastercard’s payout ratio is 21.89%.

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on MA shares. Oppenheimer lowered their target price on shares of Mastercard from $591.00 to $588.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 19th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their target price on Mastercard from $510.00 to $580.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Mastercard from $585.00 to $625.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Macquarie lifted their price objective on Mastercard from $565.00 to $645.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price 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. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $606.11.

About Mastercard

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.