Trust Co of the South Reduces Holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Trust Co of the South lowered its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) by 20.6% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 720 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after selling 187 shares during the period. Trust Co of the South’s holdings in Mastercard were worth $379,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MA. Versor Investments LP acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $432,000. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. raised its position in Mastercard by 5.4% in the second quarter. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 3,940 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $1,738,000 after purchasing an additional 203 shares during the period. Allegheny Financial Group LTD lifted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 41.2% in the 2nd quarter. Allegheny Financial Group LTD now owns 613 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $270,000 after purchasing an additional 179 shares during the last quarter. Octavia Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Mastercard by 9.5% during the 2nd quarter. Octavia Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 701 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $309,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Founders Financial Securities LLC increased its position in shares of Mastercard by 7.7% during the 2nd quarter. Founders Financial Securities LLC now owns 617 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $272,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the company’s stock.

Mastercard Stock Performance

Shares of MA traded down $5.81 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $520.76. 1,708,558 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,467,849. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $523.06 and its 200 day moving average price is $488.98. The company has a market capitalization of $477.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.39, a PEG ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 1.29. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $416.53 and a twelve month high of $537.70.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The credit services provider reported $3.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.73 by $0.16. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.26% and a return on equity of 178.27%. The firm had revenue of $7.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.27 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.39 EPS. Mastercard’s quarterly revenue was up 12.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 14.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, December 17th that permits the company to repurchase $12.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the credit services provider to buy up to 2.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 7th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 9th will be issued a $0.76 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 9th. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.58%. This is a positive change from Mastercard’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. Mastercard’s payout ratio is presently 23.00%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on MA shares. William Blair reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Monday, November 25th. Macquarie lifted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $505.00 to $565.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on Mastercard from $510.00 to $580.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on Mastercard from $545.00 to $575.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Susquehanna increased their target price on Mastercard from $540.00 to $605.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-three have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $562.76.

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.