Strengthening Families & Communities LLC Acquires 413 Shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Strengthening Families & Communities LLC boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) by 5.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 8,345 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 413 shares during the quarter. Mastercard comprises about 2.5% of Strengthening Families & Communities LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest position. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC’s holdings in Mastercard were worth $4,394,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Retirement Planning Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Mastercard in the third quarter worth about $319,000. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. boosted its position in Mastercard by 9.4% in the 3rd quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. now owns 372 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $184,000 after buying an additional 32 shares during the period. Martin Capital Advisors LLP grew its stake in Mastercard by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Martin Capital Advisors LLP now owns 9,528 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $4,705,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Willis Investment Counsel increased its position in shares of Mastercard by 3.3% during the third quarter. Willis Investment Counsel now owns 16,872 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $8,331,000 after acquiring an additional 541 shares during the period. Finally, MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH raised its stake in shares of Mastercard by 9.4% during the third quarter. MEAG MUNICH ERGO Kapitalanlagegesellschaft mbH now owns 98,953 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $48,863,000 after acquiring an additional 8,529 shares in the last quarter. 97.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Mastercard Price Performance

Shares of MA opened at $565.51 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $519.05 billion, a PE ratio of 40.71, 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 current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.29. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $531.61 and its 200-day moving average price is $506.04. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1-year low of $428.86 and a 1-year high of $576.94.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 year.

Mastercard announced that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Tuesday, December 17th that allows the company to repurchase $12.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the credit services provider to reacquire up to 2.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are typically a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.76 per share. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.54%. Mastercard’s payout ratio is 21.89%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently issued reports on MA. UBS Group increased their price objective on Mastercard from $600.00 to $660.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. William Blair restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Monness Crespi & Hardt raised shares of Mastercard from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $640.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $584.00 to $650.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Piper Sandler reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $635.00 price objective (up from $591.00) on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $603.08.

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.