Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) Stock Holdings Lessened by Generali Investments Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych

Generali Investments Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych reduced its holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) by 5.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 5,065 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after selling 300 shares during the quarter. Mastercard makes up 1.5% of Generali Investments Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych’s portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest position. Generali Investments Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych’s holdings in Mastercard were worth $2,667,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of MA. Highline Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Marshall Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. First Personal Financial Services bought a new stake in Mastercard in the 3rd quarter valued at about $39,000. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. lifted its position in Mastercard by 483.3% in the 4th quarter. FPC Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 70 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard in the 3rd quarter valued at about $54,000. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have commented on MA shares. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $595.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $618.00 to $665.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. William Blair restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Piper Sandler restated an “overweight” rating and set a $635.00 price target (up from $591.00) on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Mastercard presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $606.11.

Mastercard Stock Performance

Mastercard stock opened at $564.91 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $541.87 and its 200-day simple moving average is $516.37. The company has a market cap of $515.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.67, 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 1.03. Mastercard Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $428.86 and a fifty-two 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, beating 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%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The business 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 $0.76 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 9th. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.54%. Mastercard’s dividend payout ratio is presently 21.89%.

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

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.