Mastercard (NYSE:MA) Hits New 12-Month High After Analyst Upgrade

Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA – Get Rating) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday after Robert W. Baird raised their price target on the stock from $370.00 to $410.00. Robert W. Baird currently has an outperform rating on the stock. Mastercard traded as high as $423.99 and last traded at $377.86, with a volume of 112518 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $378.57.

A number of other brokerages also recently weighed in on MA. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $456.00 to $441.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 15th. Mizuho decreased their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $385.00 to $380.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 1st. Credit Suisse Group upped their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $370.00 to $390.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, October 28th. Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $400.00 to $450.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 20th. Finally, Wolfe Research upped their price target on shares of Mastercard from $395.00 to $415.00 in a research report on Thursday, January 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $406.73.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Linda Pistecchia Kirkpatrick sold 7,064 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $320.00, for a total value of $2,260,480.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 11,207 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,586,240. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, insider Craig Vosburg sold 6,333 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $380.05, for a total value of $2,406,856.65. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 41,314 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,701,385.70. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Linda Pistecchia Kirkpatrick sold 7,064 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $320.00, for a total transaction of $2,260,480.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 11,207 shares in the company, valued at $3,586,240. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 367,819 shares of company stock valued at $117,733,271 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.29% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mastercard

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in MA. Coston McIsaac & Partners acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates acquired a new stake in Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. EWG Elevate Inc. acquired a new stake in Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Legend Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Mastercard during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, My Personal CFO LLC acquired a new stake in Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. 74.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Mastercard Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $365.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $354.99 and its 200-day simple moving average is $335.42.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA – Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 27th. The credit services provider reported $2.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.57 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $5.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.66 billion. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.22% and a return on equity of 148.94%. Analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 10.56 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 9th. Stockholders of record on Monday, January 9th will be issued a $0.57 dividend. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.60%. This is a positive change from Mastercard’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 6th. Mastercard’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.78%.

Mastercard Company Profile

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Mastercard, Inc operates as a technology company. The firm engages in the payments industry that connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and business. It offers payment solutions for the development and implementation of credit, debit, prepaid, commercial and payment programs.