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Avantax Advisory Services Inc. Boosts Stock Holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Mastercard logo with Business Services background

Key Points

  • Avantax Advisory Services Inc. increased its stake in Mastercard by 9.1%, holding 48,474 shares valued at approximately $26.57 million.
  • Mastercard's stock received a buy rating upgrade from Wall Street Zen, with a consensus average target price of $612.90.
  • The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.76 per share, resulting in an annualized dividend yield of 0.54%.
  • Five stocks we like better than Mastercard.

Avantax Advisory Services Inc. lifted its stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 9.1% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 48,474 shares of the credit services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 4,037 shares during the quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc.'s holdings in Mastercard were worth $26,570,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the fourth quarter worth approximately $31,000. Navigoe LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 10Elms LLP bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the first quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Mpwm Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the company's stock.

Mastercard Trading Down 0.1%

Mastercard stock traded down $0.32 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $567.90. The company's stock had a trading volume of 699,004 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,807,591. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $565.61 and a 200-day moving average price of $550.38. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12 month low of $435.42 and a 12 month high of $594.71. The stock has a market cap of $517.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.81, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 1.11.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The credit services provider reported $3.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.57 by $0.16. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.21% and a return on equity of 196.87%. The firm had revenue of $7.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.12 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $3.31 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 8th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 9th will be issued a $0.76 dividend. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.54%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 9th. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.32%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded shares of Mastercard from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, July 14th. Citigroup increased their price objective on Mastercard from $650.00 to $652.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, May 5th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Friday, June 6th. Wolfe Research set a $655.00 price target on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Monday, June 23rd. Finally, Monness Crespi & Hardt cut shares of Mastercard from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-five have issued a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $612.90.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Mastercard

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Linda Pistecchia Kirkpatrick sold 959 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $572.86, for a total value of $549,372.74. Following the transaction, the insider owned 25,540 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,630,844.40. This represents a 3.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Craig Vosburg sold 14,051 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $585.05, for a total transaction of $8,220,537.55. Following the transaction, the insider owned 58,451 shares in the company, valued at approximately $34,196,757.55. This trade represents a 19.38% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 38,753 shares of company stock worth $20,351,084. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

About Mastercard

(Free Report)

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.

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Institutional Ownership by Quarter for Mastercard (NYSE:MA)

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