Challenger Wealth Management Purchases New Shares in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Challenger Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 2,734 shares of the credit services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,439,000. Mastercard accounts for about 1.2% of Challenger Wealth Management's holdings, making the stock its 20th largest position.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. NewSquare Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Marshall Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, 10Elms LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. 97.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Sandra A. Arkell sold 150 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $580.00, for a total transaction of $87,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 3,255 shares in the company, valued at $1,887,900. This trade represents a 4.41% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Edward Grunde Mclaughlin sold 7,132 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $534.68, for a total value of $3,813,337.76. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 34,524 shares of the company's stock, valued at $18,459,292.32. This trade represents a 17.12% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 23,207 shares of company stock worth $12,664,529 in the last 90 days. 0.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on MA shares. UBS Group raised their price target on Mastercard from $640.00 to $660.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Mastercard from $654.00 to $644.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. 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. Evercore ISI assumed coverage on Mastercard in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set an "in-line" rating and a $550.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on Mastercard from $595.00 to $650.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-three have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $608.57.

Mastercard Stock Performance

Shares of MA stock traded up $1.05 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $575.60. The stock had a trading volume of 1,701,113 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,607,926. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $541.68 and its 200 day simple moving average is $538.59. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. Mastercard Incorporated has a one year low of $428.86 and a one year high of $588.45. The firm has a market cap of $524.78 billion, a PE ratio of 41.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.06.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The credit services provider reported $3.73 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.57 by $0.16. The business had revenue of $7.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.12 billion. Mastercard had a return on equity of 188.47% and a net margin of 45.71%. Mastercard's revenue was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.31 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current year.

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.