Howland Capital Management LLC Buys 1,685 Shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Key Points

• Howland Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Mastercard by 34.8%, owning a total of 6,527 shares valued at approximately $3.58 million.
• Mastercard reported a strong earnings quarter, with an EPS of $4.15 surpassing estimates, and a 16.8% year-over-year revenue growth totaling $8.13 billion.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.76 per share, which results in an annualized yield of 0.5% and reflects a dividend payout ratio of 21.32%.

Howland Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 34.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,527 shares of the credit services provider's stock after buying an additional 1,685 shares during the period. Howland Capital Management LLC's holdings in Mastercard were worth $3,578,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. acquired a new stake in Mastercard during the fourth quarter worth approximately $31,000. Navigoe LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. 10Elms LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Mpwm Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. Institutional investors own 97.28% of the company's stock.

Mastercard Trading Up 1.3%

Mastercard stock opened at $566.16 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $516.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.70, a PEG ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.81, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.11. Mastercard Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $439.59 and a fifty-two week high of $594.71. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $564.67 and its 200-day moving average price is $551.39.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The credit services provider reported $4.15 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.05 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $8.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.95 billion. Mastercard had a return on equity of 196.87% and a net margin of 45.21%. The firm's revenue was up 16.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.50 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 8th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 9th will be paid a $0.76 dividend. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 9th. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio is currently 21.32%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on MA shares. Seaport Res Ptn raised Mastercard from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, July 14th. Macquarie dropped their target price on Mastercard from $645.00 to $610.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Wolfe Research set a $655.00 target price on Mastercard in a research report on Monday, June 23rd. UBS Group increased their target price on Mastercard from $660.00 to $670.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 3rd. Finally, Citigroup increased their target price on Mastercard from $650.00 to $652.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, May 5th. 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 company. According to data from MarketBeat, Mastercard has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $612.90.

Insider Transactions at Mastercard

In other Mastercard news, insider Raj Seshadri sold 1,100 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $546.77, for a total transaction of $601,447.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 12,921 shares in the company, valued at $7,064,815.17. This represents a 7.85% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Craig Vosburg sold 14,051 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the insider owned 58,451 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $34,196,757.55. The trade was a 19.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 38,753 shares of company stock worth $20,351,084 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

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.

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