IFP Advisors Inc Sells 5,051 Shares of Mastercard Incorporated $MA

Key Points

• IFP Advisors reduced its Mastercard stake by 23.4% in the third quarter, selling 5,051 shares and retaining 16,564 shares valued at approximately $9.1 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds still own 97.28% of the company.
• Mastercard reported strong quarterly results, with EPS of $5.04 beating estimates and revenue rising 14.1% year over year to $9.28 billion. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.87, equal to a 0.6% annualized yield.
• Analysts remain broadly optimistic, assigning Mastercard a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $682.66, above its reported $617.14 share price. However, insiders sold 68,359 shares worth about $39.3 million over the past three months.

IFP Advisors Inc decreased its position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 23.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 16,564 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 5,051 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc's holdings in Mastercard were worth $9,135,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Foster Group Inc. grew its position in Mastercard by 0.9% during the third quarter. Foster Group Inc. now owns 2,122 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $1,170,000 after buying an additional 18 shares during the period. Athena Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Mastercard by 3.8% in the second quarter. Athena Wealth Management LLC now owns 514 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $264,000 after buying an additional 19 shares in the last quarter. Novem Group increased its holdings in Mastercard by 0.4% in the second quarter. Novem Group now owns 4,680 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $2,404,000 after buying an additional 19 shares in the last quarter. Vista Capital Partners Inc. raised its position in shares of Mastercard by 4.5% in the second quarter. Vista Capital Partners Inc. now owns 444 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $228,000 after acquiring an additional 19 shares during the period. Finally, Brandywine Oak Private Wealth LLC raised its position in shares of Mastercard by 0.7% in the first quarter. Brandywine Oak Private Wealth LLC now owns 2,842 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $1,420,000 after acquiring an additional 20 shares during the period. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at Mastercard

In related news, insider Sachin Mehra sold 7,444 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $577.13, for a total transaction of $4,296,155.72. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 40,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $23,613,851.08. This represents a 15.39% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, insider Linda Kirkpatrick sold 4,280 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $570.31, for a total transaction of $2,440,926.80. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 31,179 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $17,781,695.49. The trade was a 12.07% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last three months, insiders sold 68,359 shares of company stock valued at $39,290,046. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

Mastercard Stock Down 0.0%

NYSE MA opened at $617.14 on Monday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $575.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $535.29. Mastercard Incorporated has a one year low of $464.52 and a one year high of $622.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.96, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a current ratio of 1.06. The company has a market cap of $540.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.95, a P/E/G ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.76.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The credit services provider reported $5.04 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.77 by $0.27. Mastercard had a return on equity of 239.99% and a net margin of 46.34%. The company had revenue of $9.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.08 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $4.15 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 19.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 9th will be given a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 9th. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio is 19.14%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently weighed in on MA. Cantor Fitzgerald upped their price target on Mastercard from $650.00 to $695.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Dbs Bank raised Mastercard to a "moderate buy" rating in a report on Friday, August 21st. TD Cowen raised their price objective on Mastercard from $664.00 to $667.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, July 31st. BMO Capital Markets restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $665.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Bank of America boosted their price objective on Mastercard from $700.00 to $735.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty have given a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Mastercard currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $682.66.

Mastercard News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Mastercard this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Broader investor rotation is supporting the stock. Mastercard is among the companies reaching record levels as investors diversify beyond the artificial-intelligence and semiconductor trade. Upcoming earnings could help sustain the broader market rally. Coca-Cola, Visa and Mastercard Hit Records as Investors Rotate Out of Chip Stocks
• Positive Sentiment: Potentially improved access to China is a significant catalyst. U.S. officials raised market-access issues for Mastercard and Citigroup during bilateral talks, reiterating that approval for expanded operations had been agreed upon during September’s U.S.-China discussions. Greater access could expand Mastercard’s long-term payments opportunity in China. U.S. raises Mastercard, Citigroup China market access in bilateral Bangkok talks
• Positive Sentiment: The Global Money Platform expands Mastercard’s role in digital payments. Mastercard and BVNK launched a single-API platform allowing banks, fintechs and businesses to hold, convert and spend fiat currencies and stablecoins across Mastercard’s network. The product is the first major integration since Mastercard acquired BVNK and could create new transaction and infrastructure revenue opportunities. Mastercard and BVNK Launch Global Money Platform to Power a Multi-Money World
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts expect another earnings beat. Coverage points to Mastercard’s history of exceeding consensus estimates and favorable earnings-surprise indicators. That optimism is supported by the company’s latest reported quarter, when revenue grew 14.1% year over year and earnings exceeded expectations. Will MasterCard Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?
• Neutral Sentiment: Technical momentum is strong, but valuation warrants monitoring. Mastercard has extended a multiday winning streak and moved into a buy zone, while commentary suggests the stock could be undervalued if its returns on capital remain durable. However, its elevated valuation means disappointing guidance or slower payments growth could increase downside risk. Mastercard Stock Could Be 32% Undervalued After Stablecoin Payments Push

Mastercard Profile

Mastercard Incorporated NYSE: MA is a global payments technology company that operates a network connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses. The company facilitates electronic payments and provides technology that supports transactions conducted through credit, debit, prepaid and commercial payment products.

In addition to operating its payments network, Mastercard offers services in areas such as payment security, fraud prevention, authentication, cybersecurity, data and analytics, loyalty programs, digital identity and open banking.

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