Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) Shares Sold by Kentucky Retirement Systems

Kentucky Retirement Systems lessened its holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 1.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 55,697 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 999 shares during the quarter. Mastercard makes up approximately 0.9% of Kentucky Retirement Systems' investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest position. Kentucky Retirement Systems' holdings in Mastercard were worth $30,529,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Addison Advisors LLC grew its position in Mastercard by 3.8% during the fourth quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 493 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $260,000 after buying an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Richard W. Paul & Associates LLC lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Richard W. Paul & Associates LLC now owns 2,245 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $1,182,000 after acquiring an additional 19 shares during the period. Founders Financial Alliance LLC grew its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 2.9% during the 4th quarter. Founders Financial Alliance LLC now owns 676 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $356,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares in the last quarter. BlackDiamond Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Mastercard by 2.3% in the fourth quarter. BlackDiamond Wealth Management LLC now owns 846 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $445,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares during the period. Finally, Fi3 FINANCIAL ADVISORS LLC raised its stake in Mastercard by 2.6% in the fourth quarter. Fi3 FINANCIAL ADVISORS LLC now owns 736 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $388,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.28% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Mastercard news, insider Sandra A. Arkell sold 150 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $569.45, for a total transaction of $85,417.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 3,555 shares in the company, valued at $2,024,394.75. This trade represents a 4.05% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Craig Vosburg sold 9,428 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $353.05, for a total transaction of $3,328,555.40. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 58,451 shares of the company's stock, valued at $20,636,125.55. This trade represents a 13.89% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 35,115 shares of company stock valued at $18,324,718. 0.09% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Mastercard Stock Performance

MA traded down $7.51 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $550.02. 2,889,115 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,659,843. The company's 50-day moving average is $561.13 and its 200 day moving average is $545.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $501.46 billion, a PE ratio of 38.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.05. Mastercard Incorporated has a 52 week low of $428.86 and a 52 week high of $594.71.

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 analysts' consensus estimates 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 net margin of 45.21% and a return on equity of 196.87%. The firm's revenue was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $3.31 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 8th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.76 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 9th. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.55%. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.32%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have commented on MA. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Mastercard from $660.00 to $670.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, June 3rd. Evercore ISI initiated coverage on Mastercard in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set an "in-line" rating and a $550.00 price target for the company. Macquarie decreased their target price on Mastercard from $645.00 to $610.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $650.00 to $652.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, May 5th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Friday, June 6th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $610.00.

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.