Mastercard Incorporated $MA is Candriam S.C.A.'s 7th Largest Position

Key Points

• Candriam S.C.A. has reduced its stake in Mastercard by 9.5%, now owning approximately 466,514 shares, making it the 7th largest position in their portfolio.
• Mastercard's recent quarterly earnings report showed a strong performance, with $4.15 earnings per share, exceeding estimates and a 16.8% year-over-year revenue increase.
• Insiders sold a total of 38,453 shares worth approximately $20.18 million in the last quarter, indicating a significant decrease in their holdings.

Candriam S.C.A. lowered its holdings in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 9.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 466,514 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 49,080 shares during the period. Mastercard comprises 1.6% of Candriam S.C.A.'s portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest holding. Candriam S.C.A. owned approximately 0.05% of Mastercard worth $255,706,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Accredited Investors Inc. increased its position in Mastercard by 2.6% during the 1st quarter. Accredited Investors Inc. now owns 718 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $394,000 after buying an additional 18 shares during the period. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of Mastercard by 2.9% in the first quarter. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. now owns 632 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $347,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares during the period. Phillips Wealth Planners LLC increased its position in shares of Mastercard by 1.8% in the first quarter. Phillips Wealth Planners LLC now owns 1,055 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $538,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares during the period. Alta Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Mastercard by 3.6% in the first quarter. Alta Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 540 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $296,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares during the period. Finally, May Hill Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Mastercard by 2.0% in the first quarter. May Hill Capital LLC now owns 986 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $540,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the company's stock.

Mastercard Stock Up 1.1%

Shares of NYSE MA traded up $6.2280 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $598.1480. 2,388,839 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,623,511. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $564.03 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $555.73. Mastercard Incorporated has a one year low of $461.90 and a one year high of $601.77. The company has a market cap of $540.73 billion, a PE ratio of 40.33, a P/E/G ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.41, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 1.16.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 31st. The credit services provider reported $4.15 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.05 by $0.10. Mastercard had a return on equity of 200.01% and a net margin of 44.93%.The business had revenue of $8.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.95 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.50 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 16.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 8th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 9th were issued a dividend of $0.76 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, July 9th. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio is 20.50%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Mastercard

In other Mastercard news, 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 value of $3,328,555.40. Following the sale, the insider owned 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 transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider Linda Pistecchia Kirkpatrick sold 958 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $560.00, for a total value of $536,480.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 23,624 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,229,440. The trade was a 3.90% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 56,269 shares of company stock worth $30,634,699 in the last three months. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently commented on MA shares. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Mastercard from $639.00 to $661.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Macquarie decreased their price target on Mastercard from $645.00 to $610.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Mastercard in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $650.00 price target on the stock. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded Mastercard from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, July 14th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Mastercard from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, July 18th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-four have given a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Mastercard currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $617.93.

Mastercard 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.