Mastercard Incorporated $MA is Franklin Resources Inc.'s 9th Largest Position

Key Points

• Franklin Resources trimmed its stake in Mastercard by 2.0% to 7,463,566 shares, making MA its 9th-largest holding and representing about 0.83% of Mastercard (≈$4.245 billion).
• Mastercard reported strong quarterly results—EPS $4.76 vs. $4.24 expected and revenue up 17.5% year-over-year—with very high margins (net margin 45.65%) and return on equity (203.92%).
• Sell-side sentiment is broadly positive with a MarketBeat consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $670.61, and the company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.87 ($3.48 annualized, ~0.7% yield).

Franklin Resources Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,463,566 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 151,309 shares during the quarter. Mastercard makes up about 1.1% of Franklin Resources Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 9th biggest position. Franklin Resources Inc. owned approximately 0.83% of Mastercard worth $4,245,351,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Robbins Farley grew its stake in Mastercard by 50.0% in the third quarter. Robbins Farley now owns 54 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares during the last quarter. Brady Martz Wealth Solutions LLC lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 2.2% during the third quarter. Brady Martz Wealth Solutions LLC now owns 841 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $479,000 after buying an additional 18 shares during the last quarter. Alpine Bank Wealth Management lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 1.0% during the third quarter. Alpine Bank Wealth Management now owns 1,817 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $1,034,000 after buying an additional 18 shares during the last quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. now owns 1,091 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $621,000 after buying an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 20.0% in the 2nd quarter. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. now owns 108 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $61,000 after buying an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. 97.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MA has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Macquarie Infrastructure boosted their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $660.00 to $675.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Raymond James Financial lowered their target price on shares of Mastercard from $707.00 to $631.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Dbs Bank raised shares of Mastercard to a "moderate buy" rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. TD Cowen upped their price target on Mastercard from $668.00 to $671.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $656.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a report on Friday, January 30th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $670.61.

Mastercard Stock Performance

Shares of Mastercard stock opened at $514.41 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $458.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.14, a PEG ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $537.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $556.02. Mastercard Incorporated has a 52 week low of $465.59 and a 52 week high of $601.77.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The credit services provider reported $4.76 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.24 by $0.52. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.65% and a return on equity of 203.92%. The company had revenue of $8.81 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.80 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.82 EPS. Mastercard's revenue was up 17.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.87 per share. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 9th. Mastercard's payout ratio is presently 21.07%.

Trending Headlines about Mastercard

Here are the key news stories impacting Mastercard this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Mastercard’s move from a pure payments network toward high‑margin software and cybersecurity (VASS now >40% of revenue, strong CAGR) supports a higher multiple and recurring revenue thesis. This is a material strategic re‑rating theme for investors. Mastercard's Shift From Payments To Software
• Positive Sentiment: Mastercard signed a consumer credit‑information deal with TransUnion, expanding data assets and product cross‑sell opportunities for lending and fraud services — potential upside to data/analytics revenue. TransUnion, Mastercard ink consumer credit info deal
• Positive Sentiment: Mastercard launched an AI‑driven “virtual CFO” for small businesses to address a large underserved SMB market — a product that could boost volume, engagement and subscription‑style revenues. Most small businesses can’t afford a full-time finance chief. So Mastercard is debuting a ‘virtual CFO’ built with AI
• Positive Sentiment: BofA reinstated coverage of MA with a Buy rating and a $700 price target — a high‑profile broker endorsement that can support upside and attract momentum buyers. BofA Reinstates Coverage of Mastercard Incorporated (MA) With a Buy Rating
• Positive Sentiment: Mastercard is active on AI/transaction authentication for purchases initiated by AI agents — reinforcing its leadership in secure payments as commerce digitizes. This supports the firm’s cybersecurity/value‑added services narrative. When AI Makes the Purchase, Mastercard Wants Proof
• Neutral Sentiment: Mastercard’s presentation at the Wolfe Research FinTech forum (transcript) reiterates strategic priorities and product rollouts but contained no major surprise or new financial guidance, so it’s neutral for immediate price direction. Mastercard Presents at Wolfe Research FinTech Forum Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: A valuation take notes MA is trading at ~25–26x P/E — “pricey but not overpriced.” That view can temper buying despite positive fundamentals, contributing to short‑term volatility. Mastercard at 25.9X P/E: Pricey, But Not Overpriced - Buy or Wait?
• Neutral Sentiment: PR and regional pieces (India AI inclusion, Miami tech coverage) highlight market expansion and tailwinds but are background items unlikely to move the stock immediately. Mastercard: Inclusive India Is Innovating AI To Create Economic Opportunities
• Negative Sentiment: Minor executive movement: a former Mastercard executive was named to a fintech competitor (Yuno), a small loss of talent that could prompt short‑term headlines but is unlikely to alter MA’s strategy. Yuno Appoints Former Mastercard Executive Mauricio Schwartzmann

Mastercard Profile

Mastercard Incorporated is a global payments technology company that operates a network connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. The company facilitates electronic payments and transaction processing for credit, debit and prepaid card products carrying the Mastercard brand, while also providing a range of payment-related services to issuers, acquirers and merchants. Its technology and network enable authorization, clearing and settlement of payments and support a broad set of use cases including point-of-sale, e-commerce and mobile payments.

Beyond core transaction processing, Mastercard offers a suite of value-added services such as fraud and risk management, identity and authentication tools, tokenization and digital wallet support, cross-border and commercial payment solutions, and data analytics and consulting services for merchants and financial partners.

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