Mastercard Incorporated $MA Holdings Cut by Schwerin Boyle Capital Management Inc.

Key Points

• Schwerin Boyle Capital Management Inc. has reduced its holdings in Mastercard by 2.2%, making it the firm's 7th largest position, valued at approximately $34.8 million.
• Mastercard reported quarterly earnings of $4.15 per share, exceeding estimates of $4.05, with revenues reaching $8.13 billion, up 16.8% year-over-year.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.76 per share, reflecting a 0.5% yield and a payout ratio of 20.50%.

Schwerin Boyle Capital Management Inc. trimmed its position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 2.2% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 63,480 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 1,426 shares during the quarter. Mastercard accounts for approximately 3.6% of Schwerin Boyle Capital Management Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest holding. Schwerin Boyle Capital Management Inc.'s holdings in Mastercard were worth $34,795,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. purchased a new position in Mastercard during the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. Keystone Global Partners LLC purchased a new position in Mastercard during the first quarter worth about $31,000. Navigoe LLC purchased a new position in Mastercard during the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. 10Elms LLP purchased a new position in Mastercard during the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Hughes Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in Mastercard during the first quarter worth about $34,000. 97.28% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Mastercard news, insider Raj Seshadri sold 1,100 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction on Friday, June 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $546.77, for a total value of $601,447.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 12,921 shares in the company, valued at $7,064,815.17. This trade represents a 7.85% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Julius Genachowski sold 312 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, July 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $570.67, for a total transaction of $178,049.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 8,469 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,833,004.23. This represents a 3.55% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 56,269 shares of company stock worth $30,634,699 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MA has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "buy" rating on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. They set a "buy" rating and a $650.00 target price on the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Mastercard from $639.00 to $661.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Mastercard from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, July 18th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on shares of Mastercard from $650.00 to $656.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-four have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Mastercard presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $617.93.

Mastercard Trading Up 0.9%

MA stock traded up $5.44 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $595.92. The stock had a trading volume of 2,107,001 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,794,370. The firm has a market cap of $538.71 billion, a PE ratio of 40.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.41, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 1.16. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12-month low of $465.59 and a 12-month high of $601.77. The company's 50-day moving average price is $567.11 and its 200 day moving average price is $556.47.

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, topping the consensus estimate of $4.05 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $8.13 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.95 billion. Mastercard had a net margin of 44.93% and a return on equity of 200.01%. Mastercard's revenue for the quarter was up 16.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.50 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

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

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.