Mastercard Incorporated $MA Stake Decreased by Forte Capital LLC ADV

Key Points

• Forte Capital LLC ADV has reduced its stake in Mastercard by 3.1%, now holding $22.99 million worth of shares, which accounts for 2.5% of its investment portfolio.
• Mastercard reported strong earnings for the last quarter with an EPS of $4.15, topping expectations, and a year-over-year revenue increase of 16.8% to $8.13 billion.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.76 per share, highlighting a 20.5% payout ratio, with the payment scheduled for November 7th.

Forte Capital LLC ADV reduced its stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 3.1% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 40,914 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 1,303 shares during the period. Mastercard makes up 2.5% of Forte Capital LLC ADV's investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th biggest position. Forte Capital LLC ADV's holdings in Mastercard were worth $22,991,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in MA. Hyperion Asset Management Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 7.4% in the 2nd quarter. Hyperion Asset Management Ltd now owns 109,882 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $61,747,000 after purchasing an additional 7,563 shares in the last quarter. Hidden Cove Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Mastercard by 5.9% in the second quarter. Hidden Cove Wealth Management LLC now owns 518 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $291,000 after buying an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Revisor Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Mastercard by 53.7% during the second quarter. Revisor Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,171 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $661,000 after acquiring an additional 409 shares during the last quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC raised its stake in shares of Mastercard by 76.9% during the second quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 1,028 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $578,000 after acquiring an additional 447 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CGN Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. CGN Advisors LLC now owns 8,043 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $4,520,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.28% of the company's stock.

Mastercard Stock Performance

Shares of MA stock opened at $584.64 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.41. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $577.86 and a 200 day moving average of $559.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $528.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.42, a PEG ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.99. 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 posted 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. Mastercard had a net margin of 44.93% and a return on equity of 200.01%. The firm had revenue of $8.13 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.95 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.50 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 16.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 7th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 9th will be given a dividend of $0.76 per share. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 9th. Mastercard's payout ratio is presently 20.50%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently commented on MA shares. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Friday, June 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on Mastercard from $650.00 to $656.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, August 1st. Wolfe Research set a $655.00 target price on Mastercard in a report on Monday, June 23rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Mastercard in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $650.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Mastercard from $639.00 to $661.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-four have given a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Mastercard currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $630.89.

Insider Transactions at Mastercard

In related news, insider Linda Pistecchia Kirkpatrick sold 958 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, June 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $560.00, for a total value of $536,480.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 23,624 shares of the company's stock, valued at $13,229,440. This represents a 3.90% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CFO J. Mehra Sachin sold 17,816 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $586.89, for a total value of $10,456,032.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 31,234 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $18,330,922.26. This trade represents a 36.32% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 37,449 shares of company stock worth $21,974,441 over the last quarter. Insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

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.

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