Metis Global Partners LLC Raises Stock Holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Key Points

• Metis Global Partners LLC increased its holdings in Mastercard by 9.6% in the first quarter, owning 61,586 shares valued at approximately $33.76 million, making it the company's 16th biggest position.
• Mastercard's recent quarterly earnings showed an EPS of $3.73, surpassing estimates, with revenue reaching $7.25 billion—a 14.2% increase year-over-year.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.76 per share to be paid on August 8, reflecting an annualized dividend yield of 0.54%.

Metis Global Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 9.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 61,586 shares of the credit services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 5,412 shares during the period. Mastercard accounts for 0.9% of Metis Global Partners LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest holding. Metis Global Partners LLC's holdings in Mastercard were worth $33,757,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MA. Brighton Jones LLC increased its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 42.3% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 6,824 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $3,594,000 after purchasing an additional 2,028 shares during the period. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG boosted its position in Mastercard by 11.8% in the fourth quarter. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG now owns 70,472 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $37,108,000 after buying an additional 7,452 shares in the last quarter. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard during the fourth quarter worth approximately $73,000. Trustco Bank Corp N Y acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard during the fourth quarter worth approximately $211,000. Finally, New Age Alpha Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 26,740.0% during the fourth quarter. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC now owns 10,736 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $5,653,000 after purchasing an additional 10,696 shares in the last quarter. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Mastercard Trading Up 2.7%

Shares of NYSE:MA traded up $15.17 during trading on Thursday, reaching $574.28. The stock had a trading volume of 2,348,771 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,814,134. The stock has a market cap of $523.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.28, a P/E/G ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 1.02. Mastercard Incorporated has a 52 week low of $439.59 and a 52 week high of $594.71. The firm's fifty day moving average is $564.74 and its 200 day moving average is $550.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.81, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.11.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The credit services provider reported $4.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.05 by $0.10. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.21% and a return on equity of 196.87%. The business's revenue was up 16.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.50 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 8th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.76 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 9th. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.53%. Mastercard's payout ratio is 21.32%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Mastercard

In other news, insider Raj Seshadri sold 1,100 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $546.77, for a total value of $601,447.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 12,921 shares in the company, valued at $7,064,815.17. This represents a 7.85% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Julius Genachowski sold 312 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the director owned 8,469 shares of the company's stock, 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. In the last three months, insiders have sold 38,753 shares of company stock worth $20,351,084. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently weighed in on MA. Truist Financial cut their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $640.00 to $612.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. They set a "buy" rating and a $650.00 price objective for the company. Macquarie reduced their target price on shares of Mastercard from $645.00 to $610.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Evercore ISI initiated coverage on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued an "in-line" rating and a $550.00 price objective for the company. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "buy" rating and set a $633.00 target price on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-five have given a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $612.90.

About Mastercard

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.