Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) Shares Bought by Heritage Trust Co

Key Points

• Heritage Trust Co increased its stake in Mastercard by 20.8%, acquiring an additional 616 shares, resulting in total holdings valued at approximately $1.96 million.
• Mastercard's recent earnings report showed earnings per share of $4.15, exceeding analyst expectations, with a revenue of $8.13 billion for the quarter, marking a 16.8% year-over-year increase.
• Multiple analysts raised their price targets for Mastercard, with the consensus target price now at $615.33, and the stock is currently rated as a "Moderate Buy."

Heritage Trust Co grew its stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 20.8% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 3,576 shares of the credit services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 616 shares during the period. Heritage Trust Co's holdings in Mastercard were worth $1,960,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Navigoe LLC purchased a new position in shares of Mastercard during the fourth quarter valued at $33,000. 10Elms LLP purchased a new position in shares of Mastercard during the fourth quarter valued at $33,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in Mastercard during the first quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Mpwm Advisory Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in Mastercard in the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on Mastercard from $650.00 to $656.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Mastercard from $625.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday. Macquarie cut their price objective on Mastercard from $645.00 to $610.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 2nd. UBS Group increased their price objective on Mastercard from $660.00 to $670.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, June 3rd. Finally, Wolfe Research set a $655.00 price objective on Mastercard in a report on Monday, June 23rd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-five have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $615.33.

Mastercard Stock Down 1.2%

MA stock opened at $559.73 on Friday. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $439.59 and a twelve month high of $594.71. The company has a market cap of $510.31 billion, a PE ratio of 37.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.03. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $564.58 and its 200 day simple moving average is $551.95. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.41.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The credit services provider reported $4.15 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 the consensus estimate of $7.95 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.50 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 16.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 8th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 9th will be given a dividend of $0.76 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 9th. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.32%.

Insider Transactions at Mastercard

In related news, insider Craig Vosburg sold 9,428 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $353.05, for a total transaction of $3,328,555.40. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 58,451 shares of the company's stock, valued at $20,636,125.55. This trade represents a 13.89% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Julius Genachowski sold 312 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $570.67, for a total value of $178,049.04. Following the sale, the director directly owned 8,469 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,833,004.23. This trade represents a 3.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 38,753 shares of company stock valued at $20,351,084 in the last ninety days. 0.09% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.