Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. Buys 14,279 Shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 13.0% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 124,288 shares of the credit services provider's stock after buying an additional 14,279 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd.'s holdings in Mastercard were worth $65,383,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. NewSquare Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. 10Elms LLP acquired a new stake in Mastercard in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Navigoe LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard during the fourth quarter worth approximately $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the company's stock.

Mastercard Price Performance

Mastercard stock traded up $6.21 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $552.02. 3,836,616 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,661,414. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.81. The business has a fifty day moving average of $563.13 and a 200 day moving average of $545.44. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1-year low of $428.86 and a 1-year high of $594.71. The company has a market capitalization of $503.28 billion, a PE ratio of 38.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 1.05.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The credit services provider reported $3.73 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.57 by $0.16. Mastercard had a return on equity of 196.87% and a net margin of 45.21%. The company had revenue of $7.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.12 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.31 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 8th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 9th will be issued a $0.76 dividend. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 9th. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio is 21.32%.

Insider Activity at Mastercard

In related news, Director Julius Genachowski sold 310 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $561.00, for a total value of $173,910.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 8,323 shares in the company, valued at $4,669,203. This trade represents a 3.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Sandra A. Arkell sold 150 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $569.45, for a total value of $85,417.50. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 3,555 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,024,394.75. This trade represents a 4.05% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 36,383 shares of company stock worth $19,035,108 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have commented on MA. Wolfe Research set a $655.00 price target on Mastercard in a report on Monday, June 23rd. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $650.00 to $652.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, May 5th. Evercore ISI assumed coverage on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set an "in-line" rating and a $550.00 target price for the company. Jefferies Financial Group restated a "buy" rating on shares of Mastercard in a report on Friday, June 6th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $633.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Mastercard currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $611.50.

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.