Morningstar Investment Services LLC Sells 13,744 Shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Morningstar Investment Services LLC trimmed its stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 60.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 9,175 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 13,744 shares during the period. Mastercard comprises about 0.9% of Morningstar Investment Services LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 25th largest position. Morningstar Investment Services LLC's holdings in Mastercard were worth $5,029,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MA. Brighton Jones LLC grew its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 42.3% during the fourth 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 last quarter. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG grew its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 11.8% during the fourth quarter. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG now owns 70,472 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $37,108,000 after purchasing an additional 7,452 shares during the last quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 51.6% during the fourth quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 2,954 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $1,555,000 after purchasing an additional 1,006 shares during the last quarter. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the fourth quarter worth $73,000. Finally, Trustco Bank Corp N Y acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard during the fourth quarter valued at $211,000. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Mastercard Stock Performance

Shares of MA stock traded up $4.52 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $557.18. 1,138,762 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,659,639. 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 Incorporated has a 12-month low of $428.86 and a 12-month high of $594.71. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $567.30 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $548.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $507.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.10, a P/E/G ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 1.02.

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

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Activity at Mastercard

In related news, insider Craig Vosburg sold 14,051 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $585.05, for a total value of $8,220,537.55. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 58,451 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $34,196,757.55. This trade represents a 19.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Raj Seshadri sold 1,100 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, June 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $546.77, for a total transaction of $601,447.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 12,921 shares in the company, valued at $7,064,815.17. This represents a 7.85% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 38,753 shares of company stock worth $20,351,084. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Citigroup raised their price target on Mastercard from $650.00 to $652.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, May 5th. Monness Crespi & Hardt cut Mastercard from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Seaport Res Ptn raised Mastercard from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, July 14th. KeyCorp lifted their price objective on Mastercard from $630.00 to $635.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $633.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-five have assigned a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Mastercard currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $612.90.

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.