Smithfield Trust Co Reduces Stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Key Points

• Smithfield Trust Co reduced its stake in Mastercard Incorporated by 6.9%, now holding 7,443 shares valued at approximately $4.08 million following the sale of 550 shares.
• Mastercard recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.76, which will be paid to shareholders of record on July 9th, representing an annualized yield of 0.5%.
• Several analysts have upgraded Mastercard's target price, with UBS Group increasing it from $660 to $670, while the stock is currently rated as a "Moderate Buy" with an average target price of $615.33.

Smithfield Trust Co lessened its holdings in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 6.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,443 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 550 shares during the period. Smithfield Trust Co's holdings in Mastercard were worth $4,077,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MA. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Navigoe LLC acquired a new stake in Mastercard in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 10Elms LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC acquired a new stake in Mastercard in the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Mpwm Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Mastercard during the fourth quarter worth $36,000. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on MA shares. UBS Group increased their target price on Mastercard from $660.00 to $670.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. Macquarie cut their target price on shares of Mastercard from $645.00 to $610.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Mastercard from $639.00 to $661.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday. Evercore ISI started coverage on shares of Mastercard in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set an "in-line" rating and a $550.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $650.00 to $652.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, May 5th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-five have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Mastercard has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $615.33.

Mastercard Price Performance

Shares of MA opened at $559.73 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $510.31 billion, a PE ratio of 37.74, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.41, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The company's 50-day moving average is $564.58 and its 200-day moving average is $551.95. Mastercard Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $439.59 and a fifty-two week high of $594.71.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The credit services provider reported $4.15 EPS 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 company had revenue of $8.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.95 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $3.50 earnings per share. Mastercard's revenue was up 16.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 8th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 9th will be given a $0.76 dividend. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 9th. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio is 21.32%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Mastercard

In other news, insider Craig Vosburg sold 14,051 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $585.05, for a total value of $8,220,537.55. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 58,451 shares of the company's stock, valued at $34,196,757.55. The trade was a 19.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Raj Seshadri sold 1,100 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $546.77, for a total transaction of $601,447.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 12,921 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,064,815.17. This trade represents a 7.85% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 38,753 shares of company stock valued at $20,351,084. 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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