Strategic Blueprint LLC Raises Stock Holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Strategic Blueprint LLC lifted its holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 31.5% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,367 shares of the credit services provider's stock after buying an additional 1,045 shares during the quarter. Strategic Blueprint LLC's holdings in Mastercard were worth $2,394,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of MA. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Mastercard during the fourth quarter worth approximately $31,000. Navigoe LLC purchased a new position in Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth $33,000. 10Elms LLP purchased a new position in Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Truvestments Capital LLC increased its holdings in Mastercard by 62.5% during the 4th quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 65 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the period. Finally, Mpwm Advisory Solutions LLC purchased a new position in Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth $36,000. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Mastercard Stock Up 0.9%

NYSE:MA opened at $566.53 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $516.51 billion, a PE ratio of 39.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 1.02. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $428.86 and a twelve month high of $594.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.81. The company's 50 day moving average is $566.83 and its two-hundred day moving average is $546.49.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last posted 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 business had revenue of $7.25 billion for 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%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.31 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS 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 $0.76 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 9th. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.54%. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio is currently 21.32%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Mastercard news, insider Craig Vosburg sold 9,428 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Friday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $353.05, for a total value of $3,328,555.40. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 58,451 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $20,636,125.55. This represents a 13.89% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Julius Genachowski sold 310 shares of the company'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 completion of the sale, the director owned 8,323 shares in the company, valued at $4,669,203. The trade was a 3.59% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 38,441 shares of company stock worth $20,173,035. Company insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have commented on MA. Wall Street Zen downgraded Mastercard from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, June 14th. Truist Financial began coverage on Mastercard in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. They set a "buy" rating and a $640.00 price target on the stock. KeyCorp raised their target price on shares of Mastercard from $630.00 to $635.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Mastercard from $650.00 to $652.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, May 5th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "buy" rating and set a $633.00 target price on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $611.50.

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.

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report).

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.