Western Financial Corp CA Purchases 1,108 Shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Western Financial Corp CA increased its holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 64.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,839 shares of the credit services provider's stock after buying an additional 1,108 shares during the period. Mastercard accounts for approximately 0.9% of Western Financial Corp CA's portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest holding. Western Financial Corp CA's holdings in Mastercard were worth $1,556,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. NewSquare Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. purchased a new position in Mastercard in the fourth quarter worth $31,000. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC bought a new position in Mastercard in the fourth quarter valued at $32,000. Navigoe LLC bought a new position in Mastercard in the fourth quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, 10Elms LLP purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the fourth quarter valued at about $33,000. Institutional investors own 97.28% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Mastercard

In other Mastercard news, insider Sandra A. Arkell sold 150 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $580.00, for a total transaction of $87,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 3,255 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,887,900. This trade represents a 4.41% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Craig Vosburg sold 14,051 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $585.05, for a total transaction of $8,220,537.55. Following the sale, the insider now owns 58,451 shares in the company, valued at approximately $34,196,757.55. The trade was a 19.38% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 35,115 shares of company stock valued at $18,324,718. Company insiders own 0.09% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently commented on MA. Macquarie reduced their price objective on Mastercard from $645.00 to $610.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Tigress Financial restated a "strong-buy" rating on shares of Mastercard in a report on Monday, March 10th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Mastercard from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, June 14th. Evercore ISI assumed coverage on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued an "in-line" rating and a $550.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Mastercard in a report on Friday, June 6th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $610.00.

Mastercard Stock Down 1.3%

Shares of Mastercard stock opened at $550.02 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $501.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.05. The company's 50 day moving average is $561.86 and its 200 day moving average is $545.04. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $428.86 and a twelve month high of $594.71. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.81.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 net margin of 45.21% and a return on equity of 196.87%. The company had revenue of $7.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.12 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.31 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

The business 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.55%. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.32%.

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.

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