Mastercard (NYSE:MA) Releases Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.16 EPS

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The credit services provider reported $3.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.57 by $0.16, Zacks reports. The business had revenue of $7.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.12 billion. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.71% and a return on equity of 188.47%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.31 earnings per share.

Mastercard Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MA traded up $12.55 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $559.18. The stock had a trading volume of 2,632,574 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,614,807. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $532.33 and its 200 day simple moving average is $531.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $509.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.26, a PEG ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03. Mastercard has a 1-year low of $428.86 and a 1-year high of $582.23.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 9th will be given a $0.76 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 9th. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.54%. Mastercard's dividend payout ratio is presently 21.89%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $633.00 price target on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Piper Sandler restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $635.00 target price (up from $591.00) on shares of Mastercard in a report on Friday, January 31st. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Mastercard from $585.00 to $625.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $584.00 to $650.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Mastercard from $654.00 to $644.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-three have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $606.18.

Insider Transactions at Mastercard

In related news, insider Edward Grunde Mclaughlin sold 7,132 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $534.68, for a total value of $3,813,337.76. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 34,524 shares in the company, valued at $18,459,292.32. This represents a 17.12 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Michael Miebach sold 15,775 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $550.16, for a total transaction of $8,678,774.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 84,871 shares in the company, valued at $46,692,629.36. This trade represents a 15.67 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Mastercard stock. Brighton Jones LLC grew its position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 42.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 6,824 shares of the credit services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 2,028 shares during the quarter. Brighton Jones LLC's holdings in Mastercard were worth $3,594,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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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