Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) Shares Sold by Ardevora Asset Management LLP

Ardevora Asset Management LLP lowered its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 48.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 53,304 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 49,602 shares during the period. Mastercard comprises approximately 2.0% of Ardevora Asset Management LLP's holdings, making the stock its 8th largest position. Ardevora Asset Management LLP's holdings in Mastercard were worth $22,735,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. MCF Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 13.3% during the 4th quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 1,324 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $565,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares during the period. Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 17.6% during the 4th quarter. Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI now owns 5,212 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $2,223,000 after acquiring an additional 780 shares during the period. Cetera Trust Company N.A acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $144,000. Handelsbanken Fonder AB lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 20.0% during the 4th quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 592,257 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $252,604,000 after acquiring an additional 98,740 shares during the period. Finally, CWM LLC lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 24.2% during the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 37,544 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $16,013,000 after acquiring an additional 7,313 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Mastercard

In related news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 200 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $487.25, for a total transaction of $97,450.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 97,543,308 shares in the company, valued at approximately $47,527,976,823. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Mastercard news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 200 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $487.25, for a total value of $97,450.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 97,543,308 shares in the company, valued at approximately $47,527,976,823. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Ajay Bhalla sold 98 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, January 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $439.52, for a total transaction of $43,072.96. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 6,235 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,740,407.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 148,728 shares of company stock worth $68,483,403. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Mastercard Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE MA traded up $0.69 during trading on Friday, hitting $455.39. 2,548,844 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,169,012. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1 year low of $357.85 and a 1 year high of $490.00. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $471.70 and a 200-day moving average price of $434.36. The firm has a market capitalization of $424.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.49, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 31st. The credit services provider reported $3.18 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.08 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $6.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.46 billion. Mastercard had a net margin of 44.60% and a return on equity of 191.22%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.65 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 14.35 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, May 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.66 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 8th. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.58%. Mastercard's payout ratio is 22.32%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on MA shares. Susquehanna reissued a "positive" rating and set a $535.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Wednesday, April 3rd. Raymond James raised their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $452.00 to $504.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 1st. Mizuho reissued a "buy" rating and set a $480.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Wednesday, March 27th. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $525.00 to $545.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $504.00 to $520.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, April 15th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $490.23.

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.