Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) Shares Purchased by Swedbank AB

Swedbank AB raised its stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) by 1.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,899,778 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after buying an additional 25,210 shares during the quarter. Mastercard comprises about 1.2% of Swedbank AB’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th biggest position. Swedbank AB’s holdings in Mastercard were worth $1,000,366,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Highline Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in Mastercard in the third quarter valued at $25,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the second quarter worth approximately $34,000. First Personal Financial Services purchased a new stake in Mastercard in the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Mastercard by 74.0% during the third quarter. Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 87 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard in the 3rd quarter valued at $54,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.28% of the company’s stock.

Mastercard Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of Mastercard stock traded up $0.75 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $548.11. The company had a trading volume of 178,529 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,469,605. The company has a market cap of $503.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 1.10. Mastercard Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $428.86 and a fifty-two week high of $551.55. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $525.85 and its 200-day moving average is $499.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a current ratio of 1.29.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The credit services provider reported $3.89 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.73 by $0.16. Mastercard had a return on equity of 178.27% and a net margin of 45.26%. The company had revenue of $7.37 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.27 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.39 EPS. Mastercard’s quarterly revenue was up 12.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 14.47 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 7th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 9th will be given a $0.76 dividend. This is an increase from Mastercard’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.55%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 10th. Mastercard’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.00%.

Mastercard declared that its board has approved a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, December 17th that authorizes the company to buyback $12.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the credit services provider to purchase up to 2.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually a sign that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently weighed in on MA shares. Piper Sandler increased their target price on Mastercard from $575.00 to $591.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on Mastercard from $533.00 to $567.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Mastercard from $572.00 to $584.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Seaport Res Ptn cut shares of Mastercard from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Mastercard from $496.00 to $532.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $567.29.

Mastercard 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.