Semus Wealth Partners LLC Buys 155 Shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Semus Wealth Partners LLC boosted its stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) by 5.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 3,230 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 155 shares during the period. Mastercard accounts for 1.1% of Semus Wealth Partners LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest holding. Semus Wealth Partners LLC’s holdings in Mastercard were worth $1,701,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. SilverOak Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter worth about $214,000. Beirne Wealth Consulting Services LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard in the fourth quarter worth approximately $211,000. Atlas Legacy Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Mastercard in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $749,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust bought a new position in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth approximately $89,000. Finally, Callahan Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Mastercard by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Callahan Advisors LLC now owns 25,277 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $13,310,000 after buying an additional 449 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the company’s stock.

Mastercard Price Performance

Mastercard stock opened at $567.90 on Wednesday. Mastercard Incorporated has a 52 week low of $428.86 and a 52 week high of $576.94. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $537.10 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $511.77. The stock has a market cap of $521.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.89, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The credit services provider reported $3.82 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.71 by $0.11. Mastercard had a return on equity of 188.47% and a net margin of 45.71%. On average, equities analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 9th will be issued a $0.76 dividend. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.54%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 9th. Mastercard’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.89%.

Mastercard declared that its board has authorized a share buyback plan on Tuesday, December 17th that authorizes the company to repurchase $12.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the credit services provider to repurchase up to 2.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on MA shares. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $572.00 to $650.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $496.00 to $532.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Mastercard from $654.00 to $644.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Susquehanna increased their price target on Mastercard from $605.00 to $670.00 and gave the stock a “positive” rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on Mastercard from $618.00 to $665.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Mastercard currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $606.11.

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.