Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) Shares Sold by Pegasus Asset Management Inc.

Pegasus Asset Management Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) by 0.5% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 17,112 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after selling 94 shares during the quarter. Mastercard accounts for approximately 3.4% of Pegasus Asset Management Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th biggest holding. Pegasus Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Mastercard were worth $9,011,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Lyell Wealth Management LP increased its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 3.4% during the fourth quarter. Lyell Wealth Management LP now owns 15,578 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $8,203,000 after acquiring an additional 515 shares in the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 2.4% in the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 11,968 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $6,302,000 after buying an additional 285 shares in the last quarter. Semus Wealth Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 5.0% in the 4th quarter. Semus Wealth Partners LLC now owns 3,230 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,701,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares during the last quarter. SilverOak Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Mastercard in the 4th quarter valued at about $214,000. Finally, Beirne Wealth Consulting Services LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth approximately $211,000. Institutional investors own 97.28% of the company’s stock.

Mastercard Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE MA opened at $567.90 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $521.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.89, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.10. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $537.10 and its 200 day moving average is $511.77. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1-year low of $428.86 and a 1-year high of $576.94.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The credit services provider reported $3.82 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.71 by $0.11. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.71% and a return on equity of 188.47%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 9th will be given a dividend of $0.76 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 9th. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.54%. Mastercard’s payout ratio is 21.89%.

Mastercard announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase 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 stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently issued reports on MA. Citigroup lifted their target price on Mastercard from $584.00 to $650.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $533.00 to $567.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 15th. Susquehanna increased their target price on shares of Mastercard from $605.00 to $670.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $550.00 to $565.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on shares of Mastercard from $618.00 to $665.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Four investment 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 company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price 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.