466 Shares in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) Acquired by Elser Financial Planning Inc

Elser Financial Planning Inc purchased a new position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 466 shares of the credit services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $245,000.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brown Miller Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Mastercard by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. Brown Miller Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,920 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,442,000 after buying an additional 115 shares in the last quarter. Montis Financial LLC lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 72.6% during the third quarter. Montis Financial LLC now owns 1,427 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $705,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares in the last quarter. Mechanics Bank Trust Department raised its position in shares of Mastercard by 0.9% in the 3rd quarter. Mechanics Bank Trust Department now owns 5,234 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $2,585,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. Retirement Planning Group LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard during the third quarter valued at $319,000. Finally, Carnegie Investment Counsel boosted its position in Mastercard by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Carnegie Investment Counsel now owns 115,821 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $57,192,000 after purchasing an additional 596 shares during the period. 97.28% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. Piper Sandler reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $635.00 price target (up previously from $591.00) on shares of Mastercard in a report on Friday, January 31st. Macquarie upped their target price on shares of Mastercard from $565.00 to $645.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. DZ Bank raised Mastercard from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $620.00 price objective for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Monness Crespi & Hardt raised shares of Mastercard from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $640.00 target price for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Finally, William Blair reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Mastercard presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $603.08.

Mastercard Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE MA opened at $562.55 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. Mastercard Incorporated has a 52-week low of $428.86 and a 52-week high of $576.94. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $531.61 and a 200-day moving average of $505.53. The stock has a market capitalization of $516.33 billion, a PE ratio of 40.50, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.10.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The credit services provider reported $3.82 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.71 by $0.11. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.71% and a return on equity of 188.47%. On average, analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.98 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 7th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 9th were given a $0.76 dividend. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.54%. This is an increase from Mastercard’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 10th. Mastercard’s payout ratio is currently 21.89%.

Mastercard announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, December 17th that allows the company to repurchase $12.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the credit services provider to reacquire up to 2.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

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.