Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. Grows Stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) by 17.2% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 16,702 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after buying an additional 2,452 shares during the quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Mastercard were worth $8,795,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of MA. Highline Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new position in Mastercard in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $34,000. First Personal Financial Services acquired a new stake in Mastercard during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 74.0% in the 3rd quarter. Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 87 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Mastercard in the third quarter valued at approximately $55,000. 97.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Mastercard Stock Up 0.0 %

NYSE MA opened at $522.59 on Thursday. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $425.48 and a twelve month high of $537.70. The stock has a market cap of $479.65 billion, a PE ratio of 39.53, a PEG ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 1.10. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $524.14 and a 200 day simple moving average of $493.23. 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 announced its quarterly earnings data 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. The company had revenue of $7.37 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.27 billion. Mastercard had a return on equity of 178.27% and a net margin of 45.26%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 12.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.39 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 14.46 EPS for the current year.

Mastercard announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, December 17th that authorizes the company to repurchase $12.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the credit services provider to buy up to 2.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 7th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 9th will be paid a $0.76 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 10th. 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 0.58%. Mastercard’s payout ratio is currently 19.97%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on MA. Seaport Res Ptn lowered shares of Mastercard from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday. TD Cowen lifted their price target on Mastercard from $533.00 to $567.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 15th. William Blair restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Monday, November 25th. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, November 14th. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their target price on shares of Mastercard from $545.00 to $575.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Mastercard has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $566.63.

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.