Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) Shares Sold by America First Investment Advisors LLC

America First Investment Advisors LLC reduced its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) by 2.4% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 44,281 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after selling 1,081 shares during the period. Mastercard accounts for about 5.1% of America First Investment Advisors LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 10th largest holding. America First Investment Advisors LLC’s holdings in Mastercard were worth $23,317,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. raised its holdings in Mastercard by 178.0% in the fourth quarter. Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. now owns 3,811 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $2,007,000 after buying an additional 2,440 shares during the period. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. increased its position in shares of Mastercard by 8.1% in the fourth quarter. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. now owns 1,929 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,016,000 after acquiring an additional 144 shares in the last quarter. Financial Counselors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Mastercard by 4.6% in the 4th quarter. Financial Counselors Inc. now owns 11,210 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $5,903,000 after acquiring an additional 494 shares during the period. Summitry LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Summitry LLC now owns 144,208 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $75,936,000 after acquiring an additional 1,132 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter valued at $281,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Mastercard news, insider Edward Grunde Mclaughlin sold 7,132 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $534.68, for a total value of $3,813,337.76. Following the sale, the insider now owns 34,524 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,459,292.32. This trade represents a 17.12 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Mastercard Trading Up 0.2 %

Mastercard stock opened at $544.74 on Wednesday. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1 year low of $428.86 and a 1 year high of $582.23. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $549.05 and its 200-day moving average is $525.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03. The company has a market cap of $496.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.22, a PEG 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 (EPS) 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, equities analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

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

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 9th. Investors 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.56%. Mastercard’s dividend payout ratio is currently 21.89%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on MA shares. Citigroup raised their price objective on Mastercard from $584.00 to $650.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Raymond James reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $640.00 target price (up from $614.00) on shares of Mastercard in a report on Friday, January 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Susquehanna increased their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $605.00 to $670.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted 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 issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $606.11.

About Mastercard

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.