CFM Wealth Partners LLC Increases Stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

CFM Wealth Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) by 0.9% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 14,690 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 134 shares during the period. Mastercard makes up about 1.3% of CFM Wealth Partners LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 19th biggest holding. CFM Wealth Partners LLC’s holdings in Mastercard were worth $7,735,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Highline Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. First Personal Financial Services bought a new stake in Mastercard in the third quarter worth $39,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard in the third quarter worth $54,000. Raelipskie Partnership lifted its position in Mastercard by 120.0% in the third quarter. Raelipskie Partnership now owns 110 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $54,000 after buying an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the third quarter worth $55,000. Institutional investors own 97.28% of the company’s stock.

Mastercard Stock Down 1.8 %

MA opened at $555.63 on Monday. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12 month low of $428.86 and a 12 month high of $576.94. The stock has a market cap of $509.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.00, a P/E/G ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 1.10. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $528.28 and its 200 day moving average price is $501.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.29.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) last issued its 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 return on equity of 188.47% and a net margin of 45.71%. As a group, research analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 16.04 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 7th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 9th will be paid a $0.76 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 10th. This is a positive change from Mastercard’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.55%. Mastercard’s payout ratio is presently 21.89%.

Mastercard announced that its board has authorized a share repurchase program on Tuesday, December 17th that permits the company to buyback $12.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the credit services provider to repurchase up to 2.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently weighed in on MA. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Mastercard from $572.00 to $650.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Raymond James reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $640.00 target price (up previously from $614.00) on shares of Mastercard in a report on Friday. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on Mastercard from $550.00 to $565.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, November 14th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on Mastercard from $600.00 to $660.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-three have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $595.64.

Mastercard Company 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.