Dominguez Wealth Management Solutions Inc. Raises Stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Dominguez Wealth Management Solutions Inc. raised its holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) by 4.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 821 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 34 shares during the quarter. Dominguez Wealth Management Solutions Inc.’s holdings in Mastercard were worth $432,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in MA. Highline Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Mastercard during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the second quarter worth approximately $34,000. First Personal Financial Services acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the third quarter worth $39,000. Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Mastercard by 74.0% in the 3rd quarter. Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 87 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Mastercard in the 3rd quarter valued at $54,000. 97.28% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Mastercard Trading Up 0.4 %

Mastercard stock opened at $525.22 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $524.27 and a 200 day moving average price of $493.64. Mastercard Incorporated has a 52 week low of $427.45 and a 52 week high of $537.70. The stock has a market cap of $482.06 billion, a PE ratio of 39.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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 business had revenue of $7.37 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.27 billion. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.26% and a return on equity of 178.27%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 12.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.39 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 14.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 7th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 9th will be issued 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 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.58%. Mastercard’s payout ratio is 19.97%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Oppenheimer lowered their target price on shares of Mastercard from $591.00 to $588.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 19th. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Mastercard from $564.00 to $654.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 18th. Barclays raised their price target on Mastercard from $536.00 to $576.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, October 10th. Citigroup upped their price objective on Mastercard from $572.00 to $584.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, UBS Group increased their price objective on Mastercard from $590.00 to $610.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-two have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Mastercard presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price 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.