Aurora Private Wealth Inc. Increases Stock Position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Aurora Private Wealth Inc. increased its stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) by 6,956.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 27,026 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 26,643 shares during the period. Aurora Private Wealth Inc.’s holdings in Mastercard were worth $14,813,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. NewSquare Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. purchased a new position in Mastercard during the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Mastercard in the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. 10Elms LLP bought a new position in shares of Mastercard in the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Navigoe LLC purchased a new position in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Institutional investors own 97.28% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have weighed in on MA shares. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $650.00 to $652.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, May 5th. Monness Crespi & Hardt cut shares of Mastercard from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Evercore ISI began coverage on Mastercard in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued an “in-line” rating and a $550.00 price objective on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Friday, June 6th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on Mastercard from $660.00 to $670.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 3rd. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $610.00.

Insider Activity

In other Mastercard news, insider Craig Vosburg sold 14,051 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $585.05, for a total transaction of $8,220,537.55. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 58,451 shares in the company, valued at approximately $34,196,757.55. This represents a 19.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Sandra A. Arkell sold 150 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $580.00, for a total value of $87,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 3,255 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,887,900. The trade was a 4.41% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 35,115 shares of company stock worth $18,324,718. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the company’s stock.

Mastercard Trading Up 2.8%

NYSE:MA opened at $557.69 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $561.13 and a 200-day simple moving average of $545.00. Mastercard Incorporated has a one year low of $428.86 and a one year high of $594.71. The firm has a market cap of $508.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.11, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.81, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.11.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The credit services provider reported $3.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.57 by $0.16. Mastercard had a return on equity of 196.87% and a net margin of 45.21%. The business had revenue of $7.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.12 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.31 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 8th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 9th will be given a dividend of $0.76 per share. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.55%. Mastercard’s payout ratio is 21.32%.

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.