Sather Financial Group Inc Purchases 290 Shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Sather Financial Group Inc boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) by 0.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 97,902 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after buying an additional 290 shares during the quarter. Mastercard makes up approximately 3.2% of Sather Financial Group Inc’s portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest position. Sather Financial Group Inc’s holdings in Mastercard were worth $51,552,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of MA. Highline Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Mastercard during the third quarter valued at about $25,000. First Personal Financial Services purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $39,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Mastercard during the third quarter valued at about $54,000. Raelipskie Partnership grew its position in shares of Mastercard by 120.0% in the third quarter. Raelipskie Partnership now owns 110 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in Mastercard in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $55,000. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Mastercard Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of NYSE:MA opened at $564.79 on Wednesday. Mastercard Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $428.86 and a fifty-two week high of $576.94. The company has a market cap of $518.38 billion, a PE ratio of 40.66, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.10. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $532.30 and its 200 day moving average price is $507.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The credit services provider reported $3.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.71 by $0.11. Mastercard had a return on equity of 188.47% and a net margin of 45.71%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.98 earnings per share for the current year.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

The firm 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. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 9th. 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.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MA has been the subject of several research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on Mastercard from $618.00 to $665.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on shares of Mastercard from $510.00 to $580.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Mastercard from $545.00 to $575.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. William Blair reissued an “outperform” rating on shares of Mastercard in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Mastercard from $600.00 to $660.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Mastercard presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $603.08.

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.