Loring Wolcott & Coolidge Fiduciary Advisors LLP MA Reduces Holdings in Mastercard

Loring Wolcott & Coolidge Fiduciary Advisors LLP MA has recently adjusted its investment in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report), reducing its holdings by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. This update comes from the firm's latest filing with the SEC, revealing that they now possess 1,468,178 shares of Mastercard, down from the previous quarter's total by 18,326 shares. Mastercard holds a significant position in Loring Wolcott & Coolidge Fiduciary Advisors' portfolio, accounting for approximately 7.0%, making it their second-largest investment. As of the most recent reporting period, the value of their Mastercard shares stands at approximately $804,033,000, representing about 0.16% of the company.

Other Institutional Investments

In addition to Loring Wolcott & Coolidge, several other institutional investors have also engaged in buying and selling Mastercard shares. Highline Wealth Partners LLC made a new investment in Mastercard worth around $25,000 in the third quarter, while First Personal Financial Services also acquired a new position valued at about $39,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC and Raelipskie Partnership have also increased their stakes, with Raelipskie adding 60 shares, now owning a total of 110 shares worth approximately $54,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC similarly added a new stake valued at approximately $55,000. Overall, institutional and hedge fund ownership of Mastercard is substantial, totaling 97.28% of the company's stocks.

Price Target Adjustments by Analysts

Several financial research firms have provided updates on Mastercard, adjusting their price targets. Barclays raised its target from $595.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating. Robert W. Baird increased its estimate from $545.00 to $575.00 while rating the stock as "outperform." Citigroup also boosted its price target for Mastercardfrom $584.00 to $650.00, indicating a "buy" rating. Furthermore, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo have increased their price objectives to $610.00 and $625.00, respectively. Within the analyst community, Mastercard holds an average rating of "Moderate Buy," with a consensus price target of approximately $603.08.

Mastercard's Stock Performance and Financial Highlights

As of the latest trading session, Mastercard's share price opened at $562.55. The company's stock performance indicates a 50-day simple moving average of $531.61 and a 200-day simple moving average of $505.09. Mastercard has reported a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, alongside a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.29. Over the past year, the stock has fluctuated, reaching a low of $428.86 and a high of $576.94, leading to a market capitalization of approximately $516.33 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.50.

Recent Earnings and Dividend Increases

Mastercard's latest quarterly earnings, announced on January 30th, displayed strong performance, reporting an EPS of $3.82, exceeding analysts' expectations of $3.71. The company reported impressive return on equity at 188.47%, alongside a net profit margin of 45.71%. Looking ahead, analysts predict an EPS of 15.98 for Mastercard in the current fiscal year.

Moreover, Mastercard has recently declared a dividend, which was paid out on February 7th. Shareholders of record on January 9th received a dividend of $0.76 per share, a notable increase from the previous $0.66. This reflects a growing commitment to returning value to shareholders, with the annualized dividend now at $3.04, corresponding to a yield of 0.54% and a payout ratio of 21.89%.

Share Buyback Program Announcement

In a strategic decision, Mastercard's board has authorized a share repurchase program, allowing the company to buy back up to $12.00 billion in shares. This repurchase program aims to procure approximately 2.5% of outstanding shares through open market purchases, signaling that the board views the stock as a worthwhile investment.

Mastercard Company Overview

Mastercard Incorporated functions as a technology-driven company that provides transaction processing and payment-related services both domestically and internationally. Its wide array of offerings includes payment solutions such as credit, debit, and prepaid cards, as well as value-added services tailored for various stakeholders, including consumers, merchants, and financial institutions.

Investment, Market, Finance