Simplicity Wealth LLC Sells 4,775 Shares of Mastercard Incorporated $MA

Simplicity Wealth LLC cut its holdings in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) by 37.8% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,870 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after selling 4,775 shares during the quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC’s holdings in Mastercard were worth $4,477,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. LGT Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in Mastercard during the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. IMG Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Mastercard in the 2nd quarter worth $31,000. Robbins Farley grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 50.0% during the 3rd quarter. Robbins Farley now owns 54 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 18 shares during the period. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC raised its position in Mastercard by 45.2% in the second quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 61 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 19 shares during the period. 97.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Mastercard Stock Performance

NYSE:MA opened at $527.57 on Thursday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $555.69 and its 200 day moving average price is $565.85. Mastercard Incorporated has a 12 month low of $465.59 and a 12 month high of $601.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 1.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $473.75 billion, a PE ratio of 33.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.86.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The credit services provider reported $4.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.31 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $8.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.53 billion. Mastercard had a return on equity of 202.03% and a net margin of 45.28%.The business’s revenue was up 16.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.89 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 9th. Investors of record on Friday, January 9th will be issued a $0.87 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 9th. This is an increase from Mastercard’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.76. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. Mastercard’s payout ratio is 22.25%.

Mastercard News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Mastercard this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Mastercard is weighing an investment in crypto infrastructure firm ZeroHash after acquisition talks fell through, signaling continued push into crypto rails and new revenue streams. Mastercard weighs investment in ZeroHash after $2 billion acquisition talks fall through
• Positive Sentiment: Partnership with Agoda to modernize travel loyalty programs could boost transaction volume and card usage in travel spend, supporting longer-term TPV growth. Agoda and Mastercard modernise loyalty programmes
• Positive Sentiment: Mastercard and iScore are studying a new scoring model for Egypt’s digital lending market, expanding addressable markets in MENA and potential data-driven revenue opportunities. Mastercard and iscore join forces to study building a new scoring model powering Egypt’s digital lending future
• Neutral Sentiment: Upcoming quarterly earnings scheduled for Thursday are the main near-term catalyst; investors will watch revenue, EPS vs. elevated expectations, and guidance. Mastercard (MA) to Release Quarterly Earnings on Thursday
• Neutral Sentiment: CEO commentary and company initiatives around AI and cybersecurity (calling AI a “cyber arms race”) highlight management focus on fraud/security — supportive long term but not an immediate revenue driver. Mastercard CEO Says AI Is Fueling a Cyber Arms Race With Hackers
• Neutral Sentiment: Announced hire of an Optus executive as VP of marketing and communications — a routine talent move to bolster regional marketing efforts. Mastercard appoints Optus exec as VP of marketing and comms
• Negative Sentiment: Brazil’s central bank ordered liquidation of a lender tied to the Banco Master group and Mastercard suspended related cards — a direct operational hit in Brazil that can depress TPV and raise short-term risk/uncertainty in the market. Brazil central bank liquidates Banco Master’s Will as Mastercard suspends cards
• Negative Sentiment: Founder of London fintech Guavapay quit ahead of a court battle with Mastercard, flagging litigation and regulatory risk tied to a partner/third-party dispute. London fintech Guavapay founder quits ahead of Mastercard court battle
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst pieces comparing Visa and Mastercard tilt toward Visa as a more attractive pick (scale, margins, valuation), which can weigh on sentiment for MA shares. Visa vs. Mastercard: Which Payments Giant Looks More Attractive Now?

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. TD Cowen reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating and set a $713.00 price target on shares of Mastercard in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Hsbc Global Res raised Mastercard from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, Tigress Financial increased their price target on shares of Mastercard from $685.00 to $730.00 and gave the company a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have assigned a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $661.24.

Mastercard Company Profile

Mastercard Incorporated is a global payments technology company that operates a network connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. The company facilitates electronic payments and transaction processing for credit, debit and prepaid card products carrying the Mastercard brand, while also providing a range of payment-related services to issuers, acquirers and merchants. Its technology and network enable authorization, clearing and settlement of payments and support a broad set of use cases including point-of-sale, e-commerce and mobile payments.

Beyond core transaction processing, Mastercard offers a suite of value-added services such as fraud and risk management, identity and authentication tools, tokenization and digital wallet support, cross-border and commercial payment solutions, and data analytics and consulting services for merchants and financial partners.