Equities research analysts expect that Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) will post sales of $4.02 billion for the current quarter, according to Zacks Investment Research. Thirteen analysts have issued estimates for Mastercard‘s earnings, with the highest sales estimate coming in at $4.16 billion and the lowest estimate coming in at $3.95 billion. Mastercard posted sales of $4.41 billion during the same quarter last year, which would indicate a negative year over year growth rate of 8.8%. The firm is scheduled to issue its next quarterly earnings report on Wednesday, February 3rd.
On average, analysts expect that Mastercard will report full-year sales of $15.20 billion for the current financial year, with estimates ranging from $15.13 billion to $15.34 billion. For the next financial year, analysts forecast that the business will post sales of $18.01 billion, with estimates ranging from $16.93 billion to $19.64 billion. Zacks Investment Research’s sales calculations are a mean average based on a survey of sell-side research analysts that follow Mastercard.
Mastercard (NYSE:MA) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 28th. The credit services provider reported $1.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.65 by ($0.05). Mastercard had a net margin of 43.13% and a return on equity of 114.80%. The company had revenue of $3.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.94 billion.
MA has been the subject of several research analyst reports. 140166 boosted their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $360.00 to $395.00 and gave the company a “positive” rating in a research report on Thursday, September 10th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on shares of Mastercard from $305.00 to $330.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. Smith Barney Citigroup lowered their price target on shares of Mastercard from $384.00 to $355.00 in a report on Thursday, October 29th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on shares of Mastercard from $350.00 to $372.00 in a report on Thursday, October 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Mastercard from $372.00 to $342.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and twenty-eight have issued a buy rating to the company. The stock presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $346.91.
In related news, major shareholder Foundation Mastercard sold 30,100 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $335.86, for a total value of $10,109,386.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 109,697,713 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $36,843,073,888.18. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 511,710 shares of company stock worth $162,412,135. 3.79% of the stock is owned by insiders.
Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its stake in Mastercard by 5.1% in the 3rd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 66,668 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $22,892,000 after buying an additional 3,210 shares during the last quarter. First PREMIER Bank increased its stake in shares of Mastercard by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. First PREMIER Bank now owns 13,420 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $4,538,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. WealthPLAN Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Mastercard by 15.5% during the 2nd quarter. WealthPLAN Partners LLC now owns 16,973 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $5,536,000 after purchasing an additional 2,275 shares during the last quarter. Avalon Investment & Advisory increased its stake in shares of Mastercard by 8.2% during the 3rd quarter. Avalon Investment & Advisory now owns 7,269 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $2,458,000 after purchasing an additional 553 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Amussen Hunsaker Associates LLC increased its stake in shares of Mastercard by 13.9% during the 3rd quarter. Amussen Hunsaker Associates LLC now owns 4,304 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,455,000 after purchasing an additional 526 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.87% of the company’s stock.
Shares of MA opened at $356.94 on Friday. Mastercard has a one year low of $199.99 and a one year high of $367.25. The company has a market cap of $355.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 53.51, a P/E/G ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.15, a current ratio of 1.85 and a quick ratio of 1.85. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $336.66 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $326.06.
Mastercard declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Tuesday, December 8th that allows the company to repurchase $6.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the credit services provider to buy up to 1.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.
The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 9th. Investors of record on Friday, January 8th will be given a $0.44 dividend. This is a boost from Mastercard‘s previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 7th. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.49%. Mastercard‘s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.59%.
Mastercard Company Profile
Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. It facilitates the processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing, and settlement, as well as delivers related products and services.
Further Reading: Options Trading – What is a Straddle?
Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on Mastercard (MA)
For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat’s editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected]
7 Clean Energy Stocks With A Bright Future
The debate over renewable energy (i.e., clean energy) versus nonrenewable energy derived from fossil fuels was always going to come down to dollars and cents. Since 2016, things haven’t been easy for renewable energy companies. As the United States pushed towards energy independence, the Trump administration imposed tariffs on the industrial segments. The sector was subject to less favorable policies by electricity regulators. Plus, competing energy sources like coal received more help.
But a funny thing happened over the past four years. Renewable energy companies continued to grow. This is continuing a pattern that renewable sources of energy are becoming cost-competitive for businesses. And that is increasing demand.
One of the best parts of this sector for investors is that there are many ways to play the sector. In addition to solar and wind, hydrogen stocks are becoming an intriguing way to invest in renewable energy.
So rather than looking at this election as a choice between bad and good, investors should really be viewing it as a case of “good or better.” Because no matter who wins the election, clean energy stocks will continue to grow.
View the “7 Clean Energy Stocks With A Bright Future”.
