On Friday, Susquehanna maintained a Positive rating on MasterCard (NYSE: MA) shares and raised the price target to $605 from the previous $540. This adjustment reflects the company's third-quarter earnings, which surpassed estimates, and a continuation of this trend in the early weeks of October, with switched volume showing a 12% increase compared to the second quarter's 11%.
MasterCard's third-quarter performance was bolstered by a robust increase in value-added services (VAS), which grew by 19% on a constant currency (CC) basis, matching the growth seen in the previous quarter.
This growth was primarily fueled by contributions from consulting, data analytics, and marketing services. Notably, VAS expansion outperformed the growth in payment network revenue, which saw an 11% rise on a CC basis, compared to 9% in the previous quarter.
The analyst highlighted that the strength in network revenue during the third quarter was driven by healthy consumer spending and the securing of new deals and contract renewals.
For example, partnerships with Wells Fargo (WFC) and Citizens were cited as contributing factors. Furthermore, VAS now accounts for 37.2% of MasterCard's revenue, a notable increase from 35.6% at the same time last year.
The raised price target is based on approximately 32 times the firm's estimated earnings per share (EPS) for the year 2026. The analyst's optimistic outlook is supported by MasterCard's consistent performance and the company's ability to secure new revenue streams through its value-added services.
In other recent news, Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) has shown a strong performance in its third quarter of 2024, with a 14% rise in net revenues and a 13% boost in adjusted net income year-over-year. This growth was predominantly fueled by an increase in consumer spending and cross-border volume.
Mastercard is broadening its digital payment acceptance and focusing on commercial payments while enhancing its cybersecurity and subscription management services through key acquisitions.
The company has announced plans to acquire Recorded Future and Minna Technologies. Mastercard also repurchased $2.9 billion in stock, with an additional $983 million repurchased through late October 2024. The outlook for the fourth quarter of 2024 anticipates low-teens net revenue growth and a non-GAAP tax rate of approximately 17%.
Mastercard is also preparing for an investment community meeting to discuss future strategies. On the other hand, the company advises caution when projecting for 2025 due to potential influences from one-time items in early October spending trends. Despite the competitive landscape, Mastercard remains focused on maintaining financial discipline.
In terms of future expectations, Mastercard is targeting low-teens net revenue growth on a currency-neutral basis for the fourth quarter of 2024. The company foresees operating expense growth at the high end of a low double-digit range, primarily due to increased advertising and marketing expenses. These are the recent developments in Mastercard's business operations.
InvestingPro Insights
Recent data from InvestingPro reinforces Susquehanna's positive outlook on MasterCard (NYSE: MA). The company's market capitalization stands at an impressive $461.54 billion, reflecting its dominant position in the financial services industry. MasterCard's revenue growth of 11.87% over the last twelve months aligns with the analyst's observations of robust consumer spending and successful new partnerships.
InvestingPro Tips highlight MasterCard's strong financial health and shareholder-friendly policies. The company has raised its dividend for 13 consecutive years and maintained dividend payments for 19 years, demonstrating a commitment to returning value to shareholders. This is particularly noteworthy given the company's ability to grow while maintaining a dividend yield of 0.53%.
MasterCard's profitability is also impressive, with a gross profit margin of 100% and an operating income margin of 58.31% for the last twelve months. These figures support the analyst's positive view on the company's earnings potential and justify the higher price target.
For investors seeking a deeper understanding of MasterCard's financial position, InvestingPro offers 11 additional tips, providing a comprehensive analysis of the company's strengths and potential areas for growth.
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