On Thursday, MasterCard (NYSE:MA) retained its Buy rating and a price target of $533.00, following news of its acquisition of Recorded Future. The acquisition, valued at $2.65 billion, aligns with MasterCard's strategic expansion into value-added services (VAS), particularly in cybersecurity solutions. This move is expected to bolster MasterCard's capabilities in monitoring cyber and intelligence threats.
The purchase of Recorded Future, recognized for its expertise in threat intelligence, is set to provide MasterCard with additional resources to secure transactions across its network. The integration of Recorded Future's services is projected to contribute approximately 3% to MasterCard's VAS growth and about 1% to the company's total revenue for the fiscal year 2025.
Recorded Future's current revenue exceeds $300 million, indicating the significance of the acquisition in MasterCard's future revenue streams. The company's focus on enhancing its security offerings through such strategic acquisitions demonstrates its commitment to maintaining robust growth in the VAS segment.
The acquisition is part of MasterCard's broader strategy to diversify its services and provide comprehensive security solutions around both network-based and non-network-based transactions. The emphasis on cybersecurity is a response to the growing need for secure payment ecosystems in the digital age.
MasterCard's stock retains its positive outlook from analysts at TD Cowen, with the acquisition of Recorded Future expected to contribute meaningfully to the company's revenue and growth in the value-added services sector. The reiterated price target of $533.00 reflects confidence in MasterCard's strategic direction and potential for continued growth.
In other recent news, Mastercard (NYSE:MA) has declared its intent to acquire Recorded Future, a global threat intelligence leader, for $2.65 billion. This acquisition is expected to enhance Mastercard's cybersecurity capabilities, extending beyond the payments ecosystem. The deal, which is subject to regulatory review and customary closing conditions, is anticipated to be finalized by the first quarter of 2025.
In a strategic move, Goldman Sachs is reportedly preparing to transfer its General Motors (NYSE:GM) credit card business to Barclays. This transition involves about $2 billion in outstanding balances and is expected to impact Goldman Sachs' revenue in the third quarter.
On the analyst front, Mastercard received an Outperform rating from Baird and BMO Capital Markets, while Compass Point initiated coverage with a Neutral rating.
The company has also priced new note issuances, including a $750 million note due in 2028 at 4.10%, a $1.15 billion note due in 2032 at 4.35%, and a $1.10 billion note due in 2035 at 4.55%. Baird maintains that these issuances will have a negligible or neutral effect on the company's earnings per share. These are the recent developments in the financial sector.
InvestingPro Insights
As MasterCard (NYSE:MA) continues to strengthen its position in the Financial Services industry, recent data from InvestingPro shows a robust market capitalization of $453.59 billion, underscoring the company's significant presence in the market. With a P/E ratio standing at 37.4, MasterCard is trading at a premium, which aligns with the company's strategic moves, such as the acquisition of Recorded Future, to enhance its value-added services and cybersecurity capabilities.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that MasterCard has a track record of raising its dividend for 12 consecutive years, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder returns. Additionally, the company has maintained dividend payments for 19 consecutive years, which may be of particular interest to income-focused investors. For those considering an investment in MasterCard, there are 11 additional InvestingPro Tips available that provide deeper insights into the company's financial health and market position.
The recent acquisition is projected to contribute to MasterCard's revenue growth, a key metric that has shown an 11.87% increase over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. This strategic expansion into cybersecurity could further propel the company's upward trajectory, as reflected in the 1 Year Price Total Return of 17.97%. MasterCard's commitment to innovation and growth in the digital payment space is evident in these figures and the company's proactive approach to enhancing its service offerings.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.