In a recent analyst note, Commerzbank rated Mastercard (NYSE: NYSE:MA), a US payment service provider, as a “strong buy.” The company’s strong growth potential and dominant position in the global payments market form the basis of this judgment.
According to the Commerzbank statement, “the global trend towards electronic payments offers sustainably high growth potential.”
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According to the experts, Mastercard gains a clear advantage from rising card usage and transaction volumes. The business, which processes payments second in the world, made $11.2 billion in net profit during its most recent fiscal year. The large percentage of “dynamically growing international business,” which makes about 60% of revenue, is especially notable.
Even during recessions, Commerzbank analysts view Mastercard shares as a protective, long-term core investment. The substantial contribution from service revenues, along with economies of scale, allow the company to significantly increase its solid operating margin. As a result, there is less reliance on transaction-based card revenue.
Commerzbank projects earnings per share of $14.30 and a price-earnings ratio (P/E) of 32.0 for the fiscal year 2024. It is anticipated that the dividend per share will be $2.64, representing a 0.6% dividend yield. Earnings per share are expected to rise even further to $16.60 and a P/E of 27.5 by 2025.
The wide regional distribution of processed volume—31% in Europe, 30% in Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa, and 40% in the US and Canada—is another point of emphasis for Commerzbank. This gives the business a strong platform from which to gain from other local marketplaces.
The analyst report highlights some risks that could impede Mastercard’s growth, even with the bullish forecast. These consist of changes in the economy, the impact of exchange rates, and large incentive payments to promote business. Political risks include possible payment limitations and cyberattacks, and legal risks include a recent consumer lawsuit in the UK.
Commerzbank has established a $555.00 price target for Mastercard. This would translate into a return potential of about 21.5% at the current pricing. Setting a stop-loss limit of $365.00 is advised. The payment service provider, in the bank’s opinion, is still a viable venture that stands to gain over time from continued advancements in electronic payments.
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