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MAMastercard IncorporatedHold6.0·$486.00-1.03%
MA · Why this verdict

Why Mastercard (MA) is rated HOLD

Updated

Model-generated analysis — not investment advice. Not a registered investment advisor. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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Methodology · Editorial policy & full disclaimer

VerdictHOLD
Overall score6.0/10
ConfidenceMEDIUM
MacroRISK_OFF

Per-dimension breakdown

Value

4.5/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
P/E4.6
P/S1.6
EV/EBITDA0.0
Fwd P/E6.0
PEG4.9
Analyst target7.5
  • Forward P/E: 21.3x
  • PEG: 1.57

Quality

8.6/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
ROE10.0
ROA10.0
Gross margin10.0
Op margin10.0
Net margin10.0
Current ratio3.9
FCF quality7.2
Moat7.5
Rule of 409.5
Piotroski F7.8
  • Excellent ROE: 232%
  • Strong margins: 46%
  • Wide economic moat
  • Compounder quality: strong returns + growth

Growth

6.3/10data confidence 67%
ComponentSub-score
Rev growth6.5
EPS growth6.2

Momentum

2.4/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
RSI3.5
MACD0.0
OBV5.2
MA position1.0
Volume2.3
  • Below 200-MA, MA slope -1.9%/30d — confirmed downtrend

Sentiment

8.4/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
LLM sentiment7.4
Analyst rating9.0
Price target8.8
  • LLM news sentiment: +0.48 (n=5)
  • Analyst upside: 33%

Insider

5.0/10data confidence 50%
ComponentSub-score
materiality5.0
holder change5.0
  • No net insider activity — $0 (0.000% of mkt cap)

Peer rank

5.2/10data confidence 80%
ComponentSub-score
value rank1.1
quality rank9.3
growth rank5.5
  • Superior ROE vs peers
  • Best-in-class margins

Technical

6.3/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
bollinger7.1
support resistance5.6
52w position6.2

Risk (lower is worse)

6.2/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
short interest9.6
days to cover9.0
volatility6.9
put call3.8
implied vol6.9
max pain risk3.0
beta8.6
debt equity2.2
news risk5.5
  • Above max pain $310

Catalyst

6.6/10data confidence 100%
ComponentSub-score
erm5.0
earnings history10.0
earnings timing5.0
surprise avg4.9
dividend safety7.0
news activity8.0
  • Perfect beat streak: 4Q
  • Dividend: 72.0%

How the verdict was assembled

Engine trigger

Maintain position. Not compelling to add more.

Engine technical detail
verdict_path: L4:PATH_F_HOLD
Passed (5)
  • ASYMMETRY:4.5>=1.5
  • INSIDER:OK
  • EARNINGS_PROXIMITY:50d clear
  • SEMI_CYCLE_PEAK:CLEAR
  • MATERIALS_CYCLE_PEAK:CLEAR
Failed (2)
  • MOMENTUM:2.4<4.5
  • DEATH_CROSS:HARD_BLOCK
Warning (1)
  • 8K_CSUITE_CHANGE:5.02 (officer departure/appointment)
Reward-to-Risk
4.51
Upside
+22.6%
Downside
5.0%
Sizing output
AVOID

SetupFALLING_KNIFE Death cross, below all MAs, RSI 36, MACD bearish

EdgeTEMP_HEADWIND High quality (8.6) with weak momentum (2.4)

SuitabilityCONSERVATIVE Beta 0.74<0.8, Div 72.0%, Q=8.6

Investment implication

None of the engine's positive-conviction paths (C-quality, D-momentum) triggered — the F-path HOLD reflects balanced signals. Strongest-cleared gate: ASYMMETRY:4.5>=1.5. Top dim: Quality at 8.6; weakest: Momentum at 2.4. No conviction either direction.

The strongest dimensions are Quality at 8.6, Sentiment at 8.4, and Catalyst at 6.6; the weakest are Momentum at 2.4, Value at 4.5, and Insider at 5.0. The V9 engine flagged 2 failed gates with 1 warning, producing an asymmetric reward-to-risk of 4.51 and an engine sizing output of AVOID.

Engine reasoning is mechanically derived from pipeline gate outputs. See decision view.

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