Mastercard (MA) Stock: Buy, Sell, or Hold?

MA - Mastercard Incorporated

SERVICES-BUSINESS SERVICES, NEC
$622.62
2.20 (0.35%) ▲
5d: +3.21%
30d: +12.0%
90d: +17.41%
WAIT
LOW Confidence
Protect Your MA Gains
Analysis Updated: Oct 21, 2026 12:00 AM ET
Earnings: Oct 29, 2026 6d
Smart Money Distribution

Options positioning is turning defensive after a sharp run-up - a pattern consistent with institutional profit-taking. View Scanner →

Signal fired Oct 6, 2026 at $566.58 · last confirmed Oct 15, 2026

Strength: 6.7/10

Get Alerted When MA Hits Your Target Price

Join 10,000+ traders who never miss a move

You're in! Check your email to confirm and set your target price.
100% Free No spam, ever Unsubscribe anytime

Interactive Price Chart (1 Month)

Loading chart...

Loading historical data...

💡
Bottom Line:
📊 MIXED SIGNALS: MA shows conflicting indicators. Wait for confirmation before entering.
See Forward Earnings Fair Value & Price Prediction →

Long-Term Wealth Forecast (2031)

Based on Analyst Consensus Growth & Historical Valuation

0% (Stagnation) 50% (Hyper Growth)
EST. PRICE IN 2031
$897.17
Based on 9.9% avg growth
INTRINSIC VALUE TODAY
$557.07
Trading above historical range

How this is calculated: We use a Growth Decay Model: starting with analyst consensus growth (adjusted above) and gradually slowing it down to a long-term terminal rate (4%) by Year 5. This provides a more realistic valuation than assuming constant hyper-growth. We then apply a 24.4x Exit PE.

In-depth Analysis How we analyze

Valuation Analysis: MA is currently trading at $622.62, which is considered extended relative to its 30-day fair value range of $556.20 to $601.70. From a valuation perspective, the stock is trading at a premium (Forward PE: 27.0) compared to its historical average (24.4). At these levels, the market is pricing in 3.5% annual earnings growth. This growth rate appears achievable given the company's track record, suggesting the valuation is rational.

Technical Outlook: Technically, MA is in a strong uptrend. The price is approaching resistance at $624.66. A breakout above this level would be a bullish signal, while rejection here could lead to consolidation.

Market Sentiment: MA scores 10/100 on our bottoming-setup gauge. Note this measures entry quality, not trend direction — a low score can mean the chart is extended after a strong run (don't chase) or still falling without stabilization; better entries typically come after a pullback toward the 20-day average. Current signals suggest waiting for a better entry point before initiating new positions.

Quick Decision Summary

Current Position EXTENDED
Historical Trading Range $556.20 - $601.70
Company Quality Score 38/100 (SELL)
Volume Confirmation HIGH
Confidence Score 24.8%

Protect Your Profits

MA is technically overbought (RSI 76). Consider hedging now to protect against a potential pullback while keeping your upside.

View Profit Protection Plan

All Signals

  • BEARISH: Price extended above range
  • BEARISH: Weak technical setup (10/100)
  • BULLISH: High volume confirmation
  • NEUTRAL: Near Wall St target ($674.25)
  • NEUTRAL: Market pricing in 3.5% annual earnings growth - fairly valued
  • WARNING: Composite score 38/100 in the bottom quintile — this cohort historically lags the market

Trading Range Analysis

30-Day Trading Range $556.20 - $601.70
Current vs Trading Range EXTENDED

Support & Resistance Levels

Support Level $568.49
Resistance Level $624.66
Current Trend Strong Uptrend
Technical data as of Oct 21, 2026

Fundamental Context

Forward P/E (Next Year Est.) 26.99
Wall Street Target $674.25 (+8.3%)
Revenue Growth (YoY) 14.1%
Earnings Growth (YoY) 22.1%
Profit Margin 46.3%
Valuation Premium vs History +3.5% premium
PE vs Historical 27.0 vs 24.4 FAIR
Market-Implied Price Targets If current PE multiple persists
Implied Growth (YoY): +3.5% (market-implied from PE analysis)
1-Year Target $644.41 (+4%)
2-Year Target $666.97 (+7%)
3-Year Target $690.31 (+11%)
3-Yr Target (if PE normalizes) (PE: 27→24) PE COMPRESSION $624.07 (+0%)
Earnings growth offset by PE compression
3-Year Scenarios Using analyst projected EPS growth
Bull: (PE: 27.0, Growth: 15.7%) $963.71 (+55%)
Base: (SPY PE: 19.9, Growth: 15.7%) $709.13 (+14%)
Bear: (PE: 16.9, Growth: 15.7%) $602.76 (-3%)
📈 Valuation based on Current Earnings
RECOVERY PLAY: Stock looks expensive now (34x PE), but valuation improves significantly next year (27x PE) as earnings recover.
Trailing PE: 33.90 | Current EPS (TTM): $18.30
Bull Case $860.30 (+38%)
Analyst growth 26.1%, PE expands to 37.3
Base Case $782.09 (+26%)
Market implied 26.1%, PE stable at 33.9
Bear Case $421.89 (-32%)
Severe decline -20.0%, PE contracts to 28.8
These are projections based on PE multiples and EPS growth scenarios, not predictions. Actual results may vary significantly.
Share & Embed Analysis

Found this analysis useful? Share it with your community or embed the live chart on your blog.

Tweet Reddit
bloggers & journalists: you are free to use our charts with attribution.
Last updated: October 21, 2026 9:04 PM ET
Data refreshes hourly during market hours. Next update: 10:04 PM
🔥 Top Stocks Breaking Out Now
Ticker Score Recommendation Change %
Insider Activity (6 Months)
0
Buys
0
Sells
0
Net
NEUTRAL

Unlock Insider Activity

See real-time buying/selling by company executives for MA.

Create Free Account

Already have an account? Log In

Featured in Portfolios

MA is a key holding in these high-performance investment strategies.

Top Rated Credit Services Stocks

Top-rated stocks in Credit Services by analyst ratings.

Stock Analyst Consensus Analyst Target Tradestie Score
AFRM
Affirm Holdings Inc
STRONG BUY
34 analysts
$99 56 HOLD
V
Visa Inc. Class A
STRONG BUY
40 analysts
$423 27 SELL
AXP
American Express Company
BUY
30 analysts
$369 47 HOLD
COF
Capital One Financial Co…
STRONG BUY
24 analysts
$252 49 HOLD
SYF
Synchrony Financial
BUY
24 analysts
$88 56 HOLD

Advanced MA Option Strategies

Professional options setups generated by AI based on today's MA price and gamma walls.

Iron Condor Bull Call Bear Put Collar

More Analysis for MA

MA Technical Chart MA Price Prediction MA Earnings Date MA Investment Advisor MA Fair Price Analyzer MA Options Advisor MA Options Chain MA Options Analysis MA Competitors
Live Trades
From trading groups
Loading trades...
View All Live Trades See Trader Consensus & Signals