All You Need to Know About MasterCard (MA) Rating Upgrade to Buy

Core Viewpoint - MasterCard has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, indicating a positive earnings outlook that could lead to increased stock price [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - The Zacks rating system is based on the consensus measure of EPS estimates from sell-side analysts, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][4]. - Changes in earnings estimates are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements, making the Zacks rating system valuable for investors [2][4]. Institutional Investor Influence - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to determine the fair value of a company's shares, and their investment actions based on these estimates can lead to stock price movements [4]. MasterCard's Earnings Outlook - MasterCard is expected to earn $15.99 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, with no year-over-year change, but the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased by 0.7% over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a strong historical performance, particularly for Zacks Rank 1 stocks, which have generated an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - MasterCard's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].