Assenagon Asset Management S.A. 13F: Cuts MA Stake by $341M

Assenagon Asset Management S.A. scaled back its investment in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA), cutting its stake by a sharp 71.9% according to a Form 13F filing with the SEC on October 15, 2026.

Inside Assenagon Asset Management's Mastercard Trade

The fund reduced its holdings by 618,966 shares during the period. That left Assenagon with 241,045 shares of the credit services provider, worth roughly $132.9 million by the end of the reported timeframe. Because 13F filings look backward at the previous quarter's end, these numbers might not reflect where the fund stands today.

Other Institutional Activity in Mastercard

Other large money managers also shifted their positions in Mastercard around the same time. Blackrock Inc. reduced its holdings by 616,493 shares, ending with 66,393,565 shares worth about $40.99 billion. Mastercard Foundation Asset Management Corp cut its stake by 7.5%, or 4,886,010 shares, leaving it with 60,347,774 shares valued at $37.26 billion. Vanguard Capital Management LLC trimmed its position by 0.4%, shedding 214,580 shares to hold 52,122,015 shares worth roughly $32.18 billion. State Street Corporation grew its holdings by 485,172 shares, ending with 36,964,305 shares valued at about $22.82 billion. Meanwhile, JPMorgan Chase & Co lowered its stake by 13.6%, parting with 4,428,182 shares to finish with 28,228,027 shares worth $17.43 billion.

Mastercard Incorporated Stock Up 1.8%

The company's shares recently traded near $613.98, resting just 0.9% below their 52-week high of $619.80. The stock trades comfortably above both its 50-day moving average of $574.78 and its 200-day moving average of $532.80.

Recent Earnings

Mastercard posted trailing-twelve-month revenue of $35.08 billion alongside basic earnings of $18.18 per share. The company generated a net profit margin of 46.3% and a return on equity of 241.2%. Investors await the next round of earnings results scheduled for October 29, 2026.

Dividend

Mastercard pays an annual dividend that yields 0.56%, backed by a dividend payout ratio of 17.9%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Mastercard Incorporated

Company insiders also made routine share transactions leading up to the filing. Officer Linda Pistecchia Kirkpatrick sold 923 shares on August 31, 2026, at an average price of $593.54 for a total value of $547,837. Officer J. Mehra Sachin sold 3,266 shares on September 2, 2026, at $584.00 per share, totaling $1,907,344. Director Julius Genachowski completed two planned sales under trading rules, parting with 371 shares on October 9 at $585.01 per share and 370 shares on October 12 at $590.21 per share.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Wall Street firms have remained mostly positive on the stock. On August 3, 2026, Cantor Fitzgerald maintained its Overweight rating while lifting its price target to $695.00. Truist Securities kept a Buy rating on August 5, 2026, pushing its target to $633.00. Wolfe Research reiterated an Outperform rating on August 25, 2026, raising its target to $740.00. RBC Capital maintained an Outperform rating on August 31, 2026, with a $696.00 target. Baird kept an Outperform rating on October 9, 2026, setting a target of $710.00. Overall, analysts hold a consensus Strong Buy rating on Mastercard with a mean price target of $671.23 across 37 opinions.

About Mastercard

Mastercard operates a global technology network that links consumers, financial institutions, merchants, and governments, enabling digital payments across more than 210 countries. The company makes money primarily by processing transactions and providing related payment services worldwide.

Bottom Line

Assenagon's large reduction stands out given the broader institutional appetite for the stock. Investors will look to the upcoming earnings report on October 29 for fresh details on transaction volumes and revenue growth. Keep in mind that 13F filings are backward-looking: they show holdings as of the end of the reporting quarter and may not represent the fund's current position.