Should I buy Mastercard stock in 2025?

What is Mastercard?

How much is the Mastercard stock?

The price of Mastercard stock is rising this week. Currently, Mastercard trades at $577.78, showing a positive 24-hour change of +$1.86 (+0.32%), though it is down -2.52% over the past week.

With modest volatility and solid growth drivers, Mastercard remains an appealing investment option for those seeking exposure to global payments in the Irish market.

Our full analysis on the Mastercard stock

Having reviewed Mastercard’s latest quarterly results alongside its stock performance over the past three years, and integrating insights from a breadth of financial indicators, technical signals, market dynamics, and competitive analysis via our proprietary algorithms, Mastercard emerges as a particularly compelling asset within the technology-enabled payments sector. With robust financial momentum, consistent innovation, and broad global expansion propelling its recent trajectory, Mastercard’s equity now stands at a potential inflection point. So, why might Mastercard stock once again become a strategic entry point into the digital payments space in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) has delivered an impressive total return over the past twelve months, with its stock price appreciating by 30.58% to $577.78 as of 30 May 2025. This surge is notable against an 8.41% increase over the last six months, highlighting sustained growth, even amid episodic short-term volatility (down 2.52% over the last week). The company’s substantial market capitalisation—now at $524.67 billion—firmly cements Mastercard’s industry leadership and underscores persistent market confidence.

This bullish performance is supported by positive macroeconomic momentum. With global digital and contactless payments adoption accelerating post-pandemic, Mastercard is ideally positioned. Major tailwinds such as cross-border payment growth, resilient global consumer spending, and digital commerce expansion are substantially favouring sector leaders with advanced payment technologies and broad international footprints. Recent analyst upgrades—UBS to $660 and Jefferies to $655 price targets—further reinforce investor optimism, while Mastercard’s successful launches (like the Touch Card in Canada and premium partnerships in Morocco) demonstrate relentless execution on strategic initiatives.

Technical Analysis

From a technical perspective, Mastercard exhibits a structure distinctly supportive of further upside. As of late May, the stock trades near its 52-week high ($588.45), with formidable technical underpinnings:

Key technical levels include robust support at $570.00 (aligning with Fibonacci retracements) and resistance at $578.86. Notably, the consensus of technical indicators is “Strong Buy,” with 16 bullish signals to just 6 neutral, and none bearish—an unusual level of alignment for a mega-cap stock. Such momentum may foreshadow a continued breakout or bullish consolidation ahead of further catalysts.

Fundamental Analysis

• Financial Performance: Q1 2025 revenue reached $7.3bn (+14% y/y), with adjusted earnings per share of $3.73—comfortably beating consensus by $0.16. Net profit rose 9% y/y to $3.3bn, clearly demonstrating both growth and operational leverage.
• Growth Outlook: Consensus forecasts project annualised revenue and EPS growth of 11.5% and 11.7%, respectively, over the coming years—numbers well above sector averages.
• Profitability: Mastercard’s 45.21% operating margin and an eye-catching 187.7% return on equity are testament to its scale, network effects, and highly efficient capital allocation strategy.
• Innovation and Market Share: Beyond its core global payments network (Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus), the company continues strategic expansion—evidenced by launches in North Africa (premium cards) and product innovation (Touch Card for accessibility in Canada).
• Valuation: The current P/E ratio of 40.52 is rich but not excessive when measured against double-digit, durable growth rates, exceptional margins, and the company’s unique strategic positioning. This premium appears justified within the context of tech-driven platform stocks delivering high returns on capital and capturing secular trends.

Structural strengths—brand equity, network breadth, proprietary payments infrastructure, and regulatory resilience—further bolster Mastercard’s ability to both defend and extend its industry leadership.

Volume and Liquidity

Mastercard’s average daily traded volume stands at 2.86 million shares, reinforcing deep liquidity and ensuring entry/exit flexibility even for institutional-scale allocators. The public float of 820.29 million shares (about 91% of the total outstanding) supports valuation dynamism and healthy turnover—hallmarks of large, robustly traded technology leaders. High institutional ownership (90.36%) is frequently associated with enhanced market discipline and a strong alignment of interests, further suggesting that the stock remains a cornerstone holding for global investors.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

A host of forthcoming catalysts could further ignite momentum:

• Product and Geographic Expansion: Mastercard is rolling out premium card offerings in emerging markets (notably Morocco and North Africa) and addressing niche needs with innovations like the Touch Card for users with visual impairments.
• Strategic Partnerships: Ongoing negotiations with Visa regarding backend card solutions (e.g., Apple Card) indicate a sustained drive to increase long-term addressable market and revenue per transaction.
• Digital Payments Wave: The inexorable shift toward digital, mobile, and contactless transactions (accelerated by regulatory support and consumer behaviour changes) structurally advantages Mastercard’s platform.
• Secular Growth in Cross-Border Payments: As global commerce rebounds and e-commerce deepens, high-margin cross-border payment volumes—where Mastercard excels—are expected to outperform.
• Sustainability and ESG: Mastercard maintains robust ESG credentials and continues investing in financial inclusion and green payment initiatives, which increasingly resonate with institutional asset owners and long-term investors.

Taken together, these catalysts underwrite a forecast of continued double-digit growth and margin expansion—a rare feat at Mastercard’s scale.

Investment Strategies

For investors evaluating their entry strategy, Mastercard offers notable appeal across varying time horizons:

• Short-term:
• The stock is currently trading near the lower band of an ascending channel, just above a key technical support ($570), suggesting a potentially attractive tactical entry for those seeking to ride any near-term bounce or breakout.
• The positive MACD and strong technical “buy” consensus also lend weight to short-term bullish positioning, particularly as the next earnings cycle or partnership news approaches.
• Medium-term:
• With analyst targets averaging $625.91 (and several major houses recently upgrading toward $660), there appears to be clear upside into 2025.
• The ongoing rollout of new products and partnerships is likely to deliver a steady cadence of positive news flow, supporting price appreciation.
• Long-term:
• Mastercard’s unmatched global brand, expanding digital infrastructure, and compounding financials make a compelling case for a core long-term holding.
• As digital payments solidify their position as the backbone of global commerce, Mastercard remains one of the best-positioned platforms to capture the next generation of transaction volume growth, irrespective of cyclical distractions.

For all horizons, risk-adjusted entry points may occur around technical support levels or in anticipation of known fundamental catalysts (earnings, product launches, regulatory clarity), allowing investors to optimise their conviction and risk management.

Is it the Right Time to Buy Mastercard?

In summary, Mastercard demonstrates a rare combination of robust technical momentum, impressive financial outperformance, and durable competitive advantages—catalysed by innovation, sector tailwinds, and a highly scalable global platform. While its elevated valuation necessitates some discipline, the stock’s premium is well justified by high-quality growth, structural dominance, and consistent delivery above expectations.

With supportive technical signals, bullish momentum across all major moving averages, steadily climbing revenue and earnings, and a pipeline of positive catalysts, Mastercard stock seems to represent an excellent opportunity for investors seeking diversified exposure to the future of global payments. The balance of fundamentals, technical structure, and forward-looking catalysts justify renewed interest at current levels, making Mastercard a stock likely entering a new bullish phase—one that should be seriously considered within any forward-thinking technology portfolio.

Mastercard, in the current context, embodies the kind of high-conviction opportunity that defines persistent compounding—offering investors both resilience and dynamism as the digital payments revolution accelerates into 2025 and beyond.

How to buy Mastercard stock in Ireland?

Investing in Mastercard shares is straightforward and secure when using a reputable online broker regulated by authorities such as the Central Bank of Ireland or equivalent EU bodies. Irish investors can typically choose between two main options: buying Mastercard stock outright (spot buying) or trading it via Contracts for Difference (CFDs). Both methods are accessible online, with robust protections in place for retail clients. Below, we detail each approach and provide practical examples to help you understand the costs and benefits before you review our dedicated broker comparison further down this page.

Spot Buying

A cash or spot purchase means you buy actual Mastercard shares in your name, holding them in a brokerage account. This traditional investment approach is well-suited for long-term investors seeking capital gains and potential dividends. Irish brokers usually charge a fixed commission per order, typically ranging from €5 to €15 (£4–£13 for UK-based accounts). Some international brokers may also quote fees in USD due to Mastercard’s NYSE listing.

Important information

Example: If Mastercard’s share price is $577.78, and you wish to invest $1,000, you can buy approximately 1.7 shares (as U.S. shares are usually available as fractional shares with major Irish and EU brokers). After accounting for a typical $5 commission, your investment buys around 1.7 shares.

✔️ Gain scenario: If the price rises by 10%, your shares are now worth $1,100.
Result: +$100 gross gain, or +10% on your investment (before tax and any currency exchange fees).

Trading via CFD

CFD (Contract for Difference) trading allows you to speculate on Mastercard’s share price movements without owning the underlying shares. CFDs suit those seeking leverage, meaning you can amplify gains (and losses) with less upfront capital. CFD brokers typically charge via a spread (difference between buy/sell price) and may apply overnight financing fees on positions held longer than a day.

Important information

Example: You open a CFD on Mastercard with $1,000 and 5x leverage, giving you $5,000 market exposure.

✔️ Gain scenario: If Mastercard rises by 8%, your position gains 8% x 5 = 40%, so your $1,000 grows to $1,400 (excluding spreads and overnight charges).
Result: +$400 gain on $1,000 at risk (before fees).

Final Advice

Before investing in Mastercard, always compare brokerage fees, currency exchange costs, and platform conditions, as these can impact your net return. Your choice of method—spot buying or CFD trading—should reflect your objectives, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. To help you make an informed decision, a comprehensive broker comparator is available further down this page. Happy investing!

Our 7 tips for buying Mastercard stock

The latest news about Mastercard

Mastercard's stock received upward target revisions from both UBS and Jefferies in the last week. On 30 May 2025, UBS and Jefferies raised their respective price targets to $660 and $655, highlighting analysts’ continued confidence in Mastercard’s long-term growth and earnings resilience. These revisions, coming after consistently strong quarterly results, signal robust expectations for future value appreciation, and are particularly significant as global financial stocks maintain their appeal among institutional investors—including pension funds and asset managers with a presence or interest in Ireland.

First quarter results for 2025 exceeded expectations, showing double-digit revenue and net profit growth. Mastercard reported Q1 2025 revenue of $7.3 billion, a 14% year-on-year increase, and net profit up 9% to $3.3 billion, decisively outpacing analyst forecasts. The adjusted earnings per share reached $3.73, beating consensus by $0.16. This strong financial delivery reinforces Mastercard’s stability and appeal as a blue-chip holding, and is relevant to Irish investors and funds seeking highly profitable, reliable global technology companies for diversified exposure.

Technical indicators signal a strong buy, with all major moving averages supporting bullish prospects. On 30 May 2025, technical momentum remained positive: the MACD has been bullish since 12 May (with a high historical success rate), and all significant moving averages (20, 50, 100, and 200 days) generate buy signals. The current Relative Strength Index is neutral, but the market consensus from 22 indicators is “Strong Buy”—an encouraging signal for investors in Ireland looking for positive short- to medium-term entry points or ongoing portfolio positions.

Mastercard maintains structural strength with ongoing innovation and strategic partnerships in key global markets. The company’s recent expansion—the launch of inclusive payment solutions in Canada and premium product partnerships in Morocco—demonstrates commitment to innovation and global reach. While Ireland-specific news has been limited in the last week, Mastercard’s dominant visibility in the Irish financial ecosystem remains, supporting contactless, digital, and cross-border payment flows. This continued leadership is important for Irish consumers and institutions, who benefit from seamless, secure financial infrastructure amid a rapidly evolving payments landscape.

Consensus among major financial analysts remains "Overweight/Moderate Buy," reflecting strong global and local confidence. The consensus price target stands above $618, and none of the 41 tracked analysts recommends a sell. Irish analysts and institutional investors are likely to note that Mastercard continues to attract overwhelmingly positive professional sentiment, reinforced by strong margin performance, a growing cross-border payments business (crucial for open, export-oriented economies like Ireland), and high returns on equity, all underpinning its long-term value proposition in Irish portfolios.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.