Credit Card Usage Continues to Rise, Defying Expectations
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 53 minutes ago
0mins
Source: Fool
- Significant Revenue Growth: Visa reported $11.2 billion in revenue for the fiscal second quarter ending December 31, marking a 17% year-over-year increase, indicating that consumers remain active in using credit cards despite economic uncertainties, thereby enhancing the company's market position.
- Transaction Volume Surge: Visa's payment transactions rose from 73.8 billion a year ago to 79.8 billion, with total payment volume increasing from over $3.9 trillion to about $4.3 trillion, demonstrating a deepening consumer reliance on credit cards and further solidifying its leadership in the payment processing market.
- Strong Mastercard Performance: Mastercard achieved a 16% revenue growth during the same period, with earnings per share rising from $3.59 to $4.35, and transaction volume increasing by 8.5% to 52.3 billion, reflecting the company's robust performance and future growth potential in the global payments market.
- Shift in Consumer Habits: Surveys indicate that over 50% of U.S. consumers now use credit cards for everyday expenses like groceries and utility bills, illustrating that credit cards have become a primary payment method in modern consumption, which enhances the long-term profitability of Visa and Mastercard.
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Analyst Views on V
Wall Street analysts forecast V stock price to rise
25 Analyst Rating
23 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 326.480
Low
330.00
Averages
406.59
High
450.00
Current: 326.480
Low
330.00
Averages
406.59
High
450.00
About V
Visa Inc. is a global payments technology company. It facilitates global commerce and money movement across more than 200 countries and territories among a global set of consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities through technologies. It operates through the Payment Services segment. It provides transaction processing services (primarily authorization, clearing and settlement) to its financial institution and merchant clients through VisaNet, its proprietary advanced transaction processing network. It offers a range of Visa-branded payment products that its clients, including nearly 14,500 financial institutions, use to develop and offer payment solutions or services, including credit, debit, prepaid and cash access programs for individual, business and government account holders. It also provides value-added services to its clients, including issuing solutions, acceptance solutions, risk and identity solutions, open banking solutions and advisory services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Credit Card Usage Continues to Rise, Defying Expectations
- Significant Revenue Growth: Visa reported $11.2 billion in revenue for the fiscal second quarter ending December 31, marking a 17% year-over-year increase, indicating that consumers remain active in using credit cards despite economic uncertainties, thereby enhancing the company's market position.
- Transaction Volume Surge: Visa's payment transactions rose from 73.8 billion a year ago to 79.8 billion, with total payment volume increasing from over $3.9 trillion to about $4.3 trillion, demonstrating a deepening consumer reliance on credit cards and further solidifying its leadership in the payment processing market.
- Strong Mastercard Performance: Mastercard achieved a 16% revenue growth during the same period, with earnings per share rising from $3.59 to $4.35, and transaction volume increasing by 8.5% to 52.3 billion, reflecting the company's robust performance and future growth potential in the global payments market.
- Shift in Consumer Habits: Surveys indicate that over 50% of U.S. consumers now use credit cards for everyday expenses like groceries and utility bills, illustrating that credit cards have become a primary payment method in modern consumption, which enhances the long-term profitability of Visa and Mastercard.
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Exceptional Stock Portfolio for Long-Term Wealth Growth
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- Market Performance Analysis: The stock prices as of the afternoon of May 25, 2026, indicate strong performance in the market, suggesting that investors are optimistic about their future prospects.
- Video Release Timing: The video was published on May 27, 2026, aimed at conveying the investment value of these stocks to investors, further driving market attention towards them.
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- Portfolio Restructuring: Berkshire's decision to exit multiple large investments, including Visa and Mastercard, while retaining an 8% stake in Bank of America signals confidence and importance placed on traditional banking.
- Significant Valuation Gap: Bank of America trades at a P/E ratio of 11.6, compared to Visa and Mastercard's 25.1 and 25.4, respectively, highlighting Berkshire's value judgment on traditional banks, which may attract long-term investors.
- Long-term Investment Advice: Despite Berkshire's sale of Visa and Mastercard, its commitment to Bank of America suggests a focus on stable income and reasonable valuations, recommending long-term investors to consider opportunities in Bank of America.
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Berkshire Hathaway Adjusts Portfolio Post-Buffett Era
- Portfolio Restructuring: Following Warren Buffett's departure, Berkshire Hathaway has completely divested its stakes in Visa and Mastercard, indicating a preference for traditional banks, particularly Bank of America, which constitutes 8% of its portfolio.
- Significant Valuation Gap: With Visa and Mastercard's projected P/E ratios at 25.1 and 25.4 respectively, compared to Bank of America's 11.6, Berkshire's choice highlights its strategy of favoring reasonably valued traditional banks over high-valuation fintech companies.
- Long-term Stability: Berkshire's decision to retain Bank of America despite selling high-valuation fintech stocks underscores its recognition of the long-term stability and above-average income (with a current dividend yield of approximately 2.1%) that traditional banks offer.
- Investor Strategy Insights: For long-term investors seeking value, Bank of America presents a solid option, while those interested in fintech expansion should consider Visa or Mastercard, illustrating the diversity of investment goals.
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SpaceX Prepares for Historic IPO Amid Market Buzz
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- Market Rule Change: Nasdaq's new rule allows companies to enter the Nasdaq-100 index after just 15 trading days post-IPO, which could lead to a surge in SpaceX's stock value on July 7, potentially adding $200 billion to $270 billion in market capitalization.
- Investor Caution: Despite the excitement surrounding SpaceX's IPO, historical trends indicate that many mega-IPOs perform poorly in their early days, advising retail investors to be cautious and avoid chasing hot stocks.
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Credit Card Usage Continues to Rise, Defying Expectations
- Significant Revenue Growth: Visa reported $11.2 billion in revenue for the fiscal second quarter ending December 31, marking a 17% year-over-year increase, indicating that consumers remain active in using credit cards despite economic uncertainties, thereby enhancing the company's market position.
- Transaction Volume Surge: Visa's payment transactions rose from 73.8 billion a year ago to 79.8 billion, with total payment volume increasing from over $3.9 trillion to about $4.3 trillion, demonstrating a deepening consumer reliance on credit cards and further solidifying its leadership in the payment processing market.
- Strong Mastercard Performance: Mastercard achieved a 16% revenue growth during the same period, with earnings per share rising from $3.59 to $4.35, and transaction volume increasing by 8.5% to 52.3 billion, reflecting the company's robust performance and future growth potential in the global payments market.
- Shift in Consumer Habits: Surveys indicate that over 50% of U.S. consumers now use credit cards for everyday expenses like groceries and utility bills, illustrating that credit cards have become a primary payment method in modern consumption, which enhances the long-term profitability of Visa and Mastercard.
See More
Exceptional Stock Portfolio for Long-Term Wealth Growth
- Portfolio Potential: This portfolio of exceptional stocks is believed to have significant long-term appreciation potential, which could lead to substantial wealth growth for shareholders, reflecting market confidence in these stocks.
- Market Performance Analysis: The stock prices as of the afternoon of May 25, 2026, indicate strong performance in the market, suggesting that investors are optimistic about their future prospects.
- Video Release Timing: The video was published on May 27, 2026, aimed at conveying the investment value of these stocks to investors, further driving market attention towards them.
- Shareholder Wealth Growth: By investing in these exceptional stocks, shareholders are expected to achieve significant wealth growth in the future, highlighting the importance of a long-term investment strategy.
See More
Investment Opportunities in High-Potential Stocks
- Long-Term Wealth Growth Potential: The portfolio of exceptional stocks is believed to significantly increase shareholder wealth over the long term, especially against the backdrop of rapid advancements in technology, offering investors substantial returns.
- AI and Indispensable Monopoly: A company referred to as an 'Indispensable Monopoly' provides critical technology needed by Nvidia and Intel, highlighting its importance in the market and potential growth space, which could become a future investment hotspot.
- Double Down Recommendation Strategy: The analyst team has issued 'Double Down' stock recommendations targeting companies poised for an upswing, emphasizing the importance of seizing investment opportunities amid market volatility and encouraging investors to enter at the right time.
- Market Timing Advantage: Now is the best time for investors to join Stock Advisor to access recommendations for three high-potential stocks, leveraging market opportunities for wealth enhancement and avoiding missed chances.
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Buffett Era Ends, Attention Turns to Abel's New Strategies
- New CEO Strategy Shift: With Buffett's over sixty-year reign at Berkshire Hathaway ending, the focus is on new CEO Greg Abel's strategies, particularly as the company exited 16 investment positions, indicating a preference for traditional banks.
- Portfolio Restructuring: Berkshire's decision to exit multiple large investments, including Visa and Mastercard, while retaining an 8% stake in Bank of America signals confidence and importance placed on traditional banking.
- Significant Valuation Gap: Bank of America trades at a P/E ratio of 11.6, compared to Visa and Mastercard's 25.1 and 25.4, respectively, highlighting Berkshire's value judgment on traditional banks, which may attract long-term investors.
- Long-term Investment Advice: Despite Berkshire's sale of Visa and Mastercard, its commitment to Bank of America suggests a focus on stable income and reasonable valuations, recommending long-term investors to consider opportunities in Bank of America.
See More
Berkshire Hathaway Adjusts Portfolio Post-Buffett Era
- Portfolio Restructuring: Following Warren Buffett's departure, Berkshire Hathaway has completely divested its stakes in Visa and Mastercard, indicating a preference for traditional banks, particularly Bank of America, which constitutes 8% of its portfolio.
- Significant Valuation Gap: With Visa and Mastercard's projected P/E ratios at 25.1 and 25.4 respectively, compared to Bank of America's 11.6, Berkshire's choice highlights its strategy of favoring reasonably valued traditional banks over high-valuation fintech companies.
- Long-term Stability: Berkshire's decision to retain Bank of America despite selling high-valuation fintech stocks underscores its recognition of the long-term stability and above-average income (with a current dividend yield of approximately 2.1%) that traditional banks offer.
- Investor Strategy Insights: For long-term investors seeking value, Bank of America presents a solid option, while those interested in fintech expansion should consider Visa or Mastercard, illustrating the diversity of investment goals.
See More
SpaceX Prepares for Historic IPO Amid Market Buzz
- IPO Timeline: SpaceX is set to debut on Nasdaq on June 12, aiming to become the largest IPO in history with a target valuation of $1.75 trillion, showcasing the company's strong potential in AI and the space economy.
- Market Rule Change: Nasdaq's new rule allows companies to enter the Nasdaq-100 index after just 15 trading days post-IPO, which could lead to a surge in SpaceX's stock value on July 7, potentially adding $200 billion to $270 billion in market capitalization.
- Investor Caution: Despite the excitement surrounding SpaceX's IPO, historical trends indicate that many mega-IPOs perform poorly in their early days, advising retail investors to be cautious and avoid chasing hot stocks.
- Valuation Risks: SpaceX's price-to-sales ratio is nearly 94, significantly higher than the typical range of 30 to 45 for industry peers, and coupled with substantial operating losses and a capital-intensive model, this could diminish its post-IPO appeal.
See More
