Visa Leads Investment Opportunities in Cashless Economy
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 hour ago
0mins
Source: Fool
- Massive Payment Volume: In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, Visa processed an astonishing $4.4 trillion in total payment volume, underscoring its dominant position in the global payment market and solidifying its role as a core investment in the cashless economy.
- Global Card Usage: There are currently 5.1 billion Visa cards in circulation, accepted in over 200 countries and territories at 175 million merchant locations, indicating its widespread acceptance and influence in promoting cashless transactions.
- Earnings Growth Potential: Visa's adjusted earnings per share grew at a compound annual rate of 15.2% from fiscal 2022 to 2025, with analysts projecting a continued rise of 13.5% annually over the next three years, providing strong support for the stock price.
- Valuation and Return Expectations: With a current price-to-earnings ratio of 28.5, down 24% over the past year, and a net profit margin of 53.6%, investors can expect an annualized return of 13% to 14%, showcasing its safety and potential as an investment in the cashless economy.
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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: 320.180
Low
330.00
Averages
406.59
High
450.00
Current: 320.180
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.
- Payment Volume Surge: Visa's total payment volume reached an impressive $4.4 trillion in Q2 of fiscal 2026, underscoring the massive scale of its payment platform and reinforcing its dominant position in the cashless economy.
- Card Usage Statistics: With 5.1 billion Visa cards in circulation globally, spanning over 200 countries and territories and 175 million merchant acceptance locations, Visa demonstrates extensive acceptance and influence within the global payment network.
- Strong Profitability: Visa's net profit margin was an astounding 53.6% in the last fiscal quarter, and its adjusted earnings per share grew at a compound annual rate of 15.2% from fiscal 2022 to 2025, with analysts projecting a continued growth rate of 13.5% over the next three years, indicating robust profitability and stable growth prospects.
- Reasonable Valuation: Although Visa's current price-to-earnings ratio stands at 28.5, reflecting a 24% decline over the past year, this valuation is considered reasonable given its high-quality business model and future growth potential, with expected annualized returns of 13% to 14%.
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- Massive Payment Volume: In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, Visa processed an astonishing $4.4 trillion in total payment volume, underscoring its dominant position in the global payment market and solidifying its role as a core investment in the cashless economy.
- Global Card Usage: There are currently 5.1 billion Visa cards in circulation, accepted in over 200 countries and territories at 175 million merchant locations, indicating its widespread acceptance and influence in promoting cashless transactions.
- Earnings Growth Potential: Visa's adjusted earnings per share grew at a compound annual rate of 15.2% from fiscal 2022 to 2025, with analysts projecting a continued rise of 13.5% annually over the next three years, providing strong support for the stock price.
- Valuation and Return Expectations: With a current price-to-earnings ratio of 28.5, down 24% over the past year, and a net profit margin of 53.6%, investors can expect an annualized return of 13% to 14%, showcasing its safety and potential as an investment in the cashless economy.
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- IPO Scale and Valuation: SpaceX is expected to go public on June 12, raising $75 billion at a valuation of $1.77 trillion, which will have a profound impact on the market, particularly in the context of large IPOs.
- Index Adjustment Impact: While the S&P 500 will not include SpaceX immediately, the Nasdaq-100 is revising its index methodology to fast-track the inclusion of large companies like SpaceX, providing investors quicker access while potentially putting pressure on major indexes.
- ETF Investment Strategy: Many growth-focused ETFs are likely to buy SpaceX shares, creating challenges for investors who wish to invest in other growth stocks, while the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF stands out as an ideal choice since it will not invest in SpaceX.
- Earnings and Dividend Growth: The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF focuses on companies that consistently grow their earnings, offering a 1.5% dividend yield, making it suitable for investors who prioritize total returns, especially in a high-valuation IPO environment.
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- IPO Size and Valuation: SpaceX is expected to go public on June 12, aiming to raise $75 billion at a valuation of $1.77 trillion, which will provide substantial support for its future expansion and technological innovations.
- Index Fund Response: While the S&P 500 will not quickly include SpaceX, the Nasdaq-100 is revising its index methodology to fast-track the inclusion of giants like SpaceX, indicating strong market recognition of its potential.
- Investor Strategy Shift: Many growth-focused ETFs are likely to buy significant amounts of SpaceX stock post-IPO, creating challenges for investors who wish to invest in growth stocks without exposure to SpaceX, thus forcing a reevaluation of their portfolios.
- Vanguard ETF Advantage: The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF attracts investors with its low fees and stable dividend growth, and while companies like SpaceX may not be included, its focus on mature firms makes it an ideal choice for investors seeking stable returns.
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- Record-Breaking Fundraising: SpaceX aims to raise $75 billion by selling 555.6 million shares at $135 each, which would result in a corporate valuation of $1.75 trillion, marking the largest IPO in history and showcasing the company's robust performance in capital markets.
- Elevated Market Position: Upon successful listing, SpaceX would become the ninth largest publicly traded company globally, just behind Broadcom and ahead of Elon Musk's other venture, Tesla, highlighting its leadership and market recognition in the aerospace sector.
- High Investor Expectations: The market is rife with anticipation for SpaceX's IPO, particularly given its successful rocket launches and satellite deployments, with investors generally optimistic about its future growth potential, likely attracting significant capital inflows.
- Historical Comparison Analysis: SpaceX's IPO is set to surpass previous U.S. public offerings, such as Uber and Alibaba, which raised $8.1 billion and $25 billion respectively, underscoring SpaceX's unique position and investment appeal in the market.
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- Record Fundraising: SpaceX aims to raise $75 billion by selling 555.6 million shares at $135 each, projecting a corporate valuation of $1.75 trillion, which would mark the largest IPO in history, underscoring the company's robust position in the global market.
- Significant Market Impact: If successful, SpaceX will become the ninth largest publicly traded company globally, surpassing Broadcom and just behind Elon Musk's Tesla, highlighting its leadership in the aerospace and technology sectors.
- Historical Context: Prior record-setting IPOs from companies like Uber, Rivian, and Alibaba have shown that despite initial stock price volatility, early investors often realized substantial returns, reflecting sustained market interest in high-tech firms.
- High Investor Expectations: As the SpaceX IPO approaches, market anticipation is soaring, particularly against the backdrop of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and aerospace technology, with investors generally optimistic about its long-term growth potential.
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