The payments giants Visa and Mastercard reported robust revenue and earnings growth for their latest quarters, though their premium valuations continue to spark investor debate on which offers the superior long-term opportunity.
As Visa prepares to report its first-quarter results, investors are weighing its dividend strategy against earnings expectations. We break down the capital required to generate targeted monthly income from its payouts and what moving parts could affect the yield.
Visa is aggressively expanding its footprint beyond traditional card payments, launching new initiatives in stablecoin settlements, renter-focused commerce, and streamlined crypto-to-fiat conversions. These partnerships aim to embed Visa's network into the burgeoning worlds of blockchain-based finance and essential housing expenditures.
Visa's fiscal first-quarter earnings surpassed expectations, driven by robust cross-border transactions and a surge in high-margin digital services. The payments giant signals confidence in sustained consumer resilience despite some moderation in U.S. debit volumes.
Visa Inc. reported a 15% surge in net revenue for its first fiscal quarter of 2026, citing robust payments volume and significant gains in its value-added services and commercial solutions.
The global payments giant reported a 15% surge in net revenue and processed a record 69.4 billion transactions in its fiscal first quarter, signaling resilient consumer confidence and a rebound from previous quarters.
The world's largest payment networks are taking a measured approach to stablecoins for everyday consumer transactions, citing a lack of clear demand in developed markets and emphasizing their role as infrastructure providers rather than disruptors.
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has detailed its enhanced oversight framework for key retail payment systems, designating networks like Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay for direct supervision to ensure security and stability in the city's rapidly digitizing economy.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's landmark visit to Beijing marks a cautious pivot in UK-China relations, yielding agreements on tariffs, visas, and green energy. But can British businesses navigate the opportunities and challenges of re-engagement?
The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt partially reopened Monday under European Union operation, permitting restricted passage for Palestinians after a near two-year Israeli closure. The move is part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement, though high costs and tight quotas severely limit access.
Newly released documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case detail his repeated interactions with Vladimir Putin and Russian intelligence, raising serious questions about whether the financier's sex trafficking network doubled as a foreign kompromat operation.
U.S. stocks extended losses into a third session as investors weighed the potential implications of Kevin Warsh's nomination to lead the Federal Reserve, capping a volatile week of trading.
The Optimism Collective has unveiled OP Enterprise, a comprehensive blockchain infrastructure platform designed to give financial technology firms and institutions direct control over revenue and operations. The launch signals a pivotal shift towards institutional-grade Web3 solutions as regulatory clarity emerges.
Usama Ghanem, an Egyptian student at King's College London, faces imminent deportation after disciplinary action linked to his pro-Palestinian activism. He claims the university's response mirrors the political persecution he fled in Egypt, raising urgent questions about academic freedom and the treatment of international dissent.
U.S. stocks fell and precious metals plunged from record highs after President Trump nominated former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh to lead the central bank, sparking concerns over monetary policy direction and Fed independence.
Panama's Supreme Court has declared CK Hutchison's concession to operate the Balboa and Cristóbal ports unconstitutional, derailing a major sale and placing APM Terminals in temporary control. The ruling intensifies geopolitical tensions over control of the strategic Panama Canal.
Germany has revised its official travel guidance for the United States, warning citizens of potential risks linked to immigration enforcement actions and civil unrest. The move aligns with a broader trend, as multiple allied nations have strengthened their advisories over the past year, reflecting growing international concern over U.S. domestic policies.
American Express reported fourth-quarter earnings that slightly trailed analyst forecasts, prompting a share price decline. Despite the near-term miss, the company issued strong forward guidance for 2026 and announced a significant dividend hike, underscoring confidence in its long-term growth trajectory driven by card member spending and fee growth.
After years of de facto autonomy, Syria's Kurdish-led administration and military forces have agreed to a phased reintegration into the state, a move hailed by Washington as historic but met with caution on the ground.
The head of the European Stability Mechanism has told Reuters the bloc's 430-billion-euro emergency fund could be repurposed to provide defense loans to member states, signaling a strategic shift as Europe seeks to bolster its military autonomy.
