Visa recorded a significant increase in fourth-quarter profit as consumers continued using their cards for travel, shopping and dining, highlighting the resilience of U.S. consumer spending amid a strong labor market and rising wages.
The FIFA World Cup, held from June 11 to July 19, also contributed to increased transactions across Visa’s payments network, as the tournament attracted visitors to the United States.
Payment Volumes Rise Across the Network
Visa’s payments volume, which measures consumer and business spending processed through its network, increased 9% during the quarter. Cross-border volume excluding transactions within Europe climbed 14%, reflecting sustained demand for international travel.
Despite the stronger results, Visa shares declined more than 1% in extended trading. The stock had gained 14.6% for the year through the previous market close.
Visa and its closest competitor, Mastercard, process everyday purchases for billions of people worldwide. Their extensive payment networks can help them withstand economic downturns, while flexibility in managing expenses can support continued profit growth.
Revenue and Net Income Deliver Strong Gains
Visa’s net revenue rose 13% to $12.1 billion for the quarter. For fiscal 2026, the company reported record net revenue of $46 billion.
For the three months ended September 30, Visa generated net income of $6 billion, equivalent to $3.19 per share. That compared with net income of $5.1 billion, or $2.62 per share, in the same period a year earlier.
The company earns fees by processing transactions through its digital payments network, which operates across more than 200 countries and territories.
Company Projects Further Growth in Fiscal 2027
Visa expects net revenue to increase by a low double-digit percentage in fiscal 2027. It also forecasts earnings-per-share growth ranging from the low double digits to the low teens.
Investors will also be watching Mastercard, Visa’s closest rival, which is scheduled to release its quarterly earnings later this week.
Visa’s latest results underscore continued spending on travel and other consumer activities, with higher payment volumes and international transactions contributing to the company’s financial performance.
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