mastercard incorporated及其合併附屬公司，包括mastercard international incorporated（「萬事達國際」，與mastercard incorporated合稱為「萬事達」或「公司」），是一家科技公司，從事環匯有限公司行業。萬事達通過使電子支付成為可能，並使支付交易安全、簡便、智能和易於使用，連接全球消費者、金融機構、商家、政府、數字合作夥伴、企業和其他組織。
合併及財務報表編製基準
合併財務報表包括萬事達卡及其大部分擁有和控制實體的帳戶，包括本公司為主要受益人的任何變動利益實體（「VIE」）。對於該公司不被視為主要受益人的 VIE 的投資並不會合併，並被視為可交易、股票方式或評估替代方法投資，並記錄在合併資產負債表中的其他資產。二零二四年九月三十日及二零二三年十二月三十一日，沒有顯著的 VIE需要整合和投資s 不被視為重要 合併財務報表。截至本公司獲得控制財務權益之日，本公司合併收購。公司間交易和餘額在合併中已被消除。某些先前期間的金額已重新分類，以符合 2024 年的簡報。重新分類對先前報告的淨收入總額、營業收入或淨收入沒有影響。本公司遵循美國普遍接受的會計原則（「GAAP」）。
Customer incentives represent amounts to be paid to customers under business agreements. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, long-term customer incentives included in other liabilities were $2,812 million and $2,777 million, respectively.
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s provision for litigation was $665 million and $723 million, respectively. These amounts are separately reported as accrued litigation on the consolidated balance sheet. See Note 15 (Legal and Regulatory Proceedings) for additional information regarding the Company’s accrued litigation.
Less: Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs
(136)
(109)
Less: Cumulative hedge accounting fair value adjustments 4
(54)
(79)
Total debt outstanding
18,358
15,681
Less: Short-term debt 5
(750)
(1,337)
Long-term debt
$
17,608
$
14,344
1€750 million euro-denominated debt issued in February 2022.
2€950 million euro-denominated debt remaining of the €1.650 billion issued in December 2015.
3INR28.1 billion Indian rupee-denominated loan issued in July 2023.
4The Company has an interest rate swap that is accounted for as a fair value hedge. See Note 17 (Derivative and Hedging Instruments) for additional information.
5The 2019 USD Notes due March 2025 are classified as short-term debt, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, on the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2024. As of December 31, 2023, the 2014 USD Notes due April 2024 and the INR Term Loan due July 2024 were classified as short-term debt, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, on the consolidated balance sheet.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company issued a total of $4 billion of debt, as follows:
•In May 2024, the Company issued $1 billion principal amount of notes due May 2034
•In September 2024, the Company issued $750 million principal amount of notes due January 2028, $1,150 million principal amount of notes due January 2032 and $1,100 million principal amount of notes due January 2035
The issuances in 2024 are collectively referred to as the “2024 USD Notes”. The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2024 USD Notes, after deducting the original issue discount, underwriting discount and offering expenses, were $3.96 billion.
The Senior Notes described above are not subject to any financial covenants and may be redeemed in whole, or in part, at the Company’s option at any time for a specified make-whole amount. These notes are senior unsecured obligations and would rank equally with any future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.
Note 11. Stockholders' Equity
Dividends
The Company declared quarterly cash dividends on its Class A and Class B common stock as summarized below:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
(in millions, except per share data)
Dividends declared per share
$
0.66
$
0.57
$
1.98
$
1.71
Total dividends declared
$
607
$
536
$
1,833
$
1,615
Common Stock Activity
The following table presents the changes in the Company’s outstanding Class A and Class B common stock:
In December 2023 and 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved share repurchase programs of its Class A common stock authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $11.0 billion and $9.0 billion, respectively. The following table summarizes the Company’s share repurchases of its Class A common stock:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
(in millions, except per share data)
Dollar-value of shares repurchased 1
$
7,565
$
7,200
Shares repurchased
16.5
19.2
Average price paid per share
$
458.36
$
375.34
1The dollar-value of shares repurchased does not include a 1% excise tax. The incremental tax is recorded in treasury stock on the consolidated balance sheet.
As of September 30, 2024, the remaining authorization under the share repurchase programs approved by the Company’s Board of Directors was $6.6 billion.
Note 12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:
December 31, 2023
Increase / (Decrease)
Reclassifications
September 30, 2024
(in millions)
Foreign currency translation adjustments 1
$
(1,119)
$
67
$
—
$
(1,052)
Translation adjustments on net investment hedges 2
181
(105)
—
76
Cash flow hedges
Foreign exchange contracts 3
(17)
1
56
40
Interest rate contracts
(118)
—
3
(115)
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans
(25)
2
—
(23)
Investment securities available-for-sale
(1)
2
—
1
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
$
(1,099)
$
(33)
$
59
$
(1,073)
December 31, 2022
Increase / (Decrease)
Reclassifications
September 30, 2023
(in millions)
Foreign currency translation adjustments 1
$
(1,414)
$
(105)
$
—
$
(1,519)
Translation adjustments on net investment hedges 2
309
41
—
350
Cash flow hedges
Foreign exchange contracts 3
(8)
(5)
18
5
Interest rate contracts
(123)
—
4
(119)
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans
(11)
—
—
(11)
Investment securities available-for-sale
(6)
3
—
(3)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
$
(1,253)
$
(66)
$
22
$
(1,297)
1During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive loss related to foreign currency translation adjustments was driven primarily by the appreciation of the British pound against the U.S. dollar, partially offset by the depreciation of the Brazilian real against the U.S. dollar. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the increase in the accumulated other comprehensive loss related to foreign currency translation adjustments was driven primarily by the depreciation of the euro against the U.S. dollar.
2During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive gain related to the net investment hedges was driven primarily by the appreciation of the British pound against the U.S. dollar. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the increase in the accumulated other comprehensive gain related to the net investment hedges was driven by the depreciation of the euro against the U.S. dollar. See Note 17 (Derivative and Hedging Instruments) for additional information.
3Certain foreign exchange derivative contracts are designated as cash flow hedging instruments. Gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of these contracts are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified to the consolidated statement of operations when the underlying hedged transactions impact earnings. See Note 17 (Derivative and Hedging Instruments) for additional information.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company granted the following awards under the Mastercard Incorporated 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan, amended and restated as of June 22, 2021 (the “LTIP”). The LTIP is a stockholder-approved plan that permits the grant of various types of equity awards to employees.
Grants in 2024
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
(in millions)
(per option/unit)
Non-qualified stock options
0.2
$
165
Restricted stock units
0.9
$
471
Performance stock units
0.2
$
512
The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the grant-date fair value of stock options and calculates the expected life and the expected volatility based on historical Mastercard information. The expected life of stock options granted in 2024 was estimated to be six years, while the expected volatility was determined to be 28.7%. These awards expire ten years from the date of grant and vest ratably over three years.
The fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is determined and fixed on the grant date based on the Company’s Class A common stock price, adjusted for the exclusion of dividend equivalents. RSUs generally vest ratably over three years.
The Company uses the Monte Carlo simulation valuation model to determine the grant-date fair value of performance stock units (“PSUs”) granted. PSUs vest after three years from the date of grant and are subject to a mandatory one-year deferral period, during which vested PSUs are eligible for dividend equivalents.
Compensation expense is recorded net of estimated forfeitures over the shorter of the vesting period or the date the individual becomes eligible to retire under the LTIP. The Company uses the straight-line method of attribution over the requisite service period for expensing equity awards.
Note 14. Income Taxes
The effective income tax rates were 15.6% and 15.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The higher effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2024, versus the comparable period in 2023, was primarily due to the Company’s ability to claim more U.S. foreign tax credits generated in 2022 and 2023 resulting from Notice 2023-55 (the “Notice”), released by the U.S. Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) in 2023. The higher effective income tax rate was partially offset by a $115 million discrete tax expense in 2023 to establish a valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset related to U.S. foreign tax credits generated prior to 2022, as well as a change in the Company’s geographic mix of earnings in the current period.
The effective income tax rates were 16.1% and 18.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The lower effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, versus the comparable period in 2023, was primarily due to a discrete tax expense in 2023 related to changes in the valuation allowance associated with the U.S. foreign tax credits deferred tax asset. In 2023, the treatment of foreign taxes paid under the U.S. tax regulations published in 2022 changed due to the foreign tax legislation enacted in Brazil and the Notice released by Treasury. Therefore, the Company recognized a total $327 million discrete tax expense in 2023 to establish the valuation allowance. This discrete tax expense was partially offset by the Company’s ability to claim more U.S. foreign tax credits generated in 2022 and 2023 due to the Notice. Additionally, a change in the Company’s geographic mix of earnings in 2024 contributed to the lower effective income tax rate compared to the prior year.
The Company is subject to tax in the United States, Belgium, Singapore, the United Kingdom and various other foreign jurisdictions, as well as state and local jurisdictions. Uncertain tax positions are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are adjusted after considering facts and circumstances, including progress of tax audits, developments in case law and closing of statutes of limitation. Within the next twelve months, the Company believes that the resolution of certain federal, foreign and state and local examinations is reasonably possible and that a change in estimate, reducing unrecognized tax benefits, may occur. While such a change may be significant, it is not possible to provide a range of the potential change until the examinations progress further or the related statutes of limitation expire. The Company has effectively settled its U.S. federal income tax obligations through 2014. With limited exception, the Company is no longer subject to state and local or foreign examinations by tax authorities for years before 2014.
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the amount of the unrecognized tax benefit was $296 million and $431 million, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to the withdrawal of a prior year refund claim, which had no impact on the consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
Mastercard is a party to legal and regulatory proceedings with respect to a variety of matters in the ordinary course of business. Some of these proceedings are based on complex claims involving substantial uncertainties and unascertainable damages. Accordingly, it is not possible to determine the probability of loss or estimate damages, and therefore, Mastercard has not established liabilities for any of these proceedings, except as discussed below. When the Company determines that a loss is both probable and reasonably estimable, Mastercard records a liability and discloses the amount of the liability if it is material. When a material loss contingency is only reasonably possible, Mastercard does not record a liability, but instead discloses the nature and the amount of the claim, and an estimate of the loss or range of loss, if such an estimate can be made. Unless otherwise stated below with respect to these matters, Mastercard cannot provide an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss based on one or more of the following reasons: (1) actual or potential plaintiffs have not claimed an amount of monetary damages or the amounts are unsupportable or exaggerated, (2) the matters are in early stages, (3) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals or motions, (4) there are significant factual issues to be resolved, (5) the proceedings involve multiple defendants or potential defendants whose share of any potential financial responsibility has yet to be determined and/or (6) there are novel legal issues presented. Furthermore, except as identified with respect to the matters below, Mastercard does not believe that the outcome of any individual existing legal or regulatory proceeding to which it is a party will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition and overall business. However, an adverse judgment or other outcome or settlement with respect to any proceedings discussed below could result in fines or payments by Mastercard and/or could require Mastercard to change its business practices. In addition, an adverse outcome in a regulatory proceeding could lead to the filing of civil damage claims and possibly result in significant damage awards. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on Mastercard’s results of operations, financial condition and overall business.
Interchange Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings
Mastercard’s interchange fees and other practices are subject to regulatory, legal review and/or challenges in a number of jurisdictions, including the proceedings described below. When taken as a whole, the resulting decisions, regulations and legislation with respect to interchange fees and acceptance practices may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s prospects for future growth and its overall results of operations and financial condition.
United States. In 2005, the first of a series of complaints were filed on behalf of merchants (the majority of the complaints were styled as class actions, although a few complaints were filed on behalf of individual merchant plaintiffs) against Mastercard International, Visa U.S.A., Inc., Visa International Service Association and a number of financial institutions. Taken together, the claims in the complaints were generally brought under both Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act, which prohibit monopolization and attempts or conspiracies to monopolize a particular industry, and some of these complaints contain unfair competition law claims under state law. The complaints allege, among other things, that Mastercard, Visa, and certain financial institutions conspired to set the price of interchange fees, enacted point of sale acceptance rules (including the “no surcharge” rule) in violation of antitrust laws and engaged in unlawful tying and bundling of certain products and services, resulting in merchants paying excessive costs for the acceptance of Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards. The cases were consolidated for pre-trial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in MDL No. 1720 (the “U.S. MDL Litigation Cases”). The plaintiffs filed a consolidated class action complaint seeking treble damages.
In 2006, the group of purported merchant class plaintiffs filed a supplemental complaint alleging that Mastercard’s initial public offering of its Class A Common Stock in May 2006 (the “IPO”) and certain purported agreements entered into between Mastercard and financial institutions in connection with the IPO: (1) violate U.S. antitrust laws and (2) constituted a fraudulent conveyance because the financial institutions allegedly attempted to release, without adequate consideration, Mastercard’s right to assess them for Mastercard’s litigation liabilities. The class plaintiffs sought treble damages and injunctive relief including, but not limited to, an order reversing and unwinding the IPO.
In 2011, Mastercard and Mastercard International entered into each of: (1) an omnibus judgment sharing and settlement sharing agreement with Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A. Inc. and Visa International Service Association and a number of financial institutions; and (2) a Mastercard settlement and judgment sharing agreement with a number of financial institutions. The agreements provide for the apportionment of certain costs and liabilities which Mastercard, the Visa parties and the financial institutions may incur, jointly and/or severally, in the event of an adverse judgment or settlement of one or all of the U.S. MDL Litigation Cases. Among a number of scenarios addressed by the agreements, in the event of a global settlement involving the Visa parties, the financial institutions and Mastercard, Mastercard would pay 12% of the monetary portion of the settlement. In the event of a settlement involving only Mastercard and the financial institutions with respect to their issuance of Mastercard cards, Mastercard would pay 36% of the monetary portion of such settlement.
In 2012, the parties entered into a definitive settlement agreement with respect to the U.S. MDL Litigation Cases (including with respect to the claims related to the IPO) and the defendants separately entered into a settlement agreement with the individual merchant plaintiffs. The settlements included cash payments that were apportioned among the defendants pursuant to the omnibus judgment sharing and settlement sharing agreement described above. Mastercard also agreed to provide class members with a short-term reduction in default credit interchange rates and to modify certain of its business practices, including its no surcharge rule. The court granted final approval of the settlement in 2013. Following an appeal by objectors and as a result of a reversal by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit,
the district court divided the merchants’ claims into two separate classes - monetary damages claims (the “Damages Class”) and claims seeking changes to business practices (the “Rules Relief Class”). The court appointed separate counsel for each class.
In 2018, the parties to the Damages Class litigation entered into a class settlement agreement to resolve the Damages Class claims, with merchants representing slightly more than 25% of the Damages Class interchange volume choosing to opt out of the settlement. The Damages Class settlement agreement became final in August 2023. Since 2018, Mastercard has reached settlements or agreements in principle to settle with over 250 opt-out merchants. These opt-out merchant settlements, along with the Damages Class settlement, represent over 90% of Mastercard’s U.S. interchange volume.
Approximately 65 individual opt-out merchants continue to litigate, seeking treble damages and attorneys’ fees and costs. During the first quarter of 2024, the district court denied the defendants’ motions for summary judgment with respect to these ongoing individual opt-out merchant cases, sending the cases back to their original jurisdictions for trials. In October 2024, the remaining opt-out merchants submitted expert reports on liability and damages issues. The aggregate single damages claimed by these merchants total approximately $12 billion with respect to their Mastercard purchase volume. Mastercard would be responsible for 36% of any Mastercard-related judgment pursuant to the December 2011 judgment and settlement sharing agreement discussed above. One court has scheduled a trial for cases involving six of the larger opt-out merchants for October 2025. The remaining opt-out merchant cases have not yet been scheduled for trial.
In 2021, the district court granted the Rules Relief Class’s motion for class certification. In March 2024, the parties to the Rules Relief Class litigation entered into a settlement agreement to resolve the Rules Relief Class claims. The court held a preliminary settlement approval hearing in June 2024, and subsequently issued a decision denying approval of the settlement. The parties are in ongoing settlement discussions. The court has not yet scheduled a trial date.
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, Mastercard had accrued a liability of $572 million and $596 million, respectively, for the U.S. MDL Litigation Cases. The liability as of September 30, 2024 represents Mastercard’s best estimate of its probable liabilities in these matters and does not represent an estimate of a loss, if any, if the matters were litigated to a final outcome. Mastercard cannot estimate the potential liability if that were to occur.
Europe. Since 2012, a number of United Kingdom (“U.K.”) merchants filed claims or threatened litigation against Mastercard seeking damages for excessive costs paid for acceptance of Mastercard credit and debit cards arising out of alleged anti-competitive conduct with respect to, among other things, Mastercard’s cross-border interchange fees and its U.K. and Ireland domestic interchange fees (the “U.K. Merchant claimants”). In addition, Mastercard has faced similar filed or threatened litigation by merchants with respect to interchange rates in other countries in Europe (the “Pan-European Merchant claimants”). Mastercard has resolved a substantial amount of these damages claims through settlement or judgment. Following these settlements, approximately £0.3 billion (approximately $0.4 billion as of September 30, 2024) of unresolved damages claims remain. Mastercard continues to litigate with the remaining U.K. and Pan-European Merchant claimants and it has submitted statements of defense disputing liability and damages claims. A number of those matters are now progressing with motion practice and discovery. A hearing involving multiple merchant cases was completed in March 2024 concerning certain liability issues with respect to merchant claims for damages related to post-Interchange Fee Regulation consumer interchange fees as well as commercial and inter-regional interchange fees.
In a separate matter, Mastercard and Visa were served with a proposed collective action complaint in the U.K. on behalf of merchants seeking damages for commercial card transactions in both the U.K. and the European Union. In December 2023, the plaintiffs filed a revised collective action application claiming damages against Mastercard in excess of £1 billion (approximately $1.3 billion as of September 30, 2024). In June 2024, the court granted the plaintiffs’ collective action application. Mastercard’s request for permission to appeal this ruling was denied.
In 2016, a proposed collective action was filed in the United Kingdom on behalf of U.K. consumers seeking damages for intra-European Economic Area (“EEA”) and domestic U.K. interchange fees that were allegedly passed on to consumers by merchants between 1992 and 2008. The complaint, which seeks to leverage the European Commission’s 2007 decision on intra-EEA interchange fees, claims damages in an amount that exceeds £10 billion (approximately $13 billion as of September 30, 2024). In 2021, the trial court issued a decision in which it granted class certification to the plaintiffs but narrowed the scope of the class. Since January 2023, the trial court has held hearings on various issues, including whether any causal connection existed between the levels of Mastercard’s intra-EEA interchange fees and U.K. domestic interchange fees and regarding Mastercard’s request to narrow the number of years of damages sought by the plaintiffs on statute of limitations grounds. In February 2024, the trial court ruled in Mastercard’s favor, finding no causal connection between the levels of Mastercard’s intra-EEA interchange fees and U.K. domestic interchange fees. The plaintiffs’ request for permission to appeal this ruling was denied. In June 2024, the trial court ruled in Mastercard’s favor with respect to its request to dismiss five years of the plaintiffs’ damages claims on statute of limitations grounds. The plaintiffs’ request for permission to appeal this ruling was granted.
Mastercard has been named as a defendant in a proposed consumer collective action filed in Portugal on behalf of Portuguese consumers. The complaint, which seeks to leverage the 2019 resolution of the European Commission’s investigation of Mastercard’s central acquiring rules and interregional interchange fees, claims damages of approximately €0.4 billion (approximately $0.4 billion as of September 30, 2024) for interchange fees that were allegedly passed on to consumers by Portuguese merchants for a period of approximately 20 years. Mastercard has submitted a statement of defense that disputes both liability and damages.
Australia. In 2022, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (“ACCC”) filed a complaint targeting certain agreements entered into by Mastercard and certain Australian merchants related to Mastercard’s debit program. The ACCC alleges that by entering into such agreements, Mastercard engaged in conduct with the purpose of substantially lessening competition in the supply of debit card acceptance services. The ACCC seeks both declaratory relief and monetary fines and costs. A hearing on liability issues has been scheduled for March 2025.
ATM Non-Discrimination Rule Surcharge Complaints
In 2011, a trade association of independent ATM operators and 13 independent ATM operators filed a complaint styled as a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against both Mastercard and Visa (the “ATM Operators Class Complaint”). Plaintiffs seek to represent a class of non-bank operators of ATM terminals that operate in the United States with the discretion to determine the price of the ATM access fee for the terminals they operate. Plaintiffs allege that Mastercard and Visa have violated Section 1 of the Sherman Act by imposing rules that require ATM operators to charge non-discriminatory ATM surcharges for transactions processed over Mastercard’s and Visa’s respective networks that are not greater than the surcharge for transactions over other networks accepted at the same ATM. Plaintiffs seek both injunctive and monetary relief equal to treble the damages they claim to have sustained as a result of the alleged violations and their costs of suit, including attorneys’ fees.
Subsequently, multiple related complaints were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging both federal antitrust and multiple state unfair competition, consumer protection and common law claims against Mastercard and Visa on behalf of different putative classes of users of ATM services. The claims in these actions largely mirror the allegations made in the ATM Operators Class Complaint, although these complaints seek damages on behalf of consumers of ATM services who pay allegedly inflated ATM fees at both bank (“Bank ATM Consumer Class Complaint”) and non-bank (“Non-bank ATM Consumer Class Complaint”) ATM operators as a result of the defendants’ ATM rules. Plaintiffs seek both injunctive and monetary relief equal to treble the damages they claim to have sustained as a result of the alleged violations and their costs of suit, including attorneys’ fees.
In 2019, the plaintiffs in all three class complaints filed with the district court their motions for class certification. In July 2023, the D.C. Circuit Court affirmed the district court’s previous order granting class certification. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the defendants’ appeal of the certification decision.
In May 2024, Mastercard executed a settlement agreement with the class lawyers representing the Bank ATM Consumer Class, subject to court approval. The trial court granted preliminary approval of the settlement and has scheduled a final approval hearing for January 2025. During the first quarter of 2024, Mastercard recorded an accrual of $93 million in connection with this matter. The litigation with the ATM Operators Class and Non-bank ATM Consumer Class is ongoing. The plaintiffs in these two remaining class complaints, in aggregate, allege over $1 billion in single damages against all of the defendants.
U.S. Liability Shift Litigation
In 2016, a proposed U.S. merchant class action complaint was filed in federal court in California alleging that Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover (the “Network Defendants”), EMVCo, and a number of issuing banks (the “Bank Defendants”) engaged in a conspiracy to shift fraud liability for card present transactions from issuing banks to merchants not yet in compliance with the standards for EMV chip cards in the United States (the “EMV Liability Shift”), in violation of the Sherman Act and California law. Plaintiffs allege damages equal to the value of all chargebacks for which class members became liable as a result of the EMV Liability Shift on October 1, 2015. The plaintiffs seek treble damages, attorney’s fees and costs and an injunction against future violations of governing law. The district court denied the Network Defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint, but granted such a motion for EMVCo and the Bank Defendants. In 2017, the district court transferred the case to New York so that discovery could be coordinated with the U.S. MDL Litigation Cases described above. In 2020, the district court issued an order granting the plaintiffs’ request for class certification. The plaintiffs have submitted expert reports that allege aggregate single damages in excess of $1 billion against the four Network Defendants. The Network Defendants submitted expert reports rebutting both liability and damages and all briefs on summary judgment have been submitted. In September 2024, the district court denied the Network Defendants’ motion for summary judgment.
Telephone Consumer Protection Class Action
Mastercard is a defendant in a Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) class action pending in Florida. The plaintiffs are individuals and businesses who allege that approximately 381,000 unsolicited faxes were sent to them advertising a Mastercard co-brand card issued by First Arkansas Bank (“FAB”). The TCPA provides for uncapped statutory damages of $500 per fax. Mastercard has asserted various defenses to the claims, and has notified FAB of an indemnity claim that it has (which FAB has disputed). In 2019, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) issued a declaratory ruling clarifying that the TCPA does not apply to faxes sent to online fax services that are received online via email. In 2021, the trial court granted plaintiffs’ request for class certification, but narrowed the scope of the class to stand alone fax recipients only. Mastercard’s request to appeal that decision was denied. Briefing on plaintiffs’ motion to amend the class definition and Mastercard’s cross-motion to decertify the stand alone fax recipient class was completed in April 2023 and the parties await the court’s decision.
In March 2023, Mastercard received a Civil Investigative Demand (“CID”) from the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division (“DOJ”) seeking documents and information regarding a potential violation of Sections 1 or 2 of the Sherman Act. The CID focuses on Mastercard’s U.S. debit program and competition with other payment networks and technologies. Mastercard is cooperating with the DOJ in connection with the CID.
European Commission Investigation
In August 2024, Mastercard received a formal request for information from the European Commission seeking documents and information in connection with an investigation into alleged anti-competitive behavior of certain card scheme services in the European Union/EEA. The request focuses on Mastercard’s practices regarding network fees related to acquirers. Mastercard is cooperating with the European Commission in connection with the request.
Note 16. Settlement and Other Risk Management
Mastercard’s rules guarantee the settlement of many of the payment network transactions between its customers (“settlement risk”). Settlement exposure is the settlement risk to customers under Mastercard’s rules due to the difference in timing between the payment transaction date and subsequent settlement. For those transactions the Company guarantees, the guarantee will cover the full amount of the settlement obligation to the extent the settlement obligation is not otherwise satisfied. The duration of the settlement exposure is short-term and generally limited to a few days.
Gross settlement exposure is estimated using the average daily payment volume during the three months prior to period end multiplied by the estimated number of days of exposure. The Company has global risk management policies and procedures, which include risk standards, to provide a framework for managing the Company’s settlement risk and exposure. In the event of failed settlement by a customer, Mastercard may pursue one or more remedies available under the Company’s rules to recover potential losses. Historically, the Company has experienced a low level of losses from customer settlement failures.
As part of its policies, Mastercard requires certain customers that do not meet the Company’s risk standards to enter into risk mitigation arrangements, including cash collateral and/or forms of credit enhancement such as letters of credit and guarantees. This requirement is based on a review of the individual risk circumstances for each customer. Mastercard monitors its credit risk portfolio and the adequacy of its risk mitigation arrangements on a regular basis. Additionally, the Company periodically reviews its risk management methodology and standards. As such, the amounts of estimated settlement exposure are revised as necessary.
The Company’s estimated settlement exposure was as follows:
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
(in millions)
Gross settlement exposure
$
76,524
$
75,023
Risk mitigation arrangements applied to settlement exposure
(13,222)
(12,167)
Net settlement exposure
$
63,302
$
62,856
Mastercard also provides guarantees to customers and certain other counterparties indemnifying them from losses stemming from failures of third parties to perform duties. This includes guarantees of Mastercard-branded travelers cheques issued, but not yet cashed of $337 million and $340 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, of which the Company has risk mitigation arrangements for $272 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. In addition, the Company enters into agreements in the ordinary course of business under which the Company agrees to indemnify third parties against damages, losses and expenses incurred in connection with legal and other proceedings arising from relationships or transactions with the Company. Certain indemnifications do not provide a stated maximum exposure. As the extent of the Company’s obligations under these agreements depends entirely upon the occurrence of future events, the Company’s potential future liability under these agreements is not determinable. Historically, payments made by the Company under these types of contractual arrangements have not been material.
Note 17. Derivative and Hedging Instruments
The Company monitors and manages its foreign currency and interest rate exposures as part of its overall risk management program, which focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of these markets may have on its operating results. A primary objective of the Company’s risk management strategies is to reduce the financial impact that may arise from volatility in foreign currency exchange rates principally through the use of both foreign exchange derivative contracts and foreign currency denominated debt. In addition, the Company may enter into interest rate derivative contracts to manage the effects of interest rate movements on the Company’s aggregate liability portfolio, including potential future debt issuances. The Company does not enter into derivatives for speculative purposes.
The Company may enter into foreign exchange derivative contracts, including forwards and options, to manage the impact of foreign currency variability on anticipated revenues and expenses, which fluctuate based on currencies other than the functional currency of the entity. The objective of these hedging activities is to reduce the effect of movement in foreign exchange rates for a portion of revenues and expenses forecasted to occur. As these contracts are designated as cash flow hedging instruments, gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value of these contracts are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified to the consolidated statement of operations when the underlying hedged transactions impact earnings. The terms of these contracts are for generally less than 18 months.
In April 2024, the Company entered into foreign exchange derivative contracts to hedge its exposure to variability in cash flows related to foreign denominated assets. Gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value of these contracts are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified to the consolidated statement of operations when the hedged transactions impact earnings. Forward points are excluded from the effectiveness assessment and are amortized to general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations over the hedge period. The maximum term of these contracts was for approximately 7 years.
In addition, the Company may enter into interest rate derivative contracts to manage the effects of interest rate movements on the Company’s aggregate liability portfolio, including potential future debt issuances, and designate such derivatives as hedging instruments in a cash flow hedging relationship. Gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value of these contracts are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and are subsequently reclassified as an adjustment to interest expense over the respective terms of the hedged debt issuances.
Fair Value Hedges
The Company may enter into interest rate derivative contracts, including interest rate swaps, to manage the effects of interest rate movements on the fair value of the Company's fixed-rate debt and designate such derivatives as hedging instruments in a fair value hedging relationship. Changes in fair value of these contracts and changes in fair value of fixed-rate debt attributable to changes in the hedged benchmark interest rate generally offset each other and are recorded in interest expense on the consolidated statement of operations. Gains and losses related to the net settlements of interest rate swapsare alsorecorded in interest expense on the consolidated statement of operations. The periodic cash settlements are included in operating activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows.
In 2021, the Company entered into an interest rate swap designated as a fair value hedge related to $1.0 billion of the 3.850% Senior Notes due March 2050. In effect, the interest rate swap synthetically converts the fixed interest rate on this debt to a variable interest rate based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) Overnight Index Swap Rate. The net impacts to interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were not material.
Net Investment Hedges
The Company may use foreign currency denominated debt and/or foreign exchange derivative contracts to hedge a portion of its net investment in foreign subsidiaries against adverse movements in exchange rates. The effective portion of the net investment hedge is recorded as a currency translation adjustment in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Forward points are excluded from the effectiveness assessment and are amortized to general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations over the hedge period. The amounts recognized in earnings related to forward points for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were not material.
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had €1.7 billion and €1.6 billion euro-denominated debt outstanding designated as hedges of a portion of its net investment in its European operations. In December 2023, the Company de-designated €109 million of the euro-denominated debt as net investment hedges to effectively manage changes in its net investment exposures in foreign subsidiaries. The euro-denominated debt was subsequently re-designated as a net investment hedge effective April 2024. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded pre-tax net foreign currency gains (losses) of $(77) million and $(19) million and $54 million and $15 million, respectively, in other comprehensive income (loss).
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had net foreign currency gains of $76 million and $181 million, after tax, respectively, in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) associated with this hedging activity.
Non-designated Derivatives
The Company may also enter into foreign exchange derivative contracts to serve as economic hedges, such as to offset possible changes in the value of monetary assets and liabilities due to foreign exchange fluctuations, without designating these derivative contracts as hedging instruments. In addition, the Company is subject to foreign exchange risk as part of its daily settlement activities. This risk is typically limited to a few days between when a payment transaction takes place and the subsequent settlement with customers. To manage this risk, the Company may enter into short duration foreign exchange derivative contracts based upon anticipated receipts and disbursements for the respective currency position. The objective of these activities is to reduce the Company’s exposure to volatility arising from gains and losses resulting from fluctuations of foreign currencies against its functional currencies. Gains and losses resulting from changes in fair
value of these contracts are recorded in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations, net, along with the foreign currency gains and losses on monetary assets and liabilities.
The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments and the related notional amounts:
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Notional
Derivative assets
Derivative liabilities
Notional
Derivative assets
Derivative liabilities
(in millions)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Foreign exchange contracts in a cash flow hedge 1
$
4,246
$
12
$
32
$
1,006
$
2
$
25
Interest rate contracts in a fair value hedge 2
1,000
—
54
1,000
—
79
Foreign exchange contracts in a net investment hedge 1
2,679
—
105
—
—
—
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Foreign exchange contracts 1
2,025
22
16
5,424
34
79
Total derivative assets/liabilities
$
9,950
$
34
$
207
$
7,430
$
36
$
183
1Foreign exchange derivative assets and liabilities are included within prepaid expenses and other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities, and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
2Interest rate derivative liabilities are included within other current liabilities and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
The pre-tax gain (loss) related to the Company's derivative financial instruments designated as hedging instruments are as follows:
Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Earnings
Three Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
(in millions)
(in millions)
Derivative financial instruments in a cash flow hedge relationship:
Foreign exchange contracts 1
$
(110)
$
17
Net revenue
$
—
$
(10)
General and administrative 2
$
(122)
$
—
Interest rate contracts
$
—
$
—
Interest expense
$
(2)
$
(2)
Derivative financial instruments in a net investment hedge relationship:
Foreign exchange contracts
$
(106)
$
84
1Includes immaterial amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).
2Includes immaterial amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment recognized in earnings.
Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Earnings
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
(in millions)
(in millions)
Derivative financial instruments in a cash flow hedge relationship:
Foreign exchange contracts 1
$
3
$
(7)
Net revenue
$
—
$
(24)
General and administrative 2
$
(56)
$
—
Interest rate contracts
$
—
$
—
Interest expense
$
(5)
$
(5)
Derivative financial instruments in a net investment hedge relationship:
Foreign exchange contracts
$
(115)
$
38
1Includes immaterial amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).
2Includes immaterial amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment recognized in earnings.
The Company estimates that the pre-tax amount of the net deferred loss on cash flow hedges recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 30, 2024 that will be reclassified into the consolidated statement of operations within the next 12 months is not material.
The amount of gain (loss) recognized on the consolidated statement of operations for non-designated derivative contracts is summarized below:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
(in millions)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts
General and administrative
$
1
$
(4)
$
72
$
21
The Company’s derivative financial instruments are subject to both market and counterparty credit risk. Market risk is the potential for economic losses to be incurred on market risk sensitive instruments arising from adverse changes in market factors such as foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and other related variables. Counterparty credit risk is the risk of loss due to failure of the counterparty to perform its obligations in accordance with contractual terms. The Company’s derivative contracts are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements, which contain various netting and setoff provisions. However, the Company has elected to present derivative assets and liabilities on a gross basis on the consolidated balance sheet. To mitigate counterparty credit risk, the Company enters into derivative contracts with a diversified group of selected financial institutions based upon their credit ratings and other factors. Generally, the Company does not obtain collateral related to derivatives because of the high credit ratings of the counterparties.
MASTERCARD SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FORM 10-Q 29
PART I
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Item 2. Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations
The following supplements management's discussion and analysis of Mastercard Incorporated for the year ended December 31, 2023 as contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2024. It also should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes of Mastercard Incorporated and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Mastercard International Incorporated (together, “Mastercard” or the “Company”), included elsewhere in this Report. Percentage changes provided throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” were calculated on amounts rounded to the nearest thousand.
Financial Results Overview
The following table provides a summary of our key GAAP operating results, as reported:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
2024
2023
2024
2023
(in millions, except percentages and per share data)
Net revenue
$
7,369
$
6,533
13%
$
20,678
$
18,550
11%
Operating expenses
$
3,365
$
2,689
25%
$
9,034
$
7,914
14%
Operating income
$
4,004
$
3,844
4%
$
11,644
$
10,636
9%
Operating margin
54.3
%
58.8
%
(4.5) ppt
56.3
%
57.3
%
(1.0) ppt
Income tax expense
$
603
$
563
7%
$
1,831
$
1,914
(4)%
Effective income tax rate
15.6
%
15.0
%
0.6 ppt
16.1
%
18.6
%
(2.4) ppt
Net income
$
3,263
$
3,198
2%
$
9,532
$
8,404
13%
Diluted earnings per share
$
3.53
$
3.39
4%
$
10.25
$
8.85
16%
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
925
943
(2)%
930
949
(2)%
Note: Table may not sum due to rounding.
The following table provides a summary of our key non-GAAP operating results1, adjusted to exclude the impact of gains and losses on our equity investments, Special Items (which represent litigation judgments and settlements and certain one-time items) and the related tax impacts on our non-GAAP adjustments. In addition, we have presented growth rates, adjusted for the impact of currency:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
2024
2023
As adjusted
Currency-neutral
2024
2023
As adjusted
Currency-neutral
($ in millions, except per share data)
Net revenue
$
7,369
$
6,533
13%
14%
$
20,678
$
18,550
11%
12%
Adjusted operating expenses
$
2,999
$
2,689
12%
12%
$
8,444
$
7,683
10%
10%
Adjusted operating margin
59.3
%
58.8
%
0.5 ppt
0.7 ppt
59.2
%
58.6
%
0.6 ppt
0.8 ppt
Adjusted effective income tax rate
16.3
%
15.0
%
1.4 ppt
1.5 ppt
16.6
%
19.0
%
(2.4) ppt
(2.4) ppt
Adjusted net income
$
3,593
$
3,202
12%
13%
$
10,027
$
8,622
16%
18%
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
$
3.89
$
3.39
15%
16%
$
10.78
$
9.08
19%
20%
Note: Table may not sum due to rounding.
1 See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” for further information on our non-GAAP adjustments and the reconciliation to GAAP reported amounts.
30 MASTERCARD SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FORM 10-Q
PART I
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Key highlights for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, versus the comparable periods in 2023:
Net revenue
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
GAAP
Non-GAAP (currency-neutral)
Both the as-reported and currency-neutral net revenue increase was attributable to growth in our payment network and value-added services and solutions.
up 13%
up 14%
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
GAAP
Non-GAAP (currency-neutral)
Both the as-reported and currency-neutral net revenue increase was attributable to growth in our payment network and value-added services and solutions.
up 11%
up 12%
Operating expenses
Adjusted operating expenses
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
GAAP
Non-GAAP
(currency-neutral)
The as-reported operating expense increase was primarily due to higher general and administrative expenses (including a restructuring charge in the third quarter of 2024) and litigation provisions. The as-adjusted operating expense increase was primarily due to higher general and administrative expenses.
up 25%
up 12%
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
GAAP
Non-GAAP (currency-neutral)
The as-reported operating expense increase was primarily due to higher general and administrative expenses (including a restructuring charge in the third quarter of 2024) and litigation provisions. The as-adjusted operating expense increase was primarily due to higher general and administrative expenses.
up 14%
up 10%
Effective income
tax rate
Adjusted effective
income tax rate
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
Both the as-reported and as-adjusted effective income tax rates were higher than the prior year rates primarily due to our ability in 2023 to claim more U.S. foreign tax credits generated in 2022 and 2023, partially offset by the establishment of a valuation allowance in 2023 as well as a change in our geographic mix of earnings in the current period.
GAAP
Non-GAAP
15.6%
16.3%
up 0.6 ppt
up 1.4 ppt
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
Both the as-reported and as-adjusted effective income tax rates were lower than the prior year rates primarily due to the establishment of a valuation allowance in 2023, partially offset by our ability in 2023 to claim more U.S. foreign tax credits generated in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, a change in our geographic mix of earnings in 2024 contributed to the lower effective income tax rate compared to the prior year.
GAAP
Non-GAAP
16.1%
16.6%
down 2.4 ppt
down 2.4 ppt
Other financial highlights for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were as follows:
•We generated net cash flows from operations of $9.9 billion.
•We repurchased 16.5 million shares of our common stock for $7.6 billion and paid dividends of $1.8 billion.
•We completed debt offerings for an aggregate principal amount of $4.0 billion.
MASTERCARD SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FORM 10-Q 31
PART I
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Non-GAAP Financial Information
Non-GAAP financial information is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s performance that excludes or includes amounts so as to be different than the most comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). As described more fully below, our non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of gains and losses on our equity investments, which includes mark-to-market fair value adjustments, impairments and gains and losses upon disposition, as well as the related tax impacts. Our non-GAAP financial measures also exclude the impact of special items, where applicable, which represent litigation judgments and settlements and certain one-time items, as well as the related tax impacts (“Special Items”). We also present growth rates adjusted for the impact of currency, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. We believe that the non-GAAP financial measures presented facilitate an understanding of our operating performance and provide a meaningful comparison of our results between periods. We use non-GAAP financial measures to, among other things, evaluate our ongoing operations in relation to historical results, for internal planning and forecasting purposes and in the calculation of performance-based compensation. We excluded these items because management evaluates the underlying operations and performance of the Company separately from these recurring and nonrecurring items. Operating expenses, operating margin, other income (expense), effective income tax rate, net income and diluted earnings per share adjusted for the impact of gains and losses on our equity investments, Special Items and/or the impact of currency, should not be relied upon as substitutes for measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Our non-GAAP financial measures for the comparable periods exclude the impact of the following:
Gains and Losses on Equity Investments
•In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded net losses of $62 million ($63 million after tax, or $0.07 per diluted share) and $69 million ($67 million after tax, or $0.07 per diluted share), respectively, primarily related to unrealized fair market value adjustments on marketable and nonmarketable equity securities.
•In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded net losses of $6 million ($5 million after tax, or an immaterial impact per diluted share) and $95 million ($63 million after tax, or $0.07 per diluted share), respectively, primarily related to unrealized fair market value adjustments on marketable and nonmarketable equity securities.
Special Items
Litigation provisions
•In the three months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded charges of $176 million ($120 million after tax, or $0.13 per diluted share), primarily as a result of a change in estimate related to the claims of merchants who opted out of the U.S. merchant class litigation. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded charges of $400 million ($281 million after tax, or $0.30 per diluted share), primarily as a result of a change in estimate related to the claims of merchants who opted out of the U.S. merchant class litigation, settlements with a number of U.K. merchants and a legal provision associated with the ATM non-discrimination rule surcharge complaints.
•In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded charges of $231 million ($156 million after tax, or $0.16 per diluted share) primarily as a result of a change in estimate related to the claims of merchants who opted out of the U.S. merchant class litigation.
Restructuring charge
•In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded a restructuring charge of $190 million ($147 million after tax, or $0.16 per diluted share). The restructuring action is intended to streamline our organization, delivering efficiencies to enable reinvestment in our business to support the realization of our long-term growth opportunities.
See Note 6 (Investments) and Note 15 (Legal and Regulatory Proceedings) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Report for further discussion related to certain of the items discussed above.
Currency-neutral Growth Rates
Currency-neutral growth rates are calculated by remeasuring the prior period’s results using the current period’s exchange rates for both the translational and transactional impacts on operating results and are non-GAAP financial measures. The impact of currency translation represents the effect of translating operating results where the functional currency is different from our U.S. dollar reporting currency. The impact of the transactional currency represents the effect of converting revenue and expenses occurring in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity. The impact of the related realized gains and losses resulting from our foreign exchange derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments (specifically those that manage the impact of foreign currency variability on anticipated revenues and expenses) is recognized in the respective financial statement line item on the statement of operations when the underlying forecasted transactions impact earnings.
The translational and transactional impact of currency and the related impact of our foreign exchange derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments as specified in the preceding paragraph (collectively the “Currency Impact”) has been excluded from our currency-neutral growth rates and has been identified in the “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” tables below and our “Drivers of Change” tables.
32 MASTERCARD SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FORM 10-Q
PART I
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
See “Foreign Currency - Currency Impact” for further information on our currency impacts and “Financial Results - Net Revenue” and “Financial Results - Operating Expenses” for our "Drivers of Change” tables.
Non-GAAP Reconciliations
The following tables reconcile our reported financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP to the respective adjusted non-GAAP financial measures:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
Operating expenses
Operating margin
Other income (expense)
Effective income tax rate
Net income
Diluted earnings per share
Increase/(Decrease)
Reported - GAAP
$
3,365
54.3
%
$
(138)
15.6
%
$
3,263
$
3.53
(Gains) losses on equity investments
**
**
62
(0.3)
%
63
0.07
Litigation provisions
(176)
2.4
%
**
0.7
%
120
0.13
Restructuring charge
(190)
2.6
%
**
0.3
%
147
0.16
Adjusted - Non-GAAP
$
2,999
59.3
%
$
(75)
16.3
%
$
3,593
$
3.89
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
Operating expenses
Operating margin
Other income (expense)
Effective income tax rate
Net income
Diluted earnings per share
Increase/(Decrease)
Reported - GAAP
$
9,034
56.3
%
$
(281)
16.1
%
$
9,532
$
10.25
(Gains) losses on equity investments
**
**
69
(0.1)
%
67
0.07
Litigation provisions
(400)
1.9
%
**
0.5
%
281
0.30
Restructuring charge
(190)
0.9
%
**
0.1
%
147
0.16
Adjusted - Non-GAAP
$
8,444
59.2
%
$
(211)
16.6
%
$
10,027
$
10.78
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Operating expenses
Operating margin
Other income (expense)
Effective income tax rate
Net income
Diluted earnings per share
Increase/(Decrease)
Reported - GAAP
$
2,689
58.8
%
$
(83)
15.0
%
$
3,198
$
3.39
(Gains) losses on equity investments
**
**
6
—
%
5
—
Adjusted - Non-GAAP
$
2,689
58.8
%
$
(78)
15.0
%
$
3,202
$
3.39
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Operating expenses
Operating margin
Other income (expense)
Effective income tax rate
Net income
Diluted earnings per share
Increase/(Decrease)
Reported - GAAP
$
7,914
57.3
%
$
(318)
18.6
%
$
8,404
$
8.85
(Gains) losses on equity investments
**
**
95
0.1
%
63
0.07
Litigation provisions
(231)
1.2
%
**
0.3
%
156
0.16
Adjusted - Non-GAAP
$
7,683
58.6
%
$
(223)
19.0
%
$
8,622
$
9.08
Note: Tables may not sum due to rounding.
** Not applicable.
MASTERCARD SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FORM 10-Q 33
PART I
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following tables represent the reconciliation of our growth rates reported under GAAP to our non-GAAP growth rates:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Increase/(Decrease)
Operating expenses
Operating margin
Effective income tax rate
Net income
Diluted earnings per share
Reported - GAAP
25%
(4.5) ppt
0.6 ppt
2%
4%
(Gains) losses on equity investments
**
**
(0.3) ppt
2%
2%
Litigation provisions
(7)%
2.4 ppt
0.7 ppt
4%
4%
Restructuring charge
(7)%
2.6 ppt
0.3 ppt
5%
5%
Adjusted - Non-GAAP
12%
0.5 ppt
1.4 ppt
12%
15%
Currency Impact
—%
0.3 ppt
0.1 ppt
1%
1%
Adjusted - Non-GAAP - currency-neutral
12%
0.7 ppt
1.5 ppt
13%
16%
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Increase/(Decrease)
Operating expenses
Operating margin
Effective income tax rate
Net income
Diluted earnings per share
Reported - GAAP
14%
(1.0) ppt
(2.4) ppt
13%
16%
(Gains) losses on equity investments
**
**
(0.2) ppt
—%
—%
Litigation provisions
(2)%
0.7 ppt
0.2 ppt
1%
1%
Restructuring charge
(2)%
0.9 ppt
0.1 ppt
2%
2%
Adjusted - Non-GAAP
10%
0.6 ppt
(2.4) ppt
16%
19%
Currency Impact
—%
0.2 ppt
— ppt
1%
1%
Adjusted - Non-GAAP - currency-neutral
10%
0.8 ppt
(2.4) ppt
18%
20%
Note: Tables may not sum due to rounding.
** Not applicable.
Key Metrics and Drivers
In addition to the financial measures described above in “Financial Results Overview”, we review the following metrics to evaluate and identify trends in our business, measure our performance, prepare financial projections and make strategic decisions. We believe that the key metrics presented facilitate an understanding of our operating and financial performance and provide a meaningful comparison of our results between periods.
Operating Margin measures how much profit we make on each dollar of sales after our operating costs but before other income (expense) and income tax expense. Operating margin is calculated by dividing our operating income by net revenue.
Key Drivers
Gross Dollar Volume (“GDV”)1 measures dollar volume of activity, including both domestic and cross-border volume, on cards carrying our brands during the period, on a local currency basis and U.S. dollar-converted basis. GDV represents purchase volume plus cash volume; “purchase volume” means the aggregate dollar amount of purchases made with Mastercard-branded cards for the relevant period; and “cash volume” means the aggregate dollar amount of cash disbursements and includes the impact of balance transfers and convenience checks obtained with Mastercard-branded cards for the relevant period. Information denominated in U.S. dollars relating to GDV is calculated by applying an established U.S. dollar/local currency exchange rate for each local currency in which our volumes are reported. These exchange rates are calculated on a quarterly basis using the average exchange rate for each quarter. We report period-over-period rates of change in purchase volume and cash volume on the basis of local currency information, in order to eliminate the impact of changes in the value of currencies against the U.S. dollar in calculating such rates of change.
Cross-border Volume Growth measures the growth of cross-border dollar volume during the period, on a local currency basis and U.S. dollar-converted basis, for all Mastercard-branded programs.
Switched Transactions measures the number of transactions switched by Mastercard, which is defined as the number of transactions initiated and switched through our network during the period.
1 Data used in the calculation of GDV is provided by Mastercard customers and is subject to verification by Mastercard and partial cross-checking against information provided by Mastercard’s transaction switching systems. All data is subject to revision and amendment by Mastercard or Mastercard’s customers.
34 MASTERCARD SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FORM 10-Q
PART I
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following tables provide a summary of the growth trends in our key drivers:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Increase/(Decrease)
Increase/(Decrease)
USD
Local
USD
Local
USD
Local
USD
Local
Mastercard-branded GDV growth 1
9%
10%
11%
11%
8%
10%
11%
13%
United States
7%
7%
5%
5%
6%
6%
6%
6%
Worldwide less United States
10%
12%
14%
13%
8%
12%
13%
16%
Cross-border volume growth 1
17%
17%
26%
21%
17%
17%
26%
26%
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Increase/(Decrease)
Increase/(Decrease)
Switched transactions growth
11%
15%
11%
15%
1 Excludes volume generated by Maestro and Cirrus cards.
Key Metrics related to the Payment Network
Assessments represent agreed-upon standard pricing provided to our customers based on various forms of payment-related activity. Assessments are used internally by management to monitor operating performance as it allows for comparability and provides visibility into cardholder trends. Assessments do not represent our net revenue.
The following provides additional information on our key metrics related to the payment network:
•Domestic assessments are charges based on activity related to cards that carry the Company’s brands where the merchant country and the country of issuance are the same. These assessments are primarily driven by the domestic dollar volume of activity (e.g., domestic purchase volume, domestic cash volume) or the number of cards issued.
•Cross-border assessments are charges based on activity related to cards that carry the Company’s brands where the merchant country and the country of issuance are different. These assessments are primarily driven by the cross-border dollar volume of activity (e.g., cross-border purchase volume, cross-border cash volume).
•Transaction processing assessments are charges primarily driven by the number of switched transactions on our payment network. Switching activities include:
◦Authorization, the process by which a transaction is routed to the issuer for approval
◦Clearing, the determination and exchange of financial transaction information between issuers and acquirers after a transaction has been successfully conducted at the point of interaction
◦Settlement, which facilitates the determination and exchange of funds between parties
These assessments can also include connectivity services and network access, which are based on the volume of data transmitted and the number of authorization and settlement messages.
•Other network assessments are charges for licensing, implementation and other franchise fees.
The following table provides a summary of our key metrics related to the payment network:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
2024
2023
As reported
Currency-neutral
2024
2023
As reported
Currency-neutral
($ in millions)
Domestic assessments
$
2,641
$
2,460
7%
10%
$
7,707
$
7,182
7%
9%
Cross-border assessments
$
2,804
$
2,313
21%
22%
$
7,475
$
6,211
20%
21%
Transaction processing assessments
$
3,587
$
3,172
13%
14%
$
9,997
$
8,902
12%
13%
Other network assessments
$
227
$
229
(1)%
(1)%
$
697
$
712
(2)%
(2)%
MASTERCARD SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FORM 10-Q 35
PART I
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Foreign Currency
Currency Impact
Our primary revenue functional currencies are the U.S. dollar, euro, British pound and the Brazilian real. Our overall operating results are impacted by currency translation, which represents the effect of translating operating results where the functional currency is different than our U.S. dollar reporting currency.
Our operating results are also impacted by transactional currency. The impact of the transactional currency represents the effect of converting revenue and expense transactions occurring in a currency other than the functional currency. Changes in currency exchange rates directly impact the calculation of gross dollar volume (“GDV”), which is used in the calculation of our key metrics related to domestic assessments and cross-border assessments as well as certain volume-related rebates and incentives. GDV is calculated based on local currency spending volume converted to U.S. dollars and euros using average exchange rates for the period. As a result, our key metrics related to domestic assessments and cross-border assessments as well as certain volume-related rebates and incentives are impacted by the strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar and euro versus local currencies. For example, our billing in Australia is in the U.S. dollar, however, consumer spend in Australia is in the Australian dollar. The transactional currency impact of converting Australian dollars to our U.S. dollar billing currency will have an impact on the revenue generated. The strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar is evident when GDV growth on a U.S. dollar-converted basis is compared to GDV growth on a local currency basis. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, GDV on a U.S. dollar-converted basis increased 9% and 8%, respectively, while GDV on a local currency basis increased 10% for each of the periods, versus the comparable periods in 2023. Further, the impact from transactional currency occurs in our key metrics related to transaction processing assessments and other network assessments as well as value-added services and solutions revenue and operating expenses when the transacting currency of these items is different than the functional currency of the entity.
To manage the impact of foreign currency variability on anticipated revenues and expenses, we may enter into foreign exchange derivative contracts and designate such derivatives as hedging instruments in a cash flow hedging relationship as discussed further in Note 17 (Derivative and Hedging Instruments) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1.
Foreign Exchange Activity
We incur foreign currency gains and losses from remeasuring monetary assets and liabilities, including settlement assets and obligations, that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity. To manage this foreign exchange risk, we may enter into foreign exchange derivative contracts to economically hedge the foreign currency exposure of our nonfunctional currency monetary assets and liabilities. The gains or losses resulting from the changes in fair value of these contracts are intended to reduce the potential effect of the underlying hedged exposure and are recorded net within general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations. The impact of this foreign exchange activity, including the related hedging activities, has not been eliminated in our currency-neutral results.
Our foreign exchange risk management activities are discussed further in Note 17 (Derivative and Hedging Instruments) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1.
Financial Results
Net Revenue
The components of net revenue were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
2024
2023
2024
2023
($ in millions)
Payment network
$
4,629
$
4,210
10%
$
12,924
$
11,933
8%
Value-added services and solutions
2,740
2,323
18%
7,754
6,617
17%
Total net revenue
$
7,369
$
6,533
13%
$
20,678
$
18,550
11%
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, net revenue increased 13%, or 14% on a currency-neutral basis, versus the comparable period in 2023. The increase in net revenue was attributable to both our payment network and value-added services and solutions.
Net revenue from our payment network increased 10%, or 11% on a currency-neutral basis, versus the comparable period in 2023. The increase was primarily driven by growth in domestic and cross-border dollar volumes and an increase in the number of switched transactions, reflecting trends of growth in our key drivers. Net revenue from our payment network included $4,630 million of rebates and incentives provided to customers, which increased 17%, or 19% on a currency-neutral basis, versus the comparable period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in our key drivers as well as new and renewed deals.
36 MASTERCARD SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FORM 10-Q
PART I
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net revenue from our value-added services and solutions increased 18%, or 19% on a currency-neutral basis, versus the comparable period in 2023. The increase was driven primarily by (1) growth in our underlying key drivers, (2) our consulting and marketing services, and fraud and security and identity and authentication solutions and (3) pricing.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net revenue increased 11%, or 12% on a currency-neutral basis, versus the comparable period in 2023. The increase in net revenue was attributable to both our payment network and value-added services and solutions.
Net revenue from our payment network increased 8%, or 9% on a currency-neutral basis, versus the comparable period in 2023. The increase was primarily driven by growth in domestic and cross-border dollar volumes and an increase in the number of switched transactions, reflecting trends of growth in our key drivers. Net revenue from our payment network included $12,952 million of rebates and incentives provided to customers, which increased 17%, or 18% on a currency-neutral basis, versus the comparable period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in our key drivers as well as new and renewed deals.
Net revenue from our value-added services and solutions increased 17%, on both an as reported and currency-neutral basis, versus the comparable period in 2023. The increase was driven primarily by (1) growth in our underlying key drivers and (2) our consulting and marketing services, and fraud and security and identity and authentication solutions.
See Note 3 (Revenue) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for a further discussion of our revenue recognition policies.
Drivers of Change
The following table summarizes the drivers of change in net revenue:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
Increase/(Decrease)
Operational
Acquisitions
Currency impact 1
Total
Payment network
11
%
**
(1)
%
10
%
Value-added services and solutions
19
%
—
%
(1)
%
18
%
Net revenue
14
%
—
%
(1)
%
13
%
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
Increase/(Decrease)
Operational
Acquisitions
Currency impact 1
Total
Payment network
9
%
**
(1)
%
8
%
Value-added services and solutions
18
%
—
%
—
%
17
%
Net revenue
12
%
—
%
(1)
%
11
%
Note: Tables may not sum due to rounding.
** Not applicable.
1Includes the translational and transactional impact of currency and the related impact of our foreign exchange derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments. See “Non-GAAP Financial Information - Currency-neutral Growth Rates” for further information on our currency impact non-GAAP adjustment.
MASTERCARD SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FORM 10-Q 37
PART I
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Operating Expenses
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, operating expenses increased 25% versus the comparable period in 2023. Adjusted operating expenses increased 12%, on both an as adjusted and currency-neutral basis, versus the comparable period in 2023.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, operating expenses increased 14% versus the comparable period in 2023. Adjusted operating expenses increased 10%, on both an as adjusted and currency-neutral basis, versus the comparable period in 2023.
The components of operating expenses were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Increase/ (Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase/ (Decrease)
2024
2023
2024
2023
($ in millions)
General and administrative
$
2,744
$
2,285
20%
$
7,448
$
6,528
14%
Advertising and marketing
220
193
14%
520
561
(7)%
Depreciation and amortization
225
211
7%
666
594
12%
Provision for litigation
176
—
**
400
231
**
Total operating expenses
3,365
2,689
25%
9,034
7,914
14%
Special Items 1
(366)
—
**
(590)
(231)
**
Adjusted total operating expenses (excluding Special Items 1)
$
2,999
$
2,689
12%
$
8,444
$
7,683
10%
Note: Table may not sum due to rounding.
** Not meaningful.
1 See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” for further information on our non-GAAP adjustments and the reconciliation to GAAP reported amounts.
Drivers of Change
The following table summarizes the drivers of change in operating expenses:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
Increase/(Decrease)
Operational
Acquisitions
Currency impact 1, 2
Special
Items 2, 3
Total
General and administrative
12%
—%
—%
8%
20%
Advertising and marketing
15%
—%
—%
**
14%
Depreciation and amortization
7%
—%
1%
**
7%
Provision for litigation 3
**
**
**
**
**
Total operating expenses
12%
—%
—%
14%
25%
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
Increase/(Decrease)
Operational
Acquisitions
Currency impact 1, 2
Special
Items 2, 3
Total
General and administrative
11%
—%
—%
3%
14%
Advertising and marketing
(7)%
—%
—%
**
(7)%
Depreciation and amortization
12%
—%
—%
**
12%
Provision for litigation 3
**
**
**
**
**
Total operating expenses
10%
—%
—%
4%
14%
Note: Tables may not sum due to rounding.
** Not applicable/meaningful.
1Represents the translational and transactional impact of currency.
2See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” for further information on our non-GAAP adjustments and the reconciliation to GAAP reported amounts.
3The Special Items driver of change related to provision for litigation is reflected in total operating expenses.
38 MASTERCARD SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FORM 10-Q
PART I
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General and Administrative
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, general and administrative expenses increased 20%, on both an as reported and currency-neutral basis, versus the comparable period in 2023. Current period results include an increase of 8 percentage points from a restructuring charge of $190 million. The remaining increase was primarily due to higher personnel costs to support the continued investment in our strategic initiatives across payments and value-added services and solutions, as well as fulfillment costs to provide marketing services.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, general and administrative expenses increased 14%, on both an as reported and currency-neutral basis, versus the comparable period in 2023. Current period results include an increase of 3 percentage points from a restructuring charge of $190 million. The remaining increase was primarily due to higher personnel and data processing costs to support the continued investment in our strategic initiatives across payments and value-added services and solutions, as well as fulfillment costs to provide marketing services.
The components of general and administrative expenses were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Increase/ (Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
2024
2023
2024
2023
($ in millions)
Personnel 1
$
1,899
$
1,573
21%
$
5,020
$
4,494
12%
Professional fees
129
118
9%
358
332
8%
Data processing and telecommunications
279
262
7%
820
743
10%
Foreign exchange activity 2
16
25
(31)%
49
65
(24)%
Other
421
307
36%
1,201
894
34%
Total general and administrative expenses
$
2,744
$
2,285
20%
$
7,448
$
6,528
14%
Note: Table may not sum due to rounding.
** Not meaningful.
1For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, total general and administrative expenses includes a restructuring charge of $190 million. See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” for further information.
2Foreign exchange activity includes the impact of remeasurement of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies net of the impact of gains and losses on foreign exchange derivative contracts. See Note 17 (Derivative and Hedging Instruments) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 for further discussion.
Advertising and Marketing
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, advertising and marketing expenses increased 14%, on both an as reported and currency-neutral basis, versus the comparable period in 2023, primarily due to timing of marketing campaigns.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, advertising and marketing expenses decreased 7%, on both an as reported and currency-neutral basis, versus the comparable period in 2023, primarily due to timing of spending on sponsorships as well as timing of marketing campaigns.
Depreciation and Amortization
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, depreciation and amortization expenses increased 7%, on both an as reported and currency-neutral basis, versus the comparable period in 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, depreciation and amortization expenses increased 12%, on both an as reported and currency-neutral basis, versus the comparable period in 2023. The increase for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily due to increased software capitalization driven by the continued growth of our business.
Provision for Litigation
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded charges of $176 million, primarily as a result of a change in estimate related to the claims of merchants who opted out of the U.S. merchant class litigation. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded charges of $400 million, primarily as a result of a change in estimate related to the claims of merchants who opted out of the U.S. merchant class litigation, settlements with a number of U.K. merchants and a legal provision associated with the ATM non-discrimination rule surcharge complaints. See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” in this section and Note 15 (Legal and Regulatory Proceedings) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Report for further discussion.
MASTERCARD SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FORM 10-Q 39
PART I
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Other Income (Expense)
The components of total other income (expense) were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Increase/ (Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase/ (Decrease)
2024
2023
2024
2023
($ in millions)
Investment income
$
76
$
71
7%
$
231
$
185
25%
Gains (losses) on equity investments, net
(62)
(6)
**
(69)
(95)
(27)%
Interest expense
(159)
(151)
6%
(462)
(427)
8%
Other income (expense), net
7
3
**
19
19
**
Total other income (expense)
(138)
(83)
**
(281)
(318)
(12)%
(Gains) losses on equity investments 1
62
6
**
69
95
(27)%
Adjusted total other income (expense) 1
$
(75)
$
(78)
(4)%
$
(211)
$
(223)
(6)%
Note: Table may not sum due to rounding.
** Not meaningful.
1 See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” for further information on our non-GAAP adjustments and the reconciliation to GAAP reported amounts.
Income Taxes
The effective income tax rates were 15.6% and 15.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The adjusted effective income tax rates were 16.3% and 15.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Both the as-reported and as-adjusted effective income tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were higher versus the comparable period in 2023, primarily due to our ability to claim more U.S. foreign tax credits generated in 2022 and 2023 resulting from Notice 2023-55 (the “Notice”), released by the U.S. Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) in 2023. The higher effective income tax rates were partially offset by a $115 million discrete tax expense in 2023 to establish a valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset related to U.S. foreign tax credits generated prior to 2022, as well as a change in our geographic mix of earnings in the current period.
The effective income tax rates were 16.1% and 18.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The adjusted effective income tax rates were 16.6% and 19.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Both the as-reported and as-adjusted effective income tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 were lower versus the comparable period in 2023, primarily due to a discrete tax expense in 2023 related to changes in the valuation allowance associated with the U.S. foreign tax credits deferred tax asset. In 2023, the treatment of foreign taxes paid under the U.S. tax regulations published in 2022 changed due to the foreign tax legislation enacted in Brazil and the Notice released by Treasury. Therefore, we recognized a total $327 million discrete tax expense in 2023 to establish the valuation allowance. This discrete tax expense was partially offset by our ability to claim more U.S. foreign tax credits generated in 2022 and 2023 due to the Notice. Additionally, a change in our geographic mix of earnings in 2024 contributed to the lower effective income tax rates compared to the prior year.
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (the “OECD”) Pillar 2 guidelines published to date include transition and safe harbor rules around the implementation of the 15% global minimum tax (the “Pillar 2 Rules”). Based on current enacted legislation, we do not expect a material impact in 2024. However, in 2025, we expect the Pillar 2 Rules will primarily offset the reduction to our effective income tax rate resulting from our incentive grant received from the Singapore Ministry of Finance. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, this incentive grant reduced our effective income tax rate by approximately 4%. We are continuously monitoring developments and evaluating the impacts these new rules may have on our future effective income tax rate, tax payments, financial condition and results of operations.
40 MASTERCARD SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FORM 10-Q
PART I
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We rely on existing liquidity, cash generated from operations and access to capital to fund our global operations, credit and settlement exposure, capital expenditures, investments in our business and current and potential obligations. The following table summarizes the cash, cash equivalents, investments and credit available to us:
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
(in billions)
Cash, cash equivalents and investments 1
$
11.4
$
9.2
Unused line of credit
$
8.0
$
8.0
1 Investments include available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities. This amount excludes restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents of $1.9 billion at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and investment securities balances, our cash flow generating capabilities, and our access to capital resources are sufficient to satisfy our future operating cash needs, capital asset purchases, outstanding commitments and other liquidity requirements associated with our existing operations and potential obligations, which include litigation provisions and credit and settlement exposure.
Our liquidity and access to capital could be negatively impacted by global credit market conditions. We guarantee the settlement of many of the transactions between our customers. Historically, payments under these guarantees have not been significant; however, historical trends may not be indicative of potential future losses. The risk of loss on these guarantees is specific to individual customers, but may also be driven by regional or global economic and market conditions, including, but not limited to the health of the financial institutions in a country or region. See Note 16 (Settlement and Other Risk Management) to the consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 for a description of these guarantees.
Our liquidity and access to capital could also be negatively impacted by the outcome of any of the legal or regulatory proceedings to which we are a party. For additional discussion of these and other risks facing our business, see Part I, Item 1A - Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and Note 15 (Legal and Regulatory Proceedings) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Report.
Cash Flows
The table below shows a summary of the cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
(in millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
9,946
$
7,850
Net cash used in investing activities
$
(724)
$
(1,137)
Net cash used in financing activities
$
(6,795)
$
(7,138)
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $2,096 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, versus the comparable period in 2023, primarily due to higher net income after adjusting for non-cash items as well as lower cash payments for litigation settlements, partially offset by higher customer incentive payments.
Net cash used in investing activities decreased $413 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, versus the comparable period in 2023, primarily due to higher proceeds from maturities and sales of investment securities.
Net cash used in financing activities decreased $343 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, versus the comparable period in 2023, primarily due to higher cash proceeds received from debt issuances, partially offset by repayments of debt and higher cash paid for repurchases of our Class A common stock and dividends.
MASTERCARD SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FORM 10-Q 41
PART I
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Debt and Credit Availability
In April 2024, $1 billion of principal related to the 2014 USD Notes matured and was paid. In July 2024, INR28.1 billion ($336 million as of payment date) of principal related to the 2023 INR Term Loan matured and was paid.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we issued a total of $4 billion of debt as follows:
•In May 2024, we issued $1 billion principal amount of notes due May 2034
•In September 2024, we issued $750 million principal amount of notes due January 2028, $1,150 million principal amount of notes due January 2032 and $1,100 million principal amount of notes due January 2035
The issuances in 2024 are collectively referred to as the “2024 USD Notes”. The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2024 USD Notes, after deducting the original issue discount, underwriting discount and offering expenses, were $3.96 billion.
Our total debt outstanding was $18.4 billion and $15.7 billion at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, with the earliest maturity of $750 million of principal occurring in March 2025.
As of September 30, 2024, we have a commercial paper program (the “Commercial Paper Program”), under which we are authorized to issue up to $8 billion in outstanding notes, with maturities up to 397 days from the date of issuance. In conjunction with the Commercial Paper Program, we have a committed unsecured $8 billion revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) that expires in November 2028.
Borrowings under the Commercial Paper Program and the Credit Facility are to be used to provide liquidity for general corporate purposes, including providing liquidity in the event of one or more settlement failures by our customers. In addition, we may borrow and repay amounts under these facilities for business continuity purposes. We had no borrowings outstanding under the Commercial Paper Program or the Credit Facility at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
See Note 10 (Debt) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 for further discussion on our debt and Note 15 (Debt) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 for further discussion on our debt, the Commercial Paper Program and the Credit Facility.
Dividends and Share Repurchases
We have historically paid quarterly dividends on our outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Subject to legally available funds, we intend to continue to pay a quarterly cash dividend. The declaration and payment of future dividends is at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors after taking into account various factors, including our financial condition, operating results, available cash and current and anticipated cash needs.
Aggregate payments for quarterly dividends totaled $1,842 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
On December 5, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.66 per share paid on February 9, 2024 to holders of record on January 9, 2024 of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The aggregate amount of this dividend was $616 million.
On February 6, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.66 per share paid on May 9, 2024 to holders of record on April 9, 2024 of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The aggregate amount of this dividend was $615 million.
On June 18, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.66 per share paid on August 9, 2024 to holders of record on July 9, 2024 of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The aggregate amount of this dividend was $611 million.
On September 16, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.66 per share payable on November 8, 2024 to holders of record on October 9, 2024 of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The aggregate amount of this dividend is $606 million.
42 MASTERCARD SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FORM 10-Q
PART I
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Repurchased shares of our common stock are considered treasury stock. In December 2023 and 2022, our Board of Directors approved share repurchase programs of our Class A common stock authorizing us to repurchase up to $11.0 billion and $9.0 billion, respectively. The program approved in 2023 became effective in May 2024 after the completion of the share repurchase program approved in 2022. The timing and actual number of additional shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including cash requirements to meet the operating needs of the business, legal requirements, as well as the share price and economic and market conditions. The following table summarizes our share repurchase authorizations and repurchase activity of our Class A common stock through September 30, 2024:
(in millions, except average price data)
Remaining authorization at December 31, 2023
$
14,142
Dollar-value of shares repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 1
$
7,565
Remaining authorization at September 30, 2024
$
6,578
Shares repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2024
16.5
Average price paid per share during the nine months ended September 30, 2024
$
458.36
Note: Table may not sum due to rounding.
1 The dollar-value of shares repurchased does not include a 1% excise tax. The incremental tax is recorded in treasury stock on the consolidated balance sheet.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a description of recent accounting pronouncements, if any, and the potential impact of these pronouncements refer to Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1.
Item 3. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk
Market risk is the potential for economic losses to be incurred on market risk sensitive instruments arising from adverse changes in factors such as foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Our exposure to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates is limited. Management monitors risk exposures on an ongoing basis and establishes and oversees the implementation of policies governing our funding, investments and use of derivative financial instruments to manage these risks.
Foreign currency and interest rate exposures are managed through our risk management activities, which are discussed further in Note 17 (Derivative and Hedging Instruments) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1.
Foreign Exchange Risk
We enter into foreign exchange derivative contracts to manage currency exposure associated with anticipated receipts and disbursements occurring in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity. We may also enter into foreign currency derivative contracts to offset possible changes in value of assets and liabilities due to foreign exchange fluctuations. The objective of these activities is to reduce our exposure to gains and losses resulting from fluctuations of foreign currencies against our functional currencies, principally the U.S. dollar and euro. The effect of a hypothetical 10% adverse change in the value of the functional currencies could result in a fair value loss of approximately $529 million and $414 million on our foreign exchange derivative contracts outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, before considering the offsetting effect of the underlying hedged activity.
We are also subject to foreign exchange risk as part of our daily settlement activities. To manage this risk, we enter into short duration foreign exchange derivative contracts based upon anticipated receipts and disbursements for the respective currency position. This risk is typically limited to a few days between when a payment transaction takes place and the subsequent settlement with our customers. A hypothetical 10% adverse change in the value of the functional currencies would not have a material impact to the fair value of our short duration foreign exchange derivative contracts outstanding at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
We are further exposed to foreign exchange rate risk related to translation of our net investment in foreign subsidiaries where the functional currency is different than our U.S. dollar reporting currency. To manage this risk, we may enter into foreign exchange derivative contracts to hedge a portion of our net investment in foreign subsidiaries. The effect of a hypothetical 10% adverse change in the value of the U.S. dollar could result in a fair value loss of approximately $297 million on our foreign exchange derivative contracts designated as a net investment hedge at September 30, 2024, before considering the offsetting effect of the underlying hedged activity. As of December 31, 2023, we did not have any foreign exchange derivative contracts designated as a net investment hedge.
MASTERCARD SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FORM 10-Q 43
PART I
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Risk
Our available-for-sale debt investments include fixed and variable rate securities that are sensitive to interest rate fluctuations. Our policy is to invest in high quality securities, while providing adequate liquidity and maintaining diversification to avoid significant exposure. A hypothetical 100 basis point adverse change in interest rates would not have a material impact to the fair value of our investments at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
We are also exposed to interest rate risk related to our fixed-rate debt. To manage this risk, we may enter into interest rate derivative contracts to hedge a portion of our fixed-rate debt that is exposed to changes in fair value attributable to changes in a benchmark interest rate. The effect of a hypothetical 100 basis point adverse change in interest rates could result in a fair value loss of approximately $23 million and $29 million on the fair value of our interest rate derivative contracts designated as a fair value hedge of our fixed-rate debt at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, before considering the offsetting effect of the underlying hedged activity.
Item 4. Controls and procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) are designed to ensure that information that is required to be disclosed in the reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure. The President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, with assistance from other members of management, have reviewed the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report and, based on their evaluation, have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There was no change in Mastercard’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Mastercard's internal control over financial reporting.
Refer to Note 15 (Legal and Regulatory Proceedings) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1.
Item 1A. Risk factors
For a discussion of our risk factors, see Part I, Item 1A - Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Item 2. Unregistered sales of equity securities and use of proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
During the third quarter of 2024, we repurchased 6.3 million shares for $2.9 billion at an average price of $463.90 per share of Class A common stock. The following table presents our repurchase activity on a cash basis during the third quarter of 2024:
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid per Share (including commission cost)
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Dollar Value of
Shares that may yet
be Purchased under
the Plans or
Programs 1
July 1 - 31
2,135,827
$
441.76
2,135,827
$
8,568,255,125
August 1 - 31
2,206,410
$
463.00
2,206,410
$
7,546,683,282
September 1 - 30
1,982,409
$
488.76
1,982,409
$
6,577,765,564
Total
6,324,646
$
463.90
6,324,646
1 Dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the repurchase programs is as of the end of the period. In December 2023 and 2022, our Board of Directors approved share repurchase programs of our Class A common stock authorizing us to repurchase up to $11.0 billion and $9.0 billion, respectively.
Item 5. Other information
Rule 10b5-1 and Non-Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangements
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, none of our officers or directors adopted or terminated trading arrangements for the sale of shares of our common stock.
Other Information
Pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, we hereby incorporate by reference herein the disclosure contained in Exhibit 99.1 of this Report.
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this Report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than with respect to the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and should not be relied upon for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by the Company in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.
MASTERCARD SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FORM 10-Q 47
SIGNATURES
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
