Visa Inc. (V): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

Visa Inc. (V) Bundle

Get Full Bundle:
$12 $7
$12 $7
$12 $7
$12 $7
$25 $15
$12 $7
$12 $7
$12 $7
$12 $7

TOTAL:

Visa Inc. (V) Information


A Brief History of Visa Inc.

Visa Inc. (NYSE: V), a leader in global digital payments, has established a robust platform facilitating transactions across more than 200 countries and territories. As of 2024, Visa has reported significant financial growth and strategic developments.

Financial Performance Overview

For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, Visa's net revenue reached $35.9 billion, marking a 10% increase compared to the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by an increase in payments volume, cross-border transactions, and processed transactions.

Metric FY 2024 FY 2023 Year-over-Year Change
Net Revenue $35.9 billion $32.7 billion 10%
Payments Volume 8% growth 7% growth 1ppt increase
Cross-Border Volume 15% growth 14% growth 1ppt increase
Total Processed Transactions 233.8 billion 212.6 billion 10% increase

Quarterly Performance Highlights

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Visa reported net revenue of $9.6 billion, a 12% increase from the same quarter in the previous year. The GAAP net income for this quarter was $5.3 billion, representing a 14% increase.

Metric Q4 2024 Q4 2023 Year-over-Year Change
Net Revenue $9.6 billion $8.6 billion 12%
GAAP Net Income $5.3 billion $4.7 billion 14%
GAAP Earnings Per Share $2.65 $2.27 17%

Key Business Drivers

Visa's growth trajectory is supported by several key business drivers:

  • Payments Volume: Increased by 8% over the fiscal year.
  • Cross-Border Transactions: Excluding intra-Europe transactions, grew by 15%.
  • Processed Transactions: Total transactions processed increased by 10%.

Strategic Developments

In September 2024, Visa announced a definitive agreement to acquire Featurespace, a company specializing in real-time AI payments protection technology. This acquisition aims to enhance Visa's capabilities in preventing payments fraud and mitigating financial crime risks.

Shareholder Returns

Visa continued to demonstrate its commitment to returning value to shareholders, repurchasing approximately 62 million shares of Class A common stock at an average cost of $266.97 per share during the fiscal year. Additionally, the board declared an increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.590 per share.

Metric FY 2024
Total Shares Repurchased 62 million
Average Cost per Share $266.97
Quarterly Dividend per Share $0.590

Legal and Regulatory Environment

Visa faced legal challenges in 2024, including a complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Justice alleging violations of the Sherman Act. The company has stated its intention to vigorously defend against these claims, asserting that the lawsuit is without merit.

Overall, Visa's performance in 2024 reflects a strong recovery in the global payments landscape, driven by technological advancements and strategic acquisitions, positioning the company for continued growth in the coming years.



A Who Owns Visa Inc. (V)

Current Shareholder Structure

As of 2024, Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) has a diverse ownership structure that includes institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders. The largest shareholders are typically institutional investors that hold significant positions in the company.

Shareholder Type Percentage of Ownership Notable Shareholders
Institutional Investors 80.3% BlackRock, Vanguard Group, State Street Corporation
Mutual Funds 10.5% Fidelity Investments, T. Rowe Price
Individual Shareholders 9.2% Various retail investors

Top Institutional Shareholders

The following table details the top institutional shareholders of Visa Inc. as of the end of 2024:

Institution Shares Held (Millions) Percentage of Total Shares
BlackRock, Inc. 372.5 18.4%
The Vanguard Group 358.0 17.6%
State Street Corporation 208.5 10.2%
Fidelity Investments 105.0 5.1%
T. Rowe Price Associates 80.0 4.0%

Class Structure of Visa Inc.

Visa Inc. has multiple classes of stock that affect voting rights and ownership:

Class Shares Outstanding (Millions) Voting Rights
Class A 1,733 1 vote per share
Class B-1 125 10 votes per share
Class B-2 120 10 votes per share
Class C 10 No voting rights

Recent Share Repurchase Activity

Visa Inc. has been active in repurchasing its shares, which affects ownership percentages:

Period Shares Repurchased (Millions) Average Cost per Share (USD)
Q4 2024 22 270.85
Fiscal Year 2024 62 266.97

Dividend Distribution

Visa Inc. has a history of paying dividends to its shareholders, which reflects its commitment to returning value:

Dividend Type Amount per Share (USD) Payment Date
Quarterly Cash Dividend 0.590 December 2, 2024

Market Capitalization

As of the end of September 2024, Visa Inc. has a substantial market capitalization:

Market Capitalization (USD Billions) Value
Total Market Capitalization ~$556

Conclusion on Ownership Dynamics

The ownership dynamics of Visa Inc. reflect a robust institutional presence, with significant holdings by major asset management firms. The class structure allows certain shareholders more influence over corporate governance, while ongoing share repurchase activities demonstrate the company’s commitment to enhancing shareholder value.



Visa Inc. (V) Mission Statement

Visa (NYSE: V) operates as a global leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. The company's mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive. Visa emphasizes that economies which include everyone everywhere uplift everyone everywhere, viewing access as fundamental to the future of money movement.

Financial Performance Overview

As of the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, Visa reported significant financial metrics:

Metric Q4 2024 Full-Year 2024
Net Revenue $9.6 billion $35.9 billion
GAAP Net Income $5.3 billion $19.7 billion
GAAP Earnings Per Share (EPS) $2.65 $9.73
Non-GAAP Net Income $5.4 billion $20.4 billion
Non-GAAP EPS $2.71 $10.05
Payments Volume Growth 8% 8%
Cross-Border Volume Growth 13% 15%
Processed Transactions 61.5 billion 233.8 billion

Key Business Drivers

Visa's growth is driven by several key business metrics:

  • Service Revenue: $4.2 billion in Q4 2024, up 8% year-over-year; $16.1 billion for full-year 2024, up 9% year-over-year.
  • Data Processing Revenue: $4.6 billion in Q4 2024, up 8% year-over-year; $17.7 billion for full-year 2024, up 11% year-over-year.
  • International Transaction Revenue: $3.5 billion in Q4 2024, up 9% year-over-year; $12.7 billion for full-year 2024, up 9% year-over-year.
  • Other Revenue: $969 million in Q4 2024, up 30% year-over-year; $3.2 billion for full-year 2024, up 29% year-over-year.

Operating Expenses

Visa's operating expenses for the fiscal year were as follows:

Expense Type Q4 2024 Full-Year 2024
Total Operating Expenses $3.3 billion $12.3 billion
Personnel Expenses $1.6 billion $6.3 billion
Marketing Expenses $551 million $1.6 billion
General and Administrative $424 million $1.6 billion

Shareholder Returns and Stock Repurchases

In the fiscal year 2024, Visa executed significant shareholder return initiatives:

  • Total Share Repurchases: Approximately 62 million shares at an average cost of $266.97 per share for $16.7 billion.
  • Quarterly Cash Dividend: Increased to $0.590 per share, payable on December 2, 2024.

Strategic Initiatives

Visa has focused on expanding its technological capabilities and enhancing security in payment systems:

  • Acquisition of Featurespace: Announced on September 26, 2024, to enhance real-time payments protection technology.

The financial data presented reflects Visa's robust operational performance, commitment to innovation, and strategic focus on enhancing shareholder value through disciplined financial management and growth initiatives.



How Visa Inc. (V) Works

Overview of Visa Inc.

Visa Inc. operates as a global payments technology company, facilitating digital payments among consumers, merchants, financial institutions, businesses, and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Visa's primary source of revenue is transaction fees from merchants and financial institutions for processing payments.

Financial Performance for Fiscal Year 2024

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, Visa reported significant financial metrics:

Metric Value (USD billions) Year-over-Year Change (%)
Net Revenue 35.9 10
GAAP Net Income 19.7 14
GAAP Earnings Per Share (EPS) 9.73 17
Non-GAAP Net Income 20.4 12
Non-GAAP EPS 10.05 15

Quarterly Financial Highlights (Q4 2024)

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Visa's financials demonstrated robust growth across various metrics:

Metric Value (USD billions) Year-over-Year Change (%)
Net Revenue 9.6 12
GAAP Net Income 5.3 14
GAAP EPS 2.65 17
Non-GAAP Net Income 5.4 13
Non-GAAP EPS 2.71 16

Key Business Drivers

Visa's growth in the fiscal year 2024 was primarily driven by:

  • Payments Volume: Increased by 8% year-over-year.
  • Cross-Border Volume (excluding intra-Europe): Increased by 15% year-over-year.
  • Total Processed Transactions: Increased by 10% year-over-year, totaling 233.8 billion transactions for the year.

Revenue Breakdown

The revenue streams for Visa in fiscal year 2024 were categorized as follows:

Revenue Category Value (USD billions) Year-over-Year Change (%)
Service Revenue 16.1 9
Data Processing Revenue 17.7 11
International Transaction Revenue 12.7 9
Other Revenue 3.2 29

Operating Expenses

Visa reported total operating expenses for the fiscal year 2024 as follows:

Expense Category Value (USD billions) Year-over-Year Change (%)
Total Operating Expenses 12.3 6
Personnel Expenses 6.3 8
Marketing Expenses 1.6 16
General and Administrative Expenses 1.6 20

Balance Sheet Highlights as of September 30, 2024

Visa's consolidated balance sheet revealed the following key figures:

Asset Category Value (USD millions)
Total Assets 94,511
Cash and Cash Equivalents 11,975
Investment Securities 3,200
Goodwill 18,941
Liability Category Value (USD millions)
Total Liabilities 55,374
Long-term Debt 20,836
Total Current Liabilities 26,517

Shareholder Returns

During fiscal 2024, Visa returned value to its shareholders through dividends and share repurchases:

  • Dividends Paid: $4.2 billion
  • Share Repurchases: Approximately $16.7 billion, repurchasing 62 million shares at an average cost of $266.97 per share.

Recent Developments

On September 26, 2024, Visa announced an agreement to acquire Featurespace, a company specializing in AI-driven payments protection technology. This acquisition is aimed at enhancing Visa's fraud prevention capabilities and is expected to close in fiscal 2025.



How Visa Inc. (V) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

Visa Inc. generates revenue primarily through four main categories:

  • Service Revenue: $16.1 billion for the fiscal year 2024, an increase of 9% year-over-year.
  • Data Processing Revenue: $17.7 billion for the fiscal year 2024, an increase of 11% year-over-year.
  • International Transaction Revenue: $12.7 billion for the fiscal year 2024, up 9% year-over-year.
  • Other Revenue: $3.2 billion for the fiscal year 2024, a rise of 29% year-over-year.
Revenue Category 2024 Revenue (in billions) Year-over-Year Growth (%)
Service Revenue $16.1 9%
Data Processing Revenue $17.7 11%
International Transaction Revenue $12.7 9%
Other Revenue $3.2 29%

Payments Volume

Visa's business model is heavily reliant on the volume of payments processed. The total payments volume for the fiscal year 2024 was $14.2 trillion, a year-over-year increase of 8% on a constant-dollar basis. This growth is attributed to increased consumer spending and the expansion of digital payments.

Cross-Border Volume

Cross-border transactions, which represent a significant source of revenue for Visa, saw a notable increase. The total cross-border volume for the fiscal year 2024 reached $3.0 trillion, marking a 15% increase on a constant-dollar basis, excluding transactions within Europe.

Volume Type 2024 Volume (in trillions) Year-over-Year Growth (%)
Total Payments Volume $14.2 8%
Cross-Border Volume $3.0 15%

Processed Transactions

Visa processed a total of 233.8 billion transactions in fiscal year 2024, which represents a 10% increase year-over-year. This growth reflects Visa's strong position in the payments industry and its ability to capture market share.

Operating Expenses

For the fiscal year 2024, Visa reported total operating expenses of $12.3 billion, a 6% increase from the previous year. Key contributors to this increase included personnel, general and administrative costs, and marketing expenses.

Expense Type 2024 Expense (in billions) Year-over-Year Change (%)
Total Operating Expenses $12.3 6%
Personnel Expenses $6.3 7%
Marketing Expenses $1.6 16%

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

Visa reported a net income of $19.7 billion for the fiscal year 2024, translating to earnings per share of $9.73, which is a 14% increase compared to the previous year. The non-GAAP net income for the same period was $20.4 billion, or $10.05 per share, representing a 12% increase year-over-year.

Financial Metric 2024 Amount (in billions) Year-over-Year Change (%)
Net Income (GAAP) $19.7 14%
Earnings Per Share (GAAP) $9.73 17%
Net Income (Non-GAAP) $20.4 12%
Earnings Per Share (Non-GAAP) $10.05 15%

Client Incentives

Client incentives, which represent the discounts and rebates provided to clients, amounted to $13.8 billion for the fiscal year 2024, up 12% from the previous year. This figure reflects Visa's commitment to maintaining strong relationships with its clients while driving transaction volume.

Cash Dividends and Share Buybacks

Visa's board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.590 per share, a 13% increase from the prior year. Additionally, Visa repurchased approximately 62 million shares of class A common stock at an average cost of $266.97 per share, totaling $16.7 billion for the fiscal year 2024.

Financial Action 2024 Amount Year-over-Year Change (%)
Quarterly Cash Dividend $0.590 13%
Share Repurchases (in billions) $16.7 38%

DCF model

Visa Inc. (V) DCF Excel Template

    5-Year Financial Model

    40+ Charts & Metrics

    DCF & Multiple Valuation

    Free Email Support

Article updated on 8 Nov 2024

Resources:

  • Visa Inc. (V) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q4 2024 to get an in-depth view of Visa Inc. (V)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  • SEC Filings – View Visa Inc. (V)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.