Information only, not financial, investment, legal or tax advice. We do not recommend any provider. Facts were checked against the sources listed at the end on the dates shown and may have changed since. Read our full disclaimer.
Mastercard beat profit forecasts for the third quarter as consumers kept spending despite worries about inflation, Reuters reported on 29 October. Net revenue rose 14% to $9.8 billion and adjusted earnings came in at $5.31 a share, against an average analyst estimate of $5.16 compiled by LSEG.
Reporting by Reuters. Figures from Mastercard's earnings release of 29 October 2026.
Key figures
| Measure | Q3 2026 |
|---|---|
| Net revenue | $9.8 billion, up 14% |
| Net income | $4.6 billion, up about 18% |
| Diluted earnings per share | $5.28 |
| Adjusted earnings per share | $5.31 (analysts expected $5.16) |
| Payment network revenue growth | 11% |
| Value added services and solutions revenue growth | 19% |
| Gross dollar volume growth (local currency) | 7% |
| Cross border volume growth | 11% |
Source: Mastercard earnings release and presentation, quarter to 30 September 2026; analyst estimate and cross border growth as reported by Reuters.
What the company said
Mastercard's newly appointed finance chief, Ling Hai, told Reuters that higher fuel prices had driven some of this year's spending growth, and that the benefit could fade if inflation stays high. Reuters said spending grew across income groups, with lower income households putting more of their budgets into essentials while higher earners kept up discretionary purchases.
The FIFA World Cup lifted cross border payments during the quarter, helping offset weaker travel linked to tensions in the Middle East, according to the report. At the end of September, Mastercard's customers had issued 3.8 billion Mastercard and Maestro branded cards.
Chief Executive Michael Miebach pointed in the release to the company's Global Money Platform, built through its acquisition of BVNK, as part of its push into moving money across currencies.
Market reaction
Mastercard shares rose more than 4% in afternoon trading on the day, and Visa and American Express each gained about 2%, Reuters reported. Visa had reported its own results two days earlier; see Visa posts record 2026 revenue.
Why it matters
Services such as fraud tools, data and authentication now grow faster than Mastercard's core network fees, which makes the company less dependent on transaction volumes alone. Read our Mastercard profile for its licences, products and markets.
Sources
Primary sources we checked for this page. Trademarks belong to their owners. Links open the original.
- Reuters (via Investing.com): Mastercard caps strong quarter for card giants as consumer spending holds up (accessed 3 November 2026)
- Mastercard: Mastercard Incorporated Reports Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results (earnings release) (accessed 3 November 2026)
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: Mastercard Form 8-K, third quarter 2026 earnings exhibit (accessed 3 November 2026)
Get the weekly brief
New profiles, comparisons and payments technology explainers, once a week.
Information only, not financial or investment advice. CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Crypto-assets are high risk and largely unregulated in some markets.
Payments30 is an independent publication of Humainz, Inc. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the companies named on this page unless a page is clearly labelled as sponsored. Editorial policy.
Spotted an error? Report a correction. Companies can request a right of reply under our corrections policy.
