Group 1 - Visa Inc. introduced Visa & Main, a platform aimed at enhancing small business growth in the U.S. by addressing barriers related to digital adoption, customer reach, and capital access [2][3] - The initiative targets undercapitalized entrepreneurs, with 43% of small businesses reporting financing challenges, and includes a $100 million working capital facility in partnership with Lendistry [3][4] - Visa & Main combines funding with digital tools and marketing assistance to help small businesses capitalize on high-traffic events, such as the FIFA World Cup 2026, and promotes the use of fraud prevention and digital payment tools [4][5] Group 2 - Visa Inc. is a global leader in digital payment services, facilitating secure transactions between consumers, merchants, and institutions through its extensive network [5] - The company's strategy focuses on increasing acceptance, transaction volumes, and long-term network engagement by supporting small businesses and enhancing their operational capabilities [3][4]

Core Viewpoint - Visa's exclusive partnership with the Olympics highlights the challenges Europe faces regarding payment systems, particularly the dominance of foreign payment providers and the declining use of cash [1]. Group 1: Visa's Role and Market Dynamics - Visa has been the sole card provider for the Olympics since 1986, with a sponsorship deal extended to 2032, emphasizing its monopoly in this high-profile event [1]. - Approximately two-thirds of card transactions in the euro area are processed by international card schemes like Visa and Mastercard, indicating a significant reliance on foreign payment systems [1]. - A spokesperson for Visa stated the company's commitment to enhancing the purchasing experience for Olympic products, despite the growing trend of consumers not carrying cash [1]. Group 2: European Central Bank (ECB) Initiatives - The ECB aims to launch a digital euro by 2029, which is seen as crucial for Europe's economic security and to reduce dependency on non-EU payment providers [1]. - The digital euro is intended to be available for both wholesale and retail payments, functioning offline like cash and online, to maintain control over monetary policy [1]. - Legislative proposals for the digital euro have faced delays in the European Parliament, but recent endorsements from the European Council and Parliament have strengthened the ECB's position [1]. Group 3: Cash Payment Acceptance - Cash payments are still accepted at Olympic venues, with ATM machines available for cash withdrawals, although the trend shows a significant preference for card payments [1]. - The Esselunga grocery chain, located in the Olympic press center, initially did not accept cash but announced it would start accepting cash payments to improve service [1].

Quick Read Invesco Quality ETF (SPHQ) returned 93.7% over five years versus 77.1% for the S&P 500. Invesco Quality ETF gained 6.0% year to date in 2026 versus 1.5% for the broader index. Mastercard and Visa combine for nearly 10% of the portfolio. Costco delivers 30.3% return on equity. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. When most investors think about S&P 500 exposure, they picture ow ...

Core Insights - The wealth of billionaires worldwide increased by 16% in the last year, reaching $18.3 trillion, marking an 81% increase since 2020, highlighting a growing divide between the ultra-rich and the rest of the population [2][3] - The youngest hedge fund billionaires are actively influencing stock market dynamics, with their investment choices reflecting strategies in a volatile financial landscape [4][5] Billionaire Wealth and Market Influence - The report attributes the increase in billionaire wealth to U.S. policies, tax cuts, and reduced scrutiny of monopolies, which have allowed the wealthy to consolidate political influence [3] - Billionaires are 4,000 times more likely than average citizens to hold political office, indicating a significant concentration of power [3] Stock Picks and Market Trends - The youngest hedge fund billionaires' stock selections provide insights into navigating current market conditions, with a focus on unique holdings to avoid duplication [7][10] - The report includes a list of the 12 youngest hedge fund billionaires and their top stock picks, ranked by age, showcasing a diverse selection of investments [10] Individual Stock Highlights - **NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA)**: Clifford Asness holds a 2.62% stake worth $4.09 billion, with analysts projecting a revenue of $67.5 billion for the fiscal fourth quarter, exceeding guidance [12][13][14] - **Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META)**: Philippe Laffont's top pick, accounting for 7.27% of his portfolio, is developing a new application called "Instants" to enhance user engagement [18][20] - **Visa Inc. (NYSE:V)**: Ken Griffin's fifth-largest holding, with a 0.16% portfolio share worth $1.04 billion, recently launched Visa & Main to support small business growth through a $100 million working capital facility [23][25][26]

格隆汇2月14日｜13F报告显示：Maverick Capital Ltd.四季度建仓做多谷歌C、应用材料、波士顿科学、 Visa、以及Camden Property。增持台积电、英伟达、GFL Environment、Carvana。清仓Kenvue、美国银 行、AMD、Danaher、以及Insmed。减持Nubank、迪士尼、Merit Medical、Acadia Health、Sherwin- Williams。重仓英伟达、微软、亚马逊、台积电、谷歌C。 ...

Market Overview - Stocks are higher due to cooler than expected inflation data, although there has been a recent sell-off [1][2] - The Nasdaq composite and S&P 500 are up, with real estate, healthcare, and utilities leading the gains as investors rotate away from tech [2] - Walmart reached an all-time high, while Visa, Nvidia, and Apple saw declines [3] Inflation and Economic Indicators - January's consumer price index (CPI) showed slower inflation, the lowest since May, with improvements in food and energy prices [6][7] - Services inflation remains high, indicating persistent inflationary pressures [7][22] - The unemployment rate dropped to 4.3%, with job growth concentrated in healthcare and social assistance sectors [9][10] Federal Reserve Outlook - Chicago Fed President Austin Goulby emphasizes the need for more progress on inflation before considering further rate cuts [28][29] - Core inflation is projected to remain around 3%, which is above the Fed's target [30][31] - The Fed is cautious about making premature rate cuts, focusing on actual inflation and employment data [21][26] Sector Performance - Semiconductor and software stocks are showing mixed performance after a recent sell-off [4][5] - Defensive sectors like consumer staples and utilities are gaining traction as investors seek stability amid market volatility [57] - AI disruption fears are impacting various industries, including transportation and real estate, as companies adapt to new technologies [51][52] Company Highlights - Rivian reported better-than-expected Q4 results, achieving its first annual gross profit and strong guidance for future vehicle deliveries [63][64] - Applied Materials, a major supplier of chipmaking equipment, has seen significant stock gains due to increased demand driven by AI investments [70][71] - American Superconductor is focusing on enhancing grid reliability and power quality to meet rising electricity demands [81][82]

Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) is among the 12 Best Digital Currency and Payments Stocks to Buy Right Now. Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) Earnings Outperformed Forecasts, Supported by Higher Spending According to a January 29, 2026, Bloomberg report, Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) reported fiscal first-quarter earnings that surpassed analyst forecasts. This was due to strong Christmas spending, driving an 8% year-over-year boost in payment volumes. The adjusted earnings per share were $3.17, which was 15% more than the previous year and hi ...

On CNBC's “Halftime Report Final Trades,” Brian Belski, CEO of Humilis Investment Strategies, named Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:PANW) as his final trade.According to recent news, Palo Alto Networks said on Wednesday that it has completed its acquisition of CyberArk for $45 per share in cash and 2.2005 Palo Alto shares.Jenny Van Leeuwen Harrington, chief executive officer of Gilman Hill Asset Management, LLC, said Millrose Properties, Inc. (NYSE:MRP) has a 9.5% dividend yield.On the earnings front, Mill ...

来源：中国金融家杂志 新春畅想 区总裁 尹小龙 Visa全球副总裁、中国 新年伊始，万象更新。值此新春佳节，我谨代表Visa，向中国金融界的各位同仁、合作伙伴，以及《中 国金融家》的广大读者朋友们，致以诚挚的问候与美好的祝福！ 2026年，"十五五"规划正式启航。面向这一全新发展阶段，我们信心满怀、期待无限！Visa 愿与业界同 行并肩携手，以支付之力支持中国金融体系的高质量发展。 当前，数字化浪潮加速推进，支付在促进消费、稳定贸易中的作用愈加凸显。依托覆盖全球220多个国 家和地区的支付网络，Visa持续打造AI智能商业、支付安全、商务支付等核心能力，并与本土伙伴不断 深化协作，共同推进数字化运营升级，致力于更好地满足中国境内及跨境的多元化支付需求。 过去一年，Visa在提升支付便利和赋能小微企业等方面取得积极进展：我们携手中国银联及银行伙伴推 动双标磁条卡芯片化，并率先支持Visa中国持卡人在跨境场景使用Apple Pay，为数千万持卡人提升境内 外支付体验。此外，Visa在北京、上海、成都、广州等城市落地地铁"一拍即乘"解决方案，助力提升城 市国际化服务水平；并通过小微商户支付培训与数字化赋能项目，进一 ...

The official cryptocurrency of Pudgy Penguins (PENGU) rose on Wednesday after the popular NFT collection teased a cryptocurrency debit card as part of its push into consumer finance.‘Pengu Card’ For Crypto PaymentsThe Pengu Card, powered by payments giant Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) , will allow users to spend stablecoins or cryptocurrencies directly at over 150 million merchants, with up to 12% rewards and 7% yield on balances.The card will have three tiers: Standard, Black, and Gold, with Gold delivering the maxim ...