Core Viewpoint - The Trump administration has imposed visa bans on a former EU commissioner and anti-disinformation campaigners, claiming their involvement in censoring U.S. social media platforms, reflecting a broader campaign against European regulations perceived as excessive by U.S. officials [1] Group 1 - The visa bans target individuals associated with anti-disinformation efforts that the U.S. government believes infringe on free speech [1] - This action is part of a larger strategy by the Trump administration to challenge European regulatory frameworks that are viewed as overreaching [1]

Visa is the leader in the card payments industry, handling almost $17 trillion in total payment volume in fiscal 2025.Visa (V +0.43%) dominates the card payments industry. During fiscal 2025 (ended Sept. 30), it handled an unbelievable $16.7 trillion in payment volume. It has global reach, facilitating payments in more than 220 countries and territories. Most readers probably have a Visa-branded debit or credit card in their wallets right now. With this kind of market dominance, it's not surprising to learn ...

Key Takeaways V is driving growth from global payment volumes, cross-border strength and investments in AI and stablecoins.PayPal is boosting engagement via agentic commerce, Venmo monetization and expanding merchant services.PYPL trades at a lower valuation with faster projected EPS growth, pointing to stronger near-term upside.The global payments landscape continues to evolve as digital payments become more mainstream, regulatory scrutiny intensifies and platforms compete for dominance in terms of scale, ...

In today’s "Chart of the Day," presented by crypto.com, CoinDesk's Jennifer Sanasie breaks down a report from Visa and Allium that reveals a surge in global onchain lending. With monthly volumes hitting $51.7 billion and over $670 billion in stablecoin loans originated since 2020, the digital credit economy is hitting its stride. ...

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article highlights that despite budget constraints, consumer demand for electronics and new clothing remains strong, leading to a year-over-year retail sales increase of approximately 4% during the holiday season in the U.S. [1] Group 2 - Visa reported that from November 1 to December 21, U.S. retail sales (excluding automobiles, gasoline, and dining) grew by 4.2%, slightly below the October forecast of 4.6% for the full two months [1] - Mastercard indicated that its data, which includes retail and dining establishments, showed a year-over-year sales increase of 3.9%, surpassing the previous expectation of 3.6% [1] Group 3 - Both companies noted that early promotional activities and the convenience of online shopping contributed to the growth of online sales, which outpaced physical store sales [2] - Visa stated that physical stores still dominate consumer spending, accounting for 73% of transactions, while online transactions represent 27% [2] Group 4 - The growth in consumer spending was led by electronics, with Visa reporting a year-over-year sales increase of 5.8% for products like televisions and smartphones, followed by a 5.3% increase in clothing and accessories [2] - Mastercard mentioned that seasonal promotions and cold weather stimulated demand for new clothing, with jewelry also seeing increased consumer interest this year [2]

Core Insights - Visa's preliminary data indicates that U.S. holiday retail sales increased by 4.2% year-over-year, unadjusted for inflation [1][8] - E-commerce sales surged by 7.8%, while physical stores accounted for nearly three-quarters of total retail spending [1][8] - Sales of electronic products rose significantly by 5.8%, attributed to consumer demand for high-performance devices in the era of artificial intelligence [1][5] Retail Performance - The report highlights that despite ongoing economic headwinds, consumer spending remains resilient, particularly in technology and personal goods [3][10] - The data is based on Visa's U.S. payment network transactions, tracking consumer spending behavior over a seven-week period starting November 1, excluding automotive, gasoline, and dining expenditures [3][10] - Offline spending represented 73% of total retail payments, while online spending made up the remaining 27% [3][10] Consumer Behavior Trends - Visa's Chief Economist, Michael Brown, noted a decline in consumer confidence compared to the previous year, yet spending levels remain strong [4][11] - The influence of artificial intelligence on consumer behavior is growing, with about half of consumers using AI tools for price comparison and gift selection [4][11] - Spending patterns indicate a shift towards personal items and convenience products, with home improvement spending cooling off [5][12] Category-Specific Insights - Electronics emerged as the best-performing category with a 5.8% year-over-year sales increase, driven by a wave of product upgrades [5][11] - Apparel and accessories also performed well, with a 5.3% increase, while department stores focusing on one-stop shopping saw a 3.7% rise [12] - Conversely, home improvement spending declined by 1%, indicating a preference for holiday gifts and digital products over home renovations [12][13] Inflation Impact - The overall growth data is positive for the retail sector, but the unadjusted figures suggest that actual sales growth may be more moderate when considering the consumer price index [6][14] - After adjusting for inflation, the actual year-over-year growth in retail consumption for the holiday season is approximately 2.2% [7][15] - A recent survey revealed that 41% of Americans plan to reduce their holiday spending, a 6 percentage point increase from the previous year, highlighting the impact of high prices on consumer behavior [7][15]

Core Insights - Economic concerns have not significantly impacted holiday shopping, with retail sales increasing by 4.2% year-over-year across all payment types, including cash and checks [1] - Despite softer consumer sentiment and confidence compared to the previous year, consumer spending has remained resilient [2] - Even when adjusting for inflation, retail sales are still projected to be up by approximately 2.2% in inflation-adjusted terms [3] Consumer Behavior - There is a noticeable bifurcation in consumer spending, with the bottom 25% of income earners experiencing positive wage growth, albeit lower than the previous year [4][5] - A shift in consumer spending from goods to services has been observed, particularly among younger consumers, with increased interest in travel and experiences during the holiday season [6] Future Projections - Tax refunds are expected to be slightly larger in the coming year due to a recent tax cut package, which may boost early-year consumption [7] - Modest inflation is anticipated throughout the year, along with potential Federal Reserve rate cuts, supporting consumer spending growth projected at around 2.8% year-on-year, an increase from the estimated 2.6% for the current year [8]

Core Insights - Visa's annual Retail Spend Monitor indicates a 4.4% year-over-year increase in overall holiday retail spending in Canada, not adjusted for inflation [1] - The report highlights a shift in consumer behavior influenced by artificial intelligence, leading to more informed purchasing decisions [2] Retail Spending Overview - In-store sales accounted for 88% of total holiday spending, while online sales represented 12% [7] - Total e-commerce sales increased by 7% compared to the previous year, reflecting the total value of online purchases across all retail categories [7] - Clothing and accessories sales grew by 10%, making it the fastest-growing retail segment in Canada [8] Consumer Behavior Trends - General merchandise stores experienced a 9% increase in sales, up from 2% last year, as consumers sought convenience [8] - Health and personal care retailers saw a 5.4% increase in sales, compared to 3.5% the previous year [8] Global Context - Holiday spending trends in Canada mirrored increases in other countries, with the U.S. up by 4.2%, the U.K. by 3.6%, and Australia by 5.0%, indicating strong global consumer purchasing power [8] Visa Consulting & Analytics Impact - Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA) provided insights that helped clients realize an estimated $6.5 billion in incremental revenue through nearly 4,500 consulting engagements over the past year [5]

Core Insights - U.S. consumers demonstrated resilience during the holiday season, with retail spending increasing by 4.2% year over year according to Visa's preliminary data [1][2] Spending Trends - Retail spending data was collected over a seven-week period starting November 1, focusing on core retail categories and excluding automotive, gasoline, and restaurant spending [2] - In-store shopping represented 73% of total retail payment volume, while online purchases accounted for 27% [2] E-commerce Growth - E-commerce emerged as the main growth driver, with online sales rising by 7.8% compared to the previous year, indicating strong demand for convenience and early-season promotions [3] - Despite lower consumer confidence, spending remained robust, highlighting consumer adaptability in the face of economic challenges [3] Consumer Behavior Changes - The 2025 holiday season showcased a shift in consumer behavior, particularly with the increasing use of artificial intelligence in product discovery and price comparison [4] - Approximately half of surveyed consumers reported utilizing AI for comparison shopping and gift selection during this holiday season [4]

Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) is one of the best forever stocks to buy according to hedge funds. On December 16, the company unveiled the USDC settlement in the United States. It marks an essential milestone in the company’s bid to enhance stablecoin settlement across its network as it continues to modernize the settlement layer that underpins global commerce. Visa Inc. (V) Unveils USDC Stablecoin Settlement in the US The USDC settlement support will allow issuer and acquirer partners in the US to settle with Visa ...