Visa(V) ZACKS·2024-12-24 17:46Core Insights - The report indicates a resurgence in in-store shopping, which now accounts for 77% of payment volume, with retail sales in physical locations growing by 4.1% compared to 1.6% the previous year [1] - Online shopping also saw a steady rise, with a 7.1% increase in sales, highlighting its convenience for holiday consumers [1] - Visa's efforts in fraud prevention were notable, with nearly double the suspected fraud blocked during key shopping events in 2024 compared to 2023 [1] Visa Consulting and Analytics Performance - The VCA Retail Spend Monitor report showcases the strength of Visa Consulting and Analytics, delivering over 3,000 consulting engagements in fiscal 2024, doubling year over year [2] - Clients benefited from an estimated $5 billion in incremental revenues due to VCA's analysis of trends and spending behavior [2] - Visa's value-added services revenues experienced a 22% year-over-year increase in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2024 [2] Retail Spending Trends - Visa's inaugural Retail Spend Monitor revealed a 4.8% year-over-year growth in U.S. holiday retail spending across all payment methods, indicating strong consumer confidence [5] - Globally, holiday spending trends were positive, with Brazil leading at a 12.2% growth rate, followed by South Africa at 7% and Australia at 7.4% [6] - The U.K. saw a modest increase of 2.3%, reflecting universal consumer enthusiasm during the holiday season [6] Sector Performance - Specific sectors showed notable growth, including electronics with a 4.2% increase in sales and clothing and accessories with a robust 5% growth [10] - Building materials rebounded significantly with a 4.7% rise compared to a decline last year, indicating a focus on home improvements by consumers [10] Stock Performance - Visa shares have gained 17.7% in the past three months, outperforming the industry's growth of 14.9% [12]