Key facts
- Mastercard's adjusted profit of $5.31 per share beat analysts' average estimate of $5.16 per share.
- Cross-border volumes at Mastercard jumped 11% in the quarter.
- Mastercard shares gained about 7% so far in 2026, underperforming broader markets and peer Visa.
Mastercard Inc. capped a strong quarter for payment networks on Thursday, reporting a profit that exceeded analysts' expectations as consumer spending remained robust despite persistent inflation and economic uncertainty. The company's shares climbed more than 4% in afternoon trading, with rivals Visa Inc. and American Express Co. also seeing gains of about 2% each.
Ling Hai, Mastercard's newly appointed CFO, noted that while higher gas prices contributed to spending growth, sustained high inflation could hinder short-term benefits. She added that spending was growing across various income levels, with mass consumers prioritizing essentials and higher-income earners continuing discretionary purchases. Credit card usage often rises during economic downturns as consumers use borrowing to cover financial shortfalls.
The strong results follow similar earnings beats from Visa and American Express earlier in the week. However, executives from these companies have expressed caution regarding the uncertain economic outlook, persistent inflation concerns, and a higher interest rate environment.