By
Tolu Ajiboye
April 8th, 2024
Visa (V) and Mastercard (MA) stock prices have risen boosted by the hopes that the stimulus bill from the U.S. government gives. However, a long-term trend may be in the offing as COVID-19 creates a new order of things.
Visa Inc (NYSE: V) and Mastercard Inc (NYSE: MA) stock prices have risen recently. Sources say that the stock prices of the payment services giants have been a beacon of hope as financial markets sway due to COVID-19.
At the time of filing this report, Mastercard (MA) stock prices were at $256.48, +19.41 (8.19%), in the pre-market $252.47 −4.01 (1.56%). Yesterday Visa stock price was at $161.78, +7.25 (4.69%), in the pre-market, $161.09 −0.69 (0.43%).
Visa (V) and Mastercard (MA) Stock Prices Pick Up due to Expected Stimulus
Sources say that earlier in the week, prices picked up as the payment services providers took off. This indicates that the stock prices weren’t as gloomy as many had predicted. The response of the stocks was also a part of a general uplift in response to an expected stimulus package from the United States Government.
Many analysts still believe the stock prices are a good buy, however. There are many reasons that this could be possible. Most of them
are fundamental.
Firstly, the mere fact that almost everyone in the world at the moment is at home changes a lot of things. Internet purchases are going to reach an all-time high. And guess who will be a part of the processing of payments? Visa and Mastercard present a new paradigm where online activities will be accompanied by online consumer spending. This also will be matched by the U.S. stimulus bill which has just been passed by the U.S. senate. The sheer amount of activities that will ensue from this will propel the payments market to be buoyed positively.
It also comes with a lot of risks though. Mastercard reportedly recently cut its earnings guidance to below 10%. Sources say that the company suspended its earnings guidance due to COVID-19 uncertainties as well. The company said in a press release:
“However, due to the speed with which the COVID-19 situation is developing and the unknown duration and severity of the event, we are suspending our annual 2020 outlook for both net revenue and operating expense growth at this time.”
While this is prudent based on corporate governance rules and ethics, it would be wrong for investors to not consider the upside. Consumer behavior is now tilting towards internet-based activities. A core part of that behavior is online payments.
COVID-19 Will Come and Go
We can all be sure that things will not be the same again once the dust settles after COVID-19. There will be a new order of things. Part of this order will put payment systems at the top of the hierarchy of things.
This will also set the pace for the new decade that humanity has entered. It will also give those who are smart enough great opportunities to profit from not just in the short term but also in the longer term as well. Generation Z is also set to grow up. The Millenials are entering their prime. These two markets combined give the payment systems a strong footing to face the future with and without COVID-19.
This future is assured provided that they are properly aligned.