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Mastercard Inc

For the period ended Dec 31, 2025. Filed Feb 11, 2026.

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About this filing

A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2025 · Filed Feb 11, 2026

MA$652.70-0.5%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026

What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?

Read the current filing

Previous report: 10-K

Period ended 2024-12-31; filed 2025-02-12.

0001141391-25-000011

Item 7. Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations

Current report: 10-K

Period ended 2025-12-31; filed 2026-02-11.

0001141391-26-000013

Item 7. Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations

The baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.

Compared 159 previous paragraphs and 154 current paragraphs.

110 unchanged; 32 reworded; 11 added; 16 removed; 1 previous and 1 current paragraphs rearranged.

Tables are not compared: 23 previous and 24 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.

A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.

Added paragraphs (11)

Current report

1 See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” for further information on our non-GAAP adjustments and the reconciliation to GAAP reported amounts.

Current report

•During 2025, we recorded pre-tax charges of $504 million ($357 million after tax, or $0.39 per diluted share), primarily as a result of a change in estimate related to the claims of merchants who opted out of the U.S. merchant class litigation, a legal provision associated with the U.S. liability shift litigation and a legal provision associated with the ATM non-discrimination rule surcharge complaints.

Current report

1 See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” for further information on our non-GAAP adjustments and the reconciliation to GAAP reported amounts.

Current report

Advertising and marketing expenses increased 14%, or 12% on a currency-neutral basis, in 2025 versus the prior year, which included a 5 percentage point increase from Acquisitions. The remaining increase was primarily due to an increase in spending on sponsorships and marketing campaigns.

Current report

1 Other income (expense), net increased in 2025 versus the prior year, primarily driven by approximately $135 million recognized related to government grants.

Current report

In July 2025, the U.S. enacted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). While we continue to analyze the impacts of the OBBBA, at this time it is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

Current report

The following table summarizes the dividends declared by our Board of Directors on our outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock, payable in 2026:

Current report

1 Represents the estimated aggregate amount of dividends to be paid.
Removed paragraphs (16)

Previous report

2 For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the amounts presented are GAAP reported amounts, not adjusted.

Previous report

•We completed the acquisitions of businesses for total consideration of $2.8 billion.

Previous report

•During 2022, we recorded pre-tax charges of $356 million ($263 million after tax, or $0.27 per diluted share), primarily as a result of settlements (both final and agreements in principle) with a number of U.K. merchants and a change in estimate related to the claims of merchants who opted out of the U.S. merchant class litigation.

Previous report

•During 2022, we recorded a net pre-tax charge of $30 million ($24 million after tax, or $0.02 per diluted share), directly related to imposed sanctions and the suspension of our business operations in Russia. The net charge was comprised of general and administrative expenses of $67 million, primarily related to incremental employee-related costs and reserves on uncollectible balances with certain sanctioned customers. This charge was offset by net benefits of $37 million in net revenue, primarily related to a reduction in payment network rebates and incentives liabilities as a result of lower estimates of customer performance for certain customer business agreements due to the suspension of our business operations in Russia.

Previous report

Advertising and marketing expenses decreased 1%, on both an as-reported and a currency-neutral basis, in 2024 versus the prior year.

Previous report

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) Pillar 2 guidelines published to date include transition and safe harbor rules around the implementation of the 15% global minimum tax (the “Pillar 2 Rules”). In 2024, we did not experience a material impact as a result of Pillar 2 Rules. However, in 2025, we expect the Pillar 2 Rules will primarily offset the reduction to our effective income tax rate resulting from our incentive grant received from the Singapore Ministry of Finance. For the year ended December 31, 2024, this incentive grant reduced our effective income tax rate by approximately 4%. We are continuously monitoring developments and evaluating the impacts these new rules may have on our future effective income tax rate, tax payments, financial condition and results of operations.

Previous report

During 2024, we issued a total of $4 billion of debt, as follows:

Previous report

•In May 2024, we issued $1 billion principal amount of notes due May 2034

Previous report

•In September 2024, we issued $750 million principal amount of notes due January 2028, $1,150 million principal amount of notes due January 2032 and $1,100 million principal amount of notes due January 2035

Previous report

On December 17, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.76 per share paid on February 7, 2025 to holders of record as of January 9, 2025 of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The aggregate amount of this dividend was $694 million.

Previous report

On February 10, 2025, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.76 per share payable on May 9, 2025 to holders of record as of April 9, 2025 of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The aggregate amount of this dividend is estimated to be $693 million.
Reworded paragraphs (32)

Previous wording

Mastercard is a technology company in the global payments industry. We connect consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments, digital partners, businesses and other organizations worldwide by enabling electronic payments and making those payment transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. We make payments easier and more efficient by providing a wide range of payment solutions and services using our family of well-known and trusted brands, including Mastercard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®. We operate a payments network that provides choice and flexibility for consumers, merchants and our customers. Through our unique and proprietary global payments network, we switch (authorize, clear and settle) payment transactions. We have additional payments capabilities that include automated clearing house (“ACH”) transactions (both batch and real-time account-based payments). Using these capabilities, we offer consumer and commercial payment products, capture new payment flows and provide services and solutions. These services and solutions include, among others, security solutions, consumer acquisition and engagement services, and business and market insights, all of which draw on our principled and responsible use of secure data. Our capabilities strengthen, reinforce and complement each other and are fundamentally interdependent. For our global payments network, our franchise model sets the standards and ground-rules that balance value and risk across all stakeholders and allows for interoperability among them. We employ a multi-layered approach to help protect the global payments ecosystem in which we operate.

Current wording

Mastercard is a technology company in the global payments industry. We connect consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments, digital partners, businesses and other organizations worldwide by enabling electronic payments and making those payment transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. We make payments easier and more efficient by providing a wide range of payment solutions and services using our family of well-known and trusted brands, including our primary brand Mastercard®, as well as our Maestro® and Cirrus® brands. We operate a payments network that provides choice and flexibility for consumers, merchants and our customers. Through our unique and proprietary global payments network, we switch (authorize, clear and settle) payment transactions. We have additional payments capabilities that include automated clearing house (“ACH”) transactions (both batch and real-time account-based payments). Using these capabilities, we offer consumer and commercial payment products, capture new payment flows and provide services and solutions. These services and solutions include, among others, security solutions, consumer acquisition and engagement services, business and market insights, digital and authentication, processing and gateway and other solutions, all of which draw on our principled and responsible use of secure data. Our capabilities strengthen, reinforce and complement each other and are fundamentally interdependent. For our global payments network, our franchise model sets the standards and ground-rules that balance value and risk across (and allow for interoperability among) all stakeholders. We employ a multi-layered approach to help protect the global payments ecosystem in which we operate.

Previous wording

Mastercard is not a financial institution. We do not issue cards, extend credit, determine or receive revenue from interest rates or other fees charged to account holders by issuers (the account holders’ financial institutions), or establish the rates charged by acquirers (the merchants’ financial institutions) in connection with merchants’ acceptance of our products. In most cases, account holder relationships belong to, and are managed by, our customers.

Current wording

Mastercard is not a financial institution. We do not issue cards, extend credit, determine or receive revenue from interest rates or other fees charged to account holders by issuers (the account holders’ financial institutions), nor do we establish the rates charged by acquirers (the merchants’ financial institutions) in connection with merchants’ acceptance of our products. In most cases, account holder relationships belong to, and are managed by, our customers.

Previous wording

•We generated net cash flows from operations of $14.8 billion.

Current wording

•We generated net cash flows from operations of $17.6 billion.

Previous wording

•We repurchased 23.0 million shares of our common stock for $11.0 billion and paid dividends of $2.4 billion.

Current wording

•We repurchased 21.1 million shares of our common stock for $11.7 billion and paid dividends of $2.8 billion.

Previous wording

•We completed debt offerings for an aggregate principal amount of $4.0 billion.

Current wording

•We completed a debt offering in February 2025 for an aggregate principal amount of $1.25 billion.

Previous wording

Non-GAAP financial information is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s performance that excludes or includes amounts so as to be different than the most comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). As described more fully below, our non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of gains and losses on our equity investments, which includes mark-to-market fair value adjustments, impairments and gains and losses upon disposition, as well as the related tax impacts. Our non-GAAP financial measures also exclude the impact of special items, where applicable, which represent litigation judgments and settlements and certain one-time items, as well as the related tax impacts (“Special Items”). We also present growth rates adjusted for the impact of currency, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. We believe that the non-GAAP financial measures presented facilitate an understanding of our operating performance and provide a meaningful comparison of our results between periods. We use non-GAAP financial measures to, among other things, evaluate our ongoing operations in relation to historical results, for internal planning and forecasting purposes and in the calculation of performance-based compensation. We excluded these items because management evaluates the underlying operations and performance of the Company separately from these recurring and nonrecurring items. Net revenue, operating expenses, operating margin, other income (expense), effective income tax rate, net income and diluted earnings per share adjusted for the impact of gains and losses on our equity investments, Special Items and/or the impact of currency should not be relied upon as substitutes for measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Current wording

Non-GAAP financial information is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s performance that excludes or includes amounts so as to be different than the most comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). As described more fully below, our non-GAAP financial measures exclude, where applicable, the impact of gains and losses on our equity investments, which includes mark-to-market fair value adjustments, impairments and gains and losses upon disposition, as well as the related tax impacts. Our non-GAAP financial measures also exclude, where applicable, the impact of special items, which represent litigation judgments and settlements and/or certain one-time items, as well as the related tax impacts (“Special Items”). We also present growth rates adjusted for the impact of currency, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. We believe that the non-GAAP financial measures presented facilitate an understanding of our operating performance and provide a meaningful comparison of our results between periods. We use non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate our ongoing operations in relation to historical results, for internal planning and forecasting purposes and in the calculation of performance-based compensation, among other things. We excluded these items because management evaluates the underlying operations and performance of the Company separately from these recurring and nonrecurring items. Operating expenses, operating margin, other income (expense), effective income tax rate, net income and diluted earnings per share, each as adjusted for the impact of gains and losses on our equity investments, Special Items and/or the impact of currency, should not be relied upon as substitutes for measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Previous wording

•During 2024, 2023 and 2022, we recorded net pre-tax losses of $29 million ($25 million after tax, or $0.03 per diluted share), $61 million ($36 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share) and $145 million ($126 million after tax, or $0.13 per diluted share), respectively. These net losses were primarily related to unrealized fair market value adjustments on marketable and nonmarketable equity securities.

Current wording

•During 2025, 2024 and 2023, we recorded net pre-tax losses of $88 million ($90 million after tax, or $0.10 per diluted share), $29 million ($25 million after tax, or $0.03 per diluted share) and $61 million ($36 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share), respectively. These net losses were primarily related to unrealized fair market value adjustments on marketable and nonmarketable equity securities.

Previous wording

•During 2024, we recorded a restructuring charge of $190 million ($147 million after tax, or $0.16 per diluted share). The restructuring action is intended to streamline our organization, delivering efficiencies to enable reinvestment in our business to support the realization of our long-term growth opportunities.

Current wording

•During 2024, we recorded a restructuring charge of $190 million ($147 million after tax, or $0.16 per diluted share). The restructuring action was intended to streamline our organization, delivering efficiencies to enable reinvestment in our business to support the realization of our long-term growth opportunities.

Previous wording

Currency-neutral growth rates are calculated by remeasuring the prior period’s results using the current period’s exchange rates for both the translational and transactional impacts on operating results and are non-GAAP financial measures. The impact of currency translation represents the effect of translating operating results where the functional currency is different from our U.S. dollar reporting currency. The impact of the transactional currency represents the effect of converting revenue and expenses occurring in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity. The impact of the related realized gains and losses resulting from our foreign exchange derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments (specifically those that manage the impact of foreign currency variability on anticipated revenues and expenses) is recognized in the respective financial statement line item on the statements of operations when the underlying forecasted transactions impact earnings.

Current wording

Currency-neutral growth rates are non-GAAP financial measures and are calculated by remeasuring the prior period’s results using the current period’s exchange rates for both the translational and transactional impacts on operating results. The impact of currency translation represents the effect of translating operating results where the functional currency is different from our U.S. dollar reporting currency. The impact of the transactional currency represents the effect of converting revenue and expenses occurring in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity. The impact of the related realized gains and losses resulting from our foreign exchange derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments (specifically those that manage the impact of foreign currency variability on anticipated revenues and expenses) is recognized in the respective financial statement line item on the consolidated statements of operations when the underlying forecasted transactions impact earnings.

Previous wording

Our operating results are also impacted by transactional currency. The impact of the transactional currency represents the effect of converting revenue and expense transactions occurring in a currency other than the functional currency. Changes in currency exchange rates directly impact the calculation of gross dollar volume (“GDV”), which is used in the calculation of our key metrics related to domestic assessments and cross-border assessments as well as certain volume-related rebates and incentives. GDV is calculated based on local currency spending volume converted to U.S. dollars and euros using average exchange rates for the period. As a result, our key metrics related to domestic assessments and cross-border assessments as well as certain volume-related rebates and incentives are impacted by the strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar and euro versus local currencies. For example, our billing in Australia is in the U.S. dollar, however, consumer spend in Australia is in the Australian dollar. The transactional currency impact of converting Australian dollars to our U.S. dollar billing currency will have an impact on the revenue generated. The strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar is evident when GDV growth on a U.S. dollar-converted basis is compared to GDV growth on a local currency basis. In 2024, GDV on a U.S. dollar-converted basis increased 8.1%, while GDV on a local currency basis increased 10.5% versus 2023. In 2023, GDV on a U.S. dollar-converted basis increased 10.6%, while GDV on a local currency basis increased 12.2% versus 2022. Further, the impact from transactional currency occurs in our key metrics related to transaction processing assessments and other network assessments as well as value-added services and solutions revenue and operating expenses when the transacting currency of these items is different than the functional currency of the entity.

Current wording

Our operating results are also impacted by transactional currency. The impact of the transactional currency represents the effect of converting revenue and expense transactions occurring in a currency other than the functional currency. Changes in currency exchange rates directly impact the calculation of GDV, which is used in the calculation of our key metrics related to domestic assessments and cross-border assessments as well as certain volume-related rebates and incentives. GDV is calculated based on local currency spending volume converted to U.S. dollars and euros using average exchange rates for the period. As a result, our key metrics related to domestic assessments and cross-border assessments as well as certain volume-related rebates and incentives are impacted by the strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar and euro versus local currencies. For example, our billing in Australia is in the U.S. dollar, however, consumer spend in Australia is in the Australian dollar. The transactional currency impact of converting Australian dollars to our U.S. dollar billing currency will have an impact on the revenue generated. The strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar is evident when GDV growth on a U.S. dollar-converted basis is compared to GDV growth on a local currency basis. In 2025, GDV on a U.S. dollar-converted basis increased 8.7%, while GDV on a local currency basis increased 8.6% versus 2024. In 2024, GDV on a U.S. dollar-converted basis increased 8.1%, while GDV on a local currency basis increased 10.7% versus 2023. Further, the impact from transactional currency occurs in our key metrics related to transaction processing assessments and other network assessments as well as value-added services and solutions revenue and operating expenses when the transacting currency of these items is different than the functional currency of the entity.

Previous wording

We incur foreign currency gains and losses from remeasuring monetary assets and liabilities, including settlement assets and obligations, that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity. To manage this foreign exchange risk, we may enter into foreign exchange derivative contracts to economically hedge the foreign currency exposure of our nonfunctional currency monetary assets and liabilities. The gains or losses resulting from the changes in fair value of these contracts are intended to reduce the potential effect of the underlying hedged exposure and are recorded net within general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. The impact of this foreign exchange activity, including with the related hedging activities, has not been eliminated in our currency-neutral results.

Current wording

We incur foreign currency gains and losses from remeasuring monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity. To manage this foreign exchange risk, we may enter into foreign exchange derivative contracts to economically hedge the foreign currency exposure of our nonfunctional currency monetary assets and liabilities. The gains or losses resulting from the changes in fair value of these contracts are intended to reduce the potential effect of the underlying hedged exposure and are recorded net within general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. The impact of this foreign exchange activity, including with the related hedging activities, has not been eliminated in our currency-neutral results.

Previous wording

Net revenue increased 12%, or 13% on a currency-neutral basis, in 2024 versus the prior year. The increase in net revenue was attributable to growth in our payment network and value-added services and solutions.

Current wording

Net revenue increased 16%, or 15% on a currency-neutral basis, in 2025 versus the prior year, which included a 1 percentage point increase from acquisitions completed in 2024 (“Acquisitions”). The remaining increase in net revenue was attributable to organic growth in our payment network and value-added services and solutions.

Previous wording

Net revenue from our payment network increased 10%, or 11% on a currency-neutral basis, in 2024 versus the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by growth in domestic and cross-border dollar volumes and an increase in the number of switched transactions, reflecting growth trends across all of our key drivers. Net revenue from our payment network includes $17,629 million of rebates and incentives provided to customers, which increased 16%, or 18% on a currency-neutral basis, in 2024 versus the prior year, primarily due to an increase in our key drivers as well as new and renewed deals.

Current wording

Net revenue from our payment network increased 12%, on both an as-reported and currency-neutral basis, in 2025 versus the prior year. The increase was primarily driven by growth in domestic and cross-border dollar volumes and an increase in the number of switched transactions, reflecting growth trends across all of our key drivers. Net revenue from our payment network included $20,522 million of rebates and incentives provided to customers, which increased 16%, on both an as-reported and currency-neutral basis, in 2025 versus the prior year, primarily due to an increase in our key drivers as well as new and renewed deals.

Previous wording

Net revenue from our value-added services and solutions increased 17%, on both an as-reported and currency-neutral basis, in 2024 versus the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by (1) growth in our underlying key drivers, (2) our consumer acquisition and engagement and business and market insight services, (3) our security and digital and authentication solutions and (4) pricing.

Current wording

Net revenue from our value-added services and solutions increased 23%, or 21% on a currency-neutral basis, in 2025 versus the prior year, which included a 3 percentage point increase from Acquisitions. The remaining increase was driven primarily by (1) growth in our underlying key drivers, (2) our security and digital and authentication solutions, and consumer acquisition and engagement services, (3) pricing and (4) our business and market insights.

Previous wording

1 Includes the translational and transactional impact of currency and the related impact of our foreign exchange derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

Current wording

1 Includes the translational and transactional impact of currency and the related impact of our foreign exchange derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments. See “Non-GAAP Financial Information - Currency-neutral Growth Rates” for further information on our currency impact non-GAAP adjustment.

Previous wording

No individual country, other than the United States, generated more than 10% of net revenue in any such period. A significant portion of our net revenue is concentrated among our five largest customers. In 2024, the net revenue from these customers was approximately $6.3 billion, or 22%, of total net revenue. The loss of any of these customers or their significant card programs could adversely impact our revenue.

Current wording

No individual country, other than the United States, generated more than 10% of net revenue in any such period. A significant portion of our net revenue is concentrated among our five largest customers. In 2025, the net revenue from these customers was approximately $6.9 billion, or 21%, of total net revenue. The loss of any of these customers or their significant card programs could adversely impact our revenue.

Previous wording

Operating expenses increased 13% in 2024 versus the prior year. Adjusted operating expenses increased 11%, on both an as-adjusted and currency-neutral basis, versus the prior year.

Current wording

Operating expenses increased 10% in 2025 versus the prior year. Adjusted operating expenses increased 14%, on both an as-adjusted and currency-neutral basis, versus the prior year.

Previous wording

General and administrative expenses increased 14%, on both an as-reported and currency-neutral basis, in 2024 versus the prior year. Current year results include an increase of 2 percentage points from a restructuring charge of $190 million and 1 percentage point from acquisitions. The remaining increase was primarily due to higher personnel and data processing costs to support the continued investment in our strategic initiatives across payments and value-added services and solutions, as well as fulfillment costs to provide marketing services.

Current wording

General and administrative expenses increased 11%, on both an as-reported and currency-neutral basis, in 2025 versus the prior year, which included a 4 percentage point increase from Acquisitions and a 2 percentage point decrease from Special Items. The remaining increase was primarily due to higher personnel costs to support the continued investment in our strategic initiatives across payments and value-added services and solutions, as well as fulfillment costs to provide marketing and consulting services. This increase was partially offset by a 2 percentage point decrease related to various new multi-year government grants that we received in 2025 with respect to investments in select jurisdictions.

Previous wording

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased 12%, on both an as-reported and a currency-neutral basis, in 2024 versus the prior year, primarily due to increased software capitalization driven by the continued growth of and investment in our business.

Current wording

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased 27%, or 26% on a currency-neutral basis, in 2025 versus the prior year, which included a 13 percentage point increase from Acquisitions. The remaining increase was primarily due to higher capitalized software amortization, which is in line with the increase in capitalized software driven by the continued growth of our business.

Previous wording

In 2024, we recorded charges of $680 million, primarily as a result of a legal provision associated with the U.K. consumer class action settlement, settlements with a number of U.K. merchants and a change in estimate related to the claims of merchants who opted out of the U.S. merchant class litigation. In 2023, we recorded charges of $539 million, primarily as a result of changes in the estimate related to the claims of merchants who opted out of the U.S. merchant class litigation and settlements with a number of U.K. and Pan-European merchants. In 2022, we recorded charges of $356 million, primarily as a result of settlements (both final and agreements in principle) with a number of U.K. merchants and a change in estimate related to the claims of merchants who opted out of the U.S. merchant class litigation. See Note 21 (Legal and Regulatory Proceedings) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 for further discussion.

Current wording

In 2025, we recorded charges of $504 million, primarily as a result of a change in estimate related to the claims of merchants who opted out of the U.S. merchant class litigation, a legal provision associated with the U.S. liability shift litigation and a legal provision associated with the ATM non-discrimination rule surcharge complaints. In 2024, we recorded charges of $680 million, primarily as a result of a legal provision associated with the U.K. consumer class action settlement, settlements with a number of U.K. merchants and a change in estimate related to the claims of merchants who opted out of the U.S. merchant class litigation. In 2023, we recorded charges of $539 million, primarily as a result of changes in the estimate related to the claims of merchants who opted out of the U.S. merchant class litigation and settlements with a number of U.K. and Pan-European merchants. See Note 19 (Legal and Regulatory Proceedings) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 for further discussion.

Previous wording

The effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were 15.6% and 17.9%, respectively. The adjusted effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were 16.2% and 18.5%, respectively. Both the as-reported and as-adjusted effective income tax rates were lower in 2024, primarily due to a discrete tax expense in 2023 related to changes in the valuation allowance associated with the U.S. foreign tax credits deferred tax asset. In 2023, the treatment of foreign taxes paid under the U.S. tax regulations published in 2022 changed due to the foreign tax legislation enacted in Brazil and Notice 2023-55 (the “Notice”) released by the U.S. Department of Treasury. Therefore, we recognized a total $327 million discrete tax expense in 2023 to establish the valuation allowance. This discrete tax expense was partially offset by our ability to claim more U.S. foreign tax credits generated in 2022 and 2023 due to the Notice. Additionally, a change in our geographic mix of earnings in 2024 contributed to the lower effective income tax rates compared to the prior year.

Current wording

The effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 were 19.4% and 15.6%, respectively. The adjusted effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 were 19.6% and 16.2%, respectively. Both the as-reported and as-adjusted effective income tax rates were higher versus 2024, primarily due to a change in the net tax effect of our Singapore operations, which includes the Pillar 2 Rules that took effect in 2025. Additionally, a change in our geographic mix of earnings contributed to the higher effective income tax rates, partially offset by net discrete tax benefits.

Previous wording

We rely on existing liquidity, cash generated from operations and access to capital to fund our global operations, credit and settlement exposure, capital expenditures, investments in our business and current and potential obligations. The following table summarizes the cash, cash equivalents, investments and credit available to us at December 31:

Current wording

We rely on existing liquidity (our cash, cash equivalents and investments), cash generated from operations and access to capital to fund our global operations, credit and settlement exposure, capital expenditures, investments in our business and current and potential obligations. The following table summarizes the cash, cash equivalents, investments and credit available to us at December 31:

Previous wording

1 Investments include available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities. This amount excludes restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents of $2.4 billion and $1.9 billion at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Current wording

1 Investments include available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities. This amount excludes restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents of $2.7 billion and $2.4 billion at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Previous wording

We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and investment securities balances, our cash flow generating capabilities, and our access to capital resources are sufficient to satisfy our future operating cash needs, capital asset purchases, outstanding commitments and other liquidity requirements associated with our existing operations and potential obligations which include litigation provisions and credit and settlement exposure.

Current wording

We believe that our existing liquidity, our cash flow generating capabilities, and our access to capital resources are sufficient to satisfy our future operating cash needs, capital asset purchases, outstanding commitments and other liquidity requirements associated with our existing operations and potential obligations which include litigation provisions and credit and settlement exposure.

Previous wording

Our liquidity and access to capital could be negatively impacted by global credit market conditions. We guarantee the settlement of many of the transactions between our customers. Historically, payments under these guarantees have not been significant; however, historical trends may not be indicative of potential future losses. The risk of loss on these guarantees is specific to individual customers, but may also be driven by regional or global economic and market conditions, including, but not limited to the health of the financial institutions in a country or region. See Note 22 (Settlement and Other Risk Management) to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 for a description of these guarantees.

Current wording

Our liquidity and access to capital could be negatively impacted by global credit market conditions. We guarantee the settlement of many of the transactions between our customers. Historically, payments under these guarantees have not been significant; however, historical trends may not be indicative of potential future losses. The risk of loss on these guarantees is specific to individual customers, but may also be driven by regional or global economic and market conditions, including, but not limited to the

Previous wording

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $2.8 billion in 2024 versus the prior year, primarily due to higher net income after adjusting for non-cash items, an increase in billing collections, and less cash paid for litigation settlement, partially offset by a decrease in restricted security deposits received from customers.

Current wording

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $2.9 billion in 2025 versus the prior year, primarily due to higher net income after adjusting for non-cash items.

Previous wording

Net cash used in investing activities increased $2.1 billion in 2024 versus the prior year, primarily due to cash paid for business acquisitions in the current year, partially offset by a net decrease in purchases of investments in time deposits.

Current wording

Net cash used in investing activities decreased $2.0 billion in 2025 versus the prior year, primarily due to less cash paid for business acquisitions and lower purchases of investment securities, partially offset by lower proceeds from maturities and sales of investment securities.

Previous wording

Net cash used in financing activities increased $1.3 billion in 2024 versus the prior year, primarily due to higher cash paid for repurchases of our Class A common stock, dividends, and repayments of debt, partially offset by an increase in cash proceeds received from debt issuances.

Current wording

Net cash used in financing activities increased $3.3 billion in 2025 versus the prior year, primarily due to lower proceeds from debt and higher cash paid for repurchases of our Class A common stock and dividends, partially offset by higher repayments of debt in the prior year.

Previous wording

The issuances in 2024 are collectively referred to as the “2024 USD Notes”. The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2024 USD Notes, after deducting the original issue discount, underwriting discount and offering expenses, were $3.96 billion.

Current wording

In February 2025, we issued $300 million principal amount of Floating Rate Notes due March 2028, $450 million principal amount of 4.550% notes due March 2028 and $500 million principal amount of 4.950% notes due March 2032 (collectively, the “2025 USD Notes”). The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2025 USD Notes, after deducting the original issue discount, underwriting discount and offering expenses, were $1.242 billion.

Previous wording

Our total debt outstanding was $18.2 billion at December 31, 2024, with the earliest maturity of $750 million of principal occurring in March 2025.

Current wording

In March 2025, $750 million of principal related to the 2019 USD Notes matured and was paid. Our total debt outstanding at December 31, 2025 was $19.0 billion, with the earliest maturity of $750 million of principal occurring in November 2026.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2024, we have a commercial paper program (the “Commercial Paper Program”), under which we are authorized to issue up to $8 billion in outstanding notes, with maturities up to 397 days from the date of issuance. In conjunction with the Commercial Paper Program, we have a committed unsecured $8 billion revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) that expires in November 2029.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2025, we have a commercial paper program (the “Commercial Paper Program”), under which we are authorized to issue up to $8 billion in outstanding notes, with maturities up to 397 days from the date of issuance. In conjunction with the Commercial Paper Program, we have a committed unsecured $8 billion revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) that was amended and extended in 2025 and now expires in November 2030.

Previous wording

Repurchased shares of our common stock are considered treasury stock. In December 2024 and 2023, our Board of Directors approved share repurchase programs of our Class A common stock authorizing us to repurchase up to $12.0 billion and $11.0 billion, respectively. The program approved in 2024 will become effective after the completion of the program approved in 2023. The timing and actual number of additional shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including cash requirements to meet the operating needs of the business, legal requirements, as well as the share price and economic and market conditions. The following table summarizes our share repurchase authorizations and repurchase activity of our Class A common stock for the year ended December 31, 2024, unless otherwise noted:

Current wording

Repurchased shares of our common stock are considered treasury stock. In December 2025 and 2024, our Board of Directors approved programs authorizing us to repurchase shares of our Class A common stock up to $14.0 billion and $12.0 billion, respectively. The program approved in 2025 will become effective after the completion of the program approved in 2024. The timing and actual number of additional shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including cash requirements to meet the operating needs of the business, legal requirements, as well as the share price and economic and market conditions. The following table summarizes our share repurchase authorizations and repurchase activity of our Class A common stock for the year ended December 31, 2025, unless otherwise noted:
Rearranged current paragraphs (1)

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

health of the financial institutions in a country or region. See Note 20 (Settlement and Other Risk Management) to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 for a description of these guarantees.
Rearranged previous paragraphs (1)

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

In April 2024, $1 billion of principal related to the 2014 USD Notes matured and was paid. In July 2024, INR28.1 billion ($336 million as of payment date) of principal related to the 2023 INR Term Loan matured and was paid.