Visa IPO Should Pose Challenge to MasterCard

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Visa IPO Should Speed Innovations in Payments Rivalry With MasterCard [Wall Street Journal]

Summary: After processing $4 trillion in credit card purchases last year, Visa International has decided to match rival MasterCard and go public. With more than 60% of the worldwide consumer credit market (as compared to MasterCard's 26%), Visa's upcoming IPO, which is slated to occur in the next 12-18 months, should fetch a market value of upwards of $12 billion. In comparison, MasterCard's market value was under $10 billion at the time of its IPO. Going public will allow Visa more operating flexibility as it is currently under the ownership of some 20,000 banks. The IPO is also expected to accelerate Visa's ability to offer e-commerce solutions as it attempts further inroads to the global cash and credit markets.
Related links: • An In-Depth Look At MasterCard's IPO • Was The Mastercard IPO Underpriced? • MasterCard and Visa Crack Down on Security • Shhhh! - eLong, Visa in partnership - but don't tell anyone • Misreading American Express Earnings
Potentially impacted stocks and ETFs: MasterCard (MA), American Express (AXP)

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