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Visa Surpasses Profit Expectations Amid Strong Consumer Spending

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 30, 2024

Visa (V.N) reported fourth-quarter profits that exceeded Wall Street expectations, with shares rising 2% in after-hours trading. U.S. consumer spending has remained robust, bolstered by travel and dining, prompting analysts to foresee a soft landing for the economy.

In the quarter, Visa’s payment volume increased by 8% on a constant-dollar basis, and cross-border volume surged by 13%. CFO Chris Suh noted that consumer spending across segments has been stable, with expectations of continued resilience into 2025. However, growth in the Asia-Pacific region has fallen short, particularly in China, due to weak business sentiment and a property crisis. Visa forecasts adjusted net revenue growth for 2025 in the high single digits to low double digits, slightly below Wall Street’s 10.8% estimate.

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In addition to its earnings, Visa faces a lawsuit from the U.S. Justice Department, alleging monopolistic practices in the debit card market, which the company calls meritless. This follows a previous legal setback in June when a judge rejected a $30 billion antitrust settlement involving Visa and Mastercard (MA.N). CEO Ryan McInerney expressed confidence in Visa’s competitive position.

Visa also plans to lay off about 1,400 employees and contractors by year-end. The company reported fourth-quarter net revenue of $9.62 billion, exceeding analyst expectations of $9.49 billion. On an adjusted basis, Visa earned $2.71 per share, beating the expected $2.58. Visa’s shares have gained 8.3% in 2024, trailing behind the S&P 500 index’s 22% rise.

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Cyprus Economy Outperforms EU Benchmarks With 4.5% Quarterly Growth

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 16, 2026

The Cypriot economy recorded an impressive 4.5% year-on-year growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to preliminary estimates from the Statistical Service. This performance represents a notable acceleration, with a seasonally adjusted quarterly increase of 1.4% compared to the previous period.

Quarterly Performance Surpasses Expectations

Based on Eurostat data, Cyprus has significantly outpaced its European counterparts. While the Eurozone achieved an average growth rate of 1.3% and the European Union registered 1.5%, Cyprus clearly outperformed both. Such robust quarterly performance underlines the nation’s strategic economic positioning amid global market uncertainties.

Full-Year Projections And Fiscal Discipline

For the entire year 2025, growth is forecasted at 3.75%, exceeding earlier predictions from the Ministry of Finance and several domestic and international agencies, which had estimated an increase between 2.9% and 3.5%. This optimistic projection is supported by a low inflation environment and conditions of near-full employment.

Sustainable Growth Amid Global Uncertainty

Despite increased international volatility, Cyprus continues to demonstrate a resilient economic dynamic. Experts assert that a commitment to prudent and disciplined fiscal policies will bolster the nation’s ability to maintain medium-term growth rates above 3%. This strategic approach offers a strong competitive edge, much like other success stories in high-growth markets where sound economic management has proven vital.