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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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Call for Reform: Cyprus Faces New Challenges with Emerging Tobacco Products

by News Editor

May 31, 2025

In the face of a burgeoning variety of tobacco products, existing smoking laws in Cyprus are struggling to keep pace, as highlighted by Christos Minas, the president of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (AAEK). On World No-Tobacco Day, there was a push for legislative reforms to comprehensively cover all tobacco forms, including non-nicotine alternatives.

Addressing Rising Trends with Effective Policies

Minas emphasized the surge in popularity of e-cigarettes and flavored products, particularly among the youth. The proposed legal updates aim to enhance enforcement efficiency against these emerging trends.

In collaboration with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) framework, the AAEK has established the first set of national guidelines for smoking cessation in Cyprus, crafting prevention and treatment strategies based on robust scientific evidence.

Educating Youth and Public Awareness Initiatives

Efforts are underway to raise awareness, with informative materials distributed to secondary schools across Cyprus. A public event in Nicosia highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment, providing carbon monoxide testing and expert advice on new tobacco products.

Recent data from the Cyprus general population survey 2023 indicates that 38% of smokers have used e-cigarettes recently, and the smoking initiation age remains at 18.

A Glimpse into Youth Smoking Patterns

According to the latest European school survey, 14% of Cypriot students aged 15-16 reported smoking traditional cigarettes last month. Although this rate is declining, Cyprus still ranks high in Europe for e-cigarette and hookah use among students.

The concern is global, with WHO reports showing over 37 million children aged 13-15 engage in tobacco use, driven by aggressive marketing in loosely regulated environments.

The urgency for reform is clear: before these trends solidify, proactive measures are necessary to protect future generations from potentially hazardous habits.