Visa Inc. published its quarterly report where it warned investors that the frenzy in cryptocurrencies is beginning to moderate. A possible decline in demand for digital assets may offset broader cross-border spending growth on the firm's cards. If so, the company's profit may decrease significantly. Overseas spending is a key metric because such transactions are more lucrative. In the third quarter, they jumped by 47%, topping analyst estimates. Excluding travel, online cross-border spending soared by 56%, a 12 percentage-point improvement compared to the previous quarter. Notably, much of the gain came from cryptocurrency purchases.
According to Visa Chief Financial Officer Vasant Prabhu, crypto-related transactions using Visa, which were booming in April and, started declining in June. The company is already experiencing a decrease in crypto operations. Therefore, the cross-border volume could be poised to drop as they are not buoyed up by a booming crypto market. Even if international travel gradually returns, Visa is unlikely to maintain the growth rates that were recorded in the spring of this year.
Visa shares fell by 1% yesterday to 248.40. This year, its stocks added 15% this compared to a 17% rise in the S&P 500 index.
As mentioned above, the main increase in revenue was due to cryptocurrency purchases. Visa's revenue in the third quarter amounted to $6.1 billion, climbing by 27% compared to the same period a year earlier and exceeding analysts' prediction of $5.86 billion. With taxes, the earnings per share equaled $1.49 compared with economists' forecast of $1.35. Visa has already announced this month that it will invest more in marketing. Therefore, it has become a sponsor of the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Operating expenses for the quarter jumped by 12% to $ 2.07 billion thanks to an increase in marketing expenses by 54%. Additionally, the payment giant announced that it would buy Swedish banking platform Think AB for €1.8 billion. Last week, Visa said it had agreed to buy British payments start-up Currencycloud, in its second major fintech acquisition of 2021. The deal values Currencycloud at £700 million. "Consumers and businesses increasingly expect transparency, speed, and simplicity when making or receiving international payments," Colleen Ostrowski, Visa's global Treasurer, said. Chief Executive Officer Al Kelly pointed out that he was happy with the company's quick recovery across the board and how Visa expanded its activities.
Despite the correction of the company's shares, the bullish sentiment prevails. Analysts are sure the share price is likely to reach the level of $ 251. If so, it may rise to this year's high of 252.55. Naturally, investors rush to buy the company's stocks, pushing the price even higher. The resumption of international flights will boost the company's profit. If the crypto market revives by the autumn of this year, which is highly likely to happen, Visa may again increase its quarterly profit significantly. Even if its shares decline to the level of $250, it will not trigger a downward movement. The price has been holding at $247 since mid-July, which also gives hope for the continuation of the bullish trend after the end of the reporting period.
The cryptocurrency market is gradually recovering. Bitcoin is trying to break above the resistance level of $40,000. Many economists believe that it may soon rise to $41,000. If BTC breaks though this level, it may hit the highs of $46,700 and $52,000. Bears may try to push BTC down. If BTC fall below the support level of $36,700, it may again decline to $33,300 Then it may test again the level of $29,200. In this case, bears will take the upper hand. However, so far, bullish momentum looks strong. So, BTC is likely to edge higher in the near term.
