Share research

Title: Mastercard (Q4 results): small Q4 beat, guidance as expected

Mastercard ended the year strongly, with modest growth guidance issued for 2026.
Credit card / Mastercard-share-research

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Mastercard’s fourth-quarter revenue grew 15% to $8.8bn, ignoring currency movements, in line with guidance. Within that, value-added services led the way with 22% growth. Payment network revenues were up 9%, with all regions in positive territory.

Underlying operating profit grew 21% to $5.1bn (3% ahead of consensus), as topline growth outpaced costs.

Full-year free cash flow was up from $14.3 to $17.2bn, largely driven by profit growth. Mastercard ended the year with net debt of $8.4bn.

Share buybacks and dividends for the quarter came to $3.6bn and $0.7bn, respectively.

2026 guidance was in line with consensus forecasts, with net revenue to grow around 11%-12% and costs by about 10-11% on an underlying basis.

The shares were flat in early trading.

Our view

HL view to follow.

Mastercard key facts

All ratios are sourced from LSEG Datastream, based on previous day’s closing values. Please remember yields are variable and not a reliable indicator of future income. Keep in mind key figures shouldn’t be looked at on their own – it’s important to understand the big picture.

This article is original Hargreaves Lansdown content, published by Hargreaves Lansdown. It was correct as at the date of publication, and our views may have changed since then. Unless otherwise stated estimates, including prospective yields, are a consensus of analyst forecasts provided by LSEG. These estimates are not a reliable indicator of future performance. Yields are variable and not guaranteed. Investments rise and fall in value so investors could make a loss.

This article is not advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any investment. No view is given on the present or future value or price of any investment, and investors should form their own view on any proposed investment.

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Written by
Derren Nathan
Derren Nathan
Head of Equity Research

Derren leads our Equity Research team with more than 15 years of experience in his field. Thriving in a passionate environment, Derren finds motivation in intellectual challenges and exploring diverse ideas within his writing.

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Article history
Published: 29th January 2026