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Mastercard Inc - Quarter Report: 2017 September (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017
Or 
o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             
Commission file number: 001-32877
 
malogo.jpg
 
Mastercard Incorporated
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
13-4172551
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(IRS Employer
Identification Number)
 
 
2000 Purchase Street
10577
Purchase, NY
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(914) 249-2000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x     No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):
Large accelerated filer
 
x
  
Accelerated filer
 
o  
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
o  (do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company
 
o
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
o
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13 (a) of the Exchange Act.
 
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes  o    No  x
As of October 26, 2017, there were 1,043,602,880 shares outstanding of the registrant’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share; and 15,060,757 shares outstanding of the registrant’s Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
 


MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



2
Table of Contents

In this Report on Form 10-Q (“Report”), references to the “Company,” “Mastercard,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to the Mastercard brand generally, and to the business conducted by Mastercard Incorporated and its consolidated subsidiaries, including our operating subsidiary, Mastercard International Incorporated.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Report contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. When used in this Report, the words “believe”, “expect”, “could”, “may”, “would”, “will”, “trend” and similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that relate to the Company’s future prospects, developments and business strategies.
Many factors and uncertainties relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control, influence whether any forward-looking statements can or will be achieved. Any one of those factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in writing in any forward-looking statements made by Mastercard or on its behalf, including, but not limited to, the following factors:
•
payments system-related legal and regulatory challenges (including interchange fees, surcharging and the extension of current regulatory activity to additional jurisdictions or products)
•
the impact of preferential or protective government actions
•
regulation of privacy, data protection and security
•
regulation to which we are subject based on our participation in the payments industry (including payments oversight, anti-money laundering and economic sanctions, financial sector oversight, issuer practice regulation and regulation of internet and digital transactions)
•
potential or incurred liability and limitations on business resulting from litigation
•
the impact of competition in the global payments industry (including disintermediation and pricing pressure)
•
the challenges relating to rapid technological developments and changes
•
the impact of information security failures, breaches or service disruptions on our business
•
issues related to our relationships with our financial institution customers (including loss of substantial business from significant customers, competitor relationships with our customers and banking industry consolidation)
•
the impact of our relationships with other stakeholders, including merchants and governments
•
exposure to loss or illiquidity due to settlement guarantees and other significant third-party obligations
•
the impact of global economic and political events and conditions (including global financial market activity, declines in cross-border activity, negative trends in consumer spending and the effect of adverse currency fluctuation)
•
reputational impact, including impact related to brand perception, account data breaches and fraudulent activity
•
issues related to acquisition integration, strategic investments and entry into new businesses
•
issues related to our Class A common stock and corporate governance structure
Please see a complete discussion of these risk factors in Part I, Item 1A - Risk Factors of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. We caution you that the important factors referenced above may not contain all of the factors that are important to you. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Report or as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update our forward-looking statements.


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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(UNAUDITED) 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(in millions, except per share data)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
5,559

 
$
6,721

Restricted cash for litigation settlement
545

 
543

Investments
1,864

 
1,614

Accounts receivable
1,858

 
1,416

Settlement due from customers
1,199

 
1,093

Restricted security deposits held for customers
1,026

 
991

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
1,180

 
850

Total Current Assets
13,231

 
13,228

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $692 and $603, respectively
901

 
733

Deferred income taxes
425

 
307

Goodwill
3,015

 
1,756

Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $1,108 and $974, respectively
1,147

 
722

Other assets
2,195

 
1,929

Total Assets
$
20,914

 
$
18,675

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
722

 
$
609

Settlement due to customers
1,002

 
946

Restricted security deposits held for customers
1,026

 
991

Accrued litigation
709

 
722

Accrued expenses
3,685

 
3,318

Other current liabilities
840

 
620

Total Current Liabilities
7,984

 
7,206

Long-term debt
5,393

 
5,180

Deferred income taxes
139

 
81

Other liabilities
860

 
524

Total Liabilities
14,376

 
12,991

 
 
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies

 

 
 
 
 
Redeemable Non-controlling Interests
70

 
—

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ Equity

 

Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; authorized 3,000 shares, 1,380 and 1,374 shares issued and 1,045 and 1,062 outstanding, respectively
—

 
—

Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; authorized 1,200 shares, 15 and 19 issued and outstanding, respectively
—

 
—

Additional paid-in-capital
4,318

 
4,183

Class A treasury stock, at cost, 335 and 312 shares, respectively
(19,735
)
 
(17,021
)
Retained earnings
22,401

 
19,418

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(542
)
 
(924
)
Total Stockholders’ Equity
6,442

 
5,656

Non-controlling interests
26

 
28

Total Equity
6,468

 
5,684

Total Liabilities, Redeemable Non-controlling Interests and Equity
$
20,914

 
$
18,675

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


4
Table of Contents

MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)


 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(in millions, except per share data)
Net Revenue
$
3,398

 
$
2,880

 
$
9,185

 
$
8,020

Operating Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative
1,136

 
933

 
3,162

 
2,731

Advertising and marketing
203

 
184

 
587

 
503

Depreciation and amortization
118

 
93

 
321

 
281

Provision for litigation settlement
—

 
—

 
15

 
107

Total operating expenses
1,457

 
1,210

 
4,085

 
3,622

Operating income
1,941

 
1,670

 
5,100

 
4,398

Other Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment income
15

 
12

 
44

 
32

Interest expense
(35
)
 
(23
)
 
(113
)
 
(65
)
Other income (expense), net
11

 
(26
)
 
7

 
(30
)
Total other income (expense)
(9
)
 
(37
)
 
(62
)
 
(63
)
Income before income taxes
1,932

 
1,633

 
5,038

 
4,335

Income tax expense
502

 
449

 
1,350

 
1,209

Net Income
$
1,430

 
$
1,184

 
$
3,688

 
$
3,126

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings per Share
$
1.34

 
$
1.08

 
$
3.45

 
$
2.84

Basic Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding
1,063

 
1,096

 
1,071

 
1,101

Diluted Earnings per Share
$
1.34

 
$
1.08

 
$
3.43

 
$
2.83

Diluted Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding
1,068

 
1,099

 
1,075

 
1,104


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


5
Table of Contents

MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(in millions)
Net Income
$
1,430

 
$
1,184

 
$
3,688

 
$
3,126

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
199

 
(2
)
 
515

 
3

Income tax effect
(1
)
 
(5
)
 
—

 
(10
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax effect
198

 
(7
)
 
515

 
(7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Translation adjustments on net investment hedge
(65
)
 
(20
)
 
(207
)
 
(56
)
Income tax effect
23

 
7

 
75

 
20

Translation adjustments on net investment hedge, net of income tax effect
(42
)
 
(13
)
 
(132
)
 
(36
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans
—

 
—

 
(2
)
 
(1
)
Income tax effect
—

 
—

 
1

 
—

Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans, net of income tax effect
—

 
—

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available-for-sale
1

 
—

 
(1
)
 
5

Income tax effect
—

 
—

 
1

 
(2
)
Investment securities available-for-sale, net of income tax effect
1

 
—

 
—

 
3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
157

 
(20
)
 
382

 
(41
)
Comprehensive Income
$
1,587

 
$
1,164

 
$
4,070

 
$
3,085


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
 
Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Class A
Treasury
Stock
 
Non-
Controlling
Interests
 
Total Equity
 
Class A
 
Class B
 
 
 
 
(in millions, except per share data)
Balance at December 31, 2016
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
19,418

 
$
(924
)
 
$
4,183

 
$
(17,021
)
 
$
28

 
$
5,684

Net income
—

 
—

 
3,688

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,688

Activity related to non-controlling interests
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
—

 
—

 
—

 
382

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
382

Cash dividends declared on Class A and Class B common stock, $0.66 per share
—

 
—

 
(705
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(705
)
Purchases of treasury stock
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2,718
)
 
—

 
(2,718
)
Share-based payments
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
135

 
4

 
—

 
139

Balance at September 30, 2017
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
22,401

 
$
(542
)
 
$
4,318

 
$
(19,735
)
 
$
26

 
$
6,468


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


6
Table of Contents

MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(in millions)
Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net income
$
3,688

 
$
3,126

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Amortization of customer and merchant incentives
761

 
629

Depreciation and amortization
321

 
281

Share-based compensation
137

 
110

Tax benefit for share-based payments
—

 
(44
)
Deferred income taxes
(56
)
 
(1
)
Other
22

 
(24
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(321
)
 
(190
)
Settlement due from customers
(105
)
 
(53
)
Prepaid expenses
(1,286
)
 
(818
)
Accrued litigation and legal settlements
(14
)
 
12

Accounts payable
85

 
(33
)
Settlement due to customers
54

 
171

Accrued expenses
380

 
247

Net change in other assets and liabilities
128

 
130

Net cash provided by operating activities
3,794

 
3,543

Investing Activities
 
 
 
Purchases of investment securities available-for-sale
(531
)
 
(751
)
Purchases of investments held-to-maturity
(925
)
 
(729
)
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available-for-sale
153

 
164

Proceeds from maturities of investment securities available-for-sale
371

 
247

Proceeds from maturities of investments held-to-maturity
872

 
240

Purchases of property, plant and equipment
(214
)
 
(156
)
Capitalized software
(87
)
 
(124
)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
(1,175
)
 
—

Investment in nonmarketable equity investments
(128
)
 
(14
)
Other investing activities
8

 
(2
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,656
)
 
(1,125
)
Financing Activities
 
 
 
Purchases of treasury stock
(2,731
)
 
(2,410
)
Dividends paid
(709
)
 
(630
)
Payment of debt
(64
)
 
—

Tax benefit for share-based payments
—

 
44

Tax withholdings related to share-based payments
(46
)
 
(51
)
Cash proceeds from exercise of stock options
48

 
31

Other financing activities
8

 
(3
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(3,494
)
 
(3,019
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
194

 
59

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(1,162
)
 
(542
)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period
6,721

 
5,747

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period
$
5,559

 
$
5,205

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


7
Table of Contents

MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization
Mastercard Incorporated and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Mastercard International Incorporated (“Mastercard International” and together with Mastercard Incorporated, “Mastercard” or the “Company”), is a technology company in the global payments industry that connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses worldwide, enabling them to use electronic forms of payment instead of cash and checks. The Company facilitates the switching (authorization, clearing and settlement) of payment transactions, and delivers related products and services. The Company makes payments easier and more efficient by creating a wide range of payment solutions and services through a family of well-known brands, including Mastercard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®. The Company also provides value-added offerings such as safety and security products, information services and consulting, issuer and acquirer processing, and loyalty and reward programs. The Company’s network is designed to ensure safety and security for the global payments system. A typical transaction on the Company’s network involves four participants in addition to the Company: cardholder (an individual who holds a card or uses another device enabled for payment), merchant, issuer (the cardholder’s financial institution) and acquirer (the merchant’s financial institution). The Company’s customers encompass a vast array of entities, including financial institutions and other entities that act as “issuers” and “acquirers”, as well as merchants, governments, and other businesses. The Company does not issue cards, extend credit, determine or receive revenue from interest rates or other fees charged to cardholders by issuers, or establish the rates charged by acquirers in connection with merchants’ acceptance of the Company’s branded cards.
Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Mastercard and its majority-owned and controlled entities, including any variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were no significant VIEs which required consolidation. The Company consolidates acquisitions as of the date in which the Company has obtained a controlling financial interest. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2017 presentation. The Company follows accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
The balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016. The consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 and as of September 30, 2017 are unaudited, and in the opinion of management, include all normal recurring adjustments that are necessary to present fairly the results for interim periods. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission requirements for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Reference should be made to the Mastercard Incorporated Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for additional disclosures, including a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies.
Non-controlling interest amounts are included in the consolidated statement of operations within other income (expense). For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, activity from non-controlling interests was not material to the respective period results.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Derivatives and Hedging - In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting guidance to improve and simplify existing guidance to allow companies to better reflect its risk management activities in the financial statements. The guidance expands the ability to hedge nonfinancial and financial risk components, eliminates the requirement to separately measure and recognize hedge ineffectiveness and eases requirements of an entity’s assessment of hedge effectiveness. This guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The Company currently does not account for its foreign currency derivative contracts under hedge accounting. However, the Company is in the process of evaluating the potential impacts this guidance may have on its consolidated financial statements if it decides to account for these contracts under the new hedge accounting rules. For a more detailed


8
Table of Contents

MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)


discussion of the Company’s foreign exchange risk management activities, refer to Note 13 (Foreign Exchange Risk Management).
Net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost - In March 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. Under this guidance, the service cost component is required to be reported in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by employees during the period. The other components of the net periodic benefit costs are required to be presented in the consolidated statement of operations separately from the service cost component and outside of operating income. This guidance is required to be applied retrospectively. This guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2018. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impacts this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and, at this time, does not expect the impacts to be material.
Goodwill impairment - In January 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance to simplify how companies are required to test goodwill for impairment. Under this guidance, step 2 of the goodwill impairment test has been eliminated. Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test required companies to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. Under this guidance, companies will perform their annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying value, including goodwill, to its fair value. An impairment charge would be recorded if the reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value. This guidance is required to be applied prospectively and is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2017 and there was no impact from the adoption of the new accounting guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
Restricted cash - In November 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance to address diversity in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the consolidated statement of cash flows. Under this guidance, companies will be required to present restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period amounts shown on the consolidated statement of cash flows. This guidance is required to be applied retrospectively and is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2018. Upon adoption of this standard, the Company will include restricted cash, which currently consists primarily of restricted cash for litigation settlement and restricted security deposits held for customers in its reconciliation of beginning-of-period and end-of-period amounts shown on the consolidated statement of cash flows.
Intra-entity asset transfers - In October 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance to simplify the accounting for income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. Under this guidance, companies will be required to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity asset transfer when the transfer occurs. This guidance must be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the period of adoption. This guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2018. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impacts this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements. However, the Company expects that it will recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption of the new guidance related to certain tax activity resulting from intra-entity asset transfers occurring before the date of adoption. For a more detailed discussion of an intra-entity transfer of intellectual property that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2014, refer to Note 17 (Income Taxes) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Share-based payments - In March 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance related to share-based payments to employees. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2017. The adoption had the following impacts on the consolidated financial statements:
•
The Company is required to recognize the excess tax benefits and deficiencies from share-based awards in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which they occurred rather than in additional paid-in-capital. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded excess tax benefits of $9 million and $40 million, respectively, within income tax expense. The Company is also required to revise its calculation of diluted weighted-average shares outstanding by excluding the tax effects from the assumed proceeds available to repurchase shares. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, diluted weighted-average shares


9
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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)


outstanding included additional shares of 1 million for both periods as a result of the change in this calculation. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the net impact of adoption resulted in an increase of $0.01 and $0.03, respectively, to diluted earnings per share. Lastly, the Company is required to change the classification of these tax effects within the consolidated statement of cash flows and classify them as an operating activity rather than as a financing activity. Each of these above items have been adopted prospectively.
•
Retrospectively, the Company is required to change its classification of cash paid for employees withholding tax related to equity awards as a financing activity rather than as an operating activity within the consolidated statement of cash flows. As a result of this change in classification, cash provided by operating activities and cash used in financing activities within the consolidated statement of cash flows increased by $46 million and $51 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
•
This guidance allows a company-wide accounting policy election either to continue estimating forfeitures each period or to account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company elected to continue its existing practice to estimate the number of awards that will be forfeited. There was no impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Leases - In February 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance that will change how companies account for and present lease arrangements. This guidance requires companies to recognize leased assets and liabilities for both capital and operating leases. This guidance is effective for periods after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. Companies are required to adopt the guidance using a modified retrospective method. The Company expects to adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2019. The Company is in the process of evaluating the potential effects this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
Revenue recognition - In May 2014, the FASB issued accounting guidance that provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers and supersedes most of the existing revenue recognition requirements. Under this guidance, an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued accounting guidance that delayed the effective date of this standard by one year, making this guidance effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. This guidance will impact the timing of recognition for certain of the Company’s customer incentives. Under the new guidance, the Company will recognize certain customer incentives over the life of the contract as revenue is recognized versus as they are earned by the customer. The Company will adopt the new accounting guidance effective January 1, 2018. The accounting guidance permits either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective transition method. The Company expects to adopt this guidance with the modified retrospective transition method. The impact of the new accounting guidance will be dependent upon customer deals that have been executed and those that will be executed through the balance of 2017 and 2018. As such, the Company is in the process of quantifying the potential effects this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
Note 2. Acquisitions
In the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company acquired businesses for total consideration of $1.5 billion. For the businesses acquired, Mastercard allocated the values associated with the assets, liabilities and redeemable non-controlling interests based on their respective fair values on the acquisition dates. Refer to Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, for the valuation techniques Mastercard utilizes to fair value the assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations. The residual value allocated to goodwill is primarily attributable to the synergies expected to arise after the acquisition date and is not expected to be deductible for local tax purposes.


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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)


For acquisitions occurring in 2017, the Company is evaluating and finalizing the purchase price accounting; however, the preliminary estimated fair values of the purchase price allocations in aggregate, as of the acquisition dates, are noted below:
 
(in millions)
Cash consideration
$
1,286

Contingent consideration
198

Redeemable non-controlling interests
69

Gain on previously held minority interest
13

Total fair value of businesses acquired
$
1,566

 
 
Assets:
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
111

Other current assets
108

Other intangible assets
488

Goodwill
1,131

Other assets
90

Total assets
1,928

 
 
Liabilities:
 
Short-term debt1
64

Other current liabilities
169

Net pension liability
66

Other liabilities
63

Total liabilities
362

 
 
Net assets acquired
$
1,566


1 The short-term debt assumed through acquisitions was repaid during the second quarter of 2017.
The following table summarizes the identified intangible assets acquired:
 
Acquisition Date
Fair Value
 
Weighted-Average Useful Life
 
(in millions)
 
(Years)
Developed technologies
$
302

 
7.6
Customer relationships
183

 
10.0
Other
3

 
1.6
Other intangible assets
$
488

 
8.5
For the businesses acquired in 2017, the largest acquisition relates to VocaLink Holdings Limited (“Vocalink”), a payment systems and ATM switching platform operator, located principally in the U.K. On April 28, 2017, Mastercard acquired a 92.4% controlling interest in Vocalink for cash consideration of £719 million ($929 million as of the acquisition date). In addition, the Vocalink sellers have the potential to earn additional contingent consideration up to £169 million (approximately $225 million as of September 30, 2017) if certain revenue targets are met in 2018. Refer to Note 4 (Fair Value and Investment Securities) for additional information related to the fair value of contingent consideration.
A majority of Vocalink’s shareholders have retained a 7.6% ownership for at least three years, which is recorded as redeemable non-controlling interests on the consolidated balance sheet. These remaining shareholders have a put option to sell their ownership interest to Mastercard on the third and fifth anniversaries of the transaction and quarterly thereafter (the “Third Anniversary Option” and “Fifth Anniversary Option”, respectively).  The Third Anniversary Option is exercisable at a fixed price of £58 million (approximately $75 million as of September 30, 2017) (the “Fixed Price”). The Fifth Anniversary Option is exercisable at the greater of the Fixed Price or fair value. Additionally, Mastercard has a call option to purchase the remaining interest from Vocalink’s shareholders on the fifth anniversary of the transaction and quarterly thereafter, which is exercisable at the greater of the Fixed Price or fair value. The fair value of the redeemable non-controlling interests was determined utilizing a market approach, which extrapolated the consideration transferred that was discounted for


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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)


lack of control and marketability. The rollforward of redeemable non-controlling interests was not included as the activity was not considered to be material.
Pro forma information related to acquisitions was not included because the impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations was not considered to be material.
Note 3. Earnings Per Share
The components of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) for common stock were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(in millions, except per share data)
Numerator
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
1,430

 
$
1,184

 
$
3,688

 
$
3,126

Denominator
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding
1,063

 
1,096

 
1,071

 
1,101

Dilutive stock options and stock units
5

 
3

 
4

 
3

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 1
1,068

 
1,099

 
1,075

 
1,104

Earnings per Share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.34

 
$
1.08

 
$
3.45

 
$
2.84

Diluted
$
1.34

 
$
1.08

 
$
3.43

 
$
2.83


1 For the periods presented, the calculation of diluted EPS excluded a minimal amount of anti-dilutive share-based payment awards.
Note 4. Fair Value and Investment Securities
Financial Instruments – Recurring Measurements
The Company classifies its fair value measurements of financial instruments into a three-level hierarchy (the “Valuation Hierarchy”). There were no transfers made among the three levels in the Valuation Hierarchy during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.


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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)


The distribution of the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis within the Valuation Hierarchy were as follows:
 
September 30, 2017
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available for sale 1:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Municipal securities
$
—

 
$
25

 
$
—

 
$
25

Government and agency securities
82

 
110

 
—

 
192

Corporate securities
—

 
937

 
—

 
937

Asset-backed securities
—

 
84

 
—

 
84

Equity securities
1

 
—

 
—

 
1

Derivative instruments 2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency derivative assets
—

 
4

 
—

 
4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative instruments 2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency derivative liabilities
$
—

 
$
(33
)
 
$
—

 
$
(33
)
 
December 31, 2016
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available for sale 1:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Municipal securities
$
—

 
$
59

 
$
—

 
$
59

Government and agency securities
49

 
117

 
—

 
166

Corporate securities
—

 
855

 
—

 
855

Asset-backed securities
—

 
80

 
—

 
80

Equity securities
2

 
—

 
—

 
2

Derivative instruments 2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency derivative assets
—

 
29

 
—

 
29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative instruments 2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency derivative liabilities
$
—

 
$
(13
)
 
$
—

 
$
(13
)
1 The Company’s U.S. government securities and marketable equity securities are classified within Level 1 of the Valuation Hierarchy as the fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets. The fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale municipal securities, government and agency securities, corporate securities and asset-backed securities are based on observable inputs such as quoted prices, benchmark yields and issuer spreads for similar assets in active markets and are therefore included in Level 2 of the Valuation Hierarchy.
2 The Company’s foreign currency derivative asset and liability contracts have been classified within Level 2 of the Valuation Hierarchy as the fair value is based on observable inputs such as broker quotes relating to foreign currency exchange rates for similar derivative instruments. See Note 13 (Foreign Exchange Risk Management) for further details.


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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)


Settlement and Other Guarantee Liabilities
The Company estimates the fair value of its settlement and other guarantees using market assumptions for relevant though not directly comparable undertakings, as the latter are not observable in the market given the proprietary nature of such guarantees. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the carrying value and fair value of settlement and other guarantee liabilities were not material and accordingly are not included in the Valuation Hierarchy table above. Settlement and other guarantee liabilities are classified within Level 3 of the Valuation Hierarchy as their valuation requires substantial judgment and estimation of factors that are not observable in the market. For additional information regarding the Company’s settlement and other guarantee liabilities, see Note 12 (Settlement and Other Risk Management).
Financial Instruments - Non-Recurring Measurements
Held-to-Maturity Securities
Investments on the consolidated balance sheet include both available-for-sale and short-term held-to-maturity securities. Held-to-maturity securities are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are not included in the Valuation Hierarchy table above. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company held $625 million and $452 million, respectively, of short-term held-to-maturity securities. In addition, at December 31, 2016, the Company held $61 million of long-term held-to-maturity securities included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company did not hold any long-term held-to-maturity securities at September 30, 2017. Both short-term and long-term held-to-maturity securities consist of time deposits and are classified within Level 2 of the Valuation Hierarchy. The cost of these securities approximates fair value.
Nonmarketable Equity Investments
The Company’s nonmarketable equity investments are measured at fair value at initial recognition and for impairment testing. These investments are classified within Level 3 of the Valuation Hierarchy due to the absence of quoted market prices, the inherent lack of liquidity, and the fact that inputs used to measure fair value are unobservable and require management’s judgment. The Company uses discounted cash flows and market assumptions to estimate the fair value of its nonmarketable equity investments when certain events or circumstances indicate that impairment may exist. These investments are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet and in Note 5 (Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets).
Debt
The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term debt based on market quotes. These debt instruments are not traded in active markets and are classified within Level 2 of the Valuation Hierarchy. At September 30, 2017, the carrying value and fair value of long-term debt was $5.4 billion and $5.6 billion, respectively. At December 31, 2016, the carrying value and fair value of long-term debt was $5.2 billion and $5.3 billion, respectively.
Other Financial Instruments
Certain financial instruments are carried on the consolidated balance sheet at cost, which approximates fair value due to their short-term, highly liquid nature. These instruments include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, settlement due from customers, restricted security deposits held for customers, accounts payable, settlement due to customers and other accrued liabilities.
Non-Financial Instruments
Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis for purposes of initial recognition and impairment testing. The Company’s non-financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets. These assets are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment.
Contingent consideration related to acquisitions is measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These liabilities are classified within Level 3 of the Valuation Hierarchy as the inputs used to measure fair value are unobservable and require management’s judgment. The fair value of the contingent consideration at the acquisition date and subsequent periods is determined utilizing an income approach based on a Monte Carlo technique and is recorded in Other liabilities on the consolidated


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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)


balance sheet. The contingent consideration attributable to acquisitions made in 2017 is primarily based on the achievement of 2018 revenue targets. Changes to projected revenues of the acquired businesses could result in a higher or lower contingent consideration liability. Measurement period adjustments, if any, to the preliminary estimated fair value of contingent consideration as of the acquisition date will be recorded to goodwill, however, changes in fair value as a result of updated assumptions will be recorded within general and administrative expenses. The activity of the Company’s contingent consideration liability for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was as follows:
 
(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2016
$
—

Preliminary estimated fair value as of acquisition date for businesses acquired
198

Net change in valuation
—

Foreign currency translation
8

Balance at September 30, 2017
$
206

Amortized Costs and Fair Values – Available-for-Sale Investment Securities
The major classes of the Company’s available-for-sale investment securities, for which unrealized gains and losses are recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, and their respective amortized cost basis and fair values as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were as follows:
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gain
 
Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair
Value
 
(in millions)
Municipal securities
$
25

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
25

Government and agency securities
192

 
—

 
—

 
192

Corporate securities
934

 
3

 
—

 
937

Asset-backed securities
84

 
—

 
—

 
84

Equity securities
—

 
1

 
—

 
1

Total
$
1,235

 
$
4

 
$
—

 
$
1,239

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gain
 
Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair
Value
 
(in millions)
Municipal securities
$
59

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
59

Government and agency securities
165

 
1

 
—

 
166

Corporate securities
853

 
3

 
(1
)
 
855

Asset-backed securities
80

 
—

 
—

 
80

Equity securities
2

 
—

 
—

 
2

Total
$
1,159

 
$
4

 
$
(1
)
 
$
1,162

The Company’s available-for-sale investment securities held at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, primarily carried a credit rating of A-, or better. The municipal securities are primarily comprised of tax-exempt bonds and are diversified across states and sectors. Government and agency securities include U.S. government bonds, U.S. government sponsored agency bonds and foreign government bonds with similar credit quality to that of the U.S. government bonds.


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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)


Corporate securities are comprised of commercial paper and corporate bonds. The asset-backed securities are investments in bonds which are collateralized primarily by automobile loan receivables.
Investment Maturities
The maturity distribution based on the contractual terms of the Company’s investment securities at September 30, 2017 was as follows:
 
Available-For-Sale
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair Value
 
(in millions)
Due within 1 year
$
449

 
$
449

Due after 1 year through 5 years
786

 
789

Due after 5 years through 10 years
—

 
—

Due after 10 years
—

 
—

No contractual maturity 1
—

 
1

Total
$
1,235

 
$
1,239

1 Equity securities have been included in the No contractual maturity category, as these securities do not have stated maturity dates.
Investment Income
Investment income primarily consists of interest income generated from cash, cash equivalents and investments. Gross realized gains and losses are recorded within investment income on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. The gross realized gains and losses from the sales of available-for-sale securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were not significant.
Note 5. Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:
 
September 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(in millions)
Customer and merchant incentives
$
508

 
$
479

Prepaid income taxes
168

 
118

Other
504

 
253

Total prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
1,180

 
$
850

Other assets consisted of the following:
 
September 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(in millions)
Customer and merchant incentives
$
1,393

 
$
1,134

Nonmarketable equity investments
240

 
132

Prepaid income taxes
351

 
325

Income taxes receivable
148

 
175

Other
63

 
163

Total other assets
$
2,195

 
$
1,929

Customer and merchant incentives represent payments made or amounts to be paid to customers and merchants under business agreements. Costs directly related to entering into such agreements are generally deferred and amortized over the life of the agreements. Amounts to be paid for these incentives and the related liability were included in accrued expenses and other liabilities.


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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)


Nonmarketable equity investments represent the Company’s cost and equity method investments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company invested $128 million in nonmarketable cost method equity investments.
Note 6. Accrued Expenses and Accrued Litigation
Accrued expenses consisted of the following:
 
September 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(in millions)
Customer and merchant incentives
$
2,417

 
$
2,286

Personnel costs
486

 
496

Advertising
65

 
71

Income and other taxes
356

 
161

Other
361

 
304

Total accrued expenses
$
3,685

 
$
3,318

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company’s provision for litigation was $709 million and $722 million, respectively. These amounts are not included in the accrued expenses table above and are separately reported as accrued litigation on the consolidated balance sheet. See Note 11 (Legal and Regulatory Proceedings) for further discussion of the U.S. and Canadian merchant class litigations.
Note 7. Stockholders’ Equity
The Company’s Board of Directors has approved share repurchase programs authorizing the Company to repurchase its Class A common stock. The Company typically completes a share repurchase program before a new program becomes effective. The following table summarizes the Company’s share repurchase authorizations of its Class A common stock through September 30, 2017, as well as historical purchases:
 
Authorization Dates
 
December 2016
 
December 2015
 
December
2014
 
Total
 
(in millions, except average price data)
Board authorization
$
4,000

 
$
4,000

 
$
3,750

 
$
11,750

Dollar value of shares repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2016
$
—

 
$
1,903

 
$
507

 
$
2,410

Remaining authorization at December 31, 2016
$
4,000

 
$
996

 
$
—

 
$
4,996

Dollar value of shares repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2017
$
1,735

 
$
996

 
$
—

 
$
2,731

Remaining authorization at September 30, 2017
$
2,265

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
2,265

Shares repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2016
—

 
20.6

 
5.7

 
26.3

Average price paid per share during the nine months ended September 30, 2016
$
—

 
$
92.35

 
$
89.76

 
$
91.80

Shares repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2017
14.0

 
9.1

 
—

 
23.1

Average price paid per share during the nine months ended September 30, 2017
$
123.81

 
$
109.16

 
$
—

 
$
118.03

Cumulative shares repurchased through September 30, 2017
14.0

 
40.4

 
40.8

 
95.2

Cumulative average price paid per share
$
123.81

 
$
99.10

 
$
92.03

 
$
99.71



17
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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)


The following table presents the changes in the Company’s outstanding Class A and Class B common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2017:
 
Outstanding Shares
 
Class A
 
Class B
 
(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2016
1,062.4

 
19.3

Purchases of treasury stock
(23.1
)
 
—

Share-based payments
2.0

 
—

Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock
3.8

 
(3.8
)
Balance at September 30, 2017
1,045.1

 
15.5

Note 8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments 1
 
Translation Adjustments on Net Investment Hedge
 
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans
 
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2015
$
(663
)
 
$
(26
)
 
$
13

 
$
—

 
$
(676
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period2
(7
)
 
(36
)
 
(1
)
 
3

 
(41
)
Balance at September 30, 2016
$
(670
)
 
$
(62
)
 
$
12

 
$
3


$
(717
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2016
$
(949
)
 
$
12

 
$
11

 
$
2

 
$
(924
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period2
515

 
(132
)
 
(1
)
 
—

 
382

Balance at September 30, 2017
$
(434
)
 
$
(120
)
 
$
10

 
$
2

 
$
(542
)
1  
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the decrease in other comprehensive loss related to foreign currency translation adjustments was driven primarily by the appreciation of the euro.
2 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, gains and losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to the consolidated statement of operations were not significant.
Note 9. Share-Based Payments
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company granted the following awards under the Mastercard Incorporated 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (“LTIP”). The LTIP is a shareholder-approved plan that permits the grant of various types of equity awards to employees.
 
Grants in 2017
 
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
(in millions)
 
(per option/unit)
Non-qualified stock options
1.7
 
$21
Restricted stock units
1.3
 
$110
Performance stock units
0.2
 
$126
Stock options generally vest in four equal annual installments beginning one year after the date of grant and have a term of ten years. The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the grant date fair value of stock options and calculated the expected term and the expected volatility based on historical Mastercard information. As a


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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)


result, the expected term of stock options granted in 2017 was five years, while the expected volatility was determined to be 19.3%.
Vesting of the shares underlying the restricted stock units and performance stock units will generally occur three years after the date of grant. The fair value of restricted stock units is determined and fixed on the grant date based on the Company’s Class A common stock price, adjusted for the exclusion of dividend equivalents. The Monte Carlo simulation valuation model was used to determine the grant date fair value of performance stock units granted.
Compensation expense is recorded net of estimated forfeitures over the shorter of the vesting period or the date the individual becomes eligible to retire under the LTIP. The Company uses the straight-line method of attribution over the requisite service period for expensing equity awards.
Note 10. Income Taxes
The effective income tax rates were 26.0% and 26.8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, versus 27.5% and 27.9% for the comparable periods in 2016. The lower effective tax rates, as compared to the prior year, were due to a more favorable geographical mix of taxable earnings, partially offset by a lower U.S. foreign tax credit benefit associated with the repatriation of current year foreign earnings.
The Company is subject to tax in the United States, Belgium, Singapore, the United Kingdom and various other foreign jurisdictions, as well as state and local jurisdictions.  Uncertain tax positions are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are adjusted after considering facts and circumstances, including progress of tax audits, developments in case law and closing of statutes of limitation.  Within the next twelve months, the Company believes that the resolution of certain federal, foreign and state and local examinations are reasonably possible and that a change in estimate, reducing unrecognized tax benefits, may occur. While such a change may be significant, it is not possible to provide a range of the potential change until the examinations progress further or the related statutes of limitation expire. The Company has effectively settled its U.S. federal income tax obligations through 2008, with the exception of transfer pricing issues which are settled through 2011. With limited exception, the Company is no longer subject to state and local or foreign examinations by tax authorities for years before 2009.
Note 11. Legal and Regulatory Proceedings
Mastercard is a party to legal and regulatory proceedings with respect to a variety of matters in the ordinary course of business.  Some of these proceedings are based on complex claims involving substantial uncertainties and unascertainable damages.  Accordingly, except as discussed below, it is not possible to determine the probability of loss or estimate damages, and therefore, Mastercard has not established reserves for any of these proceedings.  When the Company determines that a loss is both probable and reasonably estimable, Mastercard records a liability and discloses the amount of the liability if it is material. When a material loss contingency is only reasonably possible, Mastercard does not record a liability, but instead discloses the nature and the amount of the claim, and an estimate of the loss or range of loss, if such an estimate can be made. Unless otherwise stated below with respect to these matters, Mastercard cannot provide an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss based on one or more of the following reasons: (1) actual or potential plaintiffs have not claimed an amount of monetary damages or the amounts are unsupportable or exaggerated, (2) the matters are in early stages, (3) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals or motions, (4) there are significant factual issues to be resolved, (5) the existence in many such proceedings of multiple defendants or potential defendants whose share of any potential financial responsibility has yet to be determined, and/or (6) there are novel legal issues presented. Furthermore, except as identified with respect to the matters below, Mastercard does not believe that the outcome of any individual existing legal or regulatory proceeding to which it is a party will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition or overall business.  However, an adverse judgment or other outcome or settlement with respect to any proceedings discussed below could result in fines or payments by Mastercard and/or could require Mastercard to change its business practices. In addition, an adverse outcome in a regulatory proceeding could lead to the filing of civil damage claims and possibly result in significant damage awards. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on Mastercard’s results of operations, financial condition and overall business.


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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)


Interchange Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings
Mastercard’s interchange fees and other practices are subject to regulatory and/or legal review and/or challenges in a number of jurisdictions, including the proceedings described below. When taken as a whole, the resulting decisions, regulations and legislation with respect to interchange fees and acceptance practices may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s prospects for future growth and its overall results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
United States. In June 2005, the first of a series of complaints were filed on behalf of merchants (the majority of the complaints were styled as class actions, although a few complaints were filed on behalf of individual merchant plaintiffs) against Mastercard International, Visa U.S.A., Inc., Visa International Service Association and a number of financial institutions. Taken together, the claims in the complaints were generally brought under both Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act, which prohibit monopolization and attempts or conspiracies to monopolize a particular industry, and some of these complaints contain unfair competition law claims under state law. The complaints allege, among other things, that Mastercard, Visa, and certain financial institutions conspired to set the price of interchange fees, enacted point of sale acceptance rules (including the no surcharge rule) in violation of antitrust laws and engaged in unlawful tying and bundling of certain products and services. The cases were consolidated for pre-trial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in MDL No. 1720. The plaintiffs filed a consolidated class action complaint that seeks treble damages.
In July 2006, the group of purported merchant class plaintiffs filed a supplemental complaint alleging that Mastercard’s initial public offering of its Class A Common Stock in May 2006 (the “IPO”) and certain purported agreements entered into between Mastercard and financial institutions in connection with the IPO: (1) violate U.S. antitrust laws and (2) constituted a fraudulent conveyance because the financial institutions allegedly attempted to release, without adequate consideration, Mastercard’s right to assess them for Mastercard’s litigation liabilities. The class plaintiffs sought treble damages and injunctive relief including, but not limited to, an order reversing and unwinding the IPO.
In February 2011, Mastercard and Mastercard International entered into each of: (1) an omnibus judgment sharing and settlement sharing agreement with Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A. Inc. and Visa International Service Association and a number of financial institutions; and (2) a Mastercard settlement and judgment sharing agreement with a number of financial institutions.  The agreements provide for the apportionment of certain costs and liabilities which Mastercard, the Visa parties and the financial institutions may incur, jointly and/or severally, in the event of an adverse judgment or settlement of one or all of the cases in the merchant litigations.  Among a number of scenarios addressed by the agreements, in the event of a global settlement involving the Visa parties, the financial institutions and Mastercard, Mastercard would pay 12% of the monetary portion of the settlement. In the event of a settlement involving only Mastercard and the financial institutions with respect to their issuance of Mastercard cards, Mastercard would pay 36% of the monetary portion of such settlement. 
In October 2012, the parties entered into a definitive settlement agreement with respect to the merchant class litigation (including with respect to the claims related to the IPO) and the defendants separately entered into a settlement agreement with the individual merchant plaintiffs. The settlements included cash payments that were apportioned among the defendants pursuant to the omnibus judgment sharing and settlement sharing agreement described above. Mastercard also agreed to provide class members with a short-term reduction in default credit interchange rates and to modify certain of its business practices, including its “no surcharge” rule. The court granted final approval of the settlement in December 2013, and objectors to the settlement appealed that decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In June 2016, the court of appeals vacated the class action certification, reversed the settlement approval and sent the case back to the district court for further proceedings. The court of appeals’ ruling was based primarily on whether the merchants were adequately represented by counsel in the settlement.
Prior to the reversal of the settlement approval, merchants representing slightly more than 25% of the Mastercard and Visa purchase volume over the relevant period chose to opt out of the class settlement. Mastercard had anticipated that most of the larger merchants who opted out of the settlement would initiate separate actions seeking to recover damages, and over 30 opt-out complaints have been filed on behalf of numerous merchants in various jurisdictions. Mastercard has executed settlement agreements with a number of opt-out merchants. Mastercard believes these settlement agreements are not impacted by the ruling of the court of appeals. The defendants have consolidated all of these matters (except for two state court actions) in front of the same federal district court that approved the merchant class settlement. In July


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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)


2014, the district court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss the opt-out merchant complaints for failure to state a claim. Deposition discovery commenced in December 2016 and the parties in the class action are in mediation.
As of September 30, 2017, Mastercard had accrued a liability of $707 million as a reserve for both the merchant class litigation and the filed and anticipated opt-out merchant cases. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, Mastercard had $545 million and $543 million, respectively, in a qualified cash settlement fund related to the merchant class litigation and classified as restricted cash on its consolidated balance sheet. Mastercard believes the reserve for both the merchant class litigation and the filed and anticipated opt-out merchants represents its best estimate of its probable liabilities in these matters at September 30, 2017. The portion of the accrued liability relating to both the opt-out merchants and the merchant class litigation settlement does not represent an estimate of a loss, if any, if the matters were litigated to a final outcome. Mastercard cannot estimate the potential liability if that were to occur.
Canada. In December 2010, a proposed class action complaint was commenced against Mastercard in Quebec on behalf of Canadian merchants. The suit essentially repeated the allegations and arguments of a previously filed application by the Canadian Competition Bureau to the Canadian Competition Tribunal (dismissed in Mastercard’s favor) concerning certain Mastercard rules related to point-of-sale acceptance, including the “honor all cards” and “no surcharge” rules. The Quebec suit sought compensatory and punitive damages in unspecified amounts, as well as injunctive relief. In the first half of 2011, additional purported class action lawsuits were commenced in British Columbia and Ontario against Mastercard, Visa and a number of large Canadian financial institutions. The British Columbia suit sought compensatory damages in unspecified amounts, and the Ontario suit sought compensatory damages of $5 billion on the basis of alleged conspiracy and various alleged breaches of the Canadian Competition Act. Additional purported class action complaints were commenced in Saskatchewan and Alberta with claims that largely mirror those in the other suits. In June 2017, Mastercard entered into a class settlement agreement to resolve all of the Canadian class action litigation. The settlement, which is subject to court approval in each applicable province, requires Mastercard to make a cash payment and modify its “no surcharge” rule. During the first quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a provision for litigation of $15 million related to this matter.
Europe. In July 2015, the European Commission issued a Statement of Objections related to Mastercard’s interregional interchange fees and central acquiring rules within the European Economic Area. The Statement of Objections, which follows an investigation opened in 2013, includes preliminary conclusions concerning the alleged anticompetitive effects of these practices. The European Commission has indicated it intends to seek fines if these conclusions are subsequently confirmed. In April 2016, Mastercard submitted a response to the Statement of Objections disputing the European Commission’s preliminary conclusions and participated in a related oral hearing in May 2016. Since that time, Mastercard has remained in discussions with the European Commission. Although the Statement of Objections does not quantify the level of fines, based upon recent interactions with the European Commission, it is possible that they could be substantial, potentially in excess of $1 billion if the European Commission were to issue a negative decision.  Fines may be less than this amount in the event of a negotiated resolution. Due to the uncertainty of numerous legal issues, including the potential for a negotiated resolution, Mastercard cannot estimate a possible range of loss at this time, although Mastercard expects to obtain greater clarity with respect to these issues in the fourth quarter of 2017 or early 2018.
In the United Kingdom, beginning in May 2012, a number of retailers filed claims or threatened litigation against Mastercard seeking damages for alleged anti-competitive conduct with respect to Mastercard’s cross-border interchange fees and its U.K. and Ireland domestic interchange fees (the “U.K. Merchant claimants”), with claimed purported damages exceeding $1 billion. The U.K. Merchant claimants (including all resolved matters) represent approximately 40% of Mastercard’s U.K. interchange volume over the relevant damages period. Additional merchants have filed or threatened litigation with respect to interchange rates in Europe (the “Pan-European claimants”) for purported damages exceeding $1 billion.  Mastercard submitted statements of defense to the retailers’ claims disputing liability and damages. In June 2015, Mastercard entered into a settlement with one of the U.K. Merchant claimants for $61 million, recorded as a provision for litigation settlement. Following the conclusion of a trial for liability and damages for one of the U.K. merchant cases, in July 2016, the tribunal issued a judgment against Mastercard for damages. Mastercard recorded a litigation provision of $107 million in the second quarter of 2016 that includes the amount of the judgment and estimated legal fees and costs. Mastercard has been granted permission to appeal this judgment. In the fourth quarter of 2016, Mastercard recorded a charge of $10 million relating to settlements with multiple U.K. Merchant claimants.


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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)


In January 2017, Mastercard received a liability judgment in its favor on all significant matters in a separate action brought by ten of the U.K. Merchant claimants, who had been seeking in excess of $500 million in damages. Subsequently, Mastercard settled with six of these claimants to resolve their claims, with no financial payments required by Mastercard. The remaining U.K. Merchant claimants have sought court permission to appeal the judgment, and permission to appeal was granted in part and denied in part.
In September 2016, a proposed collective action was filed in the United Kingdom on behalf of U.K. consumers seeking damages for intra-EEA and domestic U.K. interchange fees that were allegedly passed on to consumers by merchants between 1992 and 2008. The complaint, which seeks to leverage the European Commission’s 2007 decision on intra-EEA interchange fees, claims damages in an amount that exceeds £14 billion (approximately $19 billion as of September 30, 2017). In July 2017, the court denied the plaintiffs’ application for the case to proceed as a collective action.  The plaintiffs’ request for permission to appeal this decision was denied, which they have appealed. The plaintiffs have also filed a separate request for judicial review of the court’s denial of their collective action.
ATM Non-Discrimination Rule Surcharge Complaints
In October 2011, a trade association of independent Automated Teller Machine (“ATM”) operators and 13 independent ATM operators filed a complaint styled as a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against both Mastercard and Visa (the “ATM Operators Complaint”).  Plaintiffs seek to represent a class of non-bank operators of ATM terminals that operate in the United States with the discretion to determine the price of the ATM access fee for the terminals they operate. Plaintiffs allege that Mastercard and Visa have violated Section 1 of the Sherman Act by imposing rules that require ATM operators to charge non-discriminatory ATM surcharges for transactions processed over Mastercard’s and Visa’s respective networks that are not greater than the surcharge for transactions over other networks accepted at the same ATM.  Plaintiffs seek both injunctive and monetary relief equal to treble the damages they claim to have sustained as a result of the alleged violations and their costs of suit, including attorneys’ fees.  Plaintiffs have not quantified their damages although they allege that they expect damages to be in the tens of millions of dollars. 
Subsequently, multiple related complaints were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging both federal antitrust and multiple state unfair competition, consumer protection and common law claims against Mastercard and Visa on behalf of putative classes of users of ATM services (the “ATM Consumer Complaints”).  The claims in these actions largely mirror the allegations made in the ATM Operators Complaint, although these complaints seek damages on behalf of consumers of ATM services who pay allegedly inflated ATM fees at both bank and non-bank ATM operators as a result of the defendants’ ATM rules.  Plaintiffs seek both injunctive and monetary relief equal to treble the damages they claim to have sustained as a result of the alleged violations and their costs of suit, including attorneys’ fees.  Plaintiffs have not quantified their damages although they allege that they expect damages to be in the tens of millions of dollars. 
In January 2012, the plaintiffs in the ATM Operators Complaint and the ATM Consumer Complaints filed amended class action complaints that largely mirror their prior complaints. In February 2013, the district court granted Mastercard’s motion to dismiss the complaints for failure to state a claim. On appeal, the Court of Appeals reversed the district court’s order in August 2015 and sent the case back for further proceedings. In March 2016, certain of the plaintiffs in the ATM Operators Complaint filed a motion seeking a preliminary injunction enjoining the enforcement of the nondiscrimination rules pending the outcome of the litigation.  In May 2017, the court denied the plaintiffs’ motion and the case is now proceeding to discovery.
U.S. Liability Shift Litigation
In March 2016, a proposed U.S. merchant class action complaint was filed in federal court in California alleging that Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover (the “Network Defendants”), EMVCo, and a number of issuing banks (the “Bank Defendants”) engaged in a conspiracy to shift fraud liability for card present transactions from issuing banks to merchants not yet in compliance with the standards for EMV chip cards in the United States (the “EMV Liability Shift”), in violation of the Sherman Act and California law.  Plaintiffs allege damages equal to the value of all chargebacks for which class members became liable as a result of the EMV Liability Shift on October 1, 2015. The plaintiffs seek treble damages, attorney’s fees and costs and an injunction against future violations of governing law, and the defendants have filed a motion to dismiss. In September 2016, the court denied the Network Defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint, but granted such a motion for EMVCo and the Bank Defendants. In May 2017, the court transferred the case to New York so that discovery could be coordinated with the U.S. merchant class interchange litigation described above.


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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)


Note 12. Settlement and Other Risk Management
Mastercard’s rules guarantee the settlement of many of the Mastercard, Cirrus and Maestro branded transactions between its issuers and acquirers (“settlement risk”). Settlement exposure is the outstanding settlement risk to customers under Mastercard’s rules due to the difference in timing between the payment transaction date and subsequent settlement. While the term and amount of the guarantee are unlimited, the duration of settlement exposure is short term and typically limited to a few days. Gross settlement exposure is estimated using the average daily card volume during the quarter multiplied by the estimated number of days to settle. The Company has global risk management policies and procedures, which include risk standards, to provide a framework for managing the Company’s settlement risk. Customer-reported transaction data and the transaction clearing data underlying the settlement exposure calculation may be revised in subsequent reporting periods.
In the event that Mastercard effects a payment on behalf of a failed customer, Mastercard may seek an assignment of the underlying receivables of the failed customer. Customers may be charged for the amount of any settlement loss incurred during the ordinary course activities of the Company.
The Company has global risk management policies and procedures aimed at managing the settlement exposure. These risk management procedures include interaction with the bank regulators of countries in which it operates, requiring customers to make adjustments to settlement processes, and requiring collateral from customers. As part of its policies, Mastercard requires certain customers that are not in compliance with the Company’s risk standards in effect at the time of review to post collateral, typically in the form of cash, letters of credit, or guarantees. This requirement is based on management’s review of the individual risk circumstances for each customer that is out of compliance. In addition to these amounts, Mastercard holds collateral to cover variability and future growth in customer programs. The Company may also hold collateral to pay merchants in the event of an acquirer failure. Although the Company is not contractually obligated under its rules to effect such payments to merchants, the Company may elect to do so to protect brand integrity. Mastercard monitors its credit risk portfolio on a regular basis and the adequacy of collateral on hand. Additionally, from time to time, the Company reviews its risk management methodology and standards. As such, the amounts of estimated settlement exposure are revised as necessary.
The Company’s estimated settlement exposure from Mastercard, Cirrus and Maestro branded transactions was as follows:
 
September 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(in millions)
Gross settlement exposure1
$
44,595

 
$
39,523

Collateral held for settlement exposure
(4,135
)
 
(3,734
)
Net uncollateralized settlement exposure
$
40,460

 
$
35,789

1. In the second quarter of 2017, Mastercard adjusted the methodology for estimating gross settlement exposure for certain customers whose exposures are now reported before the impact of potential offsetting positions. The gross settlement exposure as of December 31, 2016 has been updated to conform to the current year’s methodology.
General economic and political conditions in countries in which Mastercard operates affect the Company’s settlement risk. Many of the Company’s financial institution customers have been directly and adversely impacted by political instability and uncertain economic conditions. These conditions present increased risk that the Company may have to perform under its settlement guarantee. This risk could increase if political, economic and financial market conditions deteriorate further. The Company’s global risk management policies and procedures are revised and enhanced from time to time. Historically, the Company has experienced a low level of losses from financial institution failures.
Mastercard also provides guarantees to customers and certain other counterparties indemnifying them from losses stemming from failures of third parties to perform duties. This includes guarantees of Mastercard-branded travelers cheques issued, but not yet cashed of $398 million and $397 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, of which $315 million and $312 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, is mitigated by collateral arrangements. In addition, the Company enters into agreements in the ordinary course of business under which the Company agrees to indemnify third parties against damages, losses and expenses incurred in connection with legal and other proceedings arising from relationships or transactions with the Company. Certain indemnifications do not provide a


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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)


stated maximum exposure. As the extent of the Company’s obligations under these agreements depends entirely upon the occurrence of future events, the Company’s potential future liability under these agreements is not determinable. Historically, payments made by the Company under these types of contractual arrangements have not been material.
Note 13. Foreign Exchange Risk Management
The Company monitors and manages its foreign currency exposures as part of its overall risk management program which focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of these markets may have on its operating results.  A principal objective of the Company’s risk management strategies is to reduce significant, unanticipated earnings fluctuations that may arise from volatility in foreign currency exchange rates principally through the use of derivative instruments.
Derivatives
The Company enters into foreign currency derivative contracts to manage risk associated with anticipated receipts and disbursements which are valued based on currencies other than the functional currencies of the entity. The Company may also enter into foreign currency derivative contracts to offset possible changes in value due to foreign exchange fluctuations of earnings, assets and liabilities. The objective of these activities is to reduce the Company’s exposure to gains and losses resulting from fluctuations of foreign currencies against its functional currencies.
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the majority of derivative contracts to hedge foreign currency fluctuations had been entered into with customers of Mastercard. Mastercard’s derivative contracts are summarized below:
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Notional
 
Estimated Fair
Value
 
Notional
 
Estimated Fair
Value
 
(in millions)
Commitments to purchase foreign currency
$
20

 
$
—

 
$
37

 
$
(2
)
Commitments to sell foreign currency
861

 
(30
)
 
777

 
18

Options to sell foreign currency
16

 
1

 
—

 
—

Balance sheet location
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable 1
 
 
$
4

 
 
 
$
29

Other current liabilities 1
 
 
(33
)
 
 
 
(13
)
1 The derivative contracts are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements, which contain various netting and setoff provisions.
The amount of gain (loss) recognized in income for the contracts to purchase and sell foreign currency is summarized below: 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(in millions)
Foreign currency derivative contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative
$
(20
)
 
$
(6
)
 
$
(65
)
 
$
(42
)
The fair value of the foreign currency derivative contracts generally reflects the estimated amounts that the Company would receive (or pay), on a pre-tax basis, to terminate the contracts. The terms of the foreign currency derivative contracts are generally less than 18 months. The Company had no deferred gains or losses related to foreign exchange contracts in accumulated other comprehensive income as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, as these contracts were not accounted for under hedge accounting.
The Company’s derivative financial instruments are subject to both market and counterparty credit risk. Market risk is the potential for economic losses to be incurred on market risk sensitive instruments arising from adverse changes in market factors such as foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and other related variables. The effect of a hypothetical 10% adverse change in foreign currency forward rates could result in a fair value loss of approximately $97 million on the


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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) – (Continued)


Company’s foreign currency derivative contracts outstanding at September 30, 2017. Counterparty credit risk is the risk of loss due to failure of the counterparty to perform its obligations in accordance with contractual terms. To mitigate counterparty credit risk, the Company enters into derivative contracts with a diversified group of selected financial institutions based upon their credit ratings and other factors. Generally, the Company does not obtain collateral related to derivatives because of the high credit ratings of the counterparties.
Net Investment Hedge
The Company uses foreign currency denominated debt to hedge a portion of its net investment in foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates, with changes in the value of the debt recorded within currency translation adjustment in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). In 2015, the Company designated its €1.65 billion euro-denominated debt as a net investment hedge for a portion of its net investment in European foreign operations. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had a net foreign currency transaction pre-tax loss of $187 million in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) associated with hedging activity. There was no ineffectiveness in the current period.


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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following supplements management's discussion and analysis of Mastercard Incorporated for the year ended December 31, 2016 as contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 15, 2017. It also should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes of Mastercard Incorporated and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Mastercard International Incorporated (together, “Mastercard” or the “Company”), included elsewhere in this Report. Percentage changes provided throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” were calculated on amounts rounded to the nearest thousand.
Business Overview
Mastercard is a technology company in the global payments industry that connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses worldwide, enabling them to use electronic forms of payment instead of cash and checks. As the operator of what we believe is the world’s fastest payments network, we facilitate the switching (authorization, clearing and settlement) of payment transactions and deliver related products and services. We make payments easier and more efficient by creating a wide range of payment solutions and services using our family of well-known brands, including Mastercard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®. We also provide value-added offerings such as safety and security products, information services and consulting, issuer and acquirer processing and loyalty and reward programs. Our network is designed to ensure safety and security for the global payments system.
A typical transaction on our network involves four participants in addition to us: cardholder (an individual who holds a card or uses another device enabled for payment), merchant, issuer (the cardholder’s financial institution) and acquirer (the merchant’s financial institution). We do not issue cards, extend credit, determine or receive revenue from interest rates or other fees charged to cardholders by issuers, or establish the rates charged by acquirers in connection with merchants’ acceptance of our branded cards. In most cases, cardholder relationships belong to, and are managed by, our financial institution customers.
We generate revenue by charging fees to issuers, acquirers and other stakeholders for providing transaction processing and other payment-related products and services, as well as by assessing these customers based primarily on the dollar volume of activity, or gross dollar volume (“GDV”), on the cards and other devices that carry our brands.
Our Strategy
Our ability to grow our business is influenced by personal consumption expenditure growth, driving cash and check transactions toward electronic forms of payment, increasing our share in electronic payments and providing value-added products and services. We achieve our strategy by growing, diversifying and building our business.
Grow. We focus on growing our core businesses globally, including growing our consumer credit, debit, prepaid and commercial products and solutions, increasing the number of payment transactions we switch.
Diversify. We look to diversify our business and capabilities by focusing on:
•
diversifying our customer base in new and existing markets by working with partners such as governments, merchants, technology companies (such as digital players and mobile providers) and other businesses
•
encouraging use of our products and solutions in areas that provide new opportunities for electronic payments, such as transit, business-to-person transfers, business-to-business transfers and person-to-person transfers
•
capturing more payment flows by adding automated clearing house (ACH) payments to our core card-based business via our recent acquisition of VocaLink Holdings Limited (“Vocalink”)
•
driving acceptance at merchants of all sizes
•
broadening financial inclusion for the unbanked and underbanked


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Build. We build our business by:
•
taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the evolving ways consumers interact and transact in the growing digital economy
•
providing value-added services across safety and security, consulting, data analytics and loyalty
We grow, diversify and build our business through a combination of organic growth and strategic investments, including acquisitions.
Strategic Partners. We work with a variety of stakeholders. We provide financial institutions with solutions to help them increase revenue by driving preference for Mastercard-branded products. We help merchants by delivering data-driven insights and other services that help them grow and create simple and secure purchase experiences regardless of how and where their consumers shop. We partner with technology companies such as digital players and mobile providers to deliver digital payment solutions powered by our technology, expertise and security protocols. We help national and local governments drive increased financial inclusion and efficiency, reduce costs, increase transparency to reduce crime and corruption and advance social programs. For consumers, we provide better, safer and more convenient ways to pay.
Business Environment
We process transactions from more than 210 countries and territories and in more than 150 currencies. Net revenue generated in the United States was 34% and 35% of total net revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and 38% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. No individual country, other than the United States, generated more than 10% of total net revenue in each period, but differences in market growth, economic health and foreign exchange fluctuations in certain countries can have an impact on the proportion of revenue generated outside the United States over time. While the global nature of our business helps protect our operating results from adverse economic conditions in a single or a few countries, the significant concentration of our revenue generated in the United States makes our business particularly susceptible to adverse economic conditions in the United States.
The competitive and evolving nature of the global payments industry provides both challenges to and opportunities for the continued growth of our business. Adverse economic trends (including distress in financial markets, currency fluctuations, turmoil in specific economies around the world and additional government intervention) have impacted the environment in which we operate. Certain of our customers, merchants that accept our brands and cardholders who use our brands, have been directly impacted by these adverse economic conditions.
Mastercard’s financial results may be negatively impacted by actions taken by individual financial institutions or by governmental or regulatory bodies. In addition, political instability or a decline in economic conditions in the countries in which we operate may accelerate the timing of or increase the impact of risks to our financial performance. As a result, our revenue or results of operations may be negatively impacted. We continue to monitor political and economic conditions around the world to identify opportunities for the continued growth of our business and to evaluate the evolution of the global payments industry. Notwithstanding recent encouraging trends, the extent and pace of economic recovery in various regions remains uncertain and the overall business environment may present challenges for us to grow our business.
For a full discussion of the various legal, regulatory and business risks that could impact our financial results, see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.


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Financial Results Overview
The following tables provide a summary of our operating results:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
($ in millions, except per share data)
Net revenue
$
3,398

 
$
2,880

 
18%
 
$
9,185

 
$
8,020

 
15%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
$
1,457

 
$
1,210

 
20%
 
$
4,085

 
$
3,622

 
13%
Operating income
$
1,941

 
$
1,670

 
16%
 
$
5,100

 
$
4,398

 
16%
Operating margin
57.1
%
 
58.0
%
 
(0.9) ppt
 
55.5
%
 
54.8
%
 
0.7 ppt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
$
502

 
$
449

 
12%
 
$
1,350

 
$
1,209

 
12%
Effective income tax rate
26.0
%
 
27.5
%
 
(1.5) ppt
 
26.8
%
 
27.9
%
 
(1.1) ppt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
1,430

 
$
1,184

 
21%
 
$
3,688

 
$
3,126

 
18%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
$
1.34

 
$
1.08

 
24%
 
$
3.43

 
$
2.83

 
21%
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
1,068

 
1,099

 
(3)%
 
1,075

 
1,104

 
(3)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary of Non-GAAP Results 1:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,2
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
2017
 
2016
 
Reported GAAP2
 
Currency-neutral
 
2017
 
2016
 
As adjusted
 
Currency-neutral
 
($ in millions, except per share data)
Net revenue
$
3,398

 
$
2,880

 
18%
 
17%
 
$
9,185

 
$
8,020

 
15%
 
14%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted operating expenses
$
1,457

 
$
1,210

 
20%
 
19%
 
$
4,070

 
$
3,515

 
16%
 
16%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted operating margin
57.1
%
 
58.0
%
 
(0.9) ppt
 
(1.1) ppt
 
55.7
%
 
56.2
%
 
(0.5) ppt
 
(0.6) ppt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted effective income tax rate
26.0
%
 
27.5
%
 
(1.5) ppt
 
(1.5) ppt
 
26.8
%
 
27.9
%
 
(1.1) ppt
 
(1.1) ppt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income
$
1,430

 
$
1,184

 
21%
 
19%
 
$
3,698

 
$
3,204

 
15%
 
15%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted diluted earnings per share
$
1.34

 
$
1.08

 
24%
 
23%
 
$
3.44

 
$
2.90

 
19%
 
18%

1 The Summary of Non-GAAP Results excludes the impact of Special Items and/or foreign currency. See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” for further information on the Special Items, the impact of foreign currency and the reconciliation to GAAP reported amounts.  
2 There were no Special Items impacting the results for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.


28
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Key highlights for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 were as follows:
•
Net revenue increased 18% and 15%, or 17% and 14% on a currency-neutral basis, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2016, primarily driven by increases across our revenue categories, partially offset by higher rebates and incentives. The impact of acquisitions contributed 2.5 and 1.5 percentage points of growth, respectively. Switched transactions increased 17% for both periods, gross dollar volume increased 10% and 9% on a local currency basis and adjusted for the impact of the EU regulation change, and cross-border volume increased 15% and 14% on a local currency basis, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2016.
•
Operating expenses increased 20% and 13%, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2016. Excluding the impact of the Special Items, adjusted operating expenses increased 20% and 16%, or 19% and 16% on a currency-neutral basis, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2016. These increases were due to higher personnel costs reflecting our continued investment in strategic initiatives. The impact of acquisitions contributed 8 and 5 percentage points of growth for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.
•
The effective income tax rate was 26.0% and 26.8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, versus 27.5% and 27.9% for the comparable periods in 2016. The lower effective tax rates, as compared to the prior year, were due to a more favorable geographical mix of taxable earnings, partially offset by a lower U.S. foreign tax credit benefit associated with the repatriation of current year foreign earnings.
Other financial highlights for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were as follows:
•
We generated net cash flows from operations of $3.8 billion compared to $3.5 billion for the comparable period in 2016.
•
We repurchased 23.1 million shares of our common stock and paid dividends of $709 million.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
Non-GAAP financial information is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s performance that excludes or includes amounts so as to be different than the most comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).  These non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of the following special items (“Special Items”):
•
In the first quarter of 2017, we recorded a provision for litigation of $15 million ($10 million after tax, or $0.01 per diluted share) related to a litigation settlement with Canadian merchants (the “Canadian Merchant Litigation Provision”).
•
In the second quarter of 2016, we recorded a provision for litigation of $107 million ($78 million after tax, or $0.07 per diluted share) related to a judgment issued against the Company in a litigation with a merchant in the U.K. (the “U.K. Merchant Litigation Provision”).
See Note 11 (Legal and Regulatory Proceedings) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item I of this Report for further discussion. We excluded these litigation provisions because our management monitors litigation judgments and settlements related to interchange and regulation separately from ongoing operations and evaluates ongoing performance without these amounts.
In addition, we present growth rates adjusted for the impact of foreign currency, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Currency-neutral growth rates, are calculated by remeasuring the prior period’s results using the current period’s exchange rates for both the translational and transactional impacts on operating results. The impact of foreign currency translation represents the effect of translating operating results where the functional currency is different than our U.S. dollar reporting currency. The impact of the transactional foreign currency represents the effect of converting revenue and expenses occurring in a currency other than the functional currency. Our management believes the presentation of the impact of foreign currency provides relevant information.


29
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Our management believes that the non-GAAP financial measures presented facilitate an understanding of our operating performance and provide a meaningful comparison of our results between periods. Our management uses non-GAAP financial measures to, among other things, evaluate our ongoing operations in relation to historical results, for internal planning and forecasting purposes and in the calculation of performance-based compensation. The presentation of non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for our related financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Net revenue, operating expenses, operating margin, effective income tax rate, net income and diluted earnings per share adjusted for Special Items and/or the impact of foreign currency are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be relied upon as substitutes for measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The following tables reconcile our as-reported financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP to the respective non-GAAP adjusted financial measures.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
 Operating expenses
 
Operating margin
 
Effective income tax rate
 
 Net income
 
 Diluted earnings per share
 
($ in millions, except per share data)

Reported - GAAP
$
4,085

 
55.5
%
 
26.8
%
 
$
3,688

 
$
3.43

Special Item
(15
)
 
0.2
%
 
—
%
 
10

 
0.01

Non-GAAP
$
4,070

 
55.7
%
 
26.8
%
 
$
3,698

 
$
3.44

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 Operating expenses
 
Operating margin
 
Effective income tax rate
 
 Net income
 
 Diluted earnings per share
 
($ in millions, except per share data)

Reported - GAAP
$
3,622

 
54.8
%
 
27.9
%
 
$
3,126

 
$
2.83

Special Item
(107
)
 
1.4
%
 
—
%
 
78

 
0.07

Non-GAAP
$
3,515

 
56.2
%
 
27.9
%
 
$
3,204

 
$
2.90

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Net revenue
 
 Operating expenses
 
Operating margin
 
Effective income tax rate
 
 Net income
 
 Diluted earnings per share
Reported - GAAP
18
 %
 
20
 %
 
(0.9) ppt
 
(1.5) ppt
 
21
 %
 
24
 %
Foreign currency 1
(1
)%
 
(1
)%
 
(0.2) ppt
 
– ppt
 
(2
)%
 
(1
)%
Non-GAAP - currency-neutral
17
 %
 
19
 %
 
(1.1) ppt
 
(1.5) ppt
 
19
 %
 
23
 %
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 
Net revenue
 
 Operating expenses
 
Operating margin
 
Effective income tax rate
 
 Net income
 
 Diluted earnings per share
Reported - GAAP
15
 %
 
13
%
 
0.7 ppt
 
(1.1) ppt
 
18
 %
 
21
 %
Special Item
—
 %
 
3
%
 
(1.2) ppt
 
– ppt
 
(3
)%
 
(3
)%
Non-GAAP
15
 %
 
16
%
 
(0.5) ppt
 
(1.1) ppt
 
15
 %
 
19
 %
Foreign currency 1
—
 %
 
—
%
 
(0.1) ppt
 
– ppt
 
—
 %
 
—
 %
Non-GAAP - currency-neutral
14
 %
 
16
%
 
(0.6) ppt
 
(1.1) ppt
 
15
 %
 
18
 %
Note: Tables may not sum due to rounding.
1 Represents the foreign currency translational and transactional impact.


30
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Impact of Foreign Currency Rates
Our overall operating results are impacted by foreign currency translation, which represents the effect of translating operating results where the functional currency is different than our U.S. dollar reporting currency.
Our operating results can also be impacted by transactional foreign currency. The impact of the transactional foreign currency represents the effect of converting revenue and expense transactions occurring in a currency other than the functional currency. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates directly impact the calculation of gross dollar volume (“GDV”) and gross euro volume (“GEV”), which are used in the calculation of our domestic assessments, cross-border volume fees and volume-related rebates and incentives. In most non-European regions, GDV is calculated based on local currency spending volume converted to U.S. dollars using average exchange rates for the period. In Europe, GEV is calculated based on local currency spending volume converted to euros using average exchange rates for the period. As a result, our domestic assessments, cross-border volume fees and volume-related rebates and incentives are impacted by the strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar versus non-European local currencies and the strengthening or weakening of the euro versus other European local currencies. For example, our billing in Australia is in the U.S. dollar; however, consumer spend in Australia is in the Australian dollar. The foreign currency transactional impact of converting Australian dollars to our U.S. dollar billing currency will have an impact on the revenue generated. The strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar is evident when GDV growth on a U.S. dollar-converted basis is compared to GDV growth on a local currency basis. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, GDV on a U.S. dollar-converted basis increased 11% and 6%, respectively, while GDV on a local currency basis increased 10% and 7%, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2016. Further, the impact from transactional foreign currency occurs in transaction processing revenue, other revenue and operating expenses when the local currency of these items are different than the functional currency.
In addition, we incur foreign currency gains and losses from remeasuring monetary assets and liabilities that are in a currency other than the functional currency and from remeasuring foreign exchange derivative contracts (“Foreign Exchange Activity”). The impact of Foreign Exchange Activity has not been eliminated in our currency-neutral results (see “Non-GAAP Financial Information”) and is recorded in general and administrative expenses. We attempt to manage foreign currency balance sheet remeasurement and cash flow risk through our foreign exchange risk management activities, which are discussed further in Note 13 (Foreign Exchange Risk Management) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Report. Since we do not designate foreign currency derivatives as hedging instruments pursuant to the accounting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities, we record gains and losses on foreign exchange derivatives on a current basis, with the associated offset being recognized as the exposures materialize.
We are exposed to currency devaluation in certain countries. In addition, we are subject to exchange control regulations that restrict or prohibit the conversion of financial assets into U.S. dollars. While these revenues and assets are not material to Mastercard on a consolidated basis, they could be negatively impacted should there be a continued and sustained devaluation of local currencies relative to the U.S. dollar and/or a continued and sustained deterioration of economic conditions in these countries. This includes approximately $140 million of exposure in Venezuela as of September 30, 2017.
Financial Results
Revenue
Revenue Description
Our business model involves four participants in addition to us: cardholders, merchants, issuers (the cardholders’ financial institutions) and acquirers (the merchants’ financial institutions). Our gross revenue is generated by assessing our customers based primarily on the dollar volume of activity on the cards and other devices that carry our brands and from the fees that we charge our customers for providing transaction processing and other payment-related products and services. Our revenue is based upon transactional information accumulated by our systems or reported by our customers. Our primary revenue billing currencies are the U.S. dollar, euro, Brazilian real and the British pound.
The price structure for our products and services is complex and is dependent on the nature of volumes, types of transactions and type of products and services we offer to our customers. Our net revenue can be significantly impacted by the following:
•
domestic or cross-border transactions
•
signature-based or PIN-based transactions


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Table of Contents

•
geographic region or country in which the transaction occurs
•
volumes/transactions subject to tiered rates
•
processed or not processed by Mastercard
•
amount of usage of our other products or services
•
amount of rebates and incentives provided to customers
We classify our net revenue into the following five categories:
1.
Domestic assessments are fees charged to issuers and acquirers based primarily on the dollar volume of activity on cards and other devices that carry our brands where the merchant country and the issuer country are the same. Domestic assessments include items such as card assessments, which are fees charged on the number of cards issued or assessments for specific purposes, such as acceptance development or market development programs.
2.
Cross-border volume fees are charged to issuers and acquirers based on the dollar volume of activity on cards and other devices that carry our brands where the merchant country and the issuer country are different. In general, a cross-border transaction generates higher revenue than a domestic transaction since cross-border fees are higher than domestic fees, and may include fees for currency conversion.
3.
Transaction processing revenue is earned for both domestic and cross-border transactions and is primarily based on the number of transactions. Transaction processing includes the following:
•
Switched transactions include the following products and services:
Ø
Authorization is the process by which a transaction is routed to the issuer for approval. In certain circumstances, such as when the issuer’s systems are unavailable or cannot be contacted, Mastercard or others, on behalf of the issuer approve in accordance with either the issuer’s instructions or applicable rules (also known as “stand-in”).
Ø
Clearing is the determination and exchange of financial transaction information between issuers and acquirers after a transaction has been successfully conducted at the point of interaction. We clear transactions among customers through our central and regional processing systems.
Ø
Settlement is facilitating the exchange of funds between parties.
•
Connectivity fees are charged to issuers, acquirers and other financial institutions for network access, equipment and the transmission of authorization and settlement messages. These fees are based on the size of the data being transmitted and the number of connections to our network.
•
Other Processing fees include issuer and acquirer processing solutions; payment gateways for e-commerce merchants; and mobile gateways for mobile initiated transactions.
4.
Other revenues: Other revenues consist of other payment-related products and services and are primarily associated with the following:
•
Consulting, data analytic and research fees are primarily generated by Mastercard Advisors, our professional advisory services group.
•
Safety and security services fees are for products and services we offer to prevent, detect and respond to fraud and to ensure the safety of transactions made on Mastercard products. We work with issuers, merchants and governments to help deploy standards for safe and secure transactions for the global payments system.
•
Loyalty and rewards solutions fees are charged to issuers for benefits provided directly to consumers with Mastercard-branded cards, such as access to a global airline lounge network, global and local concierge services, individual insurance coverages, emergency card replacement, emergency cash advance services and a 24-hour cardholder service center. For merchants, we provide targeted offers


32
Table of Contents

and rewards campaigns and management services for publishing offers, as well as opportunities for holders of co-brand or loyalty cards and rewards program members to obtain rewards points faster.
•
Program management services provided to prepaid card issuers consist of foreign exchange margin, commissions, load fees and ATM withdrawal fees paid by cardholders on the sale and encashment of prepaid cards.
•
Bank account-based payment services relating to ACH and other ACH related services.
•
We also charge for a variety of other payment-related products and services, including account and transaction enhancement services, rules compliance and publications.
5.
Rebates and incentives (contra-revenue): Rebates and incentives are provided to certain Mastercard customers and are recorded as contra-revenue.
Revenue Analysis
In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, gross revenue increased 19% and 17%, or 17% and 16% on a currency-neutral basis, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2016. Gross revenue growth in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was driven by an increase in transactions, dollar volume of activity on cards carrying our brands, other payment-related products and services.
Rebates and incentives, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, increased 20% and 21%, or 19% and 21% on a currency-neutral basis, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2016, primarily due to the impact from new and renewed agreements and increased volumes.
Our net revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, increased 18% and 15%, or 17% and 14% on a currency-neutral basis, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2016. The impact of acquisitions contributed 2.5 and 1.5 percentage points of growth for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.
The significant components of our net revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
($ in millions)
Domestic assessments
$
1,302

 
$
1,132

 
15%
 
$
3,751

 
$
3,269

 
15%
Cross-border volume fees
1,157

 
996

 
16%
 
3,057

 
2,658

 
15%
Transaction processing
1,662

 
1,357

 
22%
 
4,505

 
3,793

 
19%
Other revenues
747

 
620

 
21%
 
2,002

 
1,707

 
17%
Gross revenue
4,868

 
4,105

 
19%
 
13,315

 
11,427

 
17%
Rebates and incentives (contra-revenue)
(1,470
)
 
(1,225
)
 
20%
 
(4,130
)
 
(3,407
)
 
21%
Net revenue
$
3,398

 
$
2,880

 
18%
 
$
9,185

 
$
8,020

 
15%


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Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the primary drivers of net revenue growth in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, versus the comparable periods in 2016:
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
Volume
 
Acquisitions
 
Foreign Currency
 
Other 1
 
Total
Domestic assessments
10
%
 
—
%
 
1
%
 
5
%
2 
15
%
Cross-border volume fees
14
%
 
—
%
 
1
%
 
1
%
 
16
%
Transaction processing
14
%
 
1
%
 
2
%
 
6
%
 
22
%
Other revenues
**

 
9
%
 
2
%
 
10
%
3 
21
%
Rebates and incentives (contra-revenue)
9
%
 
—
%
 
1
%
 
10
%
4 
20
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenue
11
%
 
2
%
5 
1
%
 
3
%
 
18
%
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
Volume
 
Acquisitions
 
Foreign Currency
 
Other 1
 
Total
Domestic assessments
9
%
 
—
%
 
—
 %
 
6
%
2 
15
%
Cross-border volume fees
13
%
 
—
%
 
(1
)%
 
3
%
 
15
%
Transaction processing
15
%
 
1
%
 
—
 %
 
3
%
 
19
%
Other revenues
**

 
6
%
 
1
 %
 
11
%
3 
17
%
Rebates and incentives (contra-revenue)
9
%
 
—
%
 
—
 %
 
12
%
4 
21
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenue
11
%
 
2
%
5 
—
 %
 
2
%
 
15
%
Note: Table may not sum due to rounding.
** Not applicable.
1 Includes impact from pricing and other non-volume based fees.
2 Includes impact of the allocation of revenue to service deliverables, which are recorded in other revenue when services are performed.
3 Includes impacts from Advisor fees, safety and security fees, loyalty and reward solution fees and other payment-related products and services.
4 Includes the impact from timing of new, renewed and expired agreements.
5 The impact of acquisitions contributed 2.5 and 1.5 percentage points of growth for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.
The following table provides a summary of the trend in volume and transaction growth.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
Growth (USD)
 
Growth (Local)
 
Growth (USD)
 
Growth (Local)
 
Growth (USD)
 
Growth (Local)
 
Growth (USD)
 
Growth (Local)
Mastercard-branded GDV 1
11
%
 
10
%
 
5
%
 
7
%
 
6
%
 
7
%
 
7
 %
 
10
%
Asia Pacific/Middle East/Africa
8
%
 
9
%
 
9
%
 
10
%
 
7
%
 
8
%
 
8
 %
 
12
%
Canada
13
%
 
9
%
 
10
%
 
9
%
 
12
%
 
10
%
 
5
 %
 
10
%
Europe
18
%
 
15
%
 
1
%
 
4
%
 
5
%
 
7
%
 
7
 %
 
12
%
Latin America
17
%
 
15
%
 
7
%
 
14
%
 
17
%
 
15
%
 
(1
)%
 
15
%
United States
6
%
 
6
%
 
5
%
 
5
%
 
4
%
 
4
%
 
7
 %
 
7
%
Cross-border Volume 1
17
%
 
15
%
 
9
%
 
12
%
 
13
%
 
14
%
 
8
 %
 
12
%
Switched Transactions
 
 
17
%
 
 
 
18
%
 
 
 
17
%
 
 
 
15
%
1 Excludes volume generated by Maestro and Cirrus cards.


34
Table of Contents

In 2016, our GDV was impacted by the EU Interchange Fee Regulation related to card payments, which became effective in June 2016. The regulation requires that we no longer collect fees on domestic European Economic Area payment transactions that do not use our network brand. Prior to that, we collected a de minimis assessment fee in a few countries, particularly France, on transactions with Mastercard co-badged cards if the brands of domestic networks (as opposed to Mastercard) were used. As a result, the non-Mastercard co-badged volume is no longer being included.
The following table reflects GDV growth rates for Europe and Worldwide Mastercard. For comparability purposes, we adjusted growth rates for the impact of Article 8 of the EU Interchange Fee Regulation related to card payments, to exclude the prior period co-badged volume processed by other networks.
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
Growth (Local)
GDV 1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Worldwide as reported
10%
 
7%
 
7%
 
10%
Worldwide as adjusted for EU Regulation
10%
 
10%
 
9%
 
12%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe as reported
15%
 
4%
 
7%
 
12%
Europe as adjusted for EU Regulation
16%
 
17%
 
15%
 
19%
1 Excludes volume generated by Maestro and Cirrus cards.
A significant portion of our revenue is concentrated among our five largest customers. The loss of any of these customers or their significant card programs could adversely impact our revenue. In addition, as part of our business strategy, Mastercard, among other efforts, enters into business agreements with customers. These agreements can be terminated in a variety of circumstances. See our risk factor in “Risk Factor - Business Risks” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses are comprised of general and administrative, advertising and marketing, depreciation and amortization and provision for litigation settlement. Operating expenses increased 20% and 13% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2016. Excluding the impact of the Special Items, adjusted operating expenses increased 20% and 16%, or 19% and 16% on a currency-neutral basis, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2016. These increases were primarily due to higher personnel costs reflecting our continued investment in strategic initiatives.
The components of operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
($ in millions)
General and administrative
$
1,136

 
$
933

 
22
%
 
$
3,162

 
$
2,731

 
16
%
Advertising and marketing      
203

 
184

 
11
%
 
587

 
503

 
17
%
Depreciation and amortization 
118

 
93

 
27
%
 
321

 
281

 
14
%
Provision for litigation settlement
—

 
—

 
**
 
15

 
107

 
**
Total operating expenses            
1,457

 
1,210

 
20
%
 
4,085

 
3,622

 
13
%
Special Items1
—

 
—

 
**
 
(15
)
 
(107
)
 
**
Adjusted total operating expenses (excluding Special Items1)
$
1,457

 
$
1,210

 
20
%
 
$
4,070

 
$
3,515

 
16
%
** Not meaningful.
1 See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” for further information on the Special Items.


35
Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the primary drivers of changes in operating expenses in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 versus the comparable periods in 2016:
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
Operational
 
Special Items 1
 
Acquisitions
 
Foreign Currency
 
Total
General and administrative
13
%
 
—
%
 
8
%
 
1
%
 
22
%
Advertising and marketing      
9
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
 
1
%
 
11
%
Depreciation and amortization 
1
%
 
—
%
 
26
%
 
—
%
 
27
%
Total operating expenses            
12
%
 
—
%
 
8
%
 
1
%
 
20
%
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
Operational
 
Special Items 1
 
Acquisitions
 
Foreign Currency
 
Total
General and administrative
11
%
 
—
 %
 
5
%
 
—
 %
 
16
%
Advertising and marketing      
17
%
 
—
 %
 
—
%
 
—
 %
 
17
%
Depreciation and amortization 
1
%
 
—
 %
 
14
%
 
(1
)%
 
14
%
Provision for litigation settlement
**
 
**
 
**
 
**
 
**
Total operating expenses            
11
%
 
(3
)%
 
5
%
 
—
 %
 
13
%
Note: Tables may not sum due to rounding.
** Not meaningful.
1 See “Non-GAAP Financial Information” for further information on the Special Items.
General and Administrative
The significant components of our general and administrative expenses were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
($ in millions)
Personnel
$
723

 
$
575

 
26
%
 
$
1,961

 
$
1,646

 
19
%
Professional fees
85

 
81

 
6
%
 
240

 
231

 
4
%
Data processing and telecommunications
135

 
111

 
22
%
 
366

 
312

 
17
%
Foreign exchange activity
23

 
12

 
**
 
93

 
43

 
**
Other
170

 
154

 
10
%
 
502

 
499

 
1
%
General and administrative
$
1,136

 
$
933

 
22
%
 
$
3,162

 
$
2,731

 
16
%
Note: Table may not sum due to rounding.
** Not meaningful.
The primary drivers of changes in general and administrative expenses for three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 versus the comparable periods in 2016 were:
•
Personnel expenses increased 26% and 19%, or 25% and 19% on a currency-neutral basis, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2016. The increase was due to a higher number of employees to support our continued investment in the areas of digital, geographic expansion and Advisors capabilities. Acquisitions contributed 10 and 5 percentage points to personnel expense growth for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.
•
Data processing and telecommunication expense consists of expenses to support our global payments network infrastructure, expenses to operate and maintain our computer systems and other telecommunication systems. The increase is due to capacity growth of our business. Acquisitions contributed 13 and 7 percentage points to expense growth for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.
•
Foreign exchange activity includes gains and losses on foreign exchange derivative contracts and the impact of remeasurement of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies.  See Note 13 (Foreign Exchange Risk


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Management) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 for further discussion. Foreign exchange activity contributed 1 and 2 percentage points to general and administrative expense growth for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the increase was due to higher balance sheet remeasurement losses primarily due to the devaluation of the Venezuelan bolivar and the impact from foreign exchange derivative contracts due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar.
•
Other expenses include costs to provide loyalty and rewards solutions, travel and meeting expenses and rental expense for our facilities. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, other expenses increased primarily due to higher cardholder services, partially offset by lower loyalty costs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the increase in other expenses was partially offset by the lapping of costs related to a customer dispute in the second quarter of 2016.
Advertising and Marketing
Our brands, principally Mastercard, are valuable strategic assets that drive acceptance and usage of our products and facilitate our ability to successfully introduce new service offerings and access new markets globally. Our advertising and marketing strategy is to increase global Mastercard brand awareness, preference and usage through integrated advertising, sponsorship, promotions, interactive media and public relations programs on a global scale. We will continue to invest in marketing programs at the regional and local levels and sponsor diverse events aimed at multiple target audiences. Advertising and marketing expenses increased 11% and 17%, or 10% and 17% on a currency-neutral basis, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, versus the comparable periods in 2016, due to higher marketing spend primarily related to Masterpass.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expenses increased 27% and 14%, or 27% and 15% on a currency-neutral basis, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, versus the comparable periods in 2016, primarily due to the impact of acquisitions.
Provision for Litigation Settlement
In the first quarter of 2017, we recorded the Canadian Merchant Litigation Provision of $15 million. In the second quarter of 2016, we recorded the U.K. Merchant Litigation Provision of $107 million. See Note 11 (Legal and Regulatory Proceedings) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Report for further discussion.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income (expense) is comprised primarily of investment income, interest expense, our share of income (losses) from equity method investments and other gains and losses. Total other income (expense) decreased $28 million and $1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2016, primarily due to an impairment charge taken on an investment in the third quarter of 2016 and a gain relating to an investment we had in a company that we acquired in the third quarter of 2017, partially offset by higher interest expense related to our debt issuance in November 2016.
Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate was 26.0% and 26.8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, versus 27.5% and 27.9% for the comparable periods in 2016. The lower effective tax rates, as compared to the prior year, were due to a more favorable geographical mix of taxable earnings, partially offset by a lower U.S. foreign tax credit benefit associated with the repatriation of current year foreign earnings.


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Liquidity and Capital Resources
We rely on existing liquidity, cash generated from operations and access to capital to fund our global operations, credit and settlement exposure, capital expenditures, investments in our business and current and potential obligations. The following table summarizes the cash, cash equivalents, investments and credit available to us at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
 
September 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(in billions)
Cash, cash equivalents and investments 1
$
7.4

 
$
8.3

Unused line of credit
3.8

 
3.8

1 Investments include available-for-sale securities and short-term held-to-maturity securities. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, this amount excludes restricted cash related to the U.S. merchant class litigation settlement of $545 million and $543 million, respectively. This amount also excludes restricted security deposits held for customers of $1 billion at both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
Cash, cash equivalents and investments held by our foreign subsidiaries (i.e., any entities where earnings would be subject to U.S. tax upon repatriation) was $4.5 billion and $3.8 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, or 61% and 45%, respectively, as of such dates. It is our present intention to indefinitely reinvest historic undistributed accumulated earnings associated with our foreign subsidiaries outside of the United States (as disclosed in Note 17 (Income Taxes) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016), and our current plans do not require repatriation of these earnings. If these earnings are needed for U.S. operations or can no longer be indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States, we would be required to record a liability for such U.S. taxes for the historic undistributed accumulated earnings at that time. Such taxes would be due upon repatriation of such earnings to the United States.
Our liquidity and access to capital could be negatively impacted by global credit market conditions. We guarantee the settlement of many Mastercard, Cirrus and Maestro-branded transactions between our issuers and acquirers. See Note 12 (Settlement and Other Risk Management) to the consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Report for further information of these guarantees. Historically, payments under these guarantees have not been significant; however, historical trends may not be an indication of potential future losses. The risk of loss on these guarantees is specific to individual customers, but may also be driven significantly by regional or global economic conditions, including, but not limited to the health of the financial institutions in a country or region.
Our liquidity and access to capital could also be negatively impacted by the outcome of any of the legal or regulatory proceedings to which we are a party. For additional discussion of these and other risks facing our business, see Part I, Item 1A - Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016; Note 11 (Legal and Regulatory Proceedings) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Report; and “Business Environment” within this section of this Report.
Cash Flow
The table below shows a summary of the cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016:
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(in millions)
Cash Flow Data:
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
3,794

 
$
3,543

Net cash used in investing activities
(1,656
)
 
(1,125
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(3,494
)
 
(3,019
)


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Net cash provided by operating activities increased $251 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, versus the comparable periods in 2016, primarily due to higher net income adjusted for non-cash items, partially offset by higher customer incentive payments and accounts receivable activity.
Net cash used in investing activities increased by $531 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, versus the comparable periods in 2016, primarily due to acquisitions and investments in nonmarketable equity investments, partially offset by lower net purchases of investment securities.
Net cash used in financing activities increased by $475 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, versus the comparable periods in 2016, due to higher repurchases of our Class A common stock and dividends paid in the current year, coupled with the payment of short-term debt assumed from our acquisition of Vocalink.
The table below shows a summary of select balance sheet data at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
 
September 30,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(in millions)
Balance Sheet Data:
 
 
 
Current assets
$
13,231

 
$
13,228

Current liabilities
7,984

 
7,206

Long-term liabilities
6,392

 
5,785

Equity
6,468

 
5,684

We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and investment securities balances, our cash flow generating capabilities, our borrowing capacity and our access to capital resources are sufficient to satisfy our future operating cash needs, capital asset purchases, outstanding commitments and other liquidity requirements associated with our existing operations and potential obligations.
Debt and Credit Availability
Our long-term debt was $5.4 billion and $5.2 billion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, with the earliest maturity of principal occurring in 2019.
We have a commercial paper program (the “Commercial Paper Program”), under which we are authorized to issue up to $3.75 billion in outstanding notes, with maturities up to 397 days from the date of issuance. In conjunction with the Commercial Paper Program, we have entered into a committed unsecured $3.75 billion revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). In October 2017, the Company extended the Credit Facility for an additional year to October 2022. There were no material changes to the terms and conditions of the Credit Facility. We were in compliance in all material respects with the covenants of the Credit Facility as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The majority of Credit Facility lenders are our customers or their affiliates.
Borrowings under the Commercial Paper Program and the Credit Facility are to provide liquidity for general corporate purposes, including providing liquidity in the event of one or more settlement failures by our customers. In addition, we may borrow and repay amounts under these facilities for business continuity purposes. We had no borrowings outstanding under the Commercial Paper Program or the Credit Facility at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.
See Note 12 (Debt) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for further discussion of long-term debt, the Commercial Paper Program and the Credit Facility.
Dividends
We have historically paid quarterly dividends on our outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Subject to legally available funds, we intend to continue to pay a quarterly cash dividend. However, the declaration and payment of future dividends is at the sole discretion of our Board of Directors after taking into account various factors, including our financial condition, operating results, available cash and current and anticipated cash needs.


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Aggregate payments for quarterly dividends totaled $709 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.
On December 6, 2016, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.22 per share paid on February 9, 2017 to holders of record on January 9, 2017 of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The aggregate amount of this dividend was $238 million.
On February 7, 2017, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.22 per share payable on May 9, 2017 to holders of record on April 7, 2017 of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The aggregate amount of this dividend was $236 million.
On June 27, 2017, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.22 per share payable on August 9, 2017 to holders of record on July 7, 2017 of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The aggregate amount of this dividend was $235 million.
On September 19, 2017, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.22 per share payable on November 9, 2017 to holders of record on October 6, 2017 of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The aggregate amount of this dividend will be $234 million.
Share Repurchases
Repurchased shares of our common stock are considered treasury stock. The timing and actual number of additional shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including the operating needs of the business, legal requirements, price and economic and market conditions. In December 2016, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase up to $4 billion of our Class A common stock.  This program became effective in April 2017 after completion of the share repurchase program authorized in December 2015.
The following table summarizes our share repurchase authorizations of our Class A common stock through September 30, 2017, as well as historical purchases:
 
Authorization Dates
 
December 2016
 
December 2015
 
Total
 
(in millions, except average price data)
Board authorization
$
4,000

 
$
4,000

 
$
8,000

Remaining authorization at December 31, 2016
$
4,000

 
$
996

 
$
4,996

Dollar value of shares repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2017
$
1,735

 
$
996

 
$
2,731

Remaining authorization at September 30, 2017
$
2,265

 
$
—

 
$
2,265

Shares repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2017
14.0

 
9.1

 
23.1

Average price paid per share during the nine months ended September 30, 2017
$
123.81

 
$
109.16

 
$
118.03

See Note 7 (Stockholders’ Equity) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Report for further discussion.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet debt, other than lease arrangements and other commitments as presented in the future obligations table in Item 7 (Liquidity and Capital Resources) in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Report.


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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk is the potential for economic losses to be incurred on market risk sensitive instruments arising from adverse changes in market factors such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and equity price risk. Our exposure to market risk from changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and equity price risk is limited. Management establishes and oversees the implementation of policies governing our funding, investments and use of derivative financial instruments. We monitor risk exposures on an ongoing basis. The effect of a hypothetical 10% adverse change in foreign currency forward rates could result in a fair value loss of approximately $97 million on our foreign currency derivative contracts outstanding at September 30, 2017 related to the hedging program. A 100 basis point adverse change in interest rates would not have a material impact on our investments at September 30, 2017. Our euro-denominated debt is vulnerable to changes in the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rates.  We use the euro-denominated debt to hedge a portion of our net investment in foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates, with changes in the translated value of the debt recorded within currency translation adjustment in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). In addition to euro-denominated debt, we have U.S. dollar-denominated debt, both of which carry a fixed interest rate and thus the fair value of our debt is subject to interest rate risk.  There was no material equity price risk at September 30, 2017.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) are designed to ensure that information that is required to be disclosed in the reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure. The President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, with assistance from other members of management, have reviewed the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report and, based on their evaluation, have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There was no change in Mastercard’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Mastercard's internal control over financial reporting.
Other Financial Information
With respect to the unaudited consolidated financial information of Mastercard Incorporated and its subsidiaries as of September 30, 2017 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reported that they have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such information. However, their report dated October 31, 2017 appearing below, states that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that unaudited financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their report on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) for their report on the unaudited consolidated financial information because that report is not a “report” or a “part” of a registration statement prepared or certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.



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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
of Mastercard Incorporated:
We have reviewed the consolidated balance sheet of Mastercard Incorporated and its subsidiaries as of September 30, 2017, and the related consolidated statements of operations and of comprehensive income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, and the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, included within Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income, of changes in equity, and of cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated February 15, 2017, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet information as of December 31, 2016, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
October 31, 2017




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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Refer to Note 11 (Legal and Regulatory Proceedings) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Report.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
For a discussion of our risk factors, see Item 1A (Risk Factors) in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
During the third quarter of 2017, Mastercard repurchased a total of approximately 6.4 million shares for $838 million at an average price of $130.48 per share of Class A common stock. See Note 7 (Stockholders’ Equity) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Report for further discussion with respect to our share repurchase programs. Our repurchase activity during the third quarter of 2017 is summarized in the following table:
Period
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
 
Average Price
Paid per Share
(including
commission cost)
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
 
Dollar Value of
Shares that may yet
be Purchased under
the Plans or
Programs 1
July 1 - 31
 
2,381,085

 
$
125.34

 
2,381,085

 
$
2,804,396,714

August 1 - 31
 
2,618,874

 
$
130.64

 
2,618,874

 
$
2,462,274,940

September 1 - 30
 
1,424,063

 
$
138.76

 
1,424,063

 
$
2,264,668,632

Total
 
6,424,022

 
$
130.48

 
6,424,022

 
 
1 Dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the repurchase programs is as of the end of the period.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, we hereby incorporate by reference herein the disclosure contained in Exhibit 99.1 of this Report.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Refer to the Exhibit Index included herein.


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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
Date:
October 31, 2017
By:
 
/S/ AJAY BANGA
 
 
 
 
Ajay Banga
 
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
Date:
October 31, 2017
By:
 
/S/ MARTINA HUND-MEJEAN
 
 
 
 
Martina Hund-Mejean
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
Date:
October 31, 2017
By:
 
/S/ SANDRA ARKELL
 
 
 
 
Sandra Arkell
 
 
 
 
Corporate Controller
 
 
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)



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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit Description
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.INS*
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
101.CAL*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.DEF*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
101.LAB*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
101.PRE*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

*
Filed or furnished herewith.
The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than with respect to the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and should not be relied upon for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by the Company in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.



45