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Mastercard Incorporated operates in the financial sector, within the consumer financial services industry, and was founded in 1966 in the United States, originally under the name Interbank Card Association.
Headquartered in Purchase, New York, the company has become one of the leading global providers of payment technology solutions.
Mastercard's business model centers on the facilitation of electronic payments, connecting consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments through a broad global network.
Its core services include transaction processing, digital payment solutions, and financial security tools. The company operates well-known brands such as Mastercard®, Maestro®, and Cirrus®, offering credit, debit, and prepaid card solutions.
In addition, Mastercard provides complementary services such as loyalty programs, financial consultancy, and anti-fraud technology.
The company processes transactions in more than 150 currencies and operates in over 210 countries and territories, ensuring broad global acceptance of its products and services.
Mastercard does not issue cards directly or extend credit, instead generating revenue from transaction fees and technology licensing to partner financial institutions.
The company is continuously investing in innovation and cybersecurity, including initiatives in contactless payments, biometric authentication, and AI-powered fraud detection.
Mastercard shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker MA.
History and Founding of Mastercard Incorporated
Mastercard was established in 1966 when a group of American banks formed the Interbank Card Association to create an interbank payment network.
The first product launched was Master Charge, the predecessor to today’s Mastercard. In 1968, the company entered the European market through a partnership with Eurocard, expanding its international footprint.
In 1979, Master Charge was officially renamed Mastercard, reflecting the evolution of the brand and its growing global presence.
Key milestones in the company’s history include:
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1980s–1990s: Network expansion and development of new payment solutions
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2002: Merger with Europay International, strengthening its European presence
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2006: Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the NYSE, transitioning to a publicly traded company
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2010–2020: Strategic investments in digital payment innovation, contactless technologies, and cybersecurity
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2020–2024: Expansion into AI, blockchain, and advanced encryption for secure digital transactions
Mastercard is currently led by CEO Michael Miebach and operates under the regulation of financial authorities in various countries.
Today, Mastercard continues to expand its global reach and invest in next-generation payment technologies, maintaining its position as one of the world’s leading companies in the digital payments industry.
Additional Information
The Company Mastercard Incorporated (United States), is listed on NYSE with a market cap of $ 487.98 Billions, having an equity of $ 7.92 Billions.
With a total of 21.000 employees, the company is listed in the sector of Financial and categorized in industry of Consumer Financial Services.
In the last 12 months the Company had a revenue of $ 31.47 Billions, which generated a profit in the amount of $ 14.25 Billions.
As for its main indicators, the Company has a P/E ratio of 34.24, a P/BV ratio of 61.62 and in the last 12 months the dividend yield of MA was at 0.56%.
The Company is traded internationally through the ticker MA.
