European deal has long-term promise

Article Excerpt

VISA INC. $80 (New York symbol V; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 2.4 billion; Market cap: $192.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 13.3; Dividend yield: 0.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.visa.com) gets most of its revenue from the fees it charges credit- and debit-card issuers and merchants that use its electronic payments network. In its fiscal 2016 third quarter, which ended June 30, 2016, the company’s revenue rose 3.2%, to $3.6 billion from $3.5 billion a year earlier. However, earnings fell 9.5%, to $1.6 billion from $1.8 billion. That’s because the year-earlier results included a $280- million tax benefit. Earnings per share fell at a slower rate of 6.8%, to $0.69 from $0.74, on fewer shares outstanding. Visa recently acquired its European affiliate for $18.2 billion in cash and preferred shares. The deal adds risk in the wake of the U.K.’s vote to leave the European Union. However, the company should continue to benefit as more people use credit cards…