MA.06.30.2015 - 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 June 30, 2015
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
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, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting 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
    
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 July 22, 2015, there were 1,108,884,100 shares outstanding of the registrant’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share; and 23,217,125 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
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



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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. These forward-looking statements relate to the Company’s future prospects, developments and business strategies and include, without limitation, statements relating to:
our focus on growing, diversifying and building our business and providing value to our strategic partners;
our management of the impact on our business of legal and regulatory challenges;
the stability of economies around the globe;
our advertising and marketing strategy;
our belief that our existing cash, cash equivalents and investment securities balances, its cash flow generating capabilities, its 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 its existing operations and potential obligations; and
the manner and amount of purchases pursuant to our share repurchase program, dependent upon price and market conditions.
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. We believe there are certain risk factors that are important to our business, and these could cause actual results to differ from our expectations. Such risk factors include:
payments system-related regulation, legislation and litigation (including interchange fees and surcharging);
regulation related to our participation in the payments industry;
existing regulation leading to new regulation in other jurisdictions or of other products;
preferential or protective government actions;
potential or incurred liability and limitations on business resulting from litigation;
potential changes in tax laws;
competition in the global payments industry;
banking industry consolidation;
loss of substantial business from significant customers;
impact of our relationships with merchants, issuers, acquirers and governments;
competitor relationships with our customers;
brand perception and reputation;
the overall business environment, including global economic and political events and conditions;
declines in cross-border activity;
exposure to loss or illiquidity due to guarantees of settlement and certain other third-party obligations;
impact of information security failures, disruptions to our transaction processing systems, account data breaches and increases in fraudulent activity;
the challenges resulting from rapid technological developments in the payments industry;
the effect of adverse currency fluctuation;
issues related to acquisition integration and entry into new businesses; and


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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, 2014. 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)
 
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(in millions, except share data)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
3,361

 
$
5,137

Restricted cash for litigation settlement
541

 
540

Investments
1,716

 
1,238

Accounts receivable
1,128

 
1,109

Settlement due from customers
1,274

 
1,052

Restricted security deposits held for customers
1,000

 
950

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
903

 
671

Deferred income taxes
294

 
300

Total Current Assets
10,217

 
10,997

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $474 and $437, respectively
632

 
615

Deferred income taxes
32

 
96

Goodwill
1,940

 
1,522

Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $743 and $663, respectively
862

 
714

Other assets
1,589

 
1,385

Total Assets
$
15,272

 
$
15,329

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
481

 
$
419

Settlement due to customers
1,330

 
1,142

Restricted security deposits held for customers
1,000

 
950

Accrued litigation
722

 
771

Accrued expenses
2,385

 
2,439

Other current liabilities
558

 
501

Total Current Liabilities
6,476

 
6,222

Long-term debt
1,495

 
1,494

Deferred income taxes
101

 
115

Other liabilities
764

 
674

Total Liabilities
8,836

 
8,505

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 12)

 

Stockholders’ Equity
 
 

Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; authorized 3,000,000,000 shares, 1,367,937,580 and 1,352,378,383 shares issued and 1,110,771,314 and 1,115,369,640 outstanding, respectively

 

Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; authorized 1,200,000,000 shares, 23,247,190 and 37,192,165 issued and outstanding, respectively

 

Additional paid-in-capital
3,936

 
3,876

Class A treasury stock, at cost, 257,166,266 and 237,008,743 shares, respectively
(11,785
)
 
(9,995
)
Retained earnings
14,746

 
13,169

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(493
)
 
(260
)
Total Stockholders’ Equity
6,404

 
6,790

Non-controlling interests
32

 
34

Total Equity
6,436

 
6,824

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
15,272

 
$
15,329


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


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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)


 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions, except per share data)
Net Revenue
$
2,390

 
$
2,368

 
$
4,620

 
$
4,540

Operating Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative
810

 
731

 
1,460

 
1,396

Advertising and marketing
176

 
173

 
318

 
322

Depreciation and amortization
92

 
81

 
179

 
154

Provision for litigation settlement
61

 

 
61

 

Total operating expenses
1,139

 
985

 
2,018

 
1,872

Operating income
1,251

 
1,383

 
2,602

 
2,668

Other Income (Expense)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment income
6

 
6

 
15

 
13

Interest expense
(17
)
 
(15
)
 
(34
)
 
(21
)
Other income (expense), net
1

 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(6
)
Total other income (expense)
(10
)
 
(10
)
 
(21
)
 
(14
)
Income before income taxes
1,241

 
1,373

 
2,581

 
2,654

Income tax expense
320

 
442

 
640

 
853

Net Income
$
921

 
$
931

 
$
1,941

 
$
1,801

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings per Share
$
0.81

 
$
0.80

 
$
1.70

 
$
1.53

Basic Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding
1,138

 
1,165

 
1,143

 
1,175

Diluted Earnings per Share
$
0.81

 
$
0.80

 
$
1.69

 
$
1.53

Diluted Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding
1,141

 
1,169

 
1,146

 
1,179


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



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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)

 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Net Income
$
921

 
$
931

 
$
1,941

 
$
1,801

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
141

 
13

 
(234
)
 
12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans
12

 
1

 
12

 
2

Income tax effect
(4
)
 

 
(4
)
 

Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans, net of income tax effect
8

 
1

 
8

 
2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available-for-sale
(2
)
 
(8
)
 
(7
)
 
(6
)
Income tax effect

 
2

 

 
2

Investment securities available-for-sale, net of income tax effect
(2
)
 
(6
)
 
(7
)
 
(4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
147

 
8

 
(233
)
 
10

Comprehensive Income
$
1,068

 
$
939

 
$
1,708

 
$
1,811


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


MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)

 
Total
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Class A
Treasury
Stock
 
Non-
Controlling
Interests
 
 
 
Class A
 
Class B
 
 
(in millions, except per share data)
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
6,824

 
$
13,169

 
$
(260
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
3,876

 
$
(9,995
)
 
$
34

Net income
1,941

 
1,941

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activity related to non-controlling interests
(2
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(2
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(233
)
 

 
(233
)
 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared on Class A and Class B common stock, $0.32 per share
(364
)
 
(364
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of treasury stock
(1,795
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,795
)
 

Share-based payments
65

 

 

 

 

 
60

 
5

 

Balance at June 30, 2015
$
6,436

 
$
14,746

 
$
(493
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
3,936

 
$
(11,785
)
 
$
32


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



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MASTERCARD INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net income
$
1,941

 
$
1,801

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Amortization of customer and merchant incentives
358

 
325

Depreciation and amortization
179

 
154

Share-based payments
(23
)
 
(46
)
Deferred income taxes
1

 
(77
)
Other
(23
)
 
22

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(51
)
 
(121
)
Income taxes receivable
(63
)
 

Settlement due from customers
(290
)
 
1

Prepaid expenses
(522
)
 
(443
)
Accrued litigation and legal settlements
(49
)
 
(87
)
Accounts payable
37

 
29

Settlement due to customers
261

 
(90
)
Accrued expenses
(120
)
 
(209
)
Net change in other assets and liabilities
96

 
38

Net cash provided by operating activities
1,732

 
1,297

Investing Activities
 
 
 
Purchases of investment securities available-for-sale
(789
)
 
(1,473
)
Purchases of other short-term investments held-to-maturity
(744
)
 

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
(584
)
 
(341
)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
(56
)
 
(39
)
Capitalized software
(87
)
 
(63
)
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available-for-sale
716

 
426

Proceeds from maturities of investment securities available-for-sale
322

 
887

(Increase) decrease in restricted cash for litigation settlement
(1
)
 
183

Other investing activities
1

 
(12
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,222
)
 
(432
)
Financing Activities
 
 
 
Purchases of treasury stock
(1,795
)
 
(2,827
)
Proceeds from debt

 
1,487

Dividends paid
(367
)
 
(260
)
Tax benefit for share-based payments
34

 
42

Cash proceeds from exercise of stock options
21

 
16

Other financing activities
(9
)
 
(43
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(2,116
)
 
(1,585
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(170
)
 
(1
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(1,776
)
 
(721
)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period
5,137

 
3,599

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period
$
3,361

 
$
2,878

 
 
 
 
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
 
 
 
Fair value of assets acquired, net of cash acquired
$
625

 
$
572

Fair value of liabilities assumed related to acquisitions
$
41

 
$
128


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


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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 processing of payment transactions including authorization, clearing and settlement, 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 loyalty and reward programs, information services and consulting. 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, 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, telecommunication companies 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. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were no significant VIEs which required consolidation. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation. In addition, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, contra-revenue and general and administrative expenses were revised to correctly classify $9 million and $14 million, respectively, of customer incentive expenses as contra revenue instead of general and administrative expenses. This revision had no impact on net income. The Company follows accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
The balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014. The consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 and as of June 30, 2015 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 six months ended June 30, 2015 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 and, consequently, do not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP. Reference should be made to the MasterCard Incorporated Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 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 six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 activity from non-controlling interests was insignificant.
Recent accounting pronouncements
Debt Issuance Costs - In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting guidance that will change the current presentation of debt issuance costs on the balance sheet. This new guidance will move debt issuance costs from the assets section of the balance sheet to the liabilities section as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt issued. The Company will adopt the revised accounting guidance effective January 1, 2016 and does not anticipate this new guidance will have a material impact 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 July 2015, the FASB voted to delay the effective date of this standard by one year, making the guidance effective for fiscal years beginning after


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


December 15, 2017. Early application is permitted as of the original effective date, December 31, 2016. The Company is in the process of evaluating the potential effects of this guidance.
Note 2. Acquisitions
In the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company acquired two businesses for $609 million in cash. For these businesses acquired, the Company recorded $466 million as goodwill representing the preliminary estimates of the aggregate excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of net assets acquired.
The Company acquired eight businesses in 2014, five of which were acquired in the six months ended June 30, 2014. In 2014, two of the business combinations were achieved in stages, with non-controlling interests acquired in previous years. One of the business combinations was a transaction for less than 100 percent of the equity interest. The total consideration transferred was $575 million, primarily paid in cash, of which $389 million was related to the acquisitions in the six months ended June 30, 2014. Through June 30, 2015, the Company recorded $507 million as goodwill for businesses acquired in 2014 representing the final and preliminary estimates of the aggregate excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of net assets acquired. A portion of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for local tax purposes.
The consolidated financial statements include the operating results of the acquired businesses from the dates of their respective acquisition. 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 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions, except per share data)
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
921

 
$
931

 
$
1,941

 
$
1,801

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding
1,138

 
1,165

 
1,143

 
1,175

Dilutive stock options and stock units
3

 
4

 
3

 
4

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 1
1,141

 
1,169

 
1,146

 
1,179

Earnings per Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.81

 
$
0.80

 
$
1.70

 
$
1.53

Diluted
$
0.81

 
$
0.80

 
$
1.69

 
$
1.53


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”). Except for the reclassification of U.S. government securities from Level 2 to Level 1, there were no transfers made among the three levels in the Valuation Hierarchy during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.


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


The distribution of the Company’s financial instruments which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis within the Valuation Hierarchy was as follows:
 
June 30, 2015
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1) 1
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Fair
Value
 
(in millions)
Municipal securities
$

 
$
65

 
$

 
$
65

U.S. government and agency securities 2
29

 
43

 

 
72

Corporate securities

 
650

 

 
650

Asset-backed securities

 
74

 

 
74

Other
7

 
59

 

 
66

Total
$
36

 
$
891

 
$

 
$
927

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1) 1
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Fair
Value
 
(in millions)
Municipal securities
$

 
$
135

 
$

 
$
135

U.S. government and agency securities 2
85

 
114

 

 
199

Corporate securities

 
618

 

 
618

Asset-backed securities

 
178

 

 
178

Other
13

 
56

 

 
69

Total
$
98

 
$
1,101

 
$

 
$
1,199

1 During 2015, U.S. government securities were reclassified from Level 2 to Level 1 due to a reassessment of the availability of quoted prices. Prior period amounts have been revised to conform to the 2015 presentation.
2 Excludes amounts held in escrow related to the U.S. merchant class litigation settlement of $541 million and $540 million at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, which would be included in Level 1 of the Valuation Hierarchy. See Note 6 (Accrued Expenses and Accrued Litigation) and Note 11 (Legal and Regulatory Proceedings) for further details.
The fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale municipal securities, U.S. government agency securities, corporate securities, asset-backed securities and other fixed income securities included in the Other category are based on quoted prices for similar assets in active markets and are therefore included in Level 2 of the Valuation Hierarchy. The Company’s foreign currency derivative contracts have also been classified within Level 2 in the Other category of the Valuation Hierarchy, as the fair value is based on broker quotes for the same or similar derivative instruments. See Note 13 (Foreign Exchange Risk Management) for further details. 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.
Financial Instruments - Non-Recurring Measurements
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, time deposits, accounts receivable, settlement due from customers, restricted security deposits held for customers, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, settlement due to customers and accrued expenses. In addition, nonmarketable equity investments are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis for purposes of initial recognition and impairment testing.
Investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheet include both available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities. Available-for-sale securities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are included in the Valuation Hierarchy table above. Held-to-maturity securities are made up of time deposits with maturities of greater than three months and less than one year and are included in


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


Level 2 of the Valuation Hierarchy. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the cost, which approximates fair value, of the Company’s held-to-maturity securities was $814 million and $70 million, respectively.
Debt
The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term debt using the market pricing approach which applies market assumptions for relevant though not directly comparable undertakings. Long-term debt is classified as Level 2 of the Valuation Hierarchy. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying value and fair value of long-term debt was $1.5 billion.
Settlement and Other Guarantee Liabilities
The Company estimates the fair value of its settlement and other guarantees using the market pricing approach which applies 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 June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying value and fair value of settlement and other guarantee liabilities were not material. Settlement and other guarantee liabilities are classified as Level 3 of the Valuation Hierarchy as their valuation requires substantial judgment and estimation of factors that are not currently observable in the market. For additional information regarding the Company’s settlement and other guarantee liabilities, see Note 12 (Settlement and Other Risk Management).
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.


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


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 on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, and their respective amortized cost basis and fair values as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:
 
 
June 30, 2015
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gain
 
Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair
Value
 
(in millions)
Municipal securities
$
65

 
$

 
$

 
$
65

U.S. government and agency securities
72

 

 

 
72

Corporate securities
651

 

 
(1
)
 
650

Asset-backed securities
74

 

 

 
74

Other
51

 
1

 
(11
)
 
41

Total
$
913

 
$
1

 
$
(12
)
 
$
902

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gain
 
Gross
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair
Value
 
(in millions)
Municipal securities
$
135

 
$

 
$

 
$
135

U.S. government and agency securities
199

 

 

 
199

Corporate securities
619

 

 
(1
)
 
618

Asset-backed securities
178

 

 

 
178

Other
41

 
1

 
(4
)
 
38

Total
$
1,172

 
$
1

 
$
(5
)
 
$
1,168

The municipal securities are primarily comprised of tax-exempt bonds and are diversified across states and sectors. The U.S. government and agency securities are primarily invested in U.S. government bonds and U.S. government sponsored agency bonds. 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 June 30, 2015 was as follows:
 
Available-For-Sale
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair Value
 
(in millions)
Due within 1 year
$
251

 
$
251

Due after 1 year through 5 years
638

 
637

Due after 5 years through 10 years

 

Due after 10 years
7

 
7

No contractual maturity 1
17

 
7

Total
$
913

 
$
902

1 Equity securities have been included in the No contractual maturity category, as these securities do not have stated maturity dates.


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


Gross realized gains and losses
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 six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were not significant.
Note 5. Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:
 
June 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
(in millions)
Customer and merchant incentives
$
326

 
$
260

Prepaid income taxes
336

 
237

Other
241

 
174

Total prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
903

 
$
671

Other assets consisted of the following:
 
June 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
(in millions)
Customer and merchant incentives
$
733

 
$
556

Nonmarketable equity investments
233

 
245

Prepaid income taxes
367

 
407

Income taxes receivable
154

 
89

Other
102

 
88

Total other assets
$
1,589

 
$
1,385

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 an agreement are generally deferred and amortized over the life of the agreement. Amounts to be paid for these incentives and the related liability were included in accrued expenses and other liabilities.
Non-current prepaid income taxes, included in the other asset table above, primarily consists of taxes paid in the fourth quarter of 2014 relating to the deferred charge resulting from the reorganization of our legal entity and tax structure to better align with our business footprint of our non-U.S. operations.
Note 6. Accrued Expenses and Accrued Litigation
Accrued expenses consisted of the following:
 
June 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
(in millions)
Customer and merchant incentives
$
1,682

 
$
1,433

Personnel costs
320

 
531

Advertising
71

 
154

Income and other taxes
125

 
105

Other
187

 
216

Total accrued expenses
$
2,385

 
$
2,439

In the fourth quarter of 2014, a severance charge of $87 million was recorded in general and administrative expenses. The Company restructured its organization to align with its strategic priorities and to best meet the Company’s continued growth. As of June 30, 2015, the Company was substantially complete with these restructuring activities. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, personnel costs included an accrual of $52 million and $84 million, respectively, related to this severance charge. The decrease in the balance was primarily due to payments and foreign currency translation.


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


As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s provision related to U.S. merchant litigations was $722 million and $771 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. As of June 30, 2015, MasterCard executed settlement agreements with a number of opt-out merchants and no adjustment to the amount previously recorded was deemed necessary. See Note 11 (Legal and Regulatory Proceedings) for further discussion of the U.S. merchant class litigation.
Note 7. Stockholders’ Equity
In February 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $2 billion of its Class A common stock (the “February 2013 Share Repurchase Program”).  The program became effective in March 2013 at the completion of the Company’s previously announced $1.5 billion Class A share repurchase program.
In December 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $3.5 billion of its Class A common stock (the “December 2013 Share Repurchase Program”). This program became effective in January 2014 at the completion of the Company’s February 2013 Share Repurchase Program.
In December 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $3.75 billion of its Class A common stock (the “December 2014 Share Repurchase Program”). This program became effective in January 2015 at the completion of the Company’s December 2013 Share Repurchase Program.
The following table summarizes the Company’s share repurchase authorizations of its Class A common stock through June 30, 2015, as well as historical purchases:
 
Authorization Dates
 
December 2014
 
December
2013
 
February
2013
 
Total
 
(in millions, except average price data)
Board authorization
$
3,750

 
$
3,500

 
$
2,000

 
$
9,250

Dollar value of shares repurchased during the six months ended June 30, 2014
$

 
$
2,666

 
$
161

 
$
2,827

Remaining authorization at December 31, 2014
$
3,750

 
$
275

 
$

 
$
4,025

Dollar value of shares repurchased during the six months ended June 30, 2015
$
1,520

 
$
275

 
$

 
$
1,795

Remaining authorization at June 30, 2015
$
2,230

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,230

Shares repurchased during the six months ended June 30, 2014

 
35.1

 
1.9

 
37.0

Average price paid per share during the six months ended June 30, 2014
$

 
$
75.99

 
$
83.22

 
$
76.37

Shares repurchased during the six months ended June 30, 2015
17.0

 
3.2

 

 
20.2

Average price paid per share during the six months ended June 30, 2015
$
89.31

 
$
84.31

 
$

 
$
88.50

Cumulative shares repurchased through June 30, 2015
17.0

 
45.8

 
31.1

 
93.9

Cumulative average price paid per share
$
89.31

 
$
76.42

 
$
64.26

 
$
74.73



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


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 six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
 
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans
 
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2013
$
206

 
$
(29
)
 
$
1

 
$
178

Current period other comprehensive income (loss) 1
12

 
2

 
(4
)
 
10

Balance at June 30, 2014
$
218

 
$
(27
)
 
$
(3
)

$
188

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
(230
)
 
$
(26
)
 
$
(4
)
 
$
(260
)
Current period other comprehensive income (loss) 1, 2
(234
)
 
8

 
(7
)
 
(233
)
Balance at June 30, 2015
$
(464
)
 
$
(18
)
 
$
(11
)
 
$
(493
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 During the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, insignificant deferred costs related to the Company’s defined benefit pension and other post retirement plans were reclassified to general and administrative expenses and insignificant gains and losses on available-for-sale investment securities were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to investment income.
2 During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the increase in other comprehensive loss related to foreign currency translation adjustments was driven by the devaluation of the Euro.
Note 9. Share-Based Payments
During the six months ended June 30, 2015, 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 omnibus plan that permits the grant of various types of equity awards to employees.
 
Granted in 2015
 
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Non-qualified stock options
1,618
 
$17
Restricted stock units
1,173
 
$88
Performance stock units
130
 
$99
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 result, the expected term of stock options granted in the first quarter 2015 was five years, while the expected volatility was determined to be 20.6%.
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.


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


Note 10. Income Taxes
The effective income tax rates were 25.7% and 32.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The effective income tax rates were 24.8% and 32.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2015, the effective tax rate was lower than the effective tax rate for the comparable period in 2014, due to a larger repatriation benefit, the recognition of a discrete benefit relating to certain foreign taxes becoming eligible to be claimed as credits in the United States and a more favorable mix of taxable earnings. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the effective tax rate was lower than the effective tax rate for the comparable period in 2014, due to the recognition of a discrete benefit relating to certain foreign taxes becoming eligible to be claimed as credits in the United States, a larger repatriation benefit and a more favorable mix of taxable earnings.
During the fourth quarter of 2014, in connection with an initiative to better align its legal entity and tax structure with its operational footprint outside the U.S., the Company recorded a deferred charge related to the income tax expense on intercompany profits. The deferred charge resulted from the transfer of intellectual property from Belgium to a related foreign entity in the United Kingdom. Management believes this improved alignment will result in greater flexibility and efficiency with regard to the global deployment of cash, as well as ongoing benefits in the Company’s effective tax rate. The tax associated with the transfer is deferred and amortized utilizing a 25-year life. This deferred charge is included in other current assets and other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2015 in the amounts of $16 million and $367 million, respectively. The comparable amounts included in other current assets and other assets were $18 million and $407 million, respectively, at December 31, 2014, with the difference driven by changes in foreign exchange rates and current period amortization.
The Company conducts operations in multiple countries and, as a result, is subjected to tax examinations in various jurisdictions, including the United States.  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 limitations.  The Company has effectively settled its U.S. federal income tax obligations through 2008. With limited exception, the Company is no longer subject to state and local or foreign examinations by taxing authorities for years before 2006.  Within the next six months, the Company believes that the favorable resolution of certain federal, foreign and state and local tax examinations is reasonably possible and that a reduction in 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.
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 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.
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


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


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. Objections to the settlement were filed by both merchants and certain competitors, including Discover. Discover’s objections include a challenge to the settlement on the grounds that certain of the rule changes agreed to in the settlement constitute a restraint of trade in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act. The court granted final approval of the settlement in December 2013, which has been appealed by objectors to the settlement.
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 anticipates that most of the larger merchants who opted out of the settlement will initiate separate actions seeking to recover damages, and over 30 opt-out complaints have been filed on behalf of numerous merchants in various jurisdictions. The defendants have consolidated all of these matters (except for one state court action in New Mexico) in front of the same federal district court that is overseeing the approval of the settlement. In July 2014, the district court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss the opt-out merchant complaints for failure to state a claim.
MasterCard recorded a pre-tax charge of $770 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 and an additional $20 million pre-tax charge in the second quarter of 2012 relating to the settlement agreements described above. In 2012, MasterCard paid $790 million with respect to the settlements, of which $726 million was paid into a qualified cash settlement fund related to the merchant class litigation. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, MasterCard had $541 million and $540 million, in the qualified cash settlement fund classified as restricted cash on its balance sheet. The class settlement agreement provided for a return to the defendants of a portion of the class cash settlement fund, based upon the percentage of purchase volume represented by the opt-out merchants. This resulted in $164 million from the cash settlement fund being returned to MasterCard in January 2014 and reclassified at that time from restricted cash to cash and cash equivalents. In the fourth quarter of 2013, MasterCard recorded an


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


incremental net pre-tax charge of $95 million related to the opt-out merchants, representing a change in its estimate of probable losses relating to these matters.  MasterCard has executed settlement agreements with a number of opt-out merchants and no adjustment to the amount previously recorded was deemed necessary. As of June 30, 2015, MasterCard had accrued a liability of $722 million as a reserve for both the merchant class litigation and the filed and anticipated opt-out merchant cases.
The portion of the accrued liability relating to the opt-out merchants does not represent an estimate of a loss, if any, if the opt-out merchant matters were litigated to a final outcome, in which case MasterCard cannot estimate the potential liability. MasterCard’s estimate involves significant judgment and may change depending on progress in settlement negotiations or depending upon decisions in any opt-out merchant cases. In addition, in the event that the merchant class litigation settlement approval is overturned on appeal, a negative outcome in the litigation could have a material adverse effect on MasterCard’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Canada. In December 2010, a proposed class action complaint was commenced against MasterCard in Quebec on behalf of Canadian merchants. That 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) related to certain MasterCard rules related to point-of-sale acceptance, including the “honor all cards” and “no surcharge” rules. The 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 containing similar allegations to the Quebec class action were commenced in British Columbia and Ontario against MasterCard, Visa and a number of large Canadian financial institutions. The British Columbia suit seeks compensatory damages in unspecified amounts, and the Ontario suit seeks compensatory damages of $5 billion. The British Columbia and Ontario suits also seek punitive damages in unspecified amounts, as well as injunctive relief, interest and legal costs. In April 2012, the Quebec suit was amended to include the same defendants and similar claims as in the British Columbia and Ontario suits. With respect to the status of the proceedings: (1) the Quebec suit has been stayed, (2) the Ontario suit is being temporarily suspended while the British Columbia suit proceeds, and (3) the British Columbia court issued an order in March 2014 certifying a number of the merchants’ causes of action. The parties have appealed the certification decision. Additional proposed class action complaints have been filed in Saskatchewan and Alberta with claims that largely mirror those in the British Columbia and Ontario suits. If the class action lawsuits are ultimately successful, negative decisions could have a significant adverse impact on the revenue of MasterCard’s Canadian customers and on MasterCard’s overall business in Canada and could result in substantial damage awards.
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 anticompetitive effects of these practices. The European Commission has indicated it intends to seek fines if these conclusions are subsequently confirmed. Although the Statement of Objections does not quantify the level of fines, it is possible that they could be substantial. MasterCard would not expect fines to be imposed if it agrees with the Commission to business practice changes that address the Commission’s concerns.
In the United Kingdom, beginning in May 2012, a number of retailers filed claims 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. More than 20 different retailers have filed claims or notice of claims.  An additional 13 potential claimant retailers have agreed to delay filing their claims in exchange for MasterCard agreeing to suspend the running of the time limitations on their damages claims.  Although the claimants have not quantified the full extent of their compensatory and punitive damages, their purported damages exceed $2 billion.  In June 2015, MasterCard entered into a settlement with one of these merchants for $61 million, recorded as a provision for litigation settlement. MasterCard has submitted statements of defense to the remaining retailers’ claims disputing liability and damages. A court in one of the actions has scheduled a trial for January 2016. In Belgium, a retailer filed claims in December 2012 for unspecified damages with respect to MasterCard’s cross-border and domestic interchange fees paid in Belgium, Greece and Luxembourg.  
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 ATM terminals 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


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


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, and in December 2013 denied the plaintiffs’ motion to amend their complaints. The plaintiffs have appealed these actions.
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 these ordinary course activities of the Company.
The Company’s global risk management policies and procedures are 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. 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:
 
June 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
(in millions)
Gross settlement exposure
$
39,351

 
$
41,729

Collateral held for settlement exposure
(3,478
)
 
(3,415
)
Net uncollateralized settlement exposure
$
35,873

 
$
38,314

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


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


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 $436 million and $465 million at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, of which $345 million and $370 million at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, is mitigated by collateral arrangements. In addition, the Company enters into business 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 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 enters into foreign currency forward contracts to manage risk associated with anticipated receipts and disbursements which are either transacted in a non-functional currency or valued based on a currency other than its functional currency. 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 denominated in currencies other than its functional currency. 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.
The Company does not designate foreign currency derivatives as hedging instruments pursuant to the accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The Company records the change in the estimated fair value of the outstanding derivatives at the end of the reporting period on its consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of operations.
As of June 30, 2015, 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:
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Notional
 
Estimated Fair
Value
 
Notional
 
Estimated Fair
Value
 
(in millions)
Commitments to purchase foreign currency
$
115

 
$
3

 
$
47

 
$
4

Commitments to sell foreign currency
753

 
22

 
614

 
27

Balance sheet location:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable 1
 
 
$
33

 
 
 
$
35

Other current liabilities 1
 
 
(8
)
 
 
 
(4
)
1 The fair values of derivative contracts are presented on a gross basis on the balance sheet and 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 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(in millions)
Foreign currency derivative contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative
$
(11
)
 
$
(22
)
 
$
22

 
$
(26
)
The fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts generally reflects the estimated amounts that the Company would receive (or pay), on a pre-tax basis, to terminate the contracts at the reporting date based on broker quotes for the same or similar instruments.


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


The terms of the foreign currency forward 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 June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, as there were no derivative contracts accounted for under hedge accounting.
The Company’s derivative financial instruments are subject to both market and counterparty credit risk. Market risk is the risk of loss due to the potential change in an instrument’s value caused by fluctuations in interest rates and other variables related to currency exchange rates. The effect of a hypothetical 10% adverse change in foreign currency rates could result in a fair value loss of approximately $86 million on the Company’s foreign currency derivative contracts outstanding at June 30, 2015 related to the hedging program. 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 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.


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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis supplements management's discussion and analysis of MasterCard Incorporated for the year ended December 31, 2014 as contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2015. 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. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, contra revenue and general and administrative expenses were revised to correctly classify $9 million and $14 million, respectively, of customer incentive expenses as contra revenue instead of general and administrative expenses. This revision had no impact on net income. 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.
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”).  Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation S-K, portions of this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” include a reconciliation of certain non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.  The presentation of non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the Company’s related financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. 
MasterCard presents non-GAAP financial measures to enhance an investor’s evaluation of MasterCard’s ongoing operating results and to facilitate meaningful comparison of its results between periods. MasterCard’s management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to, among other things, evaluate its ongoing operations in relation to historical results, for internal planning and forecasting purposes and in the calculation of performance-based compensation.  See “Financial Results Overview” for the table that provides a reconciliation of the operating results and growth to the most directly comparable GAAP measure. These non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of the following special item (“Special Item”) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015:
A provision for a settlement relating to a merchant litigation in the U.K. (the “UK Merchant Litigation Settlement Provision”) ($61 million pre-tax and $44 million after tax, or $0.04 per diluted share). MasterCard excluded this item because its management monitors provisions for material litigation settlements separately from ongoing operations and evaluates ongoing performance without these amounts.
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 processing of payment transactions, including authorization, clearing and settlement, 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 loyalty and reward programs, information services and consulting. 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, 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 primarily to issuers and acquirers 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 checks toward electronic forms of payment, increasing our share in electronic payments and providing value-added products and services. We drive growth by growing, diversifying and building our business.
Grow. We focus on growing our core businesses globally, including growing our credit, debit, prepaid and commercial products and solutions and increasing the number of payment transactions we process.


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Diversify. We look to diversify our business by seeking new areas of growth in new and existing markets around the world. We focus on:
diversifying our customer base by working with partners such as governments and digital and mobile providers;
encouraging use of our products and solutions in areas that provide new opportunities for electronic payments, such as transit and person-to-person transfers;
driving acceptance at small merchants and merchants who have not historically accepted MasterCard products; and
broadening financial inclusion for the unbanked and underbanked.
Build. We build our business by:
taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the ongoing convergence of the physical and digital worlds; and
using our safety and security products and solutions, data analytics and loyalty solutions to add value.
We build and diversify our business through a combination of organic growth and investments, including acquisitions.
Strategic Partners. We work with merchants to help them enable new sales channels, create better purchase experiences, increase revenues and fight fraud. We partner with large digital and mobile providers and telecommunication companies to support their digital payment solutions with 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. We provide financial institutions with solutions to help them increase revenue and increase preference for their MasterCard-branded products.
Financial Results Overview
We recorded net income of $921 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, and $1.9 billion, or $1.69 per diluted share, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, versus net income of $931 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, and $1.8 billion, or $1.53 per diluted share, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively. Net income decreased 1% and increased 8% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2014.
Excluding the impact of the Special Item we had adjusted net income of $965 million, or $0.85 per adjusted diluted share, and $2.0 billion, or $1.73 per adjusted diluted share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively. Adjusted net income increased 4% for the three months ended June 30, 2015, versus the comparable period in 2014, due to an improved effective tax rate and higher net revenue, partially offset by the negative impact of foreign currency translation and the impact from acquisitions. Adjusted net income increased 10% for the six months ended June 30, 2015, versus the comparable period in 2014, driven by higher net revenue and an improved effective tax rate, partially offset by the negative impact of foreign currency translation and the impact from acquisitions. Acquisitions had a negative impact to net income growth of 4 and 3 percentage points for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2014, or $(0.03) and $(0.06) per diluted share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively.
Our net revenue increased 1% and 2% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2014, primarily driven by increases across our revenue categories, mainly offset by higher rebates and incentives and the negative impact of foreign currency translation. Acquisitions contributed 2 percentage points to net revenue growth for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2015. For both the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, our processed transactions increased 13% versus the comparable periods in 2014. Our volumes also increased 13% and 12% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, on a local currency basis, versus the comparable periods in 2014.
Operating expenses increased 15% and 8% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2014. Excluding the impact of the Special Item, adjusted operating expenses increased 9% and 4% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2014, primarily due to higher general and administrative expenses as a result of our acquisition activity, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign currency translation. Acquisitions had a negative impact of 9 percentage points to the operating expense growth for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.
We generated net cash flows from operations of $1.7 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2015, compared to $1.3 billion for the comparable period in 2014.


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The following table provides a summary of our operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014:

 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Percent Increase/(Decrease)
 
Actual
 
Special Item 1
 
Non-GAAP
 
Actual
 
Actual
 
Special Item 1
 
Non-GAAP
 
(in millions, except per share data and percentages)
Net Revenue
$
2,390

 
 
 
$
2,390

 
$
2,368

 
1%
 
 
 
1%
Total operating expenses
$
1,139

 
$
(61
)
 
$
1,078

 
$
985

 
15%
 
6%
 
9%
Operating income
$
1,251

 
$
61

 
$
1,312

 
$
1,383

 
(10)%
 
(5)%
 
(5)%
Operating Margin
52.4
%
 
 
 
54.9
%
 
58.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
$
320

 
$
17

 
$
337

 
$
442

 
(28)%
 
(4)%
 
(24)%
Effective Tax Rate
25.7
%
 
 
 
25.8
%
 
32.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
921

 
$
44

 
$
965

 
$
931

 
(1)%
 
(5)%
 
4%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted Earnings per Share
$
0.81

 
$
0.04

 
$
0.85

 
$
0.80

 
1%
 
(5)%
 
6%
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
1,141

 
 
 
1,141

 
1,169

 
(2)%
 
 
 
(2)%
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Percent Increase/(Decrease)
 
Actual
 
Special Item 1
 
Non-GAAP
 
Actual
 
Actual
 
Special Item 1
 
Non-GAAP
 
(in millions, except per share data and percentages)
Net Revenue
$
4,620

 

 
$
4,620

 
$
4,540

 
2%
 

 
2%
Total operating expenses
$
2,018

 
$
(61
)
 
$
1,957

 
$
1,872

 
8%
 
4%
 
4%
Operating income
$
2,602

 
$
61

 
$
2,663

 
$
2,668

 
(2)%
 
(2)%
 
—%
Operating Margin
56.3
%
 
 
 
57.7
%
 
58.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
$
640

 
$
17

 
$
657

 
$
853

 
(25)%
 
(2)%
 
(23)%
Effective Tax Rate
24.8
%
 
 
 
24.9
%
 
32.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
1,941

 
$
44

 
$
1,985

 
$
1,801

 
8%
 
(2)%
 
10%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted Earnings per Share
$
1.69

 
$
0.04

 
$
1.73

 
$
1.53

 
10%
 
(3)%
 
13%
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
1,146

 
 
 
1,146

 
1,179

 
(3)%
 
 
 
(3)%

1 Represents effect of the UK Merchant Litigation Settlement Provision. See Non-GAAP Financial Information.
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 39% for both the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 and 39% and 40% for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. No individual country, other than the United States, generated more than 10% of total revenue in any such 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, turmoil in specific economies around


25

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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, further political instability or a decline in economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates may accelerate the timing of or increase the impact of risks to our financial performance. As a result, our revenue may be negatively impacted, or the Company may be impacted in several ways. MasterCard continues 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 MasterCard to grow its business. For a full discussion see, “Risk Factors - Business Risks” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
In addition, our business and our customers’ businesses are subject to regulation in many countries. Regulatory bodies may seek to impose rules and price controls on certain aspects of our business and the payments industry. For further discussion, see Note 11 (Legal and Regulatory Proceedings) to the consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 and our risk factors in “Risk Factors - Legal and Regulatory Risks” in Part I, Item 1A (Risk Factors) of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Further, information security risks for global payments and technology companies such as MasterCard have significantly increased in recent years. Although to date we have not experienced any material impacts relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches, there can be no assurance that we will be immune to these risks and not suffer such losses in the future. See our risk factor in “Risk Factors - Business Risks” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 related to a failure or breach of our security systems or infrastructure as a result of cyber-attacks.
Impact of Foreign Currency Rates
Our overall operating results can be impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, especially the strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar versus the euro and Brazilian real. The functional currency of MasterCard Europe, our principal European operating subsidiary, is the euro, and the functional currency of our Brazilian subsidiary is the Brazilian real. Accordingly, the strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar versus the euro and Brazilian real impacts the translation of our European and Brazilian subsidiaries’ operating results into the U.S. dollar. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, as compared to the same periods in 2014, the U.S. dollar strengthened against both the euro and the Brazilian real. For the three months ended June 30, 2015, the euro and the Brazilian real devalued against the U.S. dollar by 19% and 27%, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2014. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the euro and the Brazilian real devalued against the U.S. dollar by 18% and 22%, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2014. The net foreign currency impact of changes in the U.S. dollar average exchange rates against the euro and Brazilian real negatively impacted net income by 8 percentage points and 7 percentage points for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, net revenue was negatively impacted by 6 percentage points for both periods and operating expenses were favorably impacted by 5 percentage points and 4 percentage points, respectively.
In addition, 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 European local currencies. 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 six months ended June 30, 2015, as compared to the same periods in 2014, GDV on a U.S. dollar converted basis increased 1% and 2%, while GDV on a local currency basis grew 13% and 12%, respectively. The Company attempts to manage the impact from these foreign currency exposures through its 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.
The Company generates revenue and has financial assets in countries at risk for currency devaluation. While these revenues and financial assets are not material to MasterCard on a consolidated basis, they could be negatively impacted if a devaluation of local currencies occurs relative to the U.S. dollar.


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Table of Contents

Financial Results
Revenue
Revenue Description
MasterCard’s 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 and Brazilian real.
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;
geographic region or country in which the transaction occurs;
volumes/transactions subject to tiered rates;
processed or not processed across the MasterCard network;
amount of usage of our other products or services; and
amount of rebates and incentives provided to customers.
The Company classifies its net revenue into the following five categories:
1.
Domestic assessments: 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: Cross-border volume fees are charged to issuers and acquirers based on the 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 in most cases also include fees for currency conversion.
3.
Transaction processing fees: Transaction processing fees are charged for both domestic and cross-border transactions and are primarily based on the number of transactions. Transaction processing fees include charges to issuers for the following:
Transaction Switching fees for the following products and services:
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”).
Clearing is the exchange of financial transaction information between issuers and acquirers after a transaction has been successfully conducted at the point of interaction. MasterCard clears transactions among customers through our central and regional processing systems.
Settlement is facilitating the exchange of funds between parties.
Connectivity fees are charged to issuers and acquirers for network access, equipment and the transmission of authorization and settlement messages. These fees are based on the size of the data being transmitted through and the number of connections to the Company’s network.


27

Table of Contents

4.
Other revenues: Other revenues consist of other payment-related products and services and are primarily associated with the following:
Consulting and research fees are primarily generated by MasterCard Advisors, the Company’s professional advisory services group.
Fraud products and services used to prevent or detect fraudulent transactions. This includes fees for warning bulletins provided to issuers and acquirers either electronically or in paper form.
Loyalty and rewards solution fees are charged to issuers for benefits provided directly to consumers with MasterCard-branded cards, such as insurance, assistance for lost cards, locating ATMs and rewards programs.
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.
The Company also charges 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 six months ended June 30, 2015, gross revenue increased $185 million and $386 million, or 6% for both periods, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2014. Gross revenue growth in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 was driven by an increase in dollar volume of activity on cards carrying our brands, transactions, other payment-related products and services and the impact of acquisitions. Rebates and incentives, in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, increased $163 million and $306 million, or 21% and 20%, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2014 primarily due to the impact from new and renewed agreements and increased volumes. Our net revenue increased 1% and 2% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, versus the comparable periods in 2014. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, acquisitions contributed 2 percentage points to both periods, while foreign currency translation had a negative impact of 6 percentage points for both periods to net revenue growth. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, our GDV increased 13% and 12% on a local currency while our processed transactions increased 13% for both periods, respectively.
The following table provides a summary of the trend in volume and transaction growth:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
Growth (USD)
 
Growth (Local)
 
Growth (USD)
 
Growth (Local)
 
Growth (USD)
 
Growth (Local)
 
Growth (USD)
 
Growth (Local)
MasterCard-Branded GDV 1
1
 %
 
13
%
 
11
 %
 
13
%
 
2
 %
 
12
%
 
11
 %
 
13
%
Asia Pacific/Middle East/Africa
7
 %
 
15
%
 
15
 %
 
18
%
 
8
 %
 
15
%
 
14
 %
 
19
%
Canada
4
 %
 
17
%
 
(1
)%
 
5
%
 
3
 %
 
16
%
 
(2
)%
 
6
%
Europe
(7
)%
 
16
%
 
14
 %
 
13
%
 
(8
)%
 
16
%
 
14
 %
 
14
%
Latin America
(9
)%
 
15
%
 
4
 %
 
13
%
 
(7
)%
 
15
%
 
4
 %
 
14
%
United States
7
 %
 
7
%
 
9
 %
 
9
%
 
7
 %
 
7
%
 
9
 %
 
9
%
Cross-border Volume 1
 
 
17
%
 
 
 
16
%
 
 
 
18
%
 
 
 
16
%
Processed Transactions
 
 
13
%
 
 
 
12
%
 
 
 
13
%
 
 
 
13
%
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 the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.


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The significant components of our net revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Percent Increase (Decrease)
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Percent Increase (Decrease)
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(in millions, except percentages)
Domestic assessments
$
1,028

 
$
1,008

 
2%
 
$
1,991

 
$
1,946

 
2%
Cross-border volume fees
777

 
750

 
3%
 
1,501

 
1,445

 
4%
Transaction processing fees
1,051

 
995

 
6%
 
2,057

 
1,931

 
7%
Other revenues
474

 
392

 
21%
 
892

 
733

 
22%
Gross revenue
3,330

 
3,145

 
6%
 
6,441

 
6,055

 
6%
Rebates and incentives (contra-revenue)
(940
)
 
(777
)
 
21%
 
(1,821
)
 
(1,515
)
 
20%
Net revenue
$
2,390

 
$
2,368

 
1%
 
$
4,620

 
$
4,540

 
2%
The following table summarizes the primary drivers of net revenue growth in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 versus the three and six months ended June 30, 2014:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Volume
 
Foreign Currency 1
 
Other
 
Total
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Domestic assessments
13
%
 
11
%
 
(7
)%
 
%
 
(4
)%
2 
 %
2 
2
%
 
11
%
Cross-border volume fees
15
%
 
14
%
 
(6
)%
 
1
%
 
(6
)%
 
(1
)%
 
3
%
 
14
%
Transaction processing fees
12
%
 
10
%
 
(7
)%
 
1
%
 
1
 %
 
4
 %
 
6
%
 
15
%
Other revenues
**

 
**

 
(8
)%
 
1
%
 
29
 %
3 
23
 %
3 
21
%
 
24
%
Rebates and incentives
3
%
 
7
%
 
(7
)%
 
1
%
 
25
 %
4 
9
 %
4 
21
%
 
17
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenue
14
%
 
11
%
 
(6
)%
 
1
%
 
(7
)%
 
1
 %
 
1
%
 
13
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Volume
 
Foreign Currency 1
 
Other
 
Total
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Domestic assessments
12
%
 
12
%
 
(6
)%
 
 %