UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q

þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 20162017

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 001-33977
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VISA INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 26-0267673
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
   
P.O. Box 8999
San Francisco, California
 94128-8999
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(650) 432-3200
(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  þ    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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  þ    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”,filer,” “accelerated filer” andfiler,” “smaller reporting company”company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer  þ
Accelerated filero
Smaller reporting company   o
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company.)
Smaller Reporting CompanyEmerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  o    No  þ
As of January 27, 201726, 2018 there were 1,858,020,8461,802,624,578 shares of class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 245,513,385 shares of class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 14,504,89312,400,261 shares of class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Visa Inc. outstanding.


Table of Contents

VISA INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
  Page
PART I.
   
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
   
PART II.
   
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.
 
 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.Financial Statements
VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
December 31,
2016
 September 30,
2016
December 31,
2017
 September 30,
2017
(in millions, except par value data)(in millions, except par value data)
Assets      
Cash and cash equivalents$5,824
 $5,619
$8,138
 $9,874
Restricted cash—U.S. litigation escrow (Note 3)1,028
 1,027
Investment securities (Note 4):   
Restricted cash—U.S. litigation escrow (Note 2)883
 1,031
Investment securities (Note 3):   
Trading82
 71
106
 82
Available-for-sale3,615
 3,248
3,307
 3,482
Settlement receivable1,333
 1,467
1,618
 1,422
Accounts receivable1,120
 1,041
1,281
 1,132
Customer collateral (Note 6)1,006
 1,001
Customer collateral (Note 5)1,155
 1,106
Current portion of client incentives265
 284
295
 344
Prepaid expenses and other current assets416
 555
504
 550
Total current assets14,689
 14,313
17,287
 19,023
Investment securities, available-for-sale (Note 4)3,802
 3,931
Investment securities, available-for-sale (Note 3)2,674
 1,926
Client incentives484
 448
557
 591
Property, equipment and technology, net2,201
 2,150
2,238
 2,253
Other assets921
 893
1,127
 1,226
Intangible assets, net (Note 2)26,381
 27,234
Goodwill (Note 2)14,892
 15,066
Intangible assets, net 28,109
 27,848
Goodwill 15,162
 15,110
Total assets$63,370
 $64,035
$67,154
 $67,977
Liabilities      
Accounts payable$118
 $203
$108
 $179
Settlement payable2,059
 2,084
2,302
 2,003
Customer collateral (Note 6)1,006
 1,001
Customer collateral (Note 5)1,155
 1,106
Accrued compensation and benefits433
 673
389
 757
Client incentives1,872
 1,976
2,355
 2,089
Accrued liabilities1,546
 1,128
1,224
 1,129
Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term debt (Note 5)2,313
 
Accrued litigation (Note 12)994
 981
Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 4)
 1,749
Accrued litigation (Note 11)830
 982
Total current liabilities10,341
 8,046
8,363
 9,994
Long-term debt (Note 5)14,138
 15,882
Long-term debt (Note 4)16,621
 16,618
Deferred tax liabilities4,822
 4,808
5,107
 5,980
Deferred purchase consideration1,164
 1,225
1,330
 1,304
Other liabilities1,179
 1,162
2,332
 1,321
Total liabilities31,644
 31,123
33,753
 35,217
Equity   
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 25 shares authorized and 5 shares issued and outstanding as follows:   
Series A convertible participating preferred stock, none issued (Note 7)
 
Series B convertible participating preferred stock, 2 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017 (the “UK&I preferred stock”) (Note 7)2,295
 2,326
Series C convertible participating preferred stock, 3 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017 (the “Europe preferred stock”) (Note 7)3,181
 3,200
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 2,001,622 shares authorized, 1,805 and 1,818 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively (Note 7)
 
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 622 shares authorized, 245 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017 (Note 7)
 
Class C common stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,097 shares authorized, 12 and 13 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively (Note 7)
 
Right to recover for covered losses (Note 2)(5) (52)
Additional paid-in capital16,761
 16,900
Accumulated income9,966
 9,508
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net:   
Investment securities, available-for-sale61
 73
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans(76) (76)
Derivative instruments classified as cash flow hedges(33) (36)
Foreign currency translation adjustments1,251
 917
Total accumulated other comprehensive income, net1,203
 878
Total equity33,401
 32,760
Total liabilities and equity$67,154
 $67,977

See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS—(Continued)STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)(UNAUDITED)
 December 31,
2016
 September 30,
2016
 (in millions, except par value data)
Equity   
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 25 shares authorized and 5 issued and outstanding as follows:   
Series A convertible participating preferred stock, none issued (Note 2 and Note 8)$
 $
Series B convertible participating preferred stock, 2 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 (Note 2 and Note 8)2,516
 2,516
Series C convertible participating preferred stock, 3 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 (Note 2 and Note 8)3,201
 3,201
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 2,001,622 shares authorized, 1,854 and 1,871 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively (Note 8)
 
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 622 shares authorized, 245 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 (Note 8)
 
Class C common stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,097 shares authorized, 16 and 17 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively (Note 8)
 
Treasury stock(170) (170)
Right to recover for covered losses (Note 3)(128) (34)
Additional paid-in capital17,184
 17,395
Accumulated income10,492
 10,462
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net:   
Investment securities, available-for-sale32
 36
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans(221) (225)
Derivative instruments classified as cash flow hedges27
 (50)
Foreign currency translation adjustments(1,207) (219)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss, net(1,369) (458)
Total equity31,726
 32,912
Total liabilities and equity$63,370
 $64,035
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2017 2016
 (in millions, except per share data)
Operating Revenues   
Service revenues$2,146
 $1,918
Data processing revenues2,147
 1,892
International transaction revenues1,666
 1,489
Other revenues229
 203
Client incentives(1,326) (1,041)
Net operating revenues4,862
 4,461
    
Operating Expenses    
Personnel679
 571
Marketing223
 218
Network and processing160
 145
Professional fees92
 80
Depreciation and amortization145
 146
General and administrative236
 186
Litigation provision (Note 11)
 15
Total operating expenses1,535
 1,361
Operating income3,327
 3,100
    
Non-operating Income (Expense)   
Interest expense(154) (140)
Other66
 19
Total non-operating expense(88) (121)
Income before income taxes3,239
 2,979
Income tax provision (Note 10)717
 909
Net income$2,522
 $2,070
    
Basic earnings per share (Note 8)   
Class A common stock$1.07
 $0.86
Class B common stock$1.77
 $1.41
Class C common stock$4.30
 $3.43
    
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (Note 8)   
Class A common stock1,811
 1,860
Class B common stock245
 245
Class C common stock13
 17
    
Diluted earnings per share (Note 8)   
Class A common stock$1.07
 $0.86
Class B common stock$1.77
 $1.41
Class C common stock$4.29
 $3.42
    
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (Note 8)   
Class A common stock2,353
 2,421
Class B common stock245
 245
Class C common stock13
 17


See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONSCOMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
 
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2016 2015
 (in millions, except per share data)
Operating Revenues   
Service revenues$1,918
 $1,645
Data processing revenues1,892
 1,479
International transaction revenues1,489
 1,031
Other revenues203
 198
Client incentives(1,041) (788)
Net operating revenues4,461
 3,565
Operating Expenses    
Personnel571
 499
Marketing218
 194
Network and processing145
 128
Professional fees80
 72
Depreciation and amortization146
 120
General and administrative186
 156
Litigation provision (Note 12)15
 
Total operating expenses1,361
 1,169
Operating income3,100
 2,396
Non-operating (Expense) Income    
Interest expense(140) (29)
Other19
 272
Non-operating (expense) income(121) 243
Income before income taxes2,979
 2,639
Income tax provision (Note 11)909
 698
Net income$2,070
 $1,941

 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2017 2016
 (in millions)
Net income$2,522
 $2,070
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:   
Investment securities, available-for-sale:   
Net unrealized gain (loss)9
 (3)
Income tax effect(3) (1)
Reclassification adjustment for net gain realized in net income(28) 
Income tax effect10
 
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans:   
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net income
 6
Income tax effect
 (2)
Derivative instruments classified as cash flow hedges:   
Net unrealized (loss) gain(1) 74
Income tax effect(5) (7)
Reclassification adjustment for net loss realized in net income11
 12
Income tax effect(2) (2)
Foreign currency translation adjustments334
 (988)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax325
 (911)
Comprehensive income$2,847
 $1,159



See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS—(Continued)CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2016 2015
 (in millions, except per share data)
Basic earnings per share (Note 9)   
Class A common stock$0.86
 $0.80
Class B common stock$1.41
 $1.32
Class C common stock$3.43
 $3.20
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (Note 9)   
Class A common stock1,860
 1,937
Class B common stock245
 245
Class C common stock17
 20
Diluted earnings per share (Note 9)   
Class A common stock$0.86
 $0.80
Class B common stock$1.41
 $1.32
Class C common stock$3.42
 $3.20
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (Note 9)   
Class A common stock2,421
 2,430
Class B common stock245
 245
Class C common stock17
 20
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2017 2016
 (in millions)
Operating Activities   
Net income$2,522

$2,070
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Client incentives1,326

1,041
Share-based compensation (Note 9)68

45
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment, technology and intangible assets145

146
Deferred income taxes(919)
77
Right to recover for covered losses recorded in equity (Note 2)(3)
(94)
Other(23)
13
Change in operating assets and liabilities:



Settlement receivable(180)
56
Accounts receivable(146)
(89)
Client incentives(986)
(1,129)
Other assets92

66
Accounts payable(51)
(102)
Settlement payable275

79
Accrued and other liabilities794

316
Accrued litigation (Note 11)(152)
13
Net cash provided by operating activities2,762

2,508
Investing Activities   
Purchases of property, equipment, technology and intangible assets(141)
(171)
Investment securities, available-for-sale:



Purchases(1,636)
(1,032)
Proceeds from maturities and sales1,076

788
Purchases of / contributions to other investments(6)
(2)
Net cash used in investing activities(707)
(417)
Financing Activities   
Repurchase of class A common stock (Note 7)(1,778) (1,893)
Repayments of long-term debt (Note 4)(1,750) 
Dividends paid (Note 7)(458) (399)
Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper
 566
Payments from litigation escrow account—U.S. retrospective responsibility plan (Note 2 and Note 11)150
 
Cash proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee equity plans53
 56
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes(88) (60)
Net cash used in financing activities(3,871) (1,730)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents80
 (156)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents(1,736) 205
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period9,874
 5,619
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$8,138
 $5,824
Supplemental Disclosure   
Income taxes paid, net of refunds$183
 $96
Interest payments on debt (Note 4)$241
 $244
Accruals related to purchases of property, equipment, technology and intangible assets$26
 $69



See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2016 2015
 (in millions)
Net income$2,070
 $1,941
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:   
Investment securities, available-for-sale:   
Net unrealized (loss) gain(3) 34
Income tax effect(1) (16)
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans:   
Net unrealized actuarial gain and prior service credit
 56
Income tax effect
 (21)
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net income6
 (7)
Income tax effect(2) 2
Derivative instruments classified as cash flow hedges:   
Net unrealized gain74
 16
Income tax effect(7) (5)
Reclassification adjustment for net loss (gain) realized in net income12
 (48)
Income tax effect(2) 14
Foreign currency translation adjustments(988) 
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax(911) 25
Comprehensive income$1,159
 $1,966



See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2016 2015
 (in millions)
Operating Activities   
Net income$2,070
 $1,941
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Client incentives1,041
 788
Fair value adjustment for the Visa Europe put option
 (255)
Share-based compensation (Note 10)45
 39
Excess tax benefit for share-based compensation
 (36)
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment, technology and intangible assets146
 120
Deferred income taxes77
 45
Right to recover for covered losses recorded in equity(94) 
Other13
 5
Change in operating assets and liabilities:   
Settlement receivable56
 (35)
Accounts receivable(89) (75)
Client incentives(1,129) (850)
Other assets66
 23
Accounts payable(102) 
Settlement payable79
 (36)
Accrued and other liabilities316
 317
Accrued litigation (Note 12)13
 (12)
Net cash provided by operating activities2,508
 1,979
Investing Activities   
Purchases of property, equipment, technology and intangible assets(171) (126)
Investment securities, available-for-sale:

 
Purchases(1,032) (6,803)
Proceeds from maturities and sales788
 739
Purchases of / contributions to other investments(2) (8)
Proceeds / distributions from other investments
 4
Net cash used in investing activities(417) (6,194)




See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—(Continued)
(UNAUDITED)
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2016 2015
 (in millions)
Financing Activities   
Repurchase of class A common stock (Note 8)$(1,893) $(2,015)
Dividends paid (Note 8)(399) (340)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes (Note 5)
 15,971
Debt issuance costs (Note 5)
 (77)
Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper (Note 5)566
 
Payments from litigation escrow account—U.S. retrospective responsibility plan (Note 3 and Note 12)
 11
Cash proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee equity plans56
 29
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes(60) (81)
Excess tax benefit for share-based compensation
 36
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(1,730) 13,534
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(156) 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents205
 9,319
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year5,619
 3,518
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$5,824
 $12,837
Supplemental Disclosure   
Income taxes paid, net of refunds$96
 $79
Interest payments on debt (Note 5)$244
 $
Accruals related to purchases of property, equipment, technology and intangible assets$69
 $40








See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 20162017
(UNAUDITED)
Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization. Visa Inc. ("Visa" or the "Company") is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, merchants, financial institutions, businesses, strategic partnersenables fast, secure and governments inreliable electronic payments across more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable electronic payments.territories. Visa and its wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries, including Visa U.S.A. Inc. ("Visa U.S.A."), Visa International Service Association ("Visa International"), Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited, Visa Europe Limited ("Visa Europe"), Visa Canada Corporation, InovantVisa Technology & Operations LLC and CyberSource Corporation, ("CyberSource"), operate one of the world’s largest retail electronic payments networks — VisaNet — which facilitates authorization, clearing and settlement of payment transactions and enables usthe Company to provide ourits financial institution and merchant clients a wide range of products, platforms and value-added services. VisaNet also offers fraud protection for account holders and assured payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for account holders on Visa products. In most cases, account holder and merchant relationships belong to, and are managed by, Visa's financial institution clients.
Consolidation and basis of presentation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Visa and its consolidated entities and are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). The Company consolidates its majority-owned and controlled entities, including variable interest entities ("VIEs") for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company’s investments in VIEs have not been material to its consolidated financial statements as of and for the periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")(SEC) requirements for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and, consequently, do not include all of the annual disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. Reference should be made to the Visa Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 20162017 for additional disclosures, including a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements.
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")(FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU")(ASU) 2014-09, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. Subsequently, the FASB also issued a series of amendments to the new revenue standard. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2018. The2018, and expects to adopt the standard permitsusing the use of either themodified retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company has not yet selected a transition methodexpects that the new standard will primarily impact recognition timing for certain fixed incentives and price discounts provided to clients, and the classification of certain client incentives between contra revenues and operating expenses. The Company is evaluatingstill in the process of quantifying the full effect that ASU 2014-09 and all of its related subsequent updates will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The impact of the new standard to future financial results is unknowable as it is not possible to estimate the impact to the recognition of new customer contracts which may be executed in future periods. The Company has completed an assessment of its existing customer contracts through December 31, 2017. Application of the new standard to consolidated financial statements for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 would not have resulted in a material impact. The Company will continue to assess the impact of the new standard as new customer contracts are executed going forward.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09,2016-05, which simplifies several aspectsclarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument under Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, does not, in and of theitself, require dedesignation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting for share-based payments, including the accounting for excess tax benefits and deficiencies, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification on the statement of cash flows relatedcriteria continue to excess tax benefits and employee taxes paid when an employer withholds shares for tax-withholding purposes.be met. The Company elected to early adopt this guidanceadopted the standard effective October 1, 2016.2017. The adoption had the followingdid not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements:statements.

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-06, which clarifies the requirements for assessing whether contingent call/put options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. An entity performing the assessment is required to assess the embedded call/put options solely in accordance with a four-step decision sequence. The Company recorded excess tax benefits of $26 million in our provision for income taxes rather than as an increase to additional paid-in capital foradopted the three months ended December 31, 2016 on a prospective basis. Therefore, the prior period presented has not been adjusted.
standard effective October 1, 2017. The Company excluded the excess tax benefits from the assumed proceeds available to repurchase shares in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2016, which increased diluted weighted average common shares outstanding by 1 million, whichadoption did not have a material impact on our diluted earnings per share.
The Company elected to apply the presentation requirement for cash flows related to excess tax benefits prospectively, and thus, the prior period presented has not been adjusted. This adoption resulted in an increase to both net cash provided by operating activities and net cash used in financing of $26 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016.consolidated financial statements.
In OctoberMarch 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16,2016-07, which requireseliminates the requirement that entities recognizean entity retroactively adopt the income tax consequencesequity method of accounting if an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an intra-entity transferincrease in the level of an asset, other than inventory, whenownership or degree of influence. The equity method investor is required to add the transfer occurs.cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor's previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-16 will have on its consolidated financial statements and is considering early adoption of the standard.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, which requires that a statement of cash flows should include the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-18 will have on its consolidated financial statements and is considering early adoption of the standard.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, which eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, an entity should perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The Company will adoptadopted the standard effective October 1, 2020.2017. The adoption isdid not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Note 2—Visa Europe
On June 21, 2016, the Company acquired 100% of the share capital of Visa Europe, a payments technology business. The acquisition positions Visa to create additional value through increased scale, efficiencies realized by the integration of both businesses, and benefits related to Visa Europe's transition from an association to a for-profit enterprise. At the closing of the transaction (the "Closing"), the Company:
paid up-front cash consideration of €12.2 billion ($13.9 billion);
issued preferred stock of the Company convertible upon certain conditions into approximately 79 million shares of class A common stock of the Company, as described below, equivalent to a value of €5.3 billion ($6.1 billion) at the closing stock price of $77.33 on June 21, 2016; and
agreed to pay an additional €1.0 billion, plus 4% compound annual interest, on the third anniversary of the Closing.
Preferred stock. In connection with the transaction, three new series of preferred stock of the Company were created:
series A convertible participating preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, which is generally designed to be economically equivalent to the Company’s class A common stock (the “class A equivalent preferred stock”);
series B convertible participating preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “U.K.&I preferred stock”); and
series C convertible participating preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Europe preferred stock”).
The Company issued 2,480,466 shares of U.K.&I preferred stock to Visa Europe’s member financial institutions in the United Kingdom and Ireland entitled to receive preferred stock at the Closing, and 3,156,823 shares of Europe preferred stock to Visa Europe’s other member financial institutions entitled to receive preferred stock at the Closing. Under certain conditions described below, the U.K.&I and Europe preferred stock is convertible into shares of class A common stock or class A equivalent preferred stock, at an initial conversion rate of 13.952 shares of class A common stock for each share of U.K.&I preferred stock and Europe preferred stock. The conversion rates may be reduced from time to time to offset certain liabilities, which may be incurred by the Company, Visa Europe or their affiliates as a result

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


of certain existing and potential litigation relating to the setting of multilateral interchange fee rates in the Visa Europe territory, where, generally, the relevant claims (and resultant liabilities and losses) relate to the period before the Closing. See Note 3—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
Actual and pro forma impact of acquisition.
The following table presents unaudited supplemental pro forma information for the three months ended December 31, 2015, as if the acquisition and related issuance of senior notes had occurred on October 1, 2014. The pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the Company's consolidated results of operations that would have been realized had the acquisition been completed on October 1, 2014, nor does it purport to project the future results of operations of the combined company or reflect any reorganizations, or cost or other operating synergies that may occur subsequent to the Closing. The actual results of operations of the combined company may differ significantly from the pro forma results presented here due to many factors.
 Consolidated Actual Results Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Results
 Three Months Ended December 31,
 2016 2015
 (in millions, except per share data)
Net operating revenues$4,461
 $3,964
Net income$2,070
 $1,776
Diluted earnings per share$0.86
 $0.71
The unaudited pro forma financial information for the three months ended December 31, 2015 reflects the following material pro forma adjustments:
conversion of Visa Europe's historical results of operations from euro to U.S. dollar, and from International Financial Reporting Standards to U.S. GAAP;
elimination of transactions between Visa and Visa Europe upon consolidation, primarily related to annual license and various other fees paid by Visa Europe to Visa in accordance with the Framework Agreement;
an increase in non-operating expense for the three months ended December 31, 2015 for additional interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs resulting from the issuance of the $16.0 billion senior notes;
exclusion of a $255 million gain related to the revaluation of the Visa Europe put option(1); and
elimination of acquisition-related costs incurred by Visa Europe.
(1)
For purposes of preparing this pro forma financial information, the fair value of the Visa Europe put option is presumed to have been reduced to zero prior to October 1, 2014. Therefore, the Company did not include any gains associated with a write-down in the fair value of the Visa Europe put option liability in the unaudited pro forma net income for the three months ended December 31, 2015.
The pro forma results also reflect the applicable tax impact of the pro forma adjustments. The taxes associated with the adjustments reflect the statutory tax rate in effect during the respective periods.
Goodwill and intangible assets.
Upon the Closing, the Company recorded goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets as a result of the acquisition. The decrease in goodwill and intangible assets at December 31, 2016 from September 30, 2016 is primarily due to foreign currency translation, which is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheet.
Note 3—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans
U.S. Retrospective Responsibility Plan
Under the terms of the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, the Company maintains an escrow account from which settlements of, or judgments in, certain litigation referred to as the U.S."U.S. covered litigationlitigation" are paid. The escrow funds are held in money market investments along with interest income earned, less applicable taxes, and are classified as restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheets. The balance of the escrow account was $1.0$0.9 billion at December 31, 20162017 and $1.0 billion at September 30, 2016.2017. The Company did not make any payments to opt-out merchantspaid $150 million from the litigation escrow account during the three months ended December 31, 2016.2017. See Note 12—11—Legal Matters.

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


The accrual related to the U.S. covered litigation could be either higher or lower than the litigation escrow account balance. The Company did not record an additional accrual for the U.S. covered litigation during the three months ended December 31, 2016.2017. See Note 12—11—Legal Matters.
Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plan
The Company, Visa Europe or their affiliates are parties to certain existing and potential litigation relating to the setting of multilateral interchange fee rates in the Visa Europe territory (the "VE territory covered litigation"). Under the terms of the Europe retrospective responsibility plan, the Company is entitled to recover certain losses resulting from VE territory covered losseslitigation (the "VE territory covered losses") through a periodic adjustment to the class A common stock conversion rates applicable to the U.K.&I.UK&I and Europe preferred stock. VE territory covered losses may beare recorded in "right to recover for covered losses" within equity before the corresponding adjustment to the applicable conversion rate is effected. Adjustments to the conversion rate may be executed once in any six-month period unless a single, individual loss greater than €20 million is incurred, in which case, the six-month limitation does not apply. When the adjustment to the conversion rate is made, the amount previously recorded in "right to recover for covered losses" as contra-equity willis then be recorded against the book value of the preferred stock within stockholders' equity. As of
During the three months ended December 31, 2016,2017, the Company had recorded $128recovered $50 million of VE territory covered losses through adjustments to the class A common stock conversion rates applicable to the UK&I and Europe preferred stock, from 13.077 and 13.948, respectively, at September 30, 2017 to 12.966 and 13.893, respectively, at December 31, 2017.

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


The following table sets forth the activities related to VE territory covered losses in thepreferred stock and "right to recover for covered losses" related towithin equity during the three months ended December 31, 2017. VE territory covered losses compared to $34 million at September 30, 2016 as a result of additional losses incurred includingreflect settlements with several merchants and additional legal costs. See Note 12—11—Legal Matters.There were no adjustments to the conversion rates in the three months ended December 31, 2016.
 Preferred Stock Right to Recover for Covered Losses
 UK&I Europe 
 (in millions)
Balance as of September 30, 2017$2,326
 $3,200
 $(52)
VE territory covered losses incurred
 
 (3)
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment(31) (19) 50
Balance as of December 31, 2017$2,295
 $3,181
 $(5)
The following table sets forth the as-converted value of the preferred stock available to recover VE territory covered losses compared to the book value of preferred shares recorded in stockholders' equity within the Company's unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016.2017 and September 30, 2017.(1)
December 31, 2016December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017
As-Converted Value of Preferred Stock(2)
 Book Value of Preferred Stock
As-Converted Value of Preferred Stock(2)
 Book Value of Preferred Stock 
As-Converted Value of Preferred Stock(3)
 Book Value of Preferred Stock
(in millions)(in millions)
U.K.&I preferred stock$2,700
 $2,516
UK&I preferred stock$3,667
 $2,295
 $3,414
 $2,326
Europe preferred stock3,436
 3,201
5,001
 3,181
 4,634
 3,200
Total$6,136
 $5,717
8,668
 5,476
 8,048
 5,526
Less: Right to recover for covered losses(128) (128)
Less: right to recover for covered losses(5) (5) (52) (52)
Total recovery for covered losses available$6,008
 $5,589
$8,663
 $5,471
 $7,996
 $5,474
(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. As-converted and book values are based on unrounded numbers.
(2) 
The as-converted value of preferred stock is calculated as the product of: (a) 2 million and 3 million shares of the U.K.UK&I and Europe preferred stock outstanding, respectively, as of December 31, 2016;2017; (b)12.966 and 13.893, the 13.952 class A common stock conversion rate applicable to both the U.K.UK&I and Europe preferred stock as of December 31, 2016;2017, respectively; and (c) $78.02,$114.02, Visa's class A common stock closing stock price as of December 31, 2016.2017.
(3)
The as-converted value of preferred stock is calculated as the product of: (a) 2 million and 3 million shares of the UK&I and Europe preferred stock outstanding, respectively, as of September 30, 2017; (b)13.077 and 13.948, the class A common stock conversion rate applicable to the UK&I and Europe preferred stock as of September 30, 2017, respectively; and (c) $105.24, Visa's class A common stock closing stock price as of September 30, 2017.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


Note 4—3—Fair Value Measurements and Investments
Fair Value Measurements
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Fair Value Measurements
Using Inputs Considered as
Fair Value Measurements
Using Inputs Considered as
Level 1 Level 2Level 1 Level 2
December 31,
2016
 September 30,
2016
 December 31,
2016
 September 30,
2016
December 31,
2017
 September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2017
 September 30,
2017
(in millions)(in millions)
Assets              
Cash equivalents and restricted cash:              
Money market funds$4,819
 $4,537
    $5,918
 $5,935
    
U.S. government-sponsored debt securities    $
 $196
    $567
 $2,870
Investment securities, trading:              
Equity securities82
 71
    106
 82
    
Investment securities, available-for-sale:              
U.S. government-sponsored debt securities    4,671
 4,699
    3,530
 3,663
U.S. Treasury securities2,554
 2,178
    2,337
 1,621
    
Equity securities62
 53
    114
 124
    
Corporate debt securities    130
 249
Prepaid and other current assets:              
Foreign exchange derivative instruments    88
 50
Other assets:       
Foreign exchange derivative instruments    2
 6
    26
 18
Total$7,517
 $6,839
 $4,891
 $5,200
$8,475
 $7,762
 $4,123
 $6,551
Liabilities              
Accrued liabilities:              
Foreign exchange derivative instruments    $76
 $116
    $65
 $98
Other liabilities:       
Foreign exchange derivative instruments    8
 20
Total$
 $
 $84
 $136
$
 $
 $65
 $98
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 assets during the three months ended December 31, 2016.2017.
Level 1 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Money market funds, publicly-traded equity securities and U.S. Treasury securities are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy, as fair value is based on quoted prices in active markets.
Level 2 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of U.S. government-sponsored debt securities and corporate debt securities, as provided by third-party pricing vendors, is based on quoted prices in active markets for similar, not identical, assets. The pricing data obtained from outside sources is reviewed internally for reasonableness, compared against benchmark quotes from independent pricing sources, then confirmed or revised accordingly. Foreign exchange derivative instruments are valued using inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. There were no substantive changes to the valuation techniques and related inputs used to measure fair value during the three months ended December 31, 2016.2017.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis
Non-marketable equity investments and investments accounted for under the equity method. These investments are classified as Level 3 due to the absence of quoted market prices, the inherent lack of liquidity, and the fact that inputs used to measure fair value are unobservable and require management's judgment. When certain events or

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


circumstances indicate that impairment may exist, the Company revalues the investments using various assumptions, including the financial metrics and ratios of comparable public companies. There were no significant impairments during the three months ended December 31, 20162017 or 2015.2016. These investments totaled $48$99 million and $46$94 million at December 31, 20162017 and September 30, 2016,2017, respectively, and are classified in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


Non-financial assets and liabilities. Long-lived assets such as goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, finite-lived intangible assets, and property, equipment and technology are considered non-financial assets. The Company does not have any non-financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Finite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of customer relationships, trade names and reseller relationships, all of which were obtained through acquisitions.
If the Company were required to perform a quantitative assessment for impairment testing of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, the fair values would generally be estimated using an income approach. As the assumptions employed to measure these assets on a non-recurring basis are based on management's judgment using internal and external data, these fair value determinations are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. There wereThe Company completed its annual impairment review of its indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill as of February 1, 2017, and concluded that there was no impairment. No recent events or changes in circumstances indicate that indicate impairment existed at December 31, 2016.2017.
Other Fair Value Disclosures
Long-term debt. Debt instruments are measured at amortized cost on the Company's unaudited consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016.2017. The fair value of the debt instruments, as provided by third-party pricing vendors, is based on quoted prices in active markets for similar, not identical, assets. The pricing data obtained from outside sources is reviewed internally for reasonableness, compared against benchmark quotes from independent pricing sources, then confirmed or revised accordingly. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, these instruments would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
The following table presents the carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s debt in order of maturity.maturity:
December 31, 2016 September 30, 2016December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017
Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Estimated Fair ValueCarrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value
(in millions)(in millions)
1.20% Senior Notes due December 2017$1,747
 $1,750
 $1,746
 $1,754
$
 $
 $1,749
 $1,751
2.20% Senior Notes due December 20202,988
 3,009
 2,988
 3,077
2,991
 2,998
 2,990
 3,031
2.15% Senior Notes due September 2022993
 986
 993
 997
2.80% Senior Notes due December 20222,239
 2,263
 2,238
 2,359
2,240
 2,283
 2,240
 2,301
3.15% Senior Notes due December 20253,965
 4,018
 3,964
 4,225
3,969
 4,089
 3,967
 4,098
2.75% Senior Notes due September 2027740
 740
 740
 737
4.15% Senior Notes due December 20351,485
 1,570
 1,485
 1,698
1,486
 1,665
 1,485
 1,637
4.30% Senior Notes due December 20453,461
 3,694
 3,461
 4,045
3,462
 3,983
 3,463
 3,873
3.65% Senior Notes due September 2047740
 770
 740
 746
Total$15,885
 $16,304
 $15,882
 $17,158
$16,621
 $17,514
 $18,367
 $19,171
Other financial instruments not measured at fair value. The following financial instruments are not measured at     fair value on the Company's unaudited consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016,2017, but disclosure of their fair values is required: time deposits recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets, settlement receivable and payable, commercial paper and customer collateral. The estimated fair value of such instruments at December 31, 20162017 approximates their carrying value due to their generally short maturities. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, these financial instruments would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Investments
Available-for-sale investment securities. The Company had $59$110 million in gross unrealized gains and $7$12 million in gross unrealized losses at December 31, 2016.2017. There were $55$120 million gross unrealized gains and no$4 million gross unrealized losses at September 30, 2016.2017. A majority of the Company's available-for-sale investment securities with stated maturities are due within one to two years.

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


Note 5—4—Debt
The Company had outstanding debt as follows:
 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2016   
 Principal Amount Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs Carrying Amount Principal Amount Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs Carrying Amount Effective Interest Rate 
 (in millions, except percentages) 
Commercial Paper$567
 $(1) $566
 $
 $
 $
 0.79%
(1) 
1.20% Senior Notes due December 2017 (the "2017 Notes")1,750
 (3) 1,747
 
 
 
 1.37% 
Total current maturities of long-term debt and short-term debt2,317
 (4) 2,313
 
 
 
   
               
1.20% Senior Notes due December 2017 (the "2017 Notes")
 
 
 1,750
 (4) 1,746
 1.37% 
2.20% Senior Notes due December 2020 (the "2020 Notes")3,000
 (12) 2,988
 3,000
 (12) 2,988
 2.30% 
2.80% Senior Notes due December 2022 (the "2022 Notes")2,250
 (11) 2,239
 2,250
 (12) 2,238
 2.89% 
3.15% Senior Notes due December 2025 (the "2025 Notes")4,000
 (35) 3,965
 4,000
 (36) 3,964
 3.26% 
4.15% Senior Notes due December 2035 (the "2035 Notes")1,500
 (15) 1,485
 1,500
 (15) 1,485
 4.23% 
4.30% Senior Notes due December 2045 (the "2045 Notes")3,500
 (39) 3,461
 3,500
 (39) 3,461
 4.37% 
Total long-term debt14,250
 (112) 14,138
 16,000
 (118) 15,882
   
               
Total debt$16,567
 $(116) $16,451
 $16,000
 $(118) $15,882
   
 December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017  
 Principal Amount Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs Carrying Amount Principal Amount Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs Carrying Amount Effective Interest Rate
 (in millions, except percentages)
1.20% Senior Notes due December 2017 (the "2017 Notes")$
 $
 $
 $1,750
 $(1) $1,749
 1.37%
Total current maturities of long-term debt
 
 
 1,750
 (1) 1,749
  
              
2.20% Senior Notes due December 20203,000
 (9) 2,991
 3,000
 (10) 2,990
 2.30%
2.15% Senior Notes due September 20221,000
 (7) 993
 1,000
 (7) 993
 2.30%
2.80% Senior Notes due December 20222,250
 (10) 2,240
 2,250
 (10) 2,240
 2.89%
3.15% Senior Notes due December 20254,000
 (31) 3,969
 4,000
 (33) 3,967
 3.26%
2.75% Senior Notes due September 2027750
 (10) 740
 750
 (10) 740
 2.91%
4.15% Senior Notes due December 20351,500
 (14) 1,486
 1,500
 (15) 1,485
 4.23%
4.30% Senior Notes due December 20453,500
 (38) 3,462
 3,500
 (37) 3,463
 4.37%
3.65% Senior Notes due September 2047750
 (10) 740
 750
 (10) 740
 3.73%
Total long-term debt16,750
 (129) 16,621
 16,750
 (132) 16,618
  
              
Total debt$16,750
 $(129) $16,621
 $18,500
 $(133) $18,367
  
(1)
Represents the weighted-average interest rate for the commercial paper outstanding at December 31, 2016.
Senior Notes
On October 11, 2017, the Company redeemed all of the $1.75 billion principal amount outstanding of the 2017 Notes. The redemption was funded with net proceeds from new fixed-rate senior notes issued by the Company in September 2017. As a result of this redemption, we recorded a $1 million loss on extinguishment of debt during the three months ended December 31, 2017.
The Company recognized interest expense for the senior notes which were issued in December 2015, of $125$138 million and $24$125 million for the three months ended December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively, as non-operating expense. The Company paid $244 million in interest on the senior notes during the three months ended December 31, 2016expense.
Commercial Paper Program
The Company maintains a commercial paper program to support its working capital requirements and for other general corporate purposes. The carrying amount outstanding at December 31, 2016 was $566 million, with a weighted-average interest rate of 0.79% and remaining maturities ranging from 37 days to 66 days. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had no outstanding obligations under the program.

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


Credit Facility Extension
On January 27, 2017, the Company extended the term of the $4.0 billion credit facility that was entered into on January 27, 2016. The credit facility will now expire on January 27, 2022. No other terms were materially changed. A brief description of the material terms and conditions of the credit facility are described in the Company's Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on November 15, 2016. A copy of the credit facility is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC on April 30, 2016 and is hereby incorporated by reference.
Note 6—5—Settlement Guarantee Management
The Company indemnifies its clients for settlement losses suffered due to failure of any other clients to fund its settlement obligations in accordance with the Visa Rules.rules. This indemnification creates settlement risk for the Company due to the difference in timing between the date of a payment transaction and the date of subsequent settlement. The exposure to settlement losses through Visa's settlement indemnification is accounted for as a settlement risk guarantee. The Company’s settlement exposure is limited to the amount of unsettled Visa payment transactions at any point in time. The Company requires certain clients that do not meet its credit standards to post collateral to offset potential loss from their estimated unsettled transactions. The Company’s estimated maximum settlement exposure was $68.7$71.3 billion forduring the quarterthree months ended December 31, 2016,2017, compared to $67.8$67.7 billion forduring the quarterthree months ended September 30, 2016.2017. Of these amounts, $3.0$4.5 billion and $2.9$2.8 billion were covered by collateral at December 31, 20162017 and September 30, 2016,2017, respectively. The total available collateral balances presented in the table below were greater than the settlement exposure covered by customer collateral held due to instances in which the available collateral exceeded the total settlement exposure for certain financial institutions at each date presented.

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


The Company maintained collateral as follows:

December 31,
2016
 September 30,
2016
December 31,
2017
 September 30,
2017
(in millions)(in millions)
Cash equivalents(1)
$1,283
 $1,295
$1,569
 $1,490
Pledged securities at market value166
 170
169
 167
Letters of credit1,328
 1,311
1,319
 1,316
Guarantees1,443
 1,418
617
 941
Total$4,220
 $4,194
$3,674
 $3,914
(1) 
Cash collateral held by Visa Europe is not included on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as its clients retain beneficial ownership and the cash is only accessible to the Company in the event of default by the client on its settlement obligations.
The total available collateral balances presented in the table above were greater than the settlement exposure covered by customer collateral held due to instances in which the available collateral exceeded the total settlement exposure for certain financial institutions at each date presented.
The fair value of the settlement risk guarantee is estimated based on a proprietary probability-weighted model and was approximately $2$3 millionat December 31, 20162017 and September 30, 2016.2017. These amounts are reflected in accrued liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
Note 7—6—Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
The Company sponsors various qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans that provide for retirement and medical benefits for substantially all eligible employees residing in the U.S.United States. The Company also sponsors other pension benefit plans that provide benefits for internationally-based employees at certain non-U.S. locations. The components of net periodic benefit cost presented below include the U.S. pension and other postretirement benefit plans and the non-U.S. pension plans, which representcomprising only the Visa Europe funded and unfunded pension plans. Disclosures relating to other non-U.S. pension benefit plans are not included as they are immaterial, individually and in aggregate.
In October 2015, the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan was amended such that the Company discontinued employer provided credits after December 31, 2015, and that plan participants continue to earn interest credits on existing balances at the time of the freeze. The Visa Europe pension plans had been closed to new entrants prior to the Visa Europe acquisition.
 U.S. Plans Non-U.S. Plans
 Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Pension Benefits
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016
 (in millions)
Service cost$
 $
 $
 $
 $1
 $2
Interest cost8
 9
 
 
 3
 3
Expected return on plan assets(17) (18) 
 
 (5) (4)
Amortization of:

   

 

 

  
Prior service credit
 
 
 (1) 
 
Actuarial loss
 4
 
 
 
 
Settlement loss
 2
 
 
 
 
Total net periodic benefit cost$(9) $(3) $
 $(1) $(1) $1

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


 U.S. Plans Non-U.S. Plans
 Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Pension Benefits
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2016 2015 2016 2015 2016
 (in millions)
Service cost$
 $13
 $
 $
 $2
Interest cost9
 11
 
 
 3
Expected return on assets(18) (17) 
 
 (4)
Amortization of:         
Prior service credit
 (1) (1) (1) 
Actuarial loss4
 2
 
 
 
Curtailment gain
 (8) 
 
 
Settlement loss2
 
 
 
 
Total net periodic benefit cost$(3) $
 $(1) $(1) $1
Note 8—7—Stockholders' Equity
As-Converted Class A Common Stock. The number of shares of each series and class and the number of shares of class A common stock on an as-converted basis at December 31, 2016,2017, are as follows:
(in millions, except conversion rates)Shares Outstanding 
Conversion Rate
Into Class A
Common Stock
 
As-converted Class A Common
Stock(1)
Shares Outstanding 
Conversion Rate
Into Class A
Common Stock
 
As-converted Class A Common
Stock(1)
U.K.&I preferred stock2
 13.9520
 35
UK&I preferred stock2
 12.9660
 32
Europe preferred stock3
 13.9520
 44
3
 13.8930
 44
Class A common stock (2)
1,854
 
 1,854
1,805
 
 1,805
Class B common stock245
 1.6483
(3) 
405
245
 1.6483
(3) 
405
Class C common stock16
 4.0000
 62
12
 4.0000
 49
Total    2,400
    2,335
(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. As-converted class A common stock is calculated based on unrounded numbers.
(2) 
Class A common stock shares outstanding exclude repurchases traded but not yet settled on or before December 31, 2016.2017.
(3) 
The class B to class A common stock conversion rate is presented on a rounded basis. Conversion calculations for dividend payments are based on a conversion rate rounded to the tenth decimal.
CommonReduction in as-converted shares. During the three months ended December 31, 2017, total as-converted class A common stock repurchases.was reduced by 17 million shares at an average price of $110.27 per share. Of the 17 million shares, 16 million were repurchased in the open market using $1.8 billion of operating cash on hand. Additionally, the Company recovered $50 million of VE territory covered losses in accordance with the Europe retrospective responsibility plan. The recovery has the same economic effect on earnings per share as repurchasing the Company's class A common stock, because it reduces the UK&I and Europe preferred stock conversion rates and consequently the as-converted class A common stock share count. See Note 2—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
The following table presents share repurchases in the open market.(1) 
(in millions, except per share data)Three Months Ended
December 31, 2016
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2017
Shares repurchased in the open market (2)
24
16
Average repurchase price per share (3)
$79.94
$110.24
Total cost$1,893
$1,778
(1)  
Shares repurchased in the open market reflect repurchases settled during the three months ended December 31, 2016.2017. These amounts include repurchases traded but not yet settled on or before September 30, 20162017 and exclude repurchases traded but not yet settled on or before December 31, 2016.2017.
(2) 
All shares repurchased in the open market have been retired and constitute authorized but unissued shares.
(3) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Average repurchase price per share is calculated based on unrounded numbers.
As of December 31, 2016,2017, the Company's July 2016April 2017 share repurchase program had remaining authorized funds of $3.9$2.1 billion for share repurchase. All share repurchase programs authorized prior to July 2016April 2017 have been completed. In January 2018, the Company's board of directors authorized an additional $7.5 billion share repurchase program.
Under the terms of the Europe retrospective responsibility plan, the Company is entitled to recover VE territory covered losses through periodic adjustments to the class A common stock conversion rates applicable to the UK&I and Europe preferred stock. See Note 2—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


The following table presents as-converted UK&I and Europe preferred stock, after the Company recovered VE territory covered losses through conversion rate adjustments, for the three months ended December 31, 2017.
 Three Months Ended
December 31, 2017
(in millions, except per share data)UK&I Preferred Stock Europe Preferred Stock
Reduction in equivalent number of shares of class A common stock(1)

 
Effective price per share(2)
$111.32
 $111.32
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment$31
 $19
(1)
The reduction in equivalent number of shares of class A common stock was less than one million shares for both series of preferred stock.
(2)
Effective price per share is calculated using the volume-weighted average price of the Company's class A common stock over a pricing period in accordance with the Company's current certificates of designations for its series B and C convertible participating preferred stock.
Dividends. In January 2017,2018, the Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.165$0.21 per share of class A common stock (determined in the case of class B and C common stock and U.K.UK&I and Europe

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


preferred stock on an as-converted basis). The cash dividend will be paid on March 7, 2017,6, 2018, to all holders of record of the Company's common and preferred stock as of February 17, 2017.16, 2018. The Company declared and paid $399$458 million in dividends to holders of the Company's common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2016.2017.
Note 9—8—Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to each class by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding and participating securities during the period. Net income is allocated to each class of common stock and participating securities based on its proportional ownership on an as-converted basis. The weighted-average number of shares of each class of common stock outstanding reflects changes in ownership over the periods presented. See Note 8—7—Stockholders' Equity.
Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding, participating securities and, if dilutive, potential class A common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive class A common stock equivalents may consist of: (1) shares of class A common stock issuable upon the conversion of U.K.UK&I and Europe preferred stock and class B and C common stock based on the conversion raterates in effect through the period, and (2) incremental shares of class A common stock calculated by applying the treasury stock method to the assumed exercise of employee stock options, the assumed purchase of stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the assumed vesting of unearned performance shares.
The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2016.(1)
 Basic Earnings Per Share  Diluted Earnings Per Share
 (in millions, except per share data)
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
  
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
Class A common stock$1,594
 1,860
 $0.86
  $2,070
 2,421
(3) 
$0.86
Class B common stock347
 245
 $1.41
  $346
 245
 $1.41
Class C common stock57
 17
 $3.43
  $57
 17
 $3.42
Participating securities(4)
72
 Not presented
 Not presented
  $72
 Not presented
 Not presented
Net income$2,070
           
The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 20152017.(1)
 Basic Earnings Per Share  Diluted Earnings Per Share
 (in millions, except per share data)
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
  
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
Class A common stock$1,945
 1,811
 $1.07
  $2,522
 2,353
(3) 
$1.07
Class B common stock435
 245
 $1.77
  $434
 245
 $1.77
Class C common stock54
 13
 $4.30
  $54
 13
 $4.29
Participating securities(4)
88
 Not presented
 Not presented
  $87
 Not presented
 Not presented
Net income$2,522
           

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2016.(1) 
Basic Earnings Per Share  Diluted Earnings Per ShareBasic Earnings Per Share  Diluted Earnings Per Share
(in millions, except per share data)(in millions, except per share data)
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
  
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
  
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
Class A common stock$1,550
 1,937
 $0.80
  $1,941
 2,430
(3) 
$0.80
$1,594
 1,860
 $0.86
  $2,070
 2,421
(3) 
$0.86
Class B common stock324
 245
 $1.32
  $323
 245
 $1.32
347
 245
 $1.41
  $346
 245
 $1.41
Class C common stock63
 20
 $3.20
  $63
 20
 $3.20
57
 17
 $3.43
  $57
 17
 $3.42
Participating securities(4)
4
 Not presented
 Not presented
  $4
 Not presented
 Not presented
72
 Not presented
 Not presented
  $72
 Not presented
 Not presented
Net income$1,941
           $2,070
           
(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Earnings per share is calculated based on unrounded numbers.
(2) 
Net income is allocated based on proportional ownership on an as-converted basis. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class B common stock used in the income allocation was 405 million for the three months ended December 31, 20162017 and 2015.2016. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class C common stock used in the income allocation was 6751 millionand 7867 million for the three months ended December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted U.K.&I and Europe preferred stock, included within participating securities, used in the income allocation was 32 million and 35 million and 44 million, respectively,of as-converted UK&I preferred stock for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and 44 million of as-converted Europe preferred stock for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
(3) 
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding are calculated on an as-converted basis, and include incremental common stock equivalents, as calculated under the treasury stock method. The computation includes approximately 5 million common stock equivalents for the three months ended December 31, 20162017 and 20152016, because their effect would be dilutive. The computation excludes 32 million and 13 million of common stock equivalents for the three months ended December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


(4) 
Participating securities include preferred stock outstanding and unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, such as the Company's U.K.UK&I and Europe preferred stock, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and earned performance-based shares. Participating securities' income is allocated based on the weighted-average number of shares of as-converted stock.
Note 10—9—Share-based Compensation
The Company granted the following equity awards to employees and non-employee directors under the 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan during the three months ended December 31, 20162017:
Granted 
Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair
Value
 
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
Granted 
Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair
Value
 
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
Non-qualified stock options1,671,344
 $13.90
 $80.82
1,622,760
 $17.88
 $109.82
Restricted stock units ("RSUs")2,952,720
 $80.82
  2,626,011
 $109.82
  
Performance-based shares(1)
634,651
 $86.37
  641,498
 $120.11
  
(1)  
Represents the maximum number of performance-based shares which could be earned.
The Company’s non-qualified stock options and RSUs are equity awards with service-only conditions and are accordingly expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The Company's performance-based shares are equity awards with service, market and performance conditions that are accounted for using the graded-vesting method. The Company recorded share-based compensation cost of $45$68 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016,2017, net of estimated forfeitures, which are adjusted as appropriate.

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


Note 11—10—Income Taxes
The effective income tax rates were 31%22% and 26%31% for the three months ended December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 20162017 differs from the effective tax rate in the same prior-year period primarily due to U.S. tax reform legislation, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act”), enacted on December 22, 2017. The Tax Act transitions the U.S. tax system to a new territorial system and lowers the statutory federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%.
The reduction of the statutory federal corporate tax rate to 21% became effective on January 1, 2018. In fiscal 2018, the Company’s statutory federal corporate rate is a blended rate of 24.5%, which will be reduced to 21% in fiscal 2019 and thereafter.
As a result of the reduction in the prior fiscal year primarily due to:
$26 millionfederal corporate tax rate, the Company remeasured its net deferred tax liabilities as of excessthe enactment date of the Tax Act. The deferred tax benefits relatedremeasurement resulted in a one-time, non-cash tax benefit estimated to share-based paymentsbe approximately $1.1 billion, recorded duringin the quarterthree months ended December 31, 20162017.
In transitioning to the new territorial tax system, the Tax Act requires the Company to include certain untaxed foreign earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries in its fiscal 2018 taxable income. Such foreign earnings are subject to a one-time tax at 15.5% on the amount held in cash or cash equivalents, and at 8% on the remaining non-cash amount. The 15.5% and 8% tax, collectively referred to as the “transition tax”, was estimated to be $1.1 billion, and was recorded in the three months ended December 31, 2017. The Company intends to elect to pay the transition tax over a resultperiod of early adoptioneight years as permitted by the Tax Act.
The above-mentioned accounting impacts of the deferred tax remeasurement and transition tax are provisional, based on currently available information and technical guidance on the interpretations of the new Accounting Standards Update 2016-09. See Note 1—Summarylaw. The Company continues to obtain and analyze additional information and guidance as they become available to complete the accounting for the tax impacts of Significant Accounting Policies;
the restrictions on U.S.Tax Act. Additional information currently unavailable that is needed to complete the analysis includes, but is not limited to, foreign tax returns and foreign tax documentation for the computation of foreign tax credits, that can be claimed on Visa Europe's foreign taxes under the current tax structure;
the absencefinal determination of the non-taxable $255 million revaluationuntaxed foreign earnings subject to the transition tax, and the final determination of the Visa Europe put optionnet deferred tax liabilities subject to remeasurement. The provisional accounting impacts may change in future reporting periods until the accounting analysis is finalized, which will occur no later than the first quarter of fiscal 2019, as permitted by Staff Accounting Bulletin 118.
The Tax Act also introduces several tax provisions, including:
Tax on global intangible low-tax income, which, in general, is determined annually based on the Company’s aggregate foreign subsidiaries’ income in excess of certain qualified business asset investment return. This provision is effective for the Company on October 1, 2018. The Company needs additional information to complete its analysis on whether to adopt an accounting policy to account for the tax effects of global intangible low-tax income in the period that it is subject to such tax, or to provide deferred taxes for book and tax basis differences that, upon reversal, may be subject to such tax. Hence, the Company has not recorded any tax on global intangible low-tax income in the three months ended December 31, 2017. The Company will make an accounting policy election no later than the first quarter of fiscal 2019.
Base erosion and anti-abuse tax, which, in general, functions like a minimum tax that partially disallows deductions for certain related party transactions. This new minimum tax is determined on a year-by-year basis, and this provision is effective for the Company on October 1, 2018. Hence, no base erosion anti-abuse tax was recorded in the quarterthree months ended December 31, 2015; and2017.
Deduction for foreign-derived intangible income, which, in general, allows a deduction of certain intangible income derived from serving foreign markets. This provision is effective for the absenceCompany on October 1, 2018. Hence, the Company has not recorded the impact of foreign tax credit benefits related to prior fiscal years recognized duringthis provision in the quarterthree months ended December 31, 2015.2017.

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


Other new tax provisions, which disallow certain deductions related to entertainment expenses, fringe benefits provided to employees, executive compensation, and fines or penalties or similar payments to governments. The Company has recorded provisional amounts for the tax effects of these new provisions in the three months ended December 31, 2017, based on information currently available. The provisional amounts may change in future reporting periods when additional information is obtained and analyzed, which will occur no later than the first quarter of fiscal 2019.
During the three months ended December 31, 2016,2017, the Company's gross unrecognized tax benefits increased by $33 million, of which $28 million$44 million. The Company's net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate if recognized.increased by $38 million. The increase in gross unrecognized tax benefits is primarily related to various tax positions across several jurisdictions. During the three months ended December 31, 20162017 and 2015, respectively,2016, there were no significant changes in interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
The Company’s tax filings are subject to examination by the U.S. federal, state and foreign taxing authorities. The timing and outcome of the final resolutions of the various ongoing income tax examinations are highly uncertain. It is not reasonably possible to estimate the increase or decrease in unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


Note 12—11—Legal Matters
The Company is party to various legal and regulatory proceedings. Some of these proceedings involve complex claims that are subject to substantial uncertainties and unascertainable damages. Accordingly, except as disclosed, the Company has not established reserves or ranges of possible loss related to these proceedings, as at this time in the proceedings, the matters do not relate to a probable loss and/or the amount or range of losses are not reasonably estimable. Although the Company believes that it has strong defenses for the litigation and regulatory proceedings described below, it could, in the future, incur judgments or fines or enter into settlements of claims that could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. From time to time, the Company may engage in settlement discussions or mediations with respect to one or more of its outstanding litigation matters, either on its own behalf or collectively with other parties.
The litigation accrual is an estimate and is based on management’s understanding of its litigation profile, the specifics of each case, advice of counsel to the extent appropriate and management’s best estimate of incurred loss as of the balance sheet date.
The following table summarizes the activity related to accrued litigation.litigation:
Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2016Three Months Ended
(in millions)December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
Balance at October 1$981
 $1,024
(in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$982
 $981
Provision for uncovered legal matters15
 

 15
Accrual of VE territory covered litigation86
 

 86
Payments on legal matters(88) (12)(152) (88)
Balance at December 31$994
 $1,012
Balance at end of period$830
 $994
Accrual Summary—U.S. Covered Litigation
Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A. and Visa International are parties to certain legal proceedings that are covered by the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, which the Company refers to as the U.S. covered litigation. See Note 3—2—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans. An accrual for the U.S. covered litigation and a charge to the litigation provision are recorded when a loss is deemed to be probable and reasonably estimable. In making this determination, the Company evaluates available information, including but not limited to actions taken by the litigation committee. The total accrual related to the U.S. covered litigation could be either higher or lower than the escrow account balance.

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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


The following table summarizes the activity related to U.S. covered litigation.litigation:
 Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2016
 (in millions)
Balance at October 1$978
 $1,023
Payments on U.S. covered litigation
 (11)
Balance at December 31$978
 $1,012
 Three Months Ended
 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
 (in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$978
 $978
Payments on U.S. covered litigation(150) 
Balance at end of period$828
 $978
Accrual Summary—VE Territory Covered Litigation
Visa Inc., Visa International and Visa Europe are parties to certain legal proceedings that are covered by the Europe retrospective responsibility plan. Unlike the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, the Europe retrospective responsibility plan does not have an escrow account that is used to fund settlements or judgments. The Company is entitled to recover VE territory covered losses through a periodic adjustmentadjustments to the conversion rates applicable to the U.K.UK&I preferred stock and Europe preferred stock. An accrual for the VE territory covered losses and a reduction to stockholders' equity will be recorded when the loss is deemed to be probable and reasonably estimable. See further discussion below under VE Territory Covered Litigation and Note 3—2—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
The following table summarizes the activity related to VE territory covered litigation.litigation:
 Three Months Ended
 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
 (in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$1
 $2
Accrual for VE territory covered litigation
 86
Payments on VE territory covered litigation(1) (88)
Balance at end of period$
 $
U.S. Covered Litigation
Interchange Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) – Individual Merchant Actions
A number of individual merchant actions previously filed have been settled, and remain settled. In addition, following the automatic termination of the settlement agreement with Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Visa and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. entered into a new, unconditional settlement agreement on October 31, 2017. Consequently, as of the filing date, Visa has reached settlement agreements with individual merchants representing approximately 51% of the Visa-branded payment card sales volume of merchants who opted out of the 2012 Settlement Agreement.
VE Territory Covered Litigation
UK Merchant Litigation
Since July 2013, in excess of 300 Merchants (the capitalized term "Merchant," when used in this section, means a merchant together with subsidiary/affiliate companies that are party to the same claim) have commenced proceedings against Visa Europe, Visa Inc. and Visa International relating to interchange rates in Europe. They seek damages for alleged anti-competitive conduct in relation to one or more of the following types of interchange fees for credit and debit card transactions: UK domestic, Irish domestic, other European domestic, intra-European Economic Area and/or other inter-regional. As of the filing date, Visa Europe, Visa Inc. and Visa International have settled the claims asserted by over 75 Merchants, leaving more than 200 Merchants with outstanding claims.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


 Fiscal 2017
 (in millions)
Balance at October 1$2
Accrual for VE territory covered litigation86
Payments on VE territory covered litigation(88)
Balance at December 31$
U.S. Covered Litigation
Interchange Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)
OnIn November 23, 2016, class plaintiffs that signed the 2012 Settlement Agreement filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of the Second Circuit’s decision that vacated the district court’s certification of the merchant class and reversed the approval of the settlement. On November 30, 2016, the district court entered an order appointing interim counsel for the putative classes of plaintiffs.
Consumer Interchange Litigation
On December 9, 2016, the Second Circuit denied plaintiffs’ petition for rehearing.
VE Territory Covered Litigation
U.K. Merchant Litigation
Since July 2013, in excess of 100 Merchants (the capitalized term "Merchant," when used in this section, means a merchant together with subsidiary/affiliate companies who have issued claims jointly) havetrial commenced proceedings against Visa Europe, Visa Inc. and Visa International relating to interchange rates in Europe, and seek damages for alleged anti-competitive conduct primarily in relation to U.K. domestic and/or Irish domestic and/or intra-EEA interchange fees for credit and debit cards. As of the filing date, Visa Europe, Visa Inc. and Visa International have settled the claims asserted by four Merchants.
The trial in relation to claims filed by a number of Merchants. All of these Merchants except one settled before the trial concluded in 2013 commencedMarch 2017. On November 30, 2017, the court found entirely in November 2016Visa’s favor and entered judgment dismissing the remaining claim. An appeal has been lodged, and the Court of Appeal listed the matter for hearing in April 2018. A further judgment on exemption issues is expected to continue until February 2017.be released in early 2018, which will not change the overall finding on liability set out in the November 30, 2017 judgment.
In addition, over 30 additional Merchants have threatened to commence similar proceedings. Standstill agreements have been entered into with respect to some of those Merchants' claims. While the amount of interchange being challenged could be substantial, these claims have not yet been filed and their full scope is not yet known. The Company has learned that several additional European entities have indicated that they may also bring similar claims and the Company anticipates additional claims in the future.
Other Litigation
"Indirect Purchaser" ActionsCanadian Competition Proceedings
On January 12,Merchant Litigation. The court in Quebec held a class certification hearing in November 2017 the appeals court affirmed the trial court's order denying the objector's motion for attorneys' fees and costs.reserved decision.
Data Pass LitigationBlack Card
On December 20, 2016,28, 2017, Black Card LLC ("Black Card") filed a lawsuit against Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A. Inc., and certain Visa member financial institutions in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. The complaint alleges that defendants conspired to impede Black Card's business in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act and fraudulently concealed their conduct. Black Card seeks treble damages, post-judgment interest, and attorneys' fees.
This action follows a lawsuit filed by Black Card in the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming in February 2015 relating to a contractual dispute. The District Court in Wyoming granted Visa's motions for summary judgment and the matter was dismissed. Black Card appealed this decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the SecondTenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal as to certain claims against Gamestop Corporation, Webloyalty.com, Inc. and Visa, vacated the dismissal as to certain claims against Webloyalty and Gamestop, and remanded the case to the district court for further proceedings on the remaining claims.
U.S. ATM Access Fee Litigation
On November 17, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered that the writs of certiorari be dismissed as improvidently granted.
Federal Trade Commission
Notice Regarding EMV Chip Debit Cards. On November 22, 2016, the FTC's Bureau of Competition informed Visa that the Bureau had closed its investigation.


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VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


Korea Fair Trade Commission
Following complaints lodged by certain financial institutions in Korea, in November 2016, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) initiated an investigation into certain pricing changes applicable to Visa financial institutions in Korea. Visa is cooperating with the KFTC.May 10, 2017.

ITEM 2.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This management’s discussion and analysis provides a review of the results of operations, financial condition and the liquidity and capital resources of Visa Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Visa,” “we,” "us," “our” or the “Company”) on a historical basis and outlines the factors that have affected recent earnings, as well as those factors that may affect future earnings. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that relate to, among other things, our future operations, prospects, developments, strategies and growth of our business, expectations regarding client incentives,business; integration of Visa Europe, including the migration of European activity to VisaNet and anticipated benefits for our European clients; anticipated expansion of our products in certain countries,countries; industry developments,developments; expectations regarding litigation matters, investigations and proceedings; timing and amount of stock repurchases,repurchases; sufficiency of sources of liquidity and funding,funding; effectiveness of our risk management programsprograms; and expectations regarding the impact of recent accounting pronouncements on our consolidated financial statements. Forward-looking statements generally are identified by words such as "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "may," "projects," “could," "should," "will," "continue" and other similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact could be forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control and are difficult to predict. We describe risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any of these forward-looking statements in our SEC filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended September 30, 2016,2017 and our subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. Except as required by law, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


Overview
Visa is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, merchants, financial institutions, businesses, strategic partnersenables fast, secure and government entities inreliable electronic payments across more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable electronic payments.territories. We enablefacilitate global commerce through the transfer of value and information among these participants.a global network of consumers, merchants, financial institutions, businesses, strategic partners and government entities. Our advanced transaction processing network, facilitatesVisaNet, enables authorization, clearing and settlement of payment transactions and enablesallows us to provide our financial institution and merchant clients a wide range of products, platforms and value-added services.
Overall economic conditions. Our business is affected by overall economic conditions and consumer spending. Our business performance during the three months ended December 31, 20162017 reflects continued uneven economic growth around the world.
Financial highlights. U.S. Tax Reform Legislation.During On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax reform legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"). The Tax Act transitions the U.S. tax system to a new territorial system and lowers the statutory federal corporate income tax rate. As a result of the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate, we remeasured our net deferred tax liabilities as of the enactment date and the remeasurement resulted in a one-time, non-cash tax benefit estimated to be approximately $1.1 billion, recorded in the three months ended December 31, 2016,2017. In transitioning to the new territorial system, the Tax Act requires us to include certain untaxed foreign earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries in our fiscal 2018 taxable income. This tax, referred to as the "transition tax", was estimated to be $1.1 billion and recorded in the three months ended December 31, 2017. See Note 10—Income Taxes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Financial highlights. Ourfinancial results for the three months ended December 31, 2017 reflect the impact of certain significant items that we believe are not indicative of our operating performance in these or future periods, as they were either non-recurring or had no cash impact. There were no comparable adjustments recorded net income of $2.1 billion or diluted class A earnings per share of $0.86, increases of 7% overfor the prior year comparable period.three months ended December 31, 2016. Our as-reported U.S. GAAP and adjusted non-GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2016 compared to our non-GAAP adjusted net income and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2015these periods are as follows:
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
  
(in millions, except percentages and per share data)2016 2015 
%
Change(1)
Net income, as adjusted$2,070
 $1,686
 23%
Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted$0.86
 $0.69
 23%
 Three Months Ended December 31,  
(in millions, except percentages and per share data)2017 2016 
%
Change(1)
Net income, as reported$2,522
 $2,070
 22%
Diluted earnings per share, as reported$1.07
 $0.86
 25%
Net income, as adjusted(2)
$2,536
 $2,070
 23%
Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted(2)
$1.08
 $0.86
 26%
(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded numbers.
(2)
For a full reconciliation of our adjusted financial results, see tables in Adjusted financial results below.
We recorded net operating revenues of $4.9 billion for the three months ended December 31, 2017, an increase of 9% over the prior-year comparable period, reflecting continued growth in nominal payments volume, processed transactions and nominal cross-border volume. The effect of exchange rate movements in the three months ended December 31, 2017, as partially mitigated by our hedging program, resulted in an approximately one percentage point positive impact to our net operating revenue growth.
Total operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2017 were $1.5 billion, an increase of 13%, over the prior-year comparable period. The increase in the period was primarily due to increases in personnel expenses, general and administrative expenses, network and processing expenses and professional fees as we continue to invest to support growth.

Adjusted net income, effectivefinancial results. Our financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2017 reflect the impact of certain significant items that we do not believe are indicative of our ongoing operating performance in this period or future periods, as they were either non-recurring or had no cash impact. As such, we believe the presentation of adjusted financial results excluding the following items provides a clearer understanding of our operating performance for the periods presented. There were no comparable adjustments recorded for the three months ended December 31, 2016.
Remeasurement of deferred tax balances. During the three months ended December 31, 2017, in connection with the Tax Act's reduction of the corporate income tax rate, and dilutedwe remeasured our net deferred tax liabilities as of the enactment date, resulting in the recognition of a non-recurring, non-cash income tax benefit estimated to be approximately $1.1 billion.
Transition tax on foreign earnings. During the three months ended December 31, 2017, in connection with the Tax Act's requirement that we include certain untaxed foreign earnings per shareof non-U.S. subsidiaries in our fiscal 2018 taxable income, we recorded a one-time transition tax estimated to be approximately $1.1 billion.
See Note 10—Income Taxes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Adjusted financial results are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be relied upon as substitutes for measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. During the three months ended December 31, 2015, we recorded a decrease of $255 million in the fair value of the Visa Europe put option, resulting in the recognition of non-cash, non-operating income that we do not believe is indicative of our operating performance. As such, we believe the presentation of adjusted financial results provides a clearer understanding of our operating performance for the prior period presented. This amount is not subject to income tax and therefore has no impact on our reported income tax provision. There was no comparable adjustment recorded for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The following table reconciles our as-reported net income, effective income tax rate and diluted earnings per share, which arefinancial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, to our respective non-GAAP adjusted financial measures for the three months ended December 31, 2015:2017. There were no comparable adjustments recorded for the three months ended December 31, 2016.
 Three Months Ended
December 31, 2015
(in millions, except percentages and per share data)Net Income 
Effective Income Tax Rate(1)
 
Diluted Earnings Per Share(1)
As reported$1,941
 26% $0.80
Revaluation of Visa Europe put option(255) 3% (0.10)
As adjusted$1,686
 29% $0.69
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding, as reported    2,430
 Three Months Ended
December 31, 2017
(in millions, except per share data)Income Tax Provision Net Income 
Diluted Earnings Per Share(1)
As reported$717
 $2,522
 $1.07
Remeasurement of deferred tax balances1,133
 (1,133) (0.48)
Transition tax on foreign earnings(1,147) 1,147
 0.49
As adjusted$703
 $2,536
 $1.08
(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Effective income tax rate and dilutedDiluted earnings per share figuresand its respective total are calculated based on unrounded numbers.
We recorded net operating revenues of $4.5 billionfor the three months ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 25% over the prior year comparable period, reflecting the operating revenues of Visa Europe and continued growth in processed transactions and nominal payments volume. The effect of exchange rate movements in the three months ended December 31, 2016, as partially mitigated by our hedging program, resulted in a negative three percentage point impact to our net operating revenue growth.
Total operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2016 were $1.4 billion, a 16% increase over prior year comparable period, resulting mainly from the inclusion of Visa Europe's operating expenses following the acquisition.

Common stock repurchases. During the three months ended December 31, 2016,2017, we repurchased 2416 million shares of our class A common stock in the open market using $1.9$1.8 billion of cash on hand. As of December 31, 2016,2017, we had remaining authorized funds of $3.9$2.1 billion for share repurchase. In January 2018, our board of directors authorized an additional $7.5 billion share repurchase program. See Note 8—7—Stockholders' Equity to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Nominal payments volume and transaction counts. Payments volume is the primary driver for our service revenues, and the number of processed transactions is the primary driver for our data processing revenues. Nominal payments volume over the prior year posted double-digithigh single-digit growth in the U.S.,United States, driven mainly by consumer credit. Nominal international payments volume growth was positively impacted due to the inclusion of nominal payments volume related to Visa Europe for the three months ended September 30, 2016(1). Growth on a constant-dollar basis, which excludes the impact of exchange rate movements on our international payments volume, was not significantly different from growth on a nominal-dollar basis for the three months ended September 30, 20162017(1). Growth in processed transactions reflects the inclusion of Visa Europe's processed transactions for the three months ended December 31, 2016.ongoing worldwide shift to electronic payments.
The following table presents nominal payments and cash volume.(2) 
 United States International Visa Inc.
 
3 Months Ended September 30,(1)
 
3 Months Ended September 30,(1)
 
3 Months Ended September 30,(1)
 2016 2015 %
Change
 2016 2015 %
Change
 2016 2015 %
Change
 (in billions, except percentages)
Nominal payments volume                 
Consumer credit$316
 $263
 20% $601
 $424
 42% $917
 $687
 33%
Consumer debit(3)
327
 319
 3% 411
 111
 271% 738
 429
 72%
Commercial(4)
125
 111
 12% 79
 36
 116% 204
 148
 38%
Total nominal payments volume$768
 $693
 11% $1,091
 $571
 91% $1,858
 $1,264
 47%
Cash volume135
 129
 5% 626
 456
 37% 761
 585
 30%
Total nominal volume(5)
$903
 $822
 10% $1,716
 $1,027
 67% $2,619
 $1,849
 42%
 United States 
International(3)
 
Visa Inc.(3)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,(1)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,(1)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,(1)
 2017 2016 %
Change
 2017 2016 %
Change
 2017 2016 %
Change
 (in billions, except percentages)
Nominal payments volume                 
Consumer credit$348
 $315
 10% $589
 $551
 7% $937
 $866
 8%
Consumer debit(4)
354
 328
 8% 419
 359
 17% 773
 686
 13%
Commercial(5)
134
 125
 8% 86
 75
 15% 220
 200
 10%
Total nominal payments volume$836
 $768
 9% $1,094
 $985
 11% $1,930
 $1,752
 10%
Cash volume142
 135
 5% 605
 595
 2% 747
 731
 2%
Total nominal volume(6)
$978
 $903
 8% $1,700
 $1,580
 8% $2,677
 $2,483
 8%
The following table presents nominal and constant payments and cash volume growth.(2) 
International Visa Inc.
International(3)
 
Visa Inc.(3)
3 Months
Ended September 30,
2016 vs. 2015
(1)
 
3 Months
Ended September 30,
2016 vs. 2015
(1)
Three Months
Ended September 30,
2017 vs. 2016
(1)
 
Three Months
Ended September 30,
2017 vs. 2016
(1)
Nominal 
Constant(6)
 Nominal 
Constant(6)
Nominal 
Constant(7)
 Nominal 
Constant(7)
Payments volume growth              
Consumer credit42% 42% 33% 33%
Consumer debit(3)
271% 282% 72% 73%
Commercial(4)
116% 112% 38% 37%
Consumer credit growth7% 7% 8% 8%
Consumer debit growth(5)
17% 14% 13% 11%
Commercial growth(6)
15% 15% 10% 10%
Total payments volume growth91% 92% 47% 47%11% 10% 10% 10%
Cash volume growth37% 43% 30% 34%2% 0% 2% 1%
Total volume growth67% 70% 42% 43%8% 7% 8% 7%

(1) 
Service revenues in a given quarter are assessed based on nominal payments volume in the prior quarter. Therefore, service revenues reported for the three months ended December 31, 20162017 and 20152016 were based on nominal payments volume reported by our financial institution clients for the three months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively.
(2) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded numbers.
(3) 
As a result of European Union Interchange Fee regulation changes, effective with the quarter ended December 31, 2016, Europe co-badged payments volume is no longer included in reported volume. For comparative purposes, international volume for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was adjusted to exclude co-badged payments volume. The associated growth rates for the three months ended September 30, 2017 were calculated using these adjusted amounts.
(4)
Includes consumer prepaid volume and Interlink volume.
(4)(5) 
Includes large, middle and small business credit and debit, as well as commercial prepaid volume.
(5)(6) 
Total nominal volume is the sum of total nominal payments volume and cash volume. Total nominal payments volume is the total monetary value of transactions for goods and services that are purchased on cards carrying the Visa, Visa Electron, Interlink and V PAY brands. Cash volume generally consists of cash access transactions, balance access transactions, balance transfers and convenience checks. Total nominal volume is provided by our financial institution clients, subject to review by Visa. On occasion, previously presented volume information may be updated. Prior periodPrior-period updates are not material.
(6)(7) 
Growth on a constant-dollar basis excludes the impact of foreign currency fluctuations against the U.S. dollar.

The following table provides the number of transactions processed by our VisaNet system, including transactions involving Visa, Visa Electron, Interlink, V PAY and PLUS cards processed on Visa's networks.networks during the periods presented.(1) 
Three Months Ended December 31,Three Months Ended December 31,
2016 2015 
%
Change(2)
2017 2016 %
Change
(in millions, except percentages)
Visa processed transactions27,329
 18,986
 44%30,508
 27,329
 12%
(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded numbers.
(2)
Visa processed transactions for the three months ended December 31, 2016 include transactions processed by Visa Europe.
Results of Operations
Operating Revenues
The following table sets forth our operating revenues earned in the U.S., internationally and in accordance with the Framework Agreement prior to the Visa Europe acquisition on June 21, 2016. Visa Europe revenue earned for the three months ended December 31, 2016 is included in International.internationally.
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2016 vs. 2015Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2017 vs. 2016
2016 2015 $
Change
 
%
Change(1)
2017 2016 $
Change
 
%
Change(1)
(in millions, except percentages)(in millions, except percentages)
U.S.$2,121
 $1,941
 $180
 9 %$2,265
 $2,121
 $144
 7%
International2,340
 1,559
 781
 50 %2,597
 2,340
 257
 11%
Revenues earned under the Framework Agreement(2)

 65
 (65) (100)%
Net operating revenues$4,461
 $3,565
 $896
 25 %$4,862
 $4,461
 $401
 9%
(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded numbers.
(2)
Reflects revenues earned from Visa Europe prior to the acquisition, in accordance with the Framework Agreement that provided for trademark and technology licenses and bilateral services. The Framework Agreement was effectively settled upon the closing of the acquisition. See Note 2—Visa Europe to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
The increase in operating revenues reflects the operating revenues of Visa Europe and continued growth in nominal payments volume, processed transactions and nominal paymentscross-border volume. These benefits were partially offset by increases in client incentives.
Our operating revenues, primarily service revenues, international transaction revenues and client incentives, are impacted by the overall strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar as payments volume and related revenues denominated in local currencies are converted to U.S. dollars. The effect of exchange rate movements in the three months ended December 31, 2016,2017, as partially mitigated by our hedging program, resulted in a negative threean approximately one percentage point positive impact to our net operating revenue growth.

The following table sets forth the components of our net operating revenues, including operating revenues earned by Visa Europe for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Other revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2015 also includes revenue earned from Visa Europe in accordance with the Framework Agreement prior to its acquisition on June 21, 2016.revenues.
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2016 vs. 2015Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2017 vs. 2016
2016 2015 $
Change
 
%
Change(1)
2017 2016 $
Change
 
%
Change(1)
(in millions, except percentages)(in millions, except percentages)
Service revenues$1,918
 $1,645
 $273
 17%$2,146
 $1,918
 $228
 12%
Data processing revenues1,892
 1,479
 413
 28%2,147
 1,892
 255
 13%
International transaction revenues1,489
 1,031
 458
 44%1,666
 1,489
 177
 12%
Other revenues203
 198
 5
 2%229
 203
 26
 13%
Client incentives(1,041) (788) (253) 32%(1,326) (1,041) (285) 27%
Net operating revenues$4,461
 $3,565
 $896
 25%$4,862
 $4,461
 $401
 9%
(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded numbers.
Service revenues, which include revenues earned by Visa Europe in the three months ended December 31, 2016, increased during the three-month comparable period primarily due to 47%10% growth in nominal payments volume during the three month comparable period. The growth in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 service revenues was slower than the growth in payments volume reflecting the inclusion of Visa Europe revenue and the resulting impact on our service revenue yield.volume.
Data processing revenues increased mainly due to overall growth in processed transactions of 44%12% during the three monththree-month comparable period, which includes data processing revenues earned by Visa Europe in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, and the resulting impact on our data processing revenue yield.period.

International transaction revenues increased in the first quarter of fiscal 2017primarily due to nominal cross-border volume growth of 135%, which includes revenues earned by Visa Europe14% during the three months ended December 31, 2016.three-month comparable period. International transaction revenue growth also reflects the resulting impactwas partially offset by lower volatility in a broad range of Visa Europe revenues on our corresponding yield.currencies.
Client incentives increased during the three monththree-month comparable period mainly due to Visa Europe's incentives for the three months ended December 31, 2016, overall growth in payments volume and incentives recognized on long-term customer contracts that were initiated or renewed after the first quarter of fiscal 2016.2017 and overall growth in global payments volume. The amount of client incentives we record in future periods will vary based on changes in performance expectations, actual client performance, amendments to existing contracts or the execution of new contracts.
Operating Expenses
The following table sets forth components of our total operating expenses.
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2016 vs. 2015
 2016 2015 
$
Change
 
%
Change(1)
 (in millions, except percentages)
Personnel$571
 $499
 $72
 14%
Marketing218
 194
 24
 12%
Network and processing145
 128
 17
 13%
Professional fees80
 72
 8
 12%
Depreciation and amortization146
 120
 26
 22%
General and administrative186
 156
 30
 20%
Litigation provision15
 
 15
 NM
Total operating expenses$1,361
 $1,169
 $192
 16%
NM — not meaningful
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2017 vs. 2016
 2017 2016 
$
Change
 
%
Change(1)
 (in millions, except percentages)
Personnel$679
 $571
 $108
 19 %
Marketing223
 218
 5
 3 %
Network and processing160
 145
 15
 10 %
Professional fees92
 80
 12
 14 %
Depreciation and amortization145
 146
 (1) (1)%
General and administrative236
 186
 50
 27 %
Litigation provision
 15
 (15) (100)%
Total operating expenses$1,535
 $1,361
 $174
 13 %

(1)
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded numbers.
Our overall operating expenses increased primarily due to the inclusion of Visa Europe expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Additional factors impacting our operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2016 are discussed below.
Personnel expenses increased driven by higher employee compensation costs.primarily due to an increase in headcount, reflecting our strategy to invest for future growth.
MarketingNetwork and processing expensesincreased mainly due to continued technology and processing network investments to support our growth strategiesgrowth.
Professional fees increased primarily due to consulting fees related to technology and new product initiatives.other corporate projects.
General and administrative expenses reflected an increaseincreased mainly due to increases in expenses to provide product benefits toenhancements and travel activities in support of our cardholders as a result of business growth, offset by a decrease in net foreign exchange impacts incurred as a result of changes in the U.S. dollar exchange rate against other currencies in which we transact.well as higher indirect taxes.
Non-operating Income (Expense) Income
The following table sets forth components of our non-operating income (expense) income..
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2016 vs. 2015Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2017 vs. 2016
2016 2015 
$
Change
 
%
Change(1)
2017 2016 
$
Change
 
%
Change(1)
(in millions, except percentages)(in millions, except percentages)
Interest expense$(140) $(29) $(111) NM
$(154) $(140) $(14) 10 %
Other19
 272
 (253) (93)%66
 19
 47
 NM
Non-operating (expense) income$(121) $243
 $(364) NM
Total non-operating expense$(88) $(121) $33
 (27)%
NM — not meaningful
(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded numbers.
Interest expense increased in the three months ended December 31, 2017 primarily due to the issuance of $16.0$2.5 billion fixed-rate senior notes in December 2015.September 2017. See Note 5—4—Debt to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Other non-operating income increased in the first fiscal quarterthree months ended December 31, 2017 due to a gain on the sale of 2016 reflected a non-cash adjustment to the fair value of the Visa Europe put option of $255 million, reducing the fair value of the liability to zero. See Note 2—Visa Europe toan investment and higher interest income on our unaudited consolidated financial statements.cash and investments.
Effective Income Tax Rate
The effective income tax rates were 31%22% and 26%31% for the three months ended December 31, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 20162017 differs from the effective tax rate in the same prior-year period in the prior fiscal year primarily due to:to the Tax Act. The Tax Act transitions the U.S. tax system to a new territorial system and lowers the statutory federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%.
$26 millionThe reduction of excessthe statutory federal corporate tax benefits relatedrate to share-based payments recorded during the quarter ended December 31, 2016 as21% became effective on January 1, 2018. In fiscal 2018, our statutory federal corporate rate is a blended rate of 24.5%, which will be reduced to 21% in fiscal 2019 and thereafter.
As a result of early adoption of new Accounting Standards Update 2016-09;
the restrictions on U.S. foreignreduction in the federal corporate tax credits that can be claimed on Visa Europe's foreign taxes under the currentrate, we remeasured our net deferred tax structure;
the absenceliabilities as of the non-taxable $255 million revaluationenactment date of the Visa Europe put optionTax Act. The deferred tax remeasurement resulted in a one-time, non-cash tax benefit estimated to be approximately $1.1 billion, recorded in the quarter ended December 31, 2015; and
the absence of foreign tax credit benefits related to prior fiscal years recognized during the quarter ended December 31, 2015.
Excluding the non-cash, non-taxable $255 million gain recognized as non-operating income upon the revaluation of the Visa Europe put option, the adjusted non-GAAP effective income tax rate was 29% for the three months ended December 31, 2015.2017.
In transitioning to the new territorial tax system, the Tax Act requires that we include certain untaxed foreign earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries in our fiscal 2018 taxable income. Such foreign earnings are subject to a one-time tax at 15.5% on the amount held in cash or cash equivalents, and at 8% on the remaining non-cash amount. The 15.5% and 8% tax, collectively referred to as the “transition tax”, was estimated to be $1.1 billion, and was recorded in the three months ended December 31, 2017. We believeintend to elect to pay the adjusted effective incometransition tax rate providesover a clearer understandingperiod of our operating performanceeight years as permitted by the Tax Act.
The above-mentioned accounting impacts of the deferred tax remeasurement and transition tax are provisional, based on currently available information and technical guidance on the interpretations of the new law. We continue to obtain and analyze additional information and guidance as they become available to complete the accounting for the periodtax impacts of the Tax Act. The provisional accounting impacts may change in future reporting periods until the prioraccounting analysis is finalized, which will occur no later than the first quarter of fiscal year.2019.
During the three months ended December 31, 2016,2017, our gross unrecognized tax benefits increased by $33 million, of which $28 million$44 million. Our net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably impact ourthe effective tax rate if recognized.increased by $38 million. The increase in gross unrecognized tax benefits is primarily related to various tax positions across several jurisdictions. See Note 10—Income Taxes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Adjusted effective income tax rate.Our financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2017 reflect the impact of certain significant items that we believe are not indicative of our operating performance in this period or future periods, as they were either non-recurring or had no cash impact. As such, we have presented our adjusted effective income tax filings are subject to examination byrate for this period in the U.S. federal, statetable below, which we believe provides a clearer understanding of our operating performance for the reported period. There were no comparable adjustments recorded for the three months ended December 31, 2016. See Overview—Adjusted financial results within this Management's Discussion and foreign taxing authorities. The timingAnalysis of Financial Condition and outcomeResults of Operations for descriptions of the final resolutions ofadjustments in the various ongoing income tax examinations are highly uncertain. It is not reasonably possible to estimate the increase or decrease in unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.tables below.
 Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
(in millions, except percentages)Income Before Income Taxes Income Tax Provision 
Effective Income Tax Rate(1)
As reported$3,239
 $717
 22.1%
Remeasurement of deferred tax balances
 1,133
  
Transition tax on foreign earnings
 (1,147)  
As adjusted$3,239
 $703
 21.7%
(1)
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Effective income tax rate is calculated based on unrounded numbers.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flow Data
The following table summarizes our cash flow activity for the periods presented:
Three Months Ended
December 31,
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2016 20152017 2016
(in millions)(in millions)
Total cash provided by (used in):      
Operating activities$2,508
 $1,979
$2,762
 $2,508
Investing activities(417) (6,194)(707) (417)
Financing activities(1,730) 13,534
(3,871) (1,730)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(156) 
80
 (156)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents$205
 $9,319
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents$(1,736) $205
Operating activities. Cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended December 31, 20162017 was higher than prior yearthe prior-year comparable period, reflecting continued growth in our underlying business, including Visa Europe.business.
Investing activities. Cash used in investing activities for the three months ended December 31, 2017 was lower compared tohigher than the prior yearprior-year comparable period as purchases of available-for-sale investment securities during the three months ended December 31, 2015 reflected additional investment of net proceeds received from the issuance of our Senior Notes. See Note 5—DebtandNote 4—Fair Value Measurements and Investments to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.new fixed-rate senior notes issued in September 2017.
Financing activities. FinancingCash used in financing activities for the three months ended December 31, 2016 reflect net aggregate2017was higher than the prior-year comparable period primarily due to the repayment of the 2017 Notes and an increase in dividends paid in the current year, while the prior year included proceeds from issuance of $566 million receivedcommercial paper. This increase was partially offset by payments from our commercial paper programlitigation escrow account and a decrease in December 2016 and $1.9 billion used to repurchasethe repurchases of our class A common stock in the open market. Activity in the prior year comparable period primarily reflected $15.9 billion net aggregate proceeds received from our debt issuance completed in December 2015 and $2.0 billion of cash used to repurchase class A common stock in the open market.stock. See Note 5—2—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans, Note 4—Debt and Note 8—7—Stockholders' Equity to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Sources of Liquidity
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, cash flow from operations, our investment portfolio and access to various equity and borrowing arrangements. Funds from operations are maintained in cash and cash equivalents and short-term or long-term available-for-sale investment securities based upon our funding requirements, access to liquidity from these holdings, and the returns that these holdings provide. We believe that cash flow generated from operations, in conjunction with access to our other sources of liquidity, will be more than sufficient to meet our ongoing operational needs.
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term and long-term available-for-sale investment securities held by our foreign subsidiaries, primarily attributable to undistributed earnings, totaled $9.0$6.3 billion at December 31, 2016.2017. This excludes $1.8 billion of cash and cash equivalents and available-for-sale investment securities we returned during the three months ended December 31, 2017 from our foreign subsidiaries to the United States. This transaction did not constitute a return of undistributed earnings. Pursuant to the Tax Act, we are required to pay U.S. tax on most of the undistributed and untaxed foreign earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries accumulated as of December 31, 2017. If it were necessary to repatriate thesethe undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries for use in the U.S., weUnited States in the future, the repatriated earnings would not be requiredsubject to payfurther U.S. income taxes on most of this amount. The amount of income taxes that would have resulted had these undistributed earnings been repatriated is not practicably determinable. It is our intent to indefinitely reinvest the majority of these undistributed earnings outside of the U.S. As such, we have not accrued any U.S. income tax provision in our financial results related to the majority of these funds.
Commercial Paper Program. We maintain a commercial paper program to support our working capital requirements and for other general corporate purposes. The carrying amount outstanding at December 31, 2016 was $566 million, with a weighted-average interest rate of 0.79% and remaining maturities ranging from 37 days to 66 days. See Note 5—Debt to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Credit Facility Extension. On January 27, 2017, we extended the term of the $4.0 billion credit facility that was entered into on January 27, 2016. The credit facility will now expire on January 27, 2022. No other material terms were changed. See Note 5—Debt to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.tax.
Uses of Liquidity
There has been no significant change to our primary uses of liquidity since September 30, 2016,2017, except as discussed below. Based on our current cash flow budgets and forecasts of our short-term and long-term liquidity needs, we believe that our projected sources of liquidity will be sufficient to meet our projected liquidity needs for more than the next 12 months. We will continue to assess our liquidity position and potential sources of supplemental liquidity in view of our operating performance, current economic and capital market conditions and other relevant circumstances.

Senior Notes. In December 2015,October 2017, we issuedredeemed all of the $1.75 billion principal amount outstanding of the 2017 Notes. The redemption was funded with the net proceeds from the new fixed-rate senior notes issued in an aggregate principal amountSeptember 2017. Interest payments of $16.0 billion, with maturities ranging between 2 and 30 years. Our first principal payment of $1.8 billion is due on December 14, 2017. However, we intend to refinance this current portion of debt prior to its maturity, market conditions permitting. An interest payment of $244$241 million waswere made on December 14, 2016.in fiscal 2018. See Note 5—4—Debt to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Common stock repurchases. During the three months ended December 31, 2016,2017, we repurchased 2416 million shares of our class A common stock using $1.9$1.8 billion of cash on hand. As of December 31, 2016, the July 2016 program2017, we had remaining authorized funds of $3.9$2.1 billion for share repurchase. All share repurchase programs authorized prior to July 2016April 2017 have been completed. In January 2018, our board of directors authorized an additional $7.5 billion share repurchase program. See Note 8—7—Stockholders' Equity to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Dividends. During the three months ended December 31, 2016,2017, we declared and paid $399$458 million in dividends to holders of our common stock. In January 2017,2018, our board of directors declared a cash dividend in the amount of $0.165$0.21 per share of class A common stock (determined in the case of class B and C common stock and U.K.UK&I and Europe preferred stock on an as-converted basis), which will be paid on March 7, 2017,6, 2018, to all holders of record of our common and preferred stock as of February 17, 2017.16, 2018. See Note 8—7—Stockholders' Equity to our unaudited consolidated financial statements. We expect to continue paying quarterly dividends in cash, subject to approval by the board of directors. All three series of preferred stock and class B and C common stock will share ratably on an as-converted basis in such future dividends.
Fair Value Measurements—Financial Instruments
As of December 31, 2016,2017, our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis included $12.4$12.6 billion of assets and $84$65 million of liabilities. See Note 4—3—Fair Value Measurements and Investments to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
There have been no significant changes to our market risks during the three months ended December 31, 2016,2017, compared to September 30, 2016.2017.
ITEM 4.Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f))of 1934, as amended) of Visa Inc. at the end of the period covered by this report. Basedreport and, based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officerhave concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of Visa Inc. were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of the end of the period covered by this report.such date.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There has been no change in the internal control over financial reporting of Visa Inc. that occurred during the fiscal period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.Legal Proceedings.
Refer to Note 12—11—Legal Matters to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for a description of the Company’s current material legal proceedings. 
ITEM 1A.Risk Factors.
For a discussion of the Company’s risk factors, see the information under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016,2017, filed with the SEC on November 15, 2016.17, 2017.

ITEM 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The table below sets forth the Company’s purchases of common stock during the quarterthree months ended December 31, 20162017.
Period
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased (1)
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or Programs (2),(3)
 
Approximate Dollar Value
of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or Programs (2),(3)
October 1-31, 20162,430,349
 $82.27
 2,430,349
 $5,465,815,734
November 1-30, 201614,388,292
 $80.41
 14,063,092
 $4,334,852,579
December 1-31, 20165,759,268
 $77.19
 5,759,268
 $3,890,166,593
Total22,577,909
 $79.79
 22,252,709
  
Period
Total Number 
of Shares
Purchased(1)
 
Average Price 
Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs(2),(3)
 
Approximate Dollar Value
of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or Programs(2),(3)
October 1-31, 20172,759,883
 $107.13
 2,759,883
 $3,498,752,595
November 1-30, 20175,414,230
 $110.99
 5,278,751
 $2,912,592,445
December 1-31, 20177,508,416
 $111.73
 7,508,416
 $2,073,527,997
Total15,682,529
 $110.67
 15,547,050
  
(1) 
Includes 325,200135,479 shares of class A common stock withheld at an average price of $80.82$109.82 per share (per the terms of grants under our 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan) to offset tax withholding obligations that occur upon vesting and release of restricted shares.
(2) 
The figures in the table reflect transactions according to trade dates. For purposes of our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q, the impact of these repurchases is recorded according to settlement dates.
(3) 
Our board of directors from time to time authorizes the repurchase of shares of our common stock up to a certain monetary limit. In October 2015April 2017 and July 2016,January 2018, our board of directors authorized share repurchase programs for $5.0 billion each.and $7.5 billion, respectively. These authorizations have no expiration date. All share repurchase programs authorized prior to July 2016April 2017 have been completed.
ITEM 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None. 
ITEM 4.Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5.Other Information.
None. 
ITEM 6.Exhibits.
The list of exhibits required to be filed as exhibits to this report is listed in the “Exhibit Index,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
  VISA INC.
     
Date:February 2, 20171, 2018By: /s/ Alfred F. Kelly, Jr.
  Name: Alfred F. Kelly, Jr.
  Title: 
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
Date:February 2, 20171, 2018By: /s/ Vasant M. Prabhu
  Name: Vasant M. Prabhu
  Title: 
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
     
Date:February 2, 20171, 2018By: /s/ James H. Hoffmeister
  Name: James H. Hoffmeister
  Title: 
Global Corporate Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
    Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
Number
 Description of Documents Schedule/ Form File Number Exhibit Filing Date
           
31.1+ Certification        
           
31.2+         
           
32.1+         
           
32.2+ 
        
           
101.INS+ XBRL Instance Document        
           
101.SCH+ XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document        
           
101.CAL+ XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document        
           
101.DEF+ XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document        
           
101.LAB+ XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document        
           
101.PRE+ XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document        
 
+Filed or furnished herewith.

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