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 June 30,December 31, 2018

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
      
Commission file number 001-33977
logoa09.gif
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, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer  þ
Accelerated filer   o
Smaller reporting company   o
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company.)
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  o    No  þ
As of July 20, 2018January 25, 2019 there were 1,776,658,3611,750,176,642 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 12,079,71911,686,801 shares of class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Visa Inc. outstanding.

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)
June 30,
2018
 September 30,
2017
December 31,
2018
 September 30,
2018
(in millions, except par value data)(in millions, except par value data)
Assets      
Cash and cash equivalents$8,505
 $9,874
$8,289
 $8,162
Restricted cash—U.S. litigation escrow (Note 2)1,487
 1,031
Investment securities (Note 3):   
Trading94
 82
Available-for-sale3,302
 3,482
Restricted cash equivalents—U.S. litigation escrow (Note 3 and Note 4)1,496
 1,491
Investment securities (Note 5)3,461
 3,547
Settlement receivable1,615
 1,422
3,123
 1,582
Accounts receivable1,220
 1,132
1,405
 1,208
Customer collateral (Note 5)1,346
 1,106
Customer collateral (Note 3 and Note 7)1,330
 1,324
Current portion of client incentives377
 344
547
 340
Prepaid expenses and other current assets545
 550
456
 562
Total current assets18,491
 19,023
20,107
 18,216
Investment securities, available-for-sale (Note 3)2,835
 1,926
Investment securities (Note 5)4,132
 4,082
Client incentives545
 591
1,264
 538
Property, equipment and technology, net2,387
 2,253
2,437
 2,472
Goodwill15,149
 15,194
Intangible assets, net 27,301
 27,558
Other assets1,085
 1,226
1,265
 1,165
Intangible assets, net 27,628
 27,848
Goodwill 15,204
 15,110
Total assets$68,175
 $67,977
$71,655
 $69,225
Liabilities      
Accounts payable$145
 $179
$124
 $183
Settlement payable2,310
 2,003
3,890
 2,168
Customer collateral (Note 5)1,346
 1,106
Customer collateral (Note 7)1,330
 1,325
Accrued compensation and benefits729
 757
440
 901
Client incentives2,577
 2,089
3,345
 2,834
Accrued liabilities1,099
 1,129
1,487
 1,160
Deferred purchase consideration1,300
 
1,284
 1,300
Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 4)
 1,749
Accrued litigation (Note 11)1,428
 982
Accrued litigation (Note 13)1,489
 1,434
Total current liabilities10,934
 9,994
13,389
 11,305
Long-term debt (Note 4)16,627
 16,618
Long-term debt (Note 6)16,633
 16,630
Deferred tax liabilities4,802
 5,980
4,835
 4,618
Deferred purchase consideration
 1,304
Other liabilities2,494
 1,321
2,703
 2,666
Total liabilities34,857
 35,217
37,560
 35,219
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 June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 (the “UK&I preferred stock”) (Note 7)2,291
 2,326
Series C convertible participating preferred stock, 3 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 (the “Europe preferred stock”) (Note 7)3,179
 3,200
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 2,001,622 shares authorized, 1,778 and 1,818 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively (Note 7)
 
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 622 shares authorized, 245 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2018 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 June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively (Note 7)
 
Right to recover for covered losses (Note 2)(5) (52)
Series A convertible participating preferred stock, none issued (the “class A equivalent preferred stock”) (Note 9)
 
Series B convertible participating preferred stock, 2 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018 (the “UK&I preferred stock”) (Note 9)2,286
 2,291
Series C convertible participating preferred stock, 3 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018 (the “Europe preferred stock”) (Note 9)3,178
 3,179
Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 2,001,622 shares authorized, 1,754 and 1,768 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018, respectively (Note 9)
 
Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 622 shares authorized, 245 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018 (Note 9)
 
Class C common stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,097 shares authorized, 12 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018 (Note 9)
 
Right to recover for covered losses (Note 4)(92) (7)
Additional paid-in capital16,686
 16,900
16,540
 16,678
Accumulated income10,426
 9,508
11,908
 11,318
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net:      
Investment securities, available-for-sale110
 73
Investment securities(4) (17)
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans(74) (76)(67) (61)
Derivative instruments classified as cash flow hedges54
 (36)68
 60
Foreign currency translation adjustments651
 917
278
 565
Total accumulated other comprehensive income, net741
 878
275
 547
Total equity33,318
 32,760
34,095
 34,006
Total liabilities and equity$68,175
 $67,977
$71,655
 $69,225

VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Nine Months Ended
June 30,
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018 2017 2018 20172018 2017
(in millions, except per share data)(in millions, except per share data)
Operating Revenues       
Service revenues$2,196
 $1,948
 $6,595
 $5,859
Data processing revenues2,359
 1,984
 6,633
 5,719
International transaction revenues1,830
 1,571
 5,248
 4,529
Other revenues229
 209
 688
 615
Client incentives(1,374) (1,147) (3,989) (3,219)
Net operating revenues5,240
 4,565
 15,175
 13,503
Net revenues$5,506
 $4,862
          
Operating Expenses           
Personnel852
 698
 2,355
 1,973
807
 679
Marketing240
 221
 724
 632
276
 223
Network and processing169
 158
 498
 453
173
 160
Professional fees112
 102
 312
 265
91
 92
Depreciation and amortization152
 132
 450
 409
159
 145
General and administrative230
 230
 688
 822
276
 236
Litigation provision (Note 11)600
 
 600
 17
Litigation provision (Note 13)7
 
Total operating expenses2,355
 1,541
 5,627
 4,571
1,789
 1,535
Operating income2,885
 3,024
 9,548
 8,932
3,717
 3,327
          
Non-operating Income (Expense)          
Interest expense(155) (140) (462) (415)(145) (154)
Other82
 30
 182
 78
58
 66
Total non-operating expense(73) (110) (280) (337)(87) (88)
Income before income taxes2,812
 2,914
 9,268
 8,595
3,630
 3,239
Income tax provision (Note 10)483
 855
 1,812
 4,036
Income tax provision (Note 12)653
 717
Net income$2,329
 $2,059
 $7,456
 $4,559
$2,977
 $2,522
          
Basic earnings per share (Note 8)       
Basic Earnings Per Share (Note 10)   
Class A common stock$1.00
 $0.87
 $3.20
 $1.90
$1.30
 $1.07
Class B common stock$1.66
 $1.43
 $5.27
 $3.13
$2.12
 $1.77
Class C common stock$4.02
 $3.46
 $12.78
 $7.60
$5.20
 $4.30
          
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (Note 8)       
Basic Weighted-average Shares Outstanding (Note 10)   
Class A common stock1,784
 1,840
 1,798
 1,852
1,760
 1,811
Class B common stock245
 245
 245
 245
245
 245
Class C common stock12
 14
 12
 15
12
 13
          
Diluted earnings per share (Note 8)       
Diluted Earnings Per Share (Note 10)   
Class A common stock$1.00
 $0.86
 $3.19
 $1.90
$1.30
 $1.07
Class B common stock$1.65
 $1.42
 $5.26
 $3.13
$2.12
 $1.77
Class C common stock$4.01
 $3.45
 $12.76
 $7.59
$5.20
 $4.29
          
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (Note 8)       
Diluted Weighted-average Shares Outstanding (Note 10)   
Class A common stock2,321
 2,385
 2,337
 2,404
2,291
 2,353
Class B common stock245
 245
 245
 245
245
 245
Class C common stock12
 14
 12
 15
12
 13


VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Nine Months Ended
June 30,
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018 2017 2018 20172018 2017
(in millions)(in millions)
Net income$2,329
 $2,059
 $7,456
 $4,559
$2,977
 $2,522
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:          
Investment securities, available-for-sale:       
Net unrealized gain45
 22
 95
 38
Investment securities:   
Net unrealized gain (loss)8
 9
Income tax effect(10) (9) (22) (17)(2) (3)
Reclassification adjustment for net (gain) loss realized in net income(24) 
 (52) 1

 (28)
Income tax effect6
 
 16
 

 10
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans:          
Net unrealized actuarial loss and prior service credit
 
 (2) (5)
Income tax effect
 
 1
 2
Reclassification adjustment for net loss realized in net income4
 12
 4
 33
Net unrealized actuarial gain (loss) and prior service credit (cost)(7) 
Income tax effect(1) (3) (1) (12)1
 
Derivative instruments classified as cash flow hedges:          
Net unrealized gain (loss)114
 (20) 72
 5
38
 (1)
Income tax effect(19) 5
 (22) 9
(10) (5)
Reclassification adjustment for net loss realized in net income10
 11
 45
 31
Reclassification adjustment for net (gain) loss realized in net income(25) 11
Income tax effect
 (5) (5) (10)5
 (2)
Foreign currency translation adjustments(1,112) 1,085
 (266) 501
(287) 334
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax(987) 1,098
 (137) 576
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(279) 325
Comprehensive income$1,342
 $3,157
 $7,319
 $5,135
$2,698
 $2,847



VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
 Preferred Stock Common Stock Preferred Stock Right to Recover for Covered Losses 
Additional
Paid-In Capital
 
Accumulated
Income
 Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 Total
Equity
 UK&I Europe Class A Class B Class C 
 (in millions, except per share data)
Balance as of September 30, 20182
 3
 1,768
 245
 12
 $5,470
 $(7) $16,678
 $11,318
 $547
 $34,006
Net income                2,977
   2,977
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax                  (279) (279)
Comprehensive income                    2,698
Adoption of new accounting standards (Note 1)                393
 7
 400
VE territory covered losses incurred (Note 4)            (91)       (91)
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment (Note 4 and Note 9)          (6) 6
       
Conversion of class C common stock upon sales into public market(1)
    
   
           
Vesting of restricted stock and performance-based shares    3
               
Share-based compensation, net of forfeitures (Note 11)              100
     100
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes    (1)         (101)     (101)
Cash proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee equity plans    1
         48
     48
Cash dividends declared and paid, at a quarterly amount of $0.25 per as-converted share (Note 9)                (572)   (572)
Repurchase of class A common stock (Note 9)    (17)         (185) (2,208)   (2,393)
Balance as of December 31, 20182
 3
 1,754
 245
 12
 $5,464
 $(92) $16,540
 $11,908
 $275
 $34,095
(1)
Increase or decrease in conversion of class C common stock is less than one million shares.


VISA INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018 20172018 2017
(in millions)(in millions)
Operating Activities      
Net income$7,456

$4,559
$2,977

$2,522
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Client incentives3,989

3,219
Share-based compensation (Note 9)242

183
Client incentives (Note 2)1,456

1,326
Share-based compensation (Note 11)100

68
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment, technology and intangible assets450

409
159

145
Deferred income taxes(1,133)
1,715
139

(919)
Right to recover for covered losses recorded in equity (Note 2)(9)
(165)
Charitable contribution of Visa Inc. shares (Note 10)

192
Right to recover for covered losses recorded in equity (Note 4)(91)
(3)
Other(44)
30
9

(21)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:







Settlement receivable(239)
42
(1,551)
(180)
Accounts receivable(82)
(34)(200)
(146)
Client incentives(3,483)
(3,376)(1,361)
(986)
Other assets(143)
(192)(37)
141
Accounts payable(18)
(71)(46)
(51)
Settlement payable379

(19)1,739

275
Accrued and other liabilities1,408

(65)(54)
794
Accrued litigation (Note 11)446

14
Accrued litigation (Note 13)55

(152)
Net cash provided by operating activities9,219

6,441
3,294

2,813
Investing Activities      
Purchases of property, equipment, technology and intangible assets(523)
(512)
Proceeds from sales of property, equipment and technology14


Investment securities, available-for-sale:



Purchases of property, equipment and technology(157)
(141)
Investment securities:



Purchases(3,354)
(1,877)(1,124)
(1,636)
Proceeds from maturities and sales2,789

4,296
1,233

1,076
Acquisition of business, net of cash received(196)
(302)
Purchases of / contributions to other investments(35)
(18)(22)
(6)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities(1,305)
1,587
Net cash used in investing activities(70)
(707)
Financing Activities      
Repurchase of class A common stock (Note 7)(5,604) (5,170)
Repayments of long-term debt (Note 4)(1,750) 
Dividends paid (Note 7)(1,435) (1,189)
Deposits into litigation escrow account—U.S. retrospective responsibility plan (Note 2 and Note 11)(600) 
Payments from litigation escrow account—U.S. retrospective responsibility plan (Note 2 and Note 11)150
 
Repurchase of class A common stock (Note 9)(2,393) (1,778)
Repayments of long-term debt
 (1,750)
Dividends paid (Note 9)(572) (458)
Cash proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee equity plans135
 128
48
 53
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes(90) (73)(101) (88)
Net cash used in financing activities(9,194) (6,304)(3,018) (4,021)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(89) 94
(68) 80
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents(1,369) 1,818
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period9,874
 5,619
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$8,505
 $7,437
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents138
 (1,835)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period (Note 3)10,977
 12,011
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at end of period (Note 3)$11,115
 $10,176
Supplemental Disclosure      
Income taxes paid, net of refunds$1,649
 $2,239
$168
 $183
Interest payments on debt (Note 4)$510
 $489
Accruals related to purchases of property, equipment, technology and intangible assets$35
 $35
Interest payments on debt (Note 6)$234
 $241
Accruals related to purchases of property, equipment and technology$34
 $26
 

VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30,December 31, 2018
(UNAUDITED)
Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization. Visa Inc. (“Visa” or the “Company”) is a global payments technology company that enables fast, secure and reliable electronic payments across more than 200 countries and 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 (“Visa Canada”), Visa Technology & Operations LLC and CyberSource Corporation, operate one of the world’s largest retail electronic payments networks — VisaNet — which facilitates authorization, clearing and settlement of payment transactions and enables the Company to provide its 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) 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, 20172018 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) issued Accounting Standards Update (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 ASUThis new revenue standard replaces all existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. Subsequently, the FASB also issued a series of amendments to the new revenue standard. The Company will adoptnew revenue standard changes the standard effective October 1, 2018,classification and expects to adopt the standard using the modified retrospective transition method. The Company expects that the new standard will primarily impacttiming of recognition timing for certain fixed incentives and price discounts provided to clients, and the classification of certain client incentives between contraand marketing-related funds paid to customers, as well as revenues and operating expenses. The impact of the new standardexpenses for market development funds and services provided to future financial results is unknowablecustomers 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 June 30, 2018. Application of the new standard to consolidated financial statements for the first three quarters 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 2016-05, which clarifies 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 itself, require dedesignation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met.incentive. The Company adopted the standard effective October 1, 2017.2018 using the modified retrospective transition method applied to the aggregate of all modifications for contracts not completed as of October 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after October 1, 2018 are presented under the new revenue standard. The adoption did not have a material impactcomparative prior period amounts appearing on the financial statements have not been restated and continue to be reported under the prior revenue standard. See Note 2—Revenues for the impact of the new revenue standard on the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements.statements as of and for the three months ended December 31, 2018.

78

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


The following table summarizes the cumulative transition adjustments for the adoption of the new revenue standard recorded on the October 1, 2018 consolidated balance sheet to reflect the aggregate impact to all contracts not completed as of October 1, 2018:
 Fiscal Year 2018 Closing Balance Sheet Cumulative Transition Adjustment for New Revenue Standard Fiscal Year 2019 Opening Balance Sheet
 (in millions)
Assets 
Current portion of client incentives$340
 $199
 $539
Client incentives538
 614
 1,152
Liabilities     
Client incentives2,834
 241
 3,075
Accrued liabilities1,160
 6
 1,166
Deferred tax liabilities4,618
 108
 4,726
Other liabilities2,666
 58
 2,724
Equity     
Accumulated income11,318
 400
 11,718
In MarchJanuary 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-06,2016-01, which clarifiesamends certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments, including the requirements for assessing whether contingent call/put options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely relatedrequirement to their debt hosts. An entity performing the assessment is required to assess the embedded call/put options solelymeasure certain equity investments at fair value with changes in accordance with a four-step decision sequence.fair value recognized in net income. The Company adopted the standard effective October 1, 2017.2018, using the modified retrospective transition method for marketable equity securities and the prospective method for non-marketable equity securities. The adoption did not have a material impact onCompany has elected to use the consolidated financial statements.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, which eliminates the requirement that an entity retroactively adopt themeasurement alternative for non-marketable equity method of accounting if an investment qualifiessecurities, defined as cost adjusted for usechanges from observable transactions for identical or similar investments of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership or degree of influence. The equity method investor is required to add the 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 adopted the standard effective October 1, 2017.same issuer, less impairment. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In February 2018,2016, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02,2016-02, which allowsrequires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases on the balance sheet. Subsequently, the FASB also issued a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive incomeseries of amendments to retained earningsthis new lease standard that address the transition methods available and clarify the guidance for adjustments to tax effects that were originally recorded in other comprehensive income due to changes in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate resulting from the enactment of the U.S. tax reform legislation, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”).lessor costs. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2019.2019 and expects to adopt using the modified retrospective transition method without restating comparative periods. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, which requires that entities recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs. The Company adopted the standard effective October 1, 2018. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, which requires that a statement of cash flows includes 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 adopted the standard effective October 1, 2018. The adoption impacted the presentation of transactions related to the U.S. litigation escrow account and customer collateral on the consolidated statements of cash flows. The prior period statement of cash flows have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the impact of this ASU, which had no impact on the Company’s balance sheets, statements of operations or statements of comprehensive income for any period.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, which requires that the service cost component of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost be presented in the same line item as other employee compensation costs, while the other components be presented separately as non-operating income (expense). In addition, only the service cost component is eligible for capitalization, when applicable. Retrospective application is required for the change in income statement presentation while the change in capitalized benefit cost is required to be applied prospectively. The Company adopted the standard effective October 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The service cost component of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost is presented in personnel expenses while the other components are presented in other non-operating expense on the Company’s

9

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


consolidated statement of operations. The Company did not apply the standard retrospectively for the change in income statement presentation as the impact would have been immaterial.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. The Company adopted the standard effective October 1, 2018. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-052018-15, which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to insertdevelop or obtain internal-use software. The Company adopted the SEC’s interpretive guidance from Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 intostandard effective October 1, 2018. The adoption did not have a material impact on the income tax accounting codification under U.S. GAAP. The ASU permits companies to use provisional amounts for certain income tax effectsconsolidated financial statements.
Note 2—Revenues
Impact of the Tax Act duringNew Revenue Standard
The following tables summarize the impact of the new revenue standard on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018:
 For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2018
 As Reported Impact of the New Revenue Standard Results Under Prior Revenue Standard
 (in millions)
Net revenues$5,506
 $(52) $5,454
      
Operating Expenses      
Marketing276
 (30) 246
Professional fees91
 (3) 88
General and administrative276
 (3) 273
Total operating expenses1,789
 (36) 1,753
Operating income3,717
 (16) 3,701
      
Income before income taxes3,630
 (16) 3,614
Income tax provision653
 (1) 652
Net income2,977
 (15) 2,962
 December 31, 2018
 As Reported Impact of the New Revenue Standard Results Under Prior Revenue Standard
 (in millions)
Assets     
Current portion of client incentives$547
 $(198) $349
Client incentives1,264
 (661) 603
Liabilities     
Accounts payable124
 (23) 101
Client incentives3,345
 (260) 3,085
Accrued liabilities1,487
 (7) 1,480
Deferred tax liabilities4,835
 (109) 4,726
Other liabilities2,703
 (45) 2,658
Equity     
Accumulated income11,908
 (415) 11,493

10

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


Disaggregation of Revenues
The nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of the Company’s revenues and cash flows and how they are affected by economic factors are most appropriately depicted through the Company’s revenue categories and geographical markets. The following tables disaggregate the Company’s net revenues by revenue category and by geography for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2018 2017
 (in millions)
Service revenues$2,342
 $2,146
Data processing revenues2,470
 2,147
International transaction revenues1,851
 1,666
Other revenues299
 229
Client incentives(1,456) (1,326)
Net revenues$5,506
 $4,862
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2018 2017
 (in millions)
U.S.$2,508
 $2,265
International2,998
2,597 
Net revenues$5,506
 $4,862
Revenue recognition. The Company's net revenues are comprised principally of the following categories: service revenues, data processing revenues, international transaction revenues, and other revenues, reduced by costs incurred under client incentives arrangements. As a one-year measurementpayment network service provider, the Company’s obligation to the customer is to stand ready to provide continuous access to our payment network over the contractual term. Consideration is variable based primarily upon the amount and type of transactions and payments volume on Visa’s products. The Company recognizes revenues, net of sales and other similar taxes, as the payment network services are performed. Fixed fees for payment network services are generally recognized ratably over the related service period. The provisional accounting impactsCompany has elected the optional exemption to not disclose the remaining performance obligations related to payment network services.
Service revenues consist of revenues earned for services provided in support of client usage of Visa products. Current quarter service revenues are primarily assessed using a calculation of current pricing applied to the prior quarter's payments volume. The Company may changealso earns revenues from assessments designed to support ongoing acceptance and volume growth initiatives, which are recognized in the same period the related volume is transacted.
Data processing revenues consist of revenues earned for authorization, clearing, settlement, network access and other maintenance and support services that facilitate transaction and information processing among the Company's clients globally. Data processing revenues are recognized in the same period the related transactions occur or services are performed.
International transaction revenues are earned for cross-border transaction processing and currency conversion activities. Cross-border transactions arise when the country of origin of the issuer is different from that of the merchant. International transaction revenues are primarily generated by cross-border payments and cash volume.
Other revenues consist mainly of license fees for use of the Visa brand, fees for account holder services, licensing and certification and other activities related to the Company's acquired entities. Other revenues also include optional services or product enhancements, such as extended account holder protection and concierge services. Other revenues are recognized in the same period the related transactions occur or services are performed.

11

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


Client incentives. The Company enters into long-term contracts with financial institution clients, merchants and strategic partners for various programs designed to increase revenues recognized by growing payments volume, increasing Visa product acceptance, winning merchant routing transactions over to Visa's network and driving innovation. These incentives are primarily accounted for as reductions to revenues or as operating expenses if the payment is in exchange for a distinct good or service provided by the customer. The Company generally capitalizes upfront and fixed incentive payments under these agreements and amortizes the amounts as a reduction to revenues ratably over the contractual term. Incentives that are earned by the customer based on performance targets are recorded as reductions to revenues based on management's estimate of each client's future reporting periods untilperformance. These accruals are regularly reviewed and estimates of performance are adjusted, as appropriate, based on changes in performance expectations, actual client performance, amendments to existing contracts or the accounting analysis is finalized, which will occur no later than the first quarterexecution of fiscal 2019.new contracts.
Note 2—3—Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents include cash and certain highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase. Cash equivalents are primarily recorded at cost, which approximates fair value due to their generally short maturities. The Company defines restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents as cash and cash equivalents that cannot be withdrawn or used for general operating activities.
The Company reconciles cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents reported in the consolidated balance sheets that aggregate to the beginning and ending balances shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows as follows:
 December 31, September 30,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
 (in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents$8,289
 $8,138
 $8,162
 $9,874
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents:       
U.S. litigation escrow1,496
 883
 1,491
 1,031
Customer collateral1,330
 1,155
 1,324
 1,106
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents$11,115
 $10,176
 $10,977
 $12,011
Note 4—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. covered litigation” 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 equivalents on the consolidated balance sheets. During the nine months ended June 30, 2018, the Company deposited $600 million into the litigation escrow account, and paid $150 million from the litigation escrow account. The balance of the escrow account was $1.5 billion at June 30,December 31, 2018 and $1.0 billion at September 30, 2017.2018. See Note 11—13—Legal Matters.
The accrual related to the U.S. covered litigation could be either higher or lower than the litigation escrow account balance. During the nine months ended June 30, 2018, theThe Company recordeddid not record an additional accrual of $600 million for the U.S. covered litigation to address claims associated withduring the interchange multidistrict litigation.three months ended December 31, 2018. See Note 11—13—Legal Matters.

12

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


Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plan
Visa Inc., Visa International and Visa Europe 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 litigation (the “VE territory covered losses”) through a periodic adjustment to the class A common stock conversion rates applicable to the UK&I and Europe preferred stock. VE territory covered losses are 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 is then recorded against the book value of the preferred stock within stockholders’ equity.

8

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


During the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018, the Company recovered $6 million and $56 million, respectively, of VE territory covered losses through adjustments to the class A common stock conversion rates applicable to the UK&I and Europe preferred stock. The conversion rates applicable to the UK&I and Europe preferred stock were reduced from 13.077 and 13.948, respectively, at September 30, 2017 to 12.955 and 13.888, respectively, at Juneas of September 30, 2018 to 12.939 and 13.886, respectively, as of December 31, 2018.
The following table sets forth the activities related to VE territory covered losses in preferred stock and “right to recover for covered losses” within equity during the ninethree months ended June 30,December 31, 2018. VE territory covered losses incurred reflect settlements with merchants and additional legal costs. See Note 11—13—Legal Matters.Matters.
Preferred Stock Right to Recover for Covered LossesPreferred Stock Right to Recover for Covered Losses
UK&I Europe UK&I Europe 
(in millions)(in millions)
Balance as of September 30, 2017$2,326
 $3,200
 $(52)
Balance as of September 30, 2018$2,291
 $3,179
 $(7)
VE territory covered losses incurred
 
 (9)
 
 (91)
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment(35) (21) 56
(5) (1) 6
Balance as of June 30, 2018$2,291
 $3,179
 $(5)
Balance as of December 31, 2018$2,286
 $3,178
 $(92)
The following table(1) 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 sheetsheets as of June 30,December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2017.(1)2018:
June 30, 2018 September 30, 2017December 31, 2018 September 30, 2018
As-Converted Value of Preferred Stock(2)
 Book Value of Preferred Stock 
As-Converted Value of Preferred Stock(3)
 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)
UK&I preferred stock$4,256
 $2,291
 $3,414
 $2,326
$4,235
 $2,286
 $4,823
 $2,291
Europe preferred stock5,807
 3,179
 4,634
 3,200
5,784
 3,178
 6,580
 3,179
Total10,063
 5,470
 8,048
 5,526
10,019
 5,464
 11,403
 5,470
Less: right to recover for covered losses(5) (5) (52) (52)(92) (92) (7) (7)
Total recovery for covered losses available$10,058
 $5,465
 $7,996
 $5,474
$9,927
 $5,372
 $11,396
 $5,463
(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 UK&I and Europe preferred stock outstanding, respectively, as of June 30,December 31, 2018; (b)12.95512.939 and 13.888,13.886, the class A common stock conversion rate applicable to the UK&I and Europe preferred stock as of June 30,December 31, 2018, respectively; and (c) $132.45,$131.94, Visa’s class A common stock closing stock price as of June 30,December 31, 2018.
(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;2018; (b)13.07712.955 and 13.948,13.888, the class A common stock conversion rate applicable to the UK&I and Europe preferred stock as of September 30, 2017,2018, respectively; and (c) $105.24,$150.09, Visa’s class A common stock closing stock price as of September 30, 2017.2018.

913

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


Note 3—5—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
June 30,
2018
 September 30,
2017
 June 30,
2018
 September 30,
2017
December 31,
2018
 September 30,
2018
 December 31,
2018
 September 30,
2018
(in millions)(in millions)
Assets              
Cash equivalents and restricted cash:              
Money market funds$7,341
 $5,935
    $7,063
 $6,252
    
U.S. government-sponsored debt securities    $282
 $2,870
    $98
 $1,048
Investment securities, trading:       
Equity securities94
 82
    
Investment securities, available-for-sale:       
Investment securities:       
Marketable equity securities123
 113
    
U.S. government-sponsored debt securities    3,895
 3,663
    5,234
 5,008
U.S. Treasury securities2,061
 1,621
    2,236
 2,508
    
Equity securities181
 124
    
Prepaid and other current assets:       
Other current and non-current assets:       
Foreign exchange derivative instruments    76
 18
    113
 78
Total$9,677
 $7,762
 $4,253
 $6,551
$9,422
 $8,873
 $5,445
 $6,134
Liabilities              
Accrued liabilities:              
Foreign exchange derivative instruments    $38
 $98
    $28
 $22
Total$
 $
 $38
 $98
$
 $
 $28
 $22
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 assets during the ninethree months ended June 30,December 31, 2018.
Level 1 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.assets. 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.liabilities. The fair value of U.S. government-sponsored 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 ninethree months ended JuneDecember 31, 2018.
Marketable equity securities. Marketable equity securities are publicly traded and measured at fair value within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, as fair value is based on quoted prices in active markets. On October 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01 which changed the Company’s accounting for marketable equity securities. Beginning on October 1, 2018, unrealized gains and losses from changes in fair value of marketable equity securities are recognized in non-operating income (expense).
U.S. government-sponsored debt securities and U.S. Treasury securities. The Company considers U.S. government-sponsored debt securities and U.S. Treasury securities to be available-for-sale and held $7.5 billion of these investment securities as of December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018. A majority of the Company’s long-term available-for-sale investment securities are due within one to five years.

14

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


Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis
Non-marketable equity securities. The Company’s non-marketable equity securities are investments and investments accounted for under the equity method.in privately held companies without readily determinable market values. 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 circumstances indicate that impairment may exist,On October 1, 2018, the Company revaluesadopted ASU 2016-01 which changed the Company’s accounting for non-marketable equity securities. Beginning on October 1, 2018, the Company’s policy is to adjust the carrying value of its non-marketable equity securities to fair value when transactions for identical or similar investments using various assumptions, includingof the financial metricssame issuer are observable in the market. All gains and ratios of comparable public companies. There were no significant impairments during the nine months ended June 30, 2018 or 2017. These investmentslosses on non-marketable equity securities, realized and unrealized, are recognized in non-operating income (expense).
Non-marketable equity securities totaled $125$159 million and $94$137 million at June 30,December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2017,2018, respectively, and are classified in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

10

Table During the three months ended December 31, 2018, there were no upward or downward adjustments made to the carrying value of Contents
VISA INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


non-marketable equity securities. During the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no significant impairments of non-marketable equity securities.
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. The Company completed its annual impairment review of its indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill as of February 1, 2018, and concluded that there was no impairment. No recent events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment existed at June 30,December 31, 2018.
Gains and Losses on Marketable and Non-marketable Equity Securities
The Company recognized a net unrealized loss of $20 million, and no net realized gains or losses on its marketable and non-marketable equity securities for the three months ended December 31, 2018.
Other Fair Value Disclosures
Long-term debt. Debt instruments are measured at amortized cost on the Company’s unaudited consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2018.sheets. 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 amountvalue and estimated fair value of the Company’slong-term debt in orderwas $16.6 billion and $16.7 billion, respectively, as of maturity:
 June 30, 2018 September 30, 2017
 Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value Carrying Amount Estimated Fair Value
 (in millions)
1.20% Senior Notes due December 2017$
 $
 $1,749
 $1,751
2.20% Senior Notes due December 20202,993
 2,951
 2,990
 3,031
2.15% Senior Notes due September 2022994
 959
 993
 997
2.80% Senior Notes due December 20222,241
 2,209
 2,240
 2,301
3.15% Senior Notes due December 20253,969
 3,869
 3,967
 4,098
2.75% Senior Notes due September 2027741
 697
 740
 737
4.15% Senior Notes due December 20351,486
 1,554
 1,485
 1,637
4.30% Senior Notes due December 20453,463
 3,637
 3,463
 3,873
3.65% Senior Notes due September 2047740
 701
 740
 746
Total$16,627
 $16,577
 $18,367
 $19,171
December 31, 2018. The carrying value and estimated fair value of long-term debt were both $16.6 billion as of September 30, 2018.
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 June 30,December 31, 2018, but disclosure of their fair values is required: time deposits recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets, settlement receivable and payable and customer collateral. The estimated fair value of such instruments at June 30,December 31, 2018 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 $175 million in gross unrealized gains and $16 million in gross unrealized losses at June 30, 2018. There were $120 million in gross unrealized gains and $4 million in gross unrealized losses at September 30, 2017. For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018, the Company recorded gross realized gains on the sale of investment securities of $32 million and $64 million, respectively. There were no gross realized gains on the sale of investment securities recognized during the same periods in 2017. A majority of the Company’s long-term available-for-sale investment securities have stated maturities between one to five years.

1115

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


Note 4—6—Debt
The Company had outstanding debt as follows:
 June 30, 2018 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
 (7) 2,993
 3,000
 (10) 2,990
 2.30%
2.15% Senior Notes due September 20221,000
 (6) 994
 1,000
 (7) 993
 2.30%
2.80% Senior Notes due December 20222,250
 (9) 2,241
 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
 (9) 741
 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
 (37) 3,463
 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
 (123) 16,627
 16,750
 (132) 16,618
  
              
Total debt$16,750
 $(123) $16,627
 $18,500
 $(133) $18,367
  
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, the Company recorded a $1 million loss on extinguishment of debt during the nine months ended June 30, 2018.
 December 31, 2018 September 30, 2018 Effective Interest Rate
 (in millions, except percentages)
2.20% Senior Notes due December 2020$3,000
 $3,000
 2.30%
2.15% Senior Notes due September 20221,000
 1,000
 2.30%
2.80% Senior Notes due December 20222,250
 2,250
 2.89%
3.15% Senior Notes due December 20254,000
 4,000
 3.26%
2.75% Senior Notes due September 2027750
 750
 2.91%
4.15% Senior Notes due December 20351,500
 1,500
 4.23%
4.30% Senior Notes due December 20453,500
 3,500
 4.37%
3.65% Senior Notes due September 2047750
 750
 3.73%
Total debt16,750
 16,750
  
Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs(117) (120)  
Total long-term debt$16,633
 $16,630
  
The Company recognized interest expense as non-operating expense, for theits senior notes of $137 million and $413$138 million for the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, as compared to $125 million and $376 million for the same periods in 2017.non-operating expense.

12

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


Note 5—7—Settlement Guarantee Management
The Company indemnifies its clients for settlement losses suffered due to failure of any other clientsclient to fund its settlement obligations in accordance with the Visa operating 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 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 losses from their estimated unsettled transactions. The Company’s estimated maximum settlement exposure was $73.2 billion during the three months ended June 30, 2018, compared to $67.7 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2017. Of these amounts, $2.8 billion was covered by collateral at June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017. 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.
The Company maintained collateral as follows:

June 30,
2018
 September 30,
2017
 (in millions)
Cash equivalents(1)
$1,746
 $1,490
Pledged securities at market value164
 167
Letters of credit1,349
 1,316
Guarantees677
 941
Total$3,936
 $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.
Historically, the Company has experienced minimal losses as a result of its settlement risk guarantee. However, the Company’s future obligations, which could be material under its guarantees, are not determinable as they are dependent upon future events.
The Company’s settlement exposure is limited to the amount of unsettled Visa payment transactions at any point in time, which vary significantly day to day. The Company’s maximum settlement exposure was $88.2 billion and the average daily settlement exposure was $56.1 billion during the three months ended December 31, 2018.
The Company maintains and regularly reviews global settlement risk policies and procedures to manage settlement exposure, which may require clients to post collateral if certain credit standards are not met. At December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018, the Company held collateral as follows:

December 31,
2018
 September 30,
2018
 (in millions)
Cash equivalents$1,720
 $1,708
Pledged securities at market value307
 192
Letters of credit1,346
 1,382
Guarantees952
 860
Total$4,325
 $4,142
Cash equivalent collateral reflected in customer collateral on the consolidated balance sheets is held by a custodian in an account under the Company’s name and ownership. At December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018, $390 million and $384 million, respectively, of cash equivalent collateral is excluded from the consolidated balance sheets as clients retain beneficial ownership of it and it is only accessible to the Company in the event of default by the client on its settlement obligations. All other collateral is excluded from the consolidated balance sheets.

16

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


Note 6—8—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 all eligible employees residing in the 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 plans and the non-U.S. pension plans, comprising only the Visa Europe plans. Disclosures relating to other U.S. postretirement benefit plans and other non-U.S. pension benefit plans are not included as they are immaterial, individually and in aggregate.
 Pension Benefits
 U.S. Plans Non-U.S. Plans
 Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Three Months Ended
June 30,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
 (in millions)
Service cost$
 $
 $1
 $2
Interest cost8
 9
 3
 3
Expected return on plan assets(17) (17) (5) (4)
Amortization of actuarial loss
 3
 
 
Settlement loss3
 9
 
 
Total net periodic benefit cost$(6) $4
 $(1) $1

13

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


Pension BenefitsPension Benefits
U.S. Plans Non-U.S. PlansU.S. Plans Non-U.S. Plans
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 Nine Months Ended
June 30,
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018 2017 2018 20172018 2017 2018 2017
(in millions)(in millions)
Service cost$
 $
 $3
 $5
$
 $
 $1
 $1
Interest cost24
 27
 9
 8
8
 8
 3
 3
Expected return on plan assets(52) (52) (15) (12)(18) (17) (4) (5)
Amortization of actuarial loss
 11
 
 1
Settlement loss3
 22
 
 
Total net periodic benefit cost$(25) $8
 $(3) $2
Total net periodic benefit cost (income)$(10) $(9) $
 $(1)
Note 7—9—Stockholders' Equity
As-Converted ClassAs-converted class A Common Stock.common stock. The following table(1) presents number of shares of each series and class and the number of shares of class A common stock on an as-converted basis at June 30, 2018, are as follows:basis:
(in millions, except conversion rates)Shares Outstanding 
Conversion Rate
Into Class A
Common Stock
 
As-converted Class A Common
Stock(1)
December 31, 2018 September 30, 2018 
Shares
Outstanding
 
Conversion Rate Into 
Class A
Common Stock
 
As-converted Class A
Common
Stock(2)
 
Shares
Outstanding
 
Conversion Rate Into
Class A
Common Stock
 
As-converted Class A
Common
Stock(2)
 
(in millions, except conversion rates) 
UK&I preferred stock2
 12.9550
 32
2
 12.9390
 32
(3) 
2
 12.9550
 32
(3) 
Europe preferred stock3
 13.8880
 44
3
 13.8860
 44
(3) 
3
 13.8880
 44
(3) 
Class A common stock(2)
1,778
 
 1,778
Class A common stock(4)
1,754
 
 1,754
 1,768
 
 1,768
 
Class B common stock245
 1.6298
(3) 
400
245
 1.6298
(5) 
400
 245
 1.6298
(5) 
400
 
Class C common stock12
 4.0000
 48
12
 4.0000
 47
 12
 4.0000
 47
 
Total    2,302
    2,277
     2,291
 
(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding.
(2)
As-converted class A common stock is calculated based on unrounded numbers.
(2)(3)
The reduction in equivalent number of shares of class A common stock was less than one million shares during the three months ended December 31, 2018.
(4) 
Class A common stock shares outstanding excludereflect repurchases traded but not yet settled on or before JuneDecember 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018.
(3)(5) 
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.
Reduction in as-converted shares.During the nine months ended June 30, 2018, total as-converted class A common stock was reduced by 52 million shares at an average price of $120.37 per share. Of the 52 million shares, 47 million were repurchased in the open market using $5.6 billion of operating cash on hand. Additionally, in June 2018, the Company deposited $600 million of operating cash into the litigation escrow account previously established under the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan. Also, the Company recovered $56 million of VE territory covered losses in accordance with the Europe retrospective responsibility plan during the nine months ended June 30, 2018. The deposit and recovery have the same economic effect on earnings per share as repurchasing the Company’s class A common stock, because they reduce the class B common stock conversion rate and the UK&I and Europe preferred stock conversion rates and consequently reduce 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
June 30, 2018
 Nine Months Ended
June 30, 2018
Shares repurchased in the open market(2)
14
 47
Average repurchase price per share(3)
$128.80
 $119.29
Total cost$1,754
 $5,604
(1)
Shares repurchased in the open market reflect repurchases settled during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018. These amounts include repurchases traded but not yet settled on or before September 30, 2017 for the nine months, or March 31, 2018 for the three months, and exclude repurchases traded but not yet settled on or before June 30, 2018.
(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.

14

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


In January 2018, the Company’s board of directors authorized an additional $7.5 billion share repurchase program. As of June 30, 2018, the Company’s January 2018 share repurchase program had remaining authorized funds of $5.8 billion for share repurchase. All share repurchase programs authorized prior to January 2018 have been completed.
Under the terms of the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, when the Company makes a deposit into the litigation escrow account, the shares of class B common stock are subject to dilution through a reduction to the conversion rate of the shares of class B common stock to shares of class A common stock.
The following table presents as-converted class B common stock after deposits into the litigation escrow account for the three and ninemonths ended June 30, 2018.
(in millions, except per share data)Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018
Reduction in equivalent number of as-converted shares of class A common stock5
Effective price per share(1)
$132.32
Deposits under the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan$600
(1)
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 certificate of incorporation.
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.
The following table presents as-convertedrecovery 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 afterconversion rates and consequently, reduces the Company recoveredas-converted class A common stock share count.

17

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


The following table presents effective price per share and recovery of VE territory covered losses through conversion rate adjustments, for the three and ninemonths ended June 30, 2018.adjustments:
 U.K.&I Preferred Stock Europe Preferred Stock
(in millions, except per share data)Three Months Ended
June 30, 2018
 Nine Months Ended
June 30, 2018
 Three Months Ended
June 30, 2018
 Nine Months Ended
June 30, 2018
Reduction in equivalent number of as-converted shares of class A common stock(1)

 
 
 
Effective price per share(2)
$130.50
 $113.05
 $130.50
 $112.92
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment$4
 $35
 $2
 $21
 Three Months Ended
December 31, 2018
 Twelve Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 Preferred Stock
 UK&I Europe UK&I Europe
 (in millions, except per share data)
Effective price per share(1)
$137.19
 $137.19
 $113.05
 $112.92
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment$5
 $1
 $35
 $21
(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 for the three months ended June 30, 2018quarter 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. Effective price per share for the nine months ended June 30, 2018fiscal year is calculated using the weighted-average effective prices of the November 2017 and May 2018 adjustments.respective adjustments made during the year.
Common stock repurchases. The following table(1) presents share repurchases in the open market for the following periods:
 Three Months Ended December 31,
 2018 2017
 (in millions, except per share data)
Shares repurchased in the open market(2)
17
 16
Average repurchase price per share(3)
$138.11
 $110.24
Total cost$2,393
 $1,778
(1)
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Shares repurchased in the open market reflect repurchases settled during the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. These amounts include repurchases traded but not yet settled on or before September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and exclude repurchases traded but not yet settled on or before December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
(2)
All shares repurchased in the open market have been retired and constitute authorized but unissued shares.
(3)
Average repurchase price per share is calculated based on unrounded numbers.
As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s January 2018 share repurchase program had remaining authorized funds of $1.8 billion for share repurchase. All share repurchase programs authorized prior to January 2018 have been completed. In January 2019, the Company’s board of directors authorized an additional $8.5 billion share repurchase program.
Dividends. OIn July 2018,n January 29, 2019, the Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.21$0.25 per share of class A common stock (determined in the case of class B and C common stock and UK&I and Europe preferred stock on an as-converted basis). The cash dividend will be paid on September 4, 2018,March 5, 2019, to all holders of record as of August 17, 2018.February 15, 2019. The Company declared and paid $487$572 million and $1.4 billion in dividends to holders of the Company’s common stock during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.December 31, 2018.
Note 8—10—Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to each class of shares 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 outstanding of each class of common stock outstanding reflects changes in ownership over the periods presented. See Note 7—9—Stockholders' Equity.

15

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


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 UK&I and Europe preferred stock and class B and C common stock based on the conversion rates 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 Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the assumed vesting of unearned performance shares.
The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2018.(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$1,793
 1,784
 $1.00
  $2,329
 2,321
(3) 
$1.00
Class B common stock406
 245
 $1.66
  $406
 245
 $1.65
Class C common stock49
 12
 $4.02
  $49
 12
 $4.01
Participating securities(4)
81
 Not presented
 Not presented
  $81
 Not presented
 Not presented
Net income$2,329
           
The following table presents earnings per share for the nine months ended June 30, 2018.(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$5,746
 1,798
 $3.20
  $7,456
 2,337
(3) 
$3.19
Class B common stock1,293
 245
 $5.27
  $1,291
 245
 $5.26
Class C common stock159
 12
 $12.78
  $158
 12
 $12.76
Participating securities(4)
258
 Not presented
 Not presented
  $259
 Not presented
 Not presented
Net income$7,456
           
The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2017.(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$1,591
 1,840
 $0.87
  $2,059
 2,385
(3) 
$0.86
Class B common stock350
 245
 $1.43
  $349
 245
 $1.42
Class C common stock47
 14
 $3.46
  $47
 14
 $3.45
Participating securities(4)
71
 Not presented
 Not presented
  $71
 Not presented
 Not presented
Net income$2,059
           

1618

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


The following table(1) presents earnings per share for the ninethree months ended June 30, 2017.(1)December 31, 2018:
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$3,518
 1,852
 $1.90
  $4,559
 2,404
(3) 
$1.90
$2,290
 1,760
 $1.30
  $2,977
 2,291
(3) 
$1.30
Class B common stock769
 245
 $3.13
  $767
 245
 $3.13
521
 245
 $2.12
  $520
 245
 $2.12
Class C common stock114
 15
 $7.60
  $114
 15
 $7.59
61
 12
 $5.20
  $61
 12
 $5.20
Participating securities(4)
158
 Not presented
 Not presented
  $158
 Not presented
 Not presented
105
 Not presented
 Not presented
  $105
 Not presented
 Not presented
Net income$4,559
           $2,977
           
The following table(1) presents earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2017:
 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
           
(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 400 million and 405 million for the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018 and 2017.2017, respectively. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class C common stock used in the income allocation was 4947 million and 5051 million for the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018 respectively, and 54 million and 60 million for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The weighted-average number of shares of preferred stock included within participating securities was 32 million of as-converted UK&I preferred stock for the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018 and 33 million2017, and 34 million of as-converted UK&I preferred stock for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The weighted-average number of shares of preferred stock included within participating securities was 44 million of as-converted Europe preferred stock for the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018 and 2017.
(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 3 million common stock equivalents for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018, and 4 million and 5 million common stock equivalents for the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, because their effect would be dilutive. The computation excludes less than 1 million and 12 million of common stock equivalents for the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018, respectively, and less than 1 million and 3 million of common stock equivalents for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017 respectively, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
(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 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 9—11—Share-based Compensation
The Company granted the following equity awards to employees and non-employee directors under the 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, or the EIP, during the ninethree months ended June 30,December 31, 2018:
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 options1,622,760
 $17.88
 $109.82
1,109,645
 $25.89
 $134.76
Restricted stock units (“RSUs”)2,776,303
 $110.57
  2,503,888
 $134.76
  
Performance-based shares(1)
641,498
 $120.11
  540,538
 $153.42
  
(1)  
Represents the maximum number of performance-based shares which could be earned.

19

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


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 related to the EIP of $242$95 million and $64 million for the ninethree months ended June 30,December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, net of estimated forfeitures, which are adjusted as appropriate.

17

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


Note 10—12—Income Taxes
The effective income tax rates were 17%18% and 20%22% for the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018 respectively, and 29% and 47% for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The effective tax ratesrate for the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018 differdiffers from the effective tax ratesrate in the same prior-year periodsperiod primarily due to:
an $81 million benefit due to a non-recurring audit settlement during the quarter ended June 30, 2018;
an $80 million benefit due to a non-recurring audit settlement during the quarter ended March 31, 2018;
the effects of U.S. tax reform legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted during the quarter ended December 31, 2017, as discussed below; and
the absence of the following items related to the Visa Europe reorganization recorded during the quarter ended March 31, 2017:
a $1.5 billion non-recurring, non-cash income tax provision primarily related to the elimination of deferred tax balances originally recognized upon the acquisition of Visa Europe; and
a $71 million one-time tax benefit related to the Visa Foundation’s receipt of Visa Inc. shares, previously recorded by Visa Europe as treasury stock.
The Tax Act,(the “Tax Act”), enacted on December 22, 2017, transitions the U.S. tax system to a new territorial system and lowersas discussed below:
The Tax Act reduced 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 iswas a blended rate of 24.5%, which will be reduced. Federal tax expense for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was determined at a 21% tax rate compared to 21% in fiscal 2019 and thereafter.
As a result of the reduction24.5% tax rate in the federal corporateprior-year period;
The Tax Act enacted a new deduction for foreign-derived intangible income (“FDII”) and a new tax rate,on global intangible low-tax income (“GILTI”). Both FDII and GILTI became effective for the Company remeasured its neton October 1, 2018; and
The absence of:
a $1.1 billion non-recurring, non-cash benefit from the remeasurement of deferred tax balances recorded in the three months ended December 31, 2017, in connection with the reduction in U.S. federal tax rate enacted by the Tax Act; and
a $1.1 billion one-time transition tax expense on certain untaxed foreign earnings recorded in the three months ended December 31, 2017, in connection with the requirement enacted by the Tax Act.
The Company previously recorded provisional amounts for the transition tax liabilities asand the tax effects of the enactment date ofvarious other tax provisions enacted by the Tax Act. The deferredAs permitted by ASU 2018-05, the Company completed the determination of the accounting impacts of the transition tax remeasurement resulted in a one-time, non-cashand the tax benefit estimated to be approximately $1.1 billion, recordedeffects of these various tax provisions in the three months ended December 31, 2017.
In transitioning2018. The adjustments to the new territorial tax system, the Tax Act requiresprovisional amounts were not material. In addition, 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 period of eight 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. The Company continues to obtain and analyze additional information and guidance as they become available to completehas adopted the accounting policy of accounting for the tax impacts of the 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, the final determination of the untaxed foreign earnings subject to the transition tax, and the final determination of the net 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 ASU 2018-05.
The Tax Act also introduces several tax provisions, including:
Taxtaxes 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 incomeGILTI 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 nine months ended June 30, 2018. 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 has been recorded in the nine months ended June 30, 2018.

18

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


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 Company on October 1, 2018. Hence, the Company has not recorded the impact of this provision in the nine months ended June 30, 2018.
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 nine months ended June 30, 2018, 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 and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018, the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits increased by $244$38 million, and $237 million, respectively. The Company’s net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized,all of which would favorably impact the effective tax rate increased by $69 million and $73 million during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.if recognized. The changeschange in unrecognized tax benefits areis primarily related to various tax positions across several jurisdictions. During the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018 and 2017, 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.
Note 11—13—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.

20

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


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:
 Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 2018 2017
 (in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$982
 $981
Provision for uncovered legal matters
 17
Additional provision for legal matters601
 142
Payments on legal matters(155) (145)
Balance at end of period$1,428
 $995

19

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


 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2018 2017
 (in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$1,434
 $982
Provision for uncovered legal matters7
 
Provision for covered legal matters90
 
Payments for legal matters(42) (152)
Balance at end of period$1,489
 $830
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 further discussion below under U.S. Covered Litigation and Note 2—4—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.
The following table summarizes the activity related to U.S. covered litigation:
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018 20172018 2017
(in millions)(in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$978
 $978
$1,428
 $978
Additional provision for interchange multidistrict litigation600
 
Payments on U.S. covered litigation(150) 
Payments for U.S. covered litigation
 (150)
Balance at end of period$1,428
 $978
$1,428
 $828
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 periodic adjustments to the conversion rates applicable to the 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 2—4—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
The following table summarizes the activity related to VE territory covered litigation:
 Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 2018 2017
 (in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$1
 $2
Accrual for VE territory covered litigation1
 142
Payments on VE territory covered litigation(2) (144)
Balance at end of period$
 $

2021

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


The following table summarizes the activity related to VE territory covered litigation:
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2018 2017
 (in millions)
Balance at beginning of period$
 $1
Accrual for VE territory covered litigation90
 
Payments for VE territory covered litigation(35) (1)
Balance at end of period$55
 $
U.S. Covered Litigation
Interchange Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) – Putative Class Actions
Defendants Visa, MasterCard,On December 6, 2018, the district court held a hearing on the Damages Class plaintiffs’ motion for preliminary approval of the Amended Settlement Agreement, and certain U.S. financial institutions have reached an agreement in principleon January 24, 2019, the district court granted preliminary approval.
Settlement discussions with plaintiffs purporting to act on behalf of the putative DamagesInjunctive Relief Class to resolve all Damages Class claims. The agreement to resolve these claims is subject to negotiation of a full written settlement agreement, and such negotiations are ongoing. Discussions with plaintiffs purportingOn January 16, 2019, the bank defendants moved to act on behalf ofdismiss the claims brought against them by the Injunctive Relief Class, are ongoing.
The Company believes at this stageon the grounds that some loss resulting fromplaintiffs lack standing and fail to state a claim against the Damages Class claims is probable and a range of loss is reasonably estimable. On June 28, 2018, the Company deposited an additional $600 million into its covered litigation escrow account. During the nine months ended June 30, 2018, the Company increased the U.S. covered litigation accrual to $1.43 billion. The balance of $1.43 billion is consistent with the Company’s estimate of its share of the lower end of a probable and reasonably estimable loss with respect to U.S. covered litigation. While this estimate is consistent with the Company’s view of the current status of discussions, the probable and reasonably estimable loss or range of such loss could materially vary if settlements cannot be reached. The Company will continue to consider and reevaluate this estimate in light of the substantial uncertainties and mediation obstacles that persist. The Company is unable to estimate a potential loss or range of loss, if any, at trial if negotiated resolutions cannot be reached.
Interchange Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) – Individual Merchant Actions
A number of individual merchant actions previously filed have been settled, and remain settled. 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.bank defendants.
VE Territory Covered Litigation
UK Merchant Litigation
Since July 2013, in excess of 400450 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 conductEurope, and in relationsome cases relating to one or more of the following types of interchange fees for creditcharged by Visa and debit card transactions: UK domestic, Irish domestic, other European domestic, intra-European Economic Area and/or other inter-regional.certain Visa rules. As of the filing date, Visa Europe, Visa Inc. and Visa International have settled the claims asserted by over 75 Merchants, leaving more than 300350 Merchants with outstanding claims.
In November 2016, a trial commenced relating to claims filed by a number of Merchants. All of these Merchants except one settled before the trial concluded in March 2017. On November 30, 2017, the court found that Visa’s UK domestic interchange was not restrictive of competition and dismissed the remaining claim. A further judgment was published on February 23, 2018, which did not change the court’s November 30, 2017 ruling but found that Visa’s UK domestic interchange would not have been exemptible under applicable law if it restricted competition. The remaining Merchant lodged an appeal and the matter was heard by the Court of Appeal in April 2018 in connection with two MasterCard cases. On July 4, 2018, the Court of Appeal overturned the lower court’s rulings of November 30, 2017 and February 23, 2018, finding that Visa’s UK domestic interchange restricted competition and the question of whether Visa’s UK domestic interchange was exempt from the finding of restriction under applicable law had been incorrectly decided. The Court of Appeal remitted the claim to the lower court to reconsider the exemption issue and the assessment of damages. Visa intends to seek permission to appeal aspects of the Court of Appeal’s judgment.
In addition, over 30 additional Merchants have threatened to commence similar proceedings. Standstill agreements have been entered into with respect
On November 29, 2018, Visa was granted permission to someappeal aspects of those Merchants’ claims. While the amountCourt of Appeal’s judgment to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, including the question of whether Visa’s UK 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 futurerestricted competition.
Other Litigation
European Commission Proceedings
Inter-regional Interchange Investigation. On December 4, 2018, the European Commission (EC) announced formal public consultation (known as “market testing”) of commitments proposed by Visa pursuant to Article 9 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 in order for the EC to conclude its investigation. Subject to market testing, the EC intends to adopt a decision declaring the commitments to be binding on Visa and concluding that there are no longer grounds for action by the EC and without any finding of infringement of the law by Visa. If accepted by the EC, the proposed commitments require Visa to cap its inter-regional multilateral interchange rates at 1.50% credit and 1.15% debit for “Card-Not-Present” transactions and 0.30% credit and 0.20% debit for “Card Present” transactions on consumer debit and credit cards issued outside of the European Economic Area when used at merchants located inside of the European Economic Area. The commitments would last for a period of five years following implementation. No fine will be imposed against Visa, and the commitments are proposed without prejudice to Visa’s position that its conduct did not infringe any law. The EC’s market testing was completed in January 2019, and the EC is expected to decide whether to formally adopt the proposed commitments in the first half of 2019.
EMV Chip Liability Shift
Plaintiffs filed a renewed motion for class certification on July 16, 2018, following an earlier denial of the motion without prejudice. Plaintiffs’ renewed motion was terminated without prejudice to reinstatement on October 17, 2018.

2122

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


Other Litigation
European Commission Proceedings
Inter-regional Interchange Investigation. Visa responded in writing to the revised Supplementary Statement of Objections in November 2017 and an oral hearing was held in February 2018. Visa continues to cooperate with the European Commission (EC) in its investigation.
Further, the debit and credit commitments previously entered into to settle certain aspects of the EC’s investigation have now both expired. However, the European Union rates on which those commitments were applied remain subject to limits imposed by the European Interchange Fee Regulation.
Canadian Competition Proceedings
Merchant Litigation. The court in Quebec held a class certification hearing in November 2017 and reserved decision.
Courts in all five Canadian provinces have preliminarily approved Visa’s settlement with merchant class plaintiffs, and hearings on final approval are scheduled from June through September 2018. On July 13, the court in British Columbia provided final approval of the settlement.
New Mexico Attorney General
The parties reached a settlement agreement and the case was dismissed on April 10, 2018.
EMV Chip Liability Shift
On March 11, 2018, the court denied the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification without prejudice. Plaintiffs subsequently filed a renewed motion for class certification on July 16, 2018.
Kroger
On February 6, 2018, Kroger sought leave to file a second amended complaint. The parties have stipulated that the litigation including consideration of that motion, be stayed until August 5, 2018.February 2, 2019.
Nuts for Candy
On March 6,October 18, 2018, the court denied Visa’s motion for summary adjudication of Nuts for Candy’s California unfair business statute claims. On April 2, 2018, Visa filed a petition for writ of mandate tostayed the California Court of Appeal seeking to overturn the lower court’s decision and stay the case, which was subsequently denied. On May 14, 2018, Nuts for Candy moved for class certification.case pending the district court’s decision on preliminary approval of the Amended Settlement Agreement discussed above under Interchange Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) – Putative Class Actions, and pending final approval of that agreement if preliminary approval is granted.
Black CardOhio Attorney General Civil Investigative Demand

On December 28, 2017, Black Card LLC (“Black Card”) filed a lawsuit against Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A. Inc., and certain Visa member financial institutions inJanuary 8, 2019, the U.S. District Court for the Western DistrictState of Wisconsin. The complaint alleged that defendants conspired to impede Black Card’s business in violation of Section 1Ohio Office of the Sherman Act and fraudulently concealed their conduct. Black Card sought treble damages, post-judgment interest, and attorneys’ fees. On February 8, 2018, Black Card voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit inAttorney General informed Visa that the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin without prejudice.investigation has been terminated.
This action followed 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 Tenth Circuit on May 10, 2017, and the appellate court held a hearing on March 22, 2018 and reserved decision.

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; 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; industry developments; expectations regarding litigation matters, investigations and proceedings; timing and amount of stock repurchases; sufficiency of sources of liquidity and funding; effectiveness of our risk management programs; and expectations regarding the impact of recent U.S.Tax Reform and 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, 20172018 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 enables fast, secure and reliable electronic payments across more than 200 countries and territories. We facilitate global commerce through the transfer of value and information among a global network of consumers, merchants, financial institutions, businesses, strategic partners and government entities. Our advanced transaction processing network, VisaNet, enables authorization, clearing and settlement of payment transactions and allows 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 nine months ended June 30, 2018 reflects continued economic growth around the world.
U.S. Tax Reform Legislation. 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 and was recorded in the nine months ended June 30, 2018. 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 was recorded in the nine months ended June 30, 2018. See Note 10—Income Taxes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Financial highlights.overview. Our financial results for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018 and the nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2017 reflected the impact of certain significant items that we believe were 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 for the three months ended June 30, 2017.December 31, 2018. Our as-reported U.S. GAAP and adjusted non-GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share for these periods were as follows:
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 2018
vs.
2017
 Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 2018
vs.
2017
Three Months Ended
December 31,
  
(in millions, except percentages and per share data)2018 2017 
%
Change(1)
 2018 2017 
%
Change(1)
2018 2017 
%
Change(1)
Net income, as reported$2,329
 $2,059
 13% $7,456
 $4,559
 64%$2,977
 $2,522
 18%
Diluted earnings per share, as reported$1.00
 $0.86
 16% $3.19
 $1.90
 68%$1.30
 $1.07
 21%
Net income, as adjusted(2)
$2,792
 $2,059
 36% $7,933
 $6,195
 28%$2,977
 $2,536
 17%
Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted(2)
$1.20
 $0.86
 39% $3.39
 $2.58
 32%$1.30
 $1.08
 21%
(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.
Net operatingHighlights for the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Our business is affected by overall economic conditions and consumer spending. Our business performance during the three months ended December 31, 2018 reflects continued, strong global consumer spending growth amidst uneven global economic conditions. We recorded net revenues of $5.2 billion and $15.2$5.5 billion for the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018, respectively, increased 15% and 12%an increase of 13% over the prior-year comparable periods,period, reflecting continued growth in nominal payments volume, nominal cross-border volume and processed transactions. The effect of exchange rate movements in the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018, as partially mitigated by our hedging program, resulted in an approximately one-and-a-halfhalf a percentage point positivenegative impact to our net operating revenuerevenues growth.
Total operating expenses of $2.4 billion and $5.6were $1.8 billion for the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018, respectively, increased 53% and 23%an increase of 17% over the prior-year comparable periods. Adjusted operating expenses, which excludes the non-cash operating expense for the litigation provision related to the interchange multidistrict litigation in the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018 and the non-recurring, non-cash operating expense related to Visa Inc. shares received by Visa Foundation in the nine months ended June 30, 2017, increased 14% and 15%, respectively, over prior-year comparable periods.period. The increase in both periodsthe period was primarily driven by continued investmentsdue to higher personnel, marketing and general and administrative expenses, as we continue to invest to support our business growth.

Adjusted financial results. Our financial results for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018 and the nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2017 reflected the impact of certain significant items that we believe were not indicative of our ongoing operating performance in these 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 June 30, 2017.December 31, 2018.
Litigation provision. During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018, we recorded a litigation provision of $600 million and related tax benefits of $137 million associated with the interchange multidistrict litigation. The tax impact is determined by applying applicable federal and state tax rates to the litigation provision. Under the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, we recover the monetary liabilities related to the U.S. covered litigation through a reduction to the conversion rate of our class B common stock to shares of class A common stock. See Note 2—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans and Note 11—Legal Matters to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Remeasurement of deferred tax balances. During the ninethree months ended June 30, 2018,December 31, 2017, in connection with the Tax Act’s reduction of the corporate income tax rate, we 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 approximatelyof $1.1 billion. See Note 10—12—Income Taxes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Transition tax on foreign earnings. During the ninethree months ended June 30, 2018,December 31, 2017, in connection with the Tax Act’s requirement that we include certain untaxed foreign earnings of 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—12—Income Taxes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Elimination of deferred tax balances. During the nine months ended June 30, 2017, in connection with our legal entity reorganization, we eliminated deferred tax balances originally recognized upon the acquisition of Visa Europe, resulting in the recognition of a non-recurring, non-cash income tax provision of $1.5 billion.
Charitable contribution. During the nine months ended June 30, 2017, associated with our legal entity reorganization, we recognized a non-recurring, non-cash general and administrative expense of $192 million, before tax, related to the charitable donation of Visa Inc. shares that were acquired as part of the Visa Europe acquisition and held as treasury stock. Net of the related cash income tax benefit of $71 million, determined by applying applicable tax rates, adjusted net income increased by $121 million.

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. The following tables reconciletable reconciles our as-reported financial measures, calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, to our respective non-GAAP adjusted financial measures for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018 and the nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2017. There were no comparable adjustments recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2017.December 31, 2018.
 Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
(in millions, except percentages and per share data)Operating Expenses 
Operating Margin
(1),(2)
 Income Tax Provision Net Income 
Diluted Earnings Per Share(1)
As reported$2,355
 55% $483
 $2,329
 $1.00
Litigation provision(600) 11% 137
 463
 0.20
As adjusted$1,755
 67% $620
 $2,792
 $1.20
 Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018
(in millions, except percentages and per share data)Operating Expenses 
Operating Margin
(1),(2)
 Income Tax Provision Net Income 
Diluted Earnings Per Share(1)
As reported$5,627
 63% $1,812
 $7,456
 $3.19
Litigation provision(600) 4% 137
 463
 0.20
Remeasurement of deferred tax balances
 % 1,133
 (1,133) (0.49)
Transition tax on foreign earnings
 % (1,147) 1,147
 0.49
As adjusted$5,027
 67% $1,935
 $7,933
 $3.39

 Nine Months Ended June 30, 2017
(in millions, except percentages and per share data)Operating Expenses 
Operating Margin
(1),(2)
 Income Tax Provision Net Income 
Diluted Earnings Per Share(1)
As reported$4,571
 66% $4,036
 $4,559
 $1.90
Elimination of deferred tax balances
 % (1,515) 1,515
 0.63
Charitable contribution(192) 1% 71
 121
 0.05
As adjusted$4,379
 68% $2,592
 $6,195
 $2.58
 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. Operating margin, dilutedDiluted earnings per share and theirits respective totalstotal are calculated based on unrounded numbers.
(2)
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by net operating revenues.

Interchange multidistrict litigation. During the nine months ended June 30, 2018, we recorded an additional accrual of $600 million to address claims associated with the interchange multidistrict litigation, resulting in an accrued litigation balance related to U.S. covered litigation of $1.4 billion at June 30, 2018. We also deposited $600 million of operating cash into the U.S. litigation escrow account. See Note 2—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans and Note 11—Legal Matters to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Reduction in as-converted shares.Common stock repurchases. During the ninethree months ended June 30,December 31, 2018, total as-convertedwe repurchased 17 million shares of our class A common stock was reduced by 52 million shares at an average price of $120.37 per share. Of the 52 million shares, 47 million were repurchased in the open market using $5.6$2.4 billion of operating cash on hand. Additionally in JuneAs of December 31, 2018, we deposited $600 millionour January 2018 share repurchase program had remaining authorized funds of operating cash into the litigation escrow account previously established under the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan. Also, we recovered $56 million of VE territory covered losses in accordance with the Europe retrospective responsibility plan during the nine months ended June 30, 2018. The deposit and the recovery have the same economic effect on earnings per$1.8 billion for share as repurchasing our class A common stock, because they reduce the class B common stock conversion rate and the UK&I and Europe preferred stock conversion rates, respectively, and consequently reduce the as-converted class A common stock share count. See Note 2—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans and Note 7—Stockholders' Equity to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.

repurchase. In January 2018,2019, our board of directors authorized an additional $7.5$8.5 billion share repurchase program. As of June 30, 2018, the program had remaining authorized funds of $5.8 billion for share repurchase. All share repurchase programs authorized prior to January 2018 have been completed. See Note 7—9—Stockholders' Equity to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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. During the three months ended December 31, 2018, we updated our definition of payments volume to now include all disbursement volume related to Visa Direct, in addition to the funding volume previously included. All prior periods presented have been adjusted accordingly. This change resulted in an increase of 0.5% in Visa Inc. total nominal payments volume growth for the three months ended September 30, 2018. Please refer to the Operational Performance Data section of Exhibit 99.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2019 for more details on the impact from this update in payments volume definition.
Nominal payments volume in the United States posted low double-digit growth for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018(1), driven mainly by consumer credit and debit. Nominal international payments volume growth was positivelynegatively impacted by the weakening ofmovements in the U.S. dollar.dollar exchange rates. On a constant-dollar basis, which excludes the impact of exchange rate movements, our international payments volume growth rate for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018(1) was 11%. Growth in processed transactions reflects the ongoing worldwide shift to electronic payments.
The following table(2) presents nominal payments and cash volume.(2)volume:
United States International Visa Inc.United States International Visa Inc.
Three Months Ended March 31,(1)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,(1)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,(1)
Three Months Ended September 30,(1)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,(1)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,(1)
2018 2017 %
Change
 2018 2017 %
Change
 2018 2017 %
Change
2018 2017 %
Change
 2018 2017 %
Change
 2018 2017 %
Change
(in billions, except percentages)(in billions, except percentages)
Nominal payments volume                                  
Consumer credit$342
 $311
 10% $610
 $524
 16% $952
 $835
 14%$382
 $348
 10% $615
 $592
 4 % $997
 $939
 6 %
Consumer debit(4)(3)
376
 342
 10% 443
 362
 22% 818
 704
 16%408
 358
 14% 459
 428
 7 % 868
 785
 11 %
Commercial(5)(4)
137
 123
 12% 90
 75
 21% 228
 198
 15%155
 135
 15% 93
 86
 8 % 247
 221
 12 %
Total nominal payments volume$854
 $776
 10% $1,143
 $960
 19% $1,998
 $1,736
 15%$945
 $840
 12% $1,167
 $1,106
 6 % $2,112
 $1,946
 9 %
Cash volume139
 133
 5% 584
 551
 6% 724
 684
 6%145
 142
 2% 578
 615
 (6)% 723
 756
 (4)%
Total nominal volume(6)(5)
$993
 $909
 9% $1,728
 $1,512
 14% $2,721
 $2,421
 12%$1,089
 $982
 11% $1,745
 $1,720
 1 % $2,835
 $2,702
 5 %
 United States 
International(3)
 
Visa Inc.(3)
 
Nine Months Ended March 31,(1)
 
Nine Months Ended March 31,(1)
 
Nine Months Ended March 31,(1)
 2018 2017 %
Change
 2018 2017 %
Change
 2018 2017 %
Change
 (in billions, except percentages)
Nominal payments volume                 
Consumer credit$1,064
 $962
 11% $1,816
 $1,624
 12% $2,880
 $2,586
 11%
Consumer debit(4)
1,098
 1,013
 8% 1,306
 1,099
 19% 2,404
 2,112
 14%
Commercial(5)
410
 373
 10% 268
 225
 19% 678
 598
 13%
Total nominal payments volume$2,572
 $2,348
 10% $3,390
 $2,948
 15% $5,962
 $5,296
 13%
Cash volume418
 402
 4% 1,803
 1,732
 4% 2,221
 2,135
 4%
Total nominal volume(6)
$2,990
 $2,750
 9% $5,193
 $4,681
 11% $8,183
 $7,431
 10%
The following table(2) presents nominal and constant payments and cash volume growth.(2)growth:
International Visa Inc. 
International(3)
 
Visa Inc.(3)
International Visa Inc.
Three Months
Ended March 31,
2018 vs. 2017
(1)
 
Three Months
Ended March 31,
2018 vs. 2017
(1)
 
Nine Months
Ended March 31,
2018 vs. 2017
(1)
 
Nine Months
Ended March 31,
2018 vs. 2017
(1)
Three Months
Ended September 30,
2018 vs. 2017
(1)
 
Three Months
Ended September 30,
2018 vs. 2017
(1)
Nominal 
Constant(7)
 Nominal 
Constant(7)
 Nominal 
Constant(7)
 Nominal 
Constant(7)
Nominal 
Constant(6)
 Nominal 
Constant(6)
Payments volume growth                      
Consumer credit growth16% 10% 14% 10% 12% 9% 11% 9%4 % 9% 6 % 10%
Consumer debit growth(4)(3)
22% 12% 16% 11% 19% 12% 14% 10%7 % 12% 11 % 13%
Commercial growth(5)(4)
21% 13% 15% 12% 19% 15% 13% 12%8 % 15% 12 % 15%
Total payments volume growth19% 11% 15% 11% 15% 11% 13% 10%6 % 11% 9 % 12%
Cash volume growth6% 2% 6% 2% 4% 1% 4% 2%(6)% 2% (4)% 2%
Total volume growth14% 8% 12% 8% 11% 7% 10% 8%1 % 8% 5 % 9%
(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 and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018 and 2017 were based on nominal payments volume reported by our financial institution clients for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
(2) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes and totals 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 paymentsIncludes consumer prepaid volume is no longer included in reportedand Interlink volume. For comparative purposes, international volume for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 was adjusted to exclude co-badged volume. The associated growth rates for the nine months ended March 31, 2018 were calculated using these adjusted amounts.
(4)
Includes consumer prepaid volume and Interlink volume.

(5) 
Includes large, middle and small business credit and debit, as well as commercial prepaid volume.
(6)(5) 
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 and other form factors 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-period updates, other than the change to the payments volume definition, are not material.
(7)(6) 
Growth on a constant-dollar basis excludes the impact of foreign currency fluctuations against the U.S. dollar.

The following table(1) provides the number of transactions involving cards and other form factors carrying the Visa, Visa Electron, Interlink, V PAY and PLUS cards processed on Visa’s networks during the periods presented.(1)presented:
Three Months Ended June 30, Nine Months Ended June 30,Three Months Ended December 31,
2018
2017
%
Change
 2018 2017 %
Change
2018 2017 %
Change
(in millions, except percentages)
Visa processed transactions31,728
 28,450
 12% 91,557
 82,035
 12%33,931
 30,508
 11%
(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes arechange is calculated based on unrounded numbers.
Results of Operations
OperatingNet Revenues
The following table sets forth our operatingnet revenues earned in the U.S. and internationally.internationally:
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 2018 vs. 2017 Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 2018 vs. 2017Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2018 vs. 2017
2018 2017 
$
Change
 
%
Change(1)
 2018 2017 $
Change
 
%
Change(1)
2018 2017 
$
Change
 
%
Change(1)
(in millions, except percentages)(in millions, except percentages)
U.S.$2,334
 $2,143
 $191
 9% $6,896
 $6,420
 $476
 7%$2,508
 $2,265
 $243
 11%
International2,906
 2,422
 484
 20% 8,279
 7,083
 1,196
 17%2,998
 2,597
 401
 15%
Net operating revenues$5,240
 $4,565
 $675
 15% $15,175
 $13,503
 $1,672
 12%
Net revenues$5,506
 $4,862
 $644
 13%
(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded numbers.
The increase in operatingnet revenues reflects the continued growth in nominal payments volume, nominal cross-border volume and processed transactions.
Our operatingnet 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 and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018, as partially mitigated by our hedging program, resulted in an approximately one-and-a-halfhalf a percentage point positivenegative impact to our net operating revenuerevenues growth.

The following table sets forth the components of our net operating revenues.revenues:
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 2018 vs. 2017 Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 2018 vs. 2017Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2018 vs. 2017
2018 2017 
$
Change
 
%
Change(1)
 2018 2017 $
Change
 
%
Change(1)
2018 2017 $
Change
 
%
Change(1)
(in millions, except percentages)(in millions, except percentages)
Service revenues$2,196
 $1,948
 $248
 13% $6,595
 $5,859
 $736
 13%$2,342
 $2,146
 $196
 9%
Data processing revenues2,359
 1,984
 375
 19% 6,633
 5,719
 914
 16%2,470
 2,147
 323
 15%
International transaction revenues1,830
 1,571
 259
 16% 5,248
 4,529
 719
 16%1,851
 1,666
 185
 11%
Other revenues229
 209
 20
 9% 688
 615
 73
 12%299
 229
 70
 30%
Client incentives(1,374) (1,147) (227) 20% (3,989) (3,219) (770) 24%(1,456) (1,326) (130) 10%
Net operating revenues$5,240
 $4,565
 $675
 15% $15,175
 $13,503
 $1,672
 12%
Net revenues$5,506
 $4,862
 $644
 13%
(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded numbers.
Service revenues increased primarily due to 15%and 13%9% growth in nominal payments volume during the three and nine-monththree-month comparable periods, respectively.period.
Data processing revenues increased mainly due to overall growth in processed transactions of 12%11% during the three and nine-monththree-month comparable periodsperiod as well as select pricing modifications effective after the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2017.2018.

International transaction revenues increased due to higher volatility in a broad range of currencies and 3% growth in nominal cross-border volume during the three-month comparable period. Growth in international transaction revenues also reflected select pricing modifications effective after the first quarter of fiscal 2018.
Other revenues increased primarily due to nominal cross-border volume growthchanges in the classification and timing of 15% and 17% duringrecognition of revenue as a result of the three and nine-month comparable periods, respectively.adoption of the new revenue standard.
Client incentives increased during the three and nine-month comparable periods mainly due to incentives recognized on long-term customer contracts that were initiated or renewed after the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20172018 and overall growth in global payments volume. Client incentives also increased due to changes in classification and timing of recognition as a result of the adoption of the new revenue standard. 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 execution of new contracts.
Operating Expenses
The following table sets forth components of our total operating expenses.expenses:
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 2018 vs. 2017 Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 2018 vs. 2017Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2018 vs. 2017
2018 2017 
$
Change
 
%
Change(1)
 2018 2017 
$
Change
 
%
Change(1)
2018 2017 
$
Change
 
%
Change(1)
(in millions, except percentages)(in millions, except percentages)
Personnel$852
 $698
 $154
 22% $2,355
 $1,973
 $382
 19 %$807
 $679
 $128
 19 %
Marketing240
 221
 19
 8% 724
 632
 92
 14 %276
 223
 53
 24 %
Network and processing169
 158
 11
 7% 498
 453
 45
 10 %173
 160
 13
 8 %
Professional fees112
 102
 10
 10% 312
 265
 47
 18 %91
 92
 (1) (1)%
Depreciation and amortization152
 132
 20
 16% 450
 409
 41
 10 %159
 145
 14
 9 %
General and administrative230
 230
 
 % 688
 822
 (134) (16)%276
 236
 40
 17 %
Litigation provision600
 
 600
 NM
 600
 17
 583
 NM
7
 
 7
 NM
Total operating expenses$2,355
 $1,541
 $814
 53% $5,627
 $4,571
 $1,056
 23 %$1,789
 $1,535
 $254
 17 %
(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded numbers.
Personnel expenses increased primarily due to an increase in headcount and higher incentive compensation, reflecting our strategy to invest for future growth.
Marketing expenses increased primarily due to changes in the classification and timing of recognition of certain marketing expenses as a result of the adoption of the new revenue standard as well as higher level of spending to support a number of campaigns, including the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games and 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Network and processing expenses increased mainly due to continued technology and processing network investments to support growth.
Professional fees increased primarily due to consulting fees related to technology and other corporate projects.
Depreciation and amortization increased primarily due to additional depreciation from our ongoing investments, including acquisitions.campaigns.
General and administrative expenses decreasedincreased mainly due to $192 million of non-recurring expense in the prior year related to the Visa Inc. shares held by Visa Europe that were received by the Visa Foundation, partially offset by higher product enhancement costs in support of our business growth.
Litigation provisionreflects a $600 million accrual related to the U.S. covered litigation. See Note 2—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans and Note 11—Legal Matters to our consolidated financial statements.
Non-operating Income (Expense)
The following table sets forth components of our non-operating income (expense).
 Three Months Ended
June 30,
 2018 vs. 2017 Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 2018 vs. 2017
 2018 2017 
$
Change
 
%
Change(1)
 2018 2017 
$
Change
 
%
Change(1)
 (in millions, except percentages)
Interest expense$(155) $(140) $(15) 10 % $(462) $(415) $(47) 11 %
Other82
 30
 52
 173 % 182
 78
 104
 132 %
Total non-operating expense$(73) $(110) $37
 (34)% $(280) $(337) $57
 (17)%
(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 and nine months ended June 30, 2018 primarily due to the issuance of $2.5 billion fixed-rate senior notes in September 2017. See Note 4—Debt to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Other non-operating income increased in the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018 due to gains on sales of investments and higher interest income on our cash and investments.
Effective Income Tax Rate
The effective income tax rates were 17%18% and 20%22% for the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018 respectively, and 29% and 47% for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The effective tax ratesrate for the three and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2018 differdiffers from the effective tax ratesrate in the same prior-year periodsperiod primarily due to:
an $81 million benefit due to a non-recurring audit settlement during the quarter ended June 30, 2018;
an $80 million benefit due to a non-recurring audit settlement during the quarter ended March 31, 2018;
the effects of the Tax Act enacted during the quarter ended December 31, 2017, as discussed below; and
the absence of the following items related to the Visa Europe reorganization recorded during the quarter ended March 31, 2017:
a $1.5 billion non-recurring, non-cash income tax provision primarily related to the elimination of deferred tax balances originally recognized upon the acquisition of Visa Europe; and
a $71 million one-time tax benefit related to the Visa Foundation’s receipt of Visa Inc. shares, previously recorded by Visa Europe as treasury stock.
The Tax Act, enacted on December 22, 2017, transitions the U.S. tax system to a new territorial system and lowersas discussed below:
The Tax Act reduced 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, our statutory federal corporate rate iswas a blended rate of 24.5%, which will be reduced. Federal tax expense for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was determined at a 21% tax rate compared to 21%the 24.5% tax rate in fiscal 2019the prior-year period;
The Tax Act enacted a new deduction for foreign-derived intangible income (“FDII”) and thereafter.a new tax on global intangible low-tax income (“GILTI”). Both FDII and GILTI became effective for us on October 1, 2018; and

As a resultThe absence of:
a $1.1 billion non-recurring, non-cash benefit from the remeasurement of deferred tax balances recorded in the three months ended December 31, 2017, in connection with the reduction in U.S. federal tax rate enacted by the Tax Act; and
a $1.1 billion one-time transition tax expense on certain untaxed foreign earnings recorded in the three months ended December 31, 2017, in connection with the requirement enacted by the Tax Act.
We previously recorded provisional amounts for the transition tax and the tax effects of the reduction in the federal corporatevarious other tax rate, we remeasured our net deferred tax liabilities as of the enactment date ofprovisions enacted by the Tax Act. The deferredAs permitted by ASU 2018-05, we completed the determination of the accounting impacts of the transition tax remeasurement resulted in a one-time, non-cashand the tax benefit estimated to be approximately $1.1 billion, recordedeffects of these various tax provisions in the three months ended December 31, 2017.
In transitioning2018. The adjustments to the new territorial tax system,provisional amounts were not material. In addition, we have adopted the Tax Act requiresaccounting policy of accounting for taxes on GILTI in the period that we include certain untaxed foreign earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries in our fiscal 2018 taxable income. Such foreign earnings areit is 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 intend to elect to pay the transition tax over a period of eight 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 tax impacts of the Tax Act. 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.
During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018, our gross unrecognized tax benefits increased by $244 million and $237 million, respectively. Our net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate increased by $69 million and $73 million during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018. The changes in unrecognized tax benefits are primarily related to various tax positions across several jurisdictions. See Note 10—Income Taxes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.such tax.
Adjusted effective income tax rate. Our financial results for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018 and nine months ended June 30,December 31, 2017 reflect the impact of certain significant items that we believe arewere not indicative of our operating performance in these or future periods,during the period, as they were either non-recurring or had no cash impact. As such, we have presented our adjusted effective income tax ratesrate for these periodsthe period in the tablestable below, which we believe provides a clearer understanding of our operating performance for the reported periods.period. There were no comparable adjustments recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2017.December 31, 2018. See Overview—Adjusted financial results within this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for descriptions of the adjustments in the tables below.
 Three Months Ended
June 30, 2018
 Nine Months Ended
June 30, 2018
(in millions, except percentages)Income Before Income Taxes Income Tax Provision 
Effective Income Tax Rate(1)
 Income Before Income Taxes Income Tax Provision 
Effective Income Tax Rate(1)
As reported$2,812
 $483
 17.2% $9,268
 $1,812
 19.5%
Litigation provision600
 137
   600
 137
  
Remeasurement of deferred tax balances
 
   
 1,133
  
Transition tax on foreign earnings
 
   
 (1,147)  
As adjusted$3,412
 $620
 18.2% $9,868
 $1,935
 19.6%
 Three Months Ended
June 30, 2017
 Nine Months Ended
June 30, 2017
(in millions, except percentages)Income Before Income Taxes Income Tax Provision 
Effective Income Tax Rate(1)
 Income Before Income Taxes Income Tax Provision 
Effective Income Tax Rate(1)
As reported$2,914
 $855
 29.3% $8,595
 $4,036
 47.0%
Elimination of deferred tax balances
 
   
 (1,515)  
Charitable contribution
 
   192
 71
  
As adjusted$2,914
 $855
 29.3% $8,787
 $2,592
 29.5%
 Three Months Ended
December 31, 2017
 Income Before Income Taxes Income Tax Provision 
Effective Income Tax Rate(1)
 (in millions, except percentages)
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:
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018 20172018 2017
(in millions)(in millions)
Total cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in):   
Total cash provided by (used in):   
Operating activities$9,219
 $6,441
$3,294
 $2,813
Investing activities(1,305) 1,587
(70) (707)
Financing activities(9,194) (6,304)(3,018) (4,021)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(89) 94
(68) 80
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents$(1,369) $1,818
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents$138
 $(1,835)
Operating activities. Cash provided by operating activities for the ninethree months ended June 30,December 31, 2018 was higher than the prior-year comparable period, reflecting continued growth in our underlying business.
Investing activities. Cash used in investing activities for the ninethree months ended June 30,December 31, 2018 was higherlower than the prior-year comparable period as prior-year purchases of available-for-sale investment securities reflected additional investment of net proceeds received from new fixed-rate senior notes issued in September 2017.

Financing activities. Cash used in financing activities for the ninethree months ended June 30,December 31, 2018 was higherlower than the prior-year comparable period primarily due to the repayment of the Senior Notes due 2017 Notes, deposits intoin the U.S. litigation escrow account,prior year. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in the repurchases of our class A common stock and higher dividends paid in the current year. This increase was partially offset by payments from our litigation escrow account. See Note 2—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans, Note 4—Debt and Note 7—9—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 $7.8 billion at June 30, 2018. This excludes $2.1 billion of cash and cash equivalents and available-for-sale investment securities we returned during the nine months ended June 30, 2018 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. After December 31, 2017, if it were necessary to repatriate the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries for use in the United States, the repatriated earnings would not be subject to further U.S. federal tax.
U.S. Litigation escrow account. In June 2018, we deposited $600 million into the U.S. litigation escrow account to address claims associated with the interchange multidistrict litigation. The balance of this account as of June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 was $1.5 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively, and is reflected as restricted cash in our consolidated balance sheet. See Note 2—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.

Uses of Liquidity
There has been no significant change to our primary uses of liquidity since September 30, 2017, except as discussed below. Based on our current cash flow 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 October 2017, we redeemed allCredit Ratings
During the three months ended December 31, 2018, our credit ratings by Standard and Poor’s were upgraded to the following as compared to September 30, 2018:
Standard and Poor’s
December 31, 2018September 30, 2018
Debt typeRatingOutlookRatingOutlook
Short-term unsecured debtA-1+StableA-1Positive
Long-term unsecured debtAA-StableA+Positive
Various factors affect our credit ratings, including changes in our operating performance, the economic environment, conditions in the electronic payment industry, our financial position and changes in our business strategy. We do not currently foresee any reasonable circumstances under which our credit ratings would be significantly downgraded. If a significant downgrade were to occur, it could adversely impact, among other things, our future borrowing costs and access to capital markets.
Uses 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 September 2017. Interest payments of $510 million were made in fiscal 2018. See Note 4—DebtLiquidity
There has been no significant change to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.primary uses of liquidity since September 30, 2018, except as discussed below.
U.S. Covered Litigation. We paid $150 million from the litigation escrow account during the nine months ended June 30, 2018. See Note 2—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans and Note 11—Legal Matters.
Reduction in as-converted shares.Common stock repurchases. During the ninethree months ended June 30,December 31, 2018, share repurchases and escrow deposits reduced as-converted class A common stock by 52we repurchased 17 million shares at an average price of $120.44 per share. Of the 52 million shares, 47 million was repurchased in the open market using $5.6 billion of operating cash on hand. Additionally, we deposited $600 million of operating cash into the U.S. litigation escrow account previously established under the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan. The deposit has the same economic effect on earnings per share as repurchasing our class A common stock because it reduces the class B conversion rate and consequently the as-converted class A common stock share count. See Note 2—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans and Note 7—Stockholders' Equity.
In January 2018, our boardusing $2.4 billion of directors authorized an additional $7.5 billion share repurchase program.cash on hand. As of June 30,December 31, 2018, we had remaining authorized funds of $5.8$1.8 billion for share repurchase. All share repurchase programs authorized prior to January 2018 have been completed. In January 2019, our board of directors authorized an additional $8.5 billion share repurchase program. See Note 7—9—Stockholders' Equity to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Dividends. During the ninethree months ended June 30,December 31, 2018, we declared and paid $1.4 billion$572 million in dividends to holders of our common stock. In July 2018,On January 29, 2019, our board of directors declared a cash dividend in the amount of $0.21$0.25 per share of class A common stock (determined in the case of class B and C common stock and UK&I and Europe preferred stock on an as-converted basis), which will be paid on September 4, 2018,March 5, 2019, to all holders of record as of August 17, 2018.February 15, 2019. See Note 7—9—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.
Deferred purchase consideration. On June 21, 2016, we acquired 100% of the share capital of Visa Europe. In connection with the purchase, we will pay an additional €1.0 billion, plus 4% compound annual interest, on the third anniversary of the closing of Visa Europe acquisition.
Fair Value Measurements—Financial Instruments
As of June 30,December 31, 2018, our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis included $13.9$14.9 billion of assets and $38$28 million of liabilities. See Note 3—5—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 ninethree months ended June 30,December 31, 2018, compared to September 30, 2017.2018.
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 of 1934, as amended) of Visa Inc. at the end of the period covered by this report and, based on such evaluation, have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of Visa Inc. were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of such date.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting. During the three-months ended December 31, 2018, the Company implemented a new client incentives accounting system along with enhancements and modifications to existing internal controls and procedures to comply with the new revenue standardThere hashave been no changeother changes 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 11—13—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, 2017,2018, filed with the SEC on November 17, 2017.

16, 2018.
ITEM 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The table below sets forth the Company’sour purchases of common stock during the three monthsquarter ended June 30,December 31, 2018.:
Period
Total Number 
of Shares
Purchased(1)
 
Average Price 
Paid per Share(1)
 
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)
April 1-30, 20184,173,945
 $119.77
 4,173,945
 $7,044,292,324
May 1-31, 20183,914,053
 $130.11
 3,912,115
 $6,535,207,476
June 1-30, 20185,531,189
 $134.69
 5,531,189
 $5,790,088,600
Total13,619,187
 $128.80
 13,617,249
  
Period 
Total Number 
of Shares
Purchased
 
Average Price 
Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs(1),(2)
 
Approximate Dollar Value
of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or Programs(1),(2)
October 1-31, 2018 7,030,817
 $139.71
 7,030,817
 $3,160,382,369
November 1-30, 2018 6,147,499
 $137.93
 6,147,499
 $2,312,319,949
December 1-31, 2018 3,742,470
 $134.10
 3,742,470
 $1,810,395,549
Total 16,920,786
 $137.82
 16,920,786
  
(1)
Includes 1,938 shares of class A common stock withheld at an average price of $128.16 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 the trade dates. For purposes of the Company’sour unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q, the impact of these repurchases is recorded according to settlement dates.
(3)(2) 
The Company’sOur board of directors from time to time authorizes the repurchase of shares of itsour common stock up to a certain monetary limit. In January 2019 and January 2018, theour board of directors authorized a share repurchase programprograms for $8.5 billion and $7.5 billion. This authorization hasbillion, respectively. These authorizations have no expiration date. All share repurchase programs authorized prior to January 2018 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.
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
    Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
Number
 Description of Documents Schedule/ Form File Number Exhibit Filing Date
           
         
           
         
           
         
           
         
           
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.

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:July 27, 2018January 31, 2019By: /s/ Alfred F. Kelly, Jr.
  Name: Alfred F. Kelly, Jr.
  Title: 
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
Date:July 27, 2018January 31, 2019By: /s/ Vasant M. Prabhu
  Name: Vasant M. Prabhu
  Title: 
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
     
Date:July 27, 2018January 31, 2019By: /s/ James H. Hoffmeister
  Name: James H. Hoffmeister
  Title: 
Global Corporate Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)

3736