Mastercard Incorporated - MA STOCK NEWS

Gap Inc. has launched a new suite of credit cards in partnership with Barclays US Consumer Bank and Mastercard. This program allows existing Cardmembers to transition to new cards, offering enhanced rewards such as 5 points for every $1 spent at Gap Inc. brands and 1 point for other purchases. New Cardmembers will receive bonus points until January 2023. The program emphasizes sustainability with cards made from recycled materials. Gap Inc. aims to strengthen community outreach through its 'Do Good' initiative, allowing members to donate rewards points to social causes.

Mastercard SpendingPulse has launched in Europe, providing insights into consumer spending across various markets. In May, retail sales saw significant year-over-year growth in Spain, the U.K., and France. While in-store sales rebounded, e-commerce sales experienced a slowdown. Spending has diversified, with notable increases in experiential sectors like restaurants and lodging, driven by consumer demand and price increases. Despite inflation, consumer resilience is evident as overall spending continues upward.

Mastercard announced new initiatives to enhance economic empowerment for women and girls in Central America, specifically in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. During the 9th Summit of the Americas, the company committed to digitizing 300,000 women-owned businesses and supporting 120 women-led SMEs over the next five years. Mastercard aims to provide vital financial tools, increase financial literacy among 5 million unbanked individuals, and inspire 5,000 girls to pursue STEM careers through its Girls4Tech program to drive digital inclusion.

Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE: MA) announced its participation in two investor conferences in June. On June 8, Craig Vosburg, chief product officer, will present at the William Blair Growth Stock Conference in Chicago at 1:40 p.m. ET. On June 14, Ed McLaughlin, president of operations & technology, will present at the RBC Capital Markets Financial Technology Investor Day in New York City at 8:00 a.m. ET. Live webcasts will be available, with replays archived for 30 days.

Mastercard has launched Cyber Front, a new attack simulation platform developed from its minority investment in Picus Security. With global cybercrime projected to cost $10.5 trillion by 2025, this tool aims to enhance operational resilience for businesses and governments by assessing cybersecurity controls against over 3,500 real-world threats. The initiative complements Mastercard's commitment to innovation in cybersecurity and its consulting practice, helping clients navigate digital transformations and mitigate risks effectively.

Mastercard's latest report from the Economics Institute highlights a robust travel recovery with global leisure and business flight bookings surpassing pre-pandemic levels. By April 2022, leisure flights exceeded 2019 numbers by 25%, with business flights also seeing significant growth. Spending in the transportation sector rebounded, particularly in cruises, which saw a 62% increase. International tourists now focus on experiences over material goods, with spending on experiences rising 34% above 2019 levels. The U.S., U.K., Switzerland, Spain, and the Netherlands emerged as top travel destinations.

Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE: MA) has announced participation in three virtual investor conferences this May. On May 12, President Linda Kirkpatrick will present at the MoffettNathanson Payments, Processors & IT Services Summit starting at 11:00 a.m. ET. On May 23, Vice Chairman Mike Froman will speak at the Morgan Stanley Sustainable Futures Conference at 3:30 p.m. ET. Finally, on May 24, CPO Craig Vosburg will present at the J.P. Morgan Conference in Boston at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Live webcasts will be available at investor.mastercard.com.

Mastercard SpendingPulse reports that total retail sales (excluding auto) rose by 7.2% year-over-year in April, and 15.3% compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. In-store sales surged 10.0%, while e-commerce sales slightly declined by 1.8%. Key sectors showed growth, including Apparel (+10.8%) and Department Stores (+15.7%). Furniture sales also increased by 3.8% year-over-year. Despite inflation pressures, consumer spending remains resilient, reflecting a shift back to brick-and-mortar shopping.

Mastercard (NYSE: MA) has launched a new campaign to support Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), featuring Emmy award-winning actor Sterling K. Brown. From May 1 to July 15, 2022, Mastercard will donate one cent for each online or contactless transaction at participating restaurants and grocery stores, up to $5 million. This initiative is part of Mastercard's ongoing commitment, having already contributed over $60 million to SU2C in the past decade, supporting the development of nine FDA-approved cancer therapies.