Mizuho upgrades Visa stock citing cash-to-card growth optimism

Published 05/06/2025, 10:28
Mizuho upgrades Visa stock citing cash-to-card growth optimism

On Thursday, Mizuho (NYSE:MFG) analysts upgraded Visa stock (NYSE: V) from Neutral to Outperform, raising the price target to $425 from $359. The analysts highlighted the potential for sustained growth in Visa’s cash-to-card conversion, which has historically contributed significantly to the company’s volume growth. The stock, currently trading near its 52-week high of $369.66, has delivered a 35% return over the past year. According to InvestingPro data, Visa maintains a "GREAT" financial health score.

The analysts noted that Visa’s growth has been affected by a shift in spending towards less-card-based categories since the pandemic. However, this trend is beginning to reverse, and there is optimism for a longer cash-to-card conversion runway in the U.S. than previously thought. They estimate true U.S. card penetration at around 75%, compared to the consensus of 80-90%.

Visa’s performance in regions like Canada and the Nordics, where card penetration exceeds 90%, provides further evidence of potential growth beyond personal consumption expenditures. The analysts raised their estimates for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, anticipating improved U.S. volume growth.

Visa’s valuation was adjusted to 31 times the fiscal year 2026 estimate, up from 28 times previously. Currently trading at a P/E ratio of 35.42x, with a dividend growth rate of 13.46% over the last twelve months, the analysts believe this reflects the company’s potential for solid top-line growth domestically over the next decade.

In other recent news, Visa Inc (NYSE:V). has announced the appointment of Andrew Torre as the new president of its value-added services division, succeeding Antony Cahill. Concurrently, Cahill has been named the Chief Executive Officer for Visa’s European operations, a transition following Charlotte Hogg’s departure. On the financial front, Truist Securities initiated a Buy rating on Visa, with a price target of $400, citing the company’s resilience and potential for earnings growth. Similarly, Citi maintained its Buy rating with a $396 target, expressing confidence in Visa’s innovation and potential for sustained growth. Visa has also launched the Visa Commercial Integrated Partners program, aimed at simplifying fintech integrations with its commercial offerings. This initiative is designed to reduce development time and costs, enhancing the payment experiences for customers and fostering fintech innovation. Car IQ, a fleet and vehicle technology firm, is among the first to join this program, leveraging Visa’s platform for in-app payments. These developments collectively highlight Visa’s strategic moves in leadership, financial market positioning, and technological innovation.

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