MA · Earnings call · 2026Q3T · Full report

Operating Expense Trends

Mastercard Inc · 2026-10-29 · Importance 55 · Surprise 40

Third-quarter operating expenses increased 12% year over year on a non-GAAP, currency-neutral basis, including a one-percentage-point increase from acquisitions and dispositions. Adjusted operating expense growth was primarily driven by spending on strategic priorities, including product innovation, geographic expansion, and continued technology investment. For full-year 2026, management expected low-double-digit operating expense growth, excluding inorganic activity, with minimal acquisition and disposition impact and a 0.5-to-1-percentage-point foreign-exchange headwind.

Key facts

• Mastercard's Q3 2026 operating expenses increased 12%, including a one-percentage-point increase from acquisitions and dispositions.
• Mastercard's Q3 adjusted operating expenses increased 12%, including a one-percentage-point increase from acquisitions and dispositions.
• Mastercard's Q3 operating expense growth was primarily driven by spending on strategic priorities, including product innovation, geographic expansion, and technology investments.