NEW YORK, Feb 1, 2026, 10:50 EST — The market has closed.
Shares of Mastercard Incorporated slipped 0.9% on Friday, closing at $538.79. This pullback pared some of the strong gains seen a day earlier following the company’s quarterly earnings release. The stock fluctuated between $535.23 and $543.76, with around 4.31 million shares changing hands. (Investing)
The pullback is significant since traders see Mastercard’s payment volumes as a fast indicator of consumer demand, particularly in travel and online shopping. The next session kicks off amid market jitters over rates, Washington, and any hint that consumers might be faltering.
U.S. stocks ended Friday in the red following President Donald Trump’s nomination of former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh to replace Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Investors also wrestled with a strong inflation report and renewed concerns over a government shutdown. “Markets are calibrating to Trump’s pick of Kevin Warsh … and the outlook for monetary policy,” said Michael Hans, chief investment officer at Citizens Wealth. (Reuters)
American Express offered another snapshot of card spending on Friday, projecting 2026 earnings per share between $17.30 and $17.90. Despite this upbeat forecast, its shares slipped roughly 2% after the company narrowly missed fourth-quarter profit estimates. (Reuters)
Mastercard reported its update on Jan. 29, posting adjusted earnings per share of $4.76 for Q4 and net revenue of $8.8 billion. Gross dollar volume, reflecting purchase value processed through its network, increased 7%. Cross-border volume, which signals spending beyond cardholders’ home countries, jumped 14%. (Q4 CDN)
Chief executive Michael Miebach highlighted a resilient spending environment. “The overall macroeconomic environment is supportive and we continue to see healthy consumer and business spending,” he said. (Q4 CDN)
The company announced plans to cut roughly 4% of its global staff and anticipates a restructuring charge near $200 million this quarter. “This will result in reductions in some areas and roles, but lead to further investment and increased focus in others,” Miebach told analysts. (Reuters)
Investors are closely watching to see if the restructuring leads to a leaner cost base without derailing the company’s expansion into new services alongside its core network. For a stock known for steady growth, management’s tone often carries as much weight as the actual financial results.
Washington might shape risk appetite as markets open Monday. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday he’s confident he has enough Republican support to end the partial government shutdown within days. “I’m confident that we’ll do it at least by Tuesday,” he said. (Reuters)
Policy risk remains a cloud over the wider credit-card market. Trump proposed a one-year 10% cap on credit card interest rates but didn’t specify how it would be enforced; experts say Congress would have to sign off. Senator Elizabeth Warren dismissed the idea, calling it “a joke” to simply ask credit card firms to cooperate. (Reuters)
Investors are turning their attention to the U.S. Employment Situation report for January, set for release on Feb. 6 at 8:30 a.m. ET. This number often moves rate expectations sharply, which in turn can reshape how the market values the spending driving card networks like Mastercard. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
