New York, Feb 3, 2026, 12:17 EST — Regular session
Visa (V) shares climbed $1.12, or 0.3%, to $334.96 by midday Tuesday after the payments giant announced a deal with UnionPay International to boost cross-border payouts into mainland China. The partnership aims to enable clients to send remittances and business-to-consumer payments to over 95% of UnionPay International debit cardholders in the Chinese mainland. Visa expects the rollout to begin in the first half of 2026. “Global business now moves at internet speed, but money hasn’t always kept pace,” said Visa Direct head Vira Platonova. (Visa Investor Relations)
This shift is significant because Visa’s growth story increasingly relies on money movement beyond classic card spending, including “push” payments—transfers to cards and accounts—where fees behave differently and volume can ramp up fast. Investors have been watching cross-border volumes closely, tracking purchases made with cards issued in one country but used in another as a rough proxy for travel and global trade. (Reuters)
Visa reported a 12% rise in cross-border total volumes for its latest quarter, slowing from 16% the previous period, while overall payment volumes climbed 8% on a constant-dollar basis. Finance chief Chris Suh told Reuters the company had “not seen a meaningful impact from tariffs,” a nod to trade tensions that have unsettled some consumer-facing firms.
The macro backdrop is tangled this week. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced the January jobs report won’t come out Friday due to the partial federal government shutdown, noting that “the release will be rescheduled upon the resumption of government funding.” (Reuters)
Visa described the UnionPay International link as designed for contractor payments, creator and freelancer payouts, reimbursements, and family remittances—funds sent home by overseas workers. The company promoted the service as “real-time,” but noted that timing depends on the receiving bank, local regulations, and compliance procedures.
Visa Direct has evolved into a key strategic tool as wallets, marketplaces, and payroll platforms demand quicker settlement, while regulators and merchants tighten the screws on card fees. Viewed this way, launching a corridor into mainland China isn’t so much about a fresh consumer card offering as it is about the underlying infrastructure.
Payments stocks moved in line with the wider market following data showing a pickup in factory activity. The U.S. ISM manufacturing PMI climbed to 52.6 in January, up from 47.9 in December. (Reuters)
Analyst backing gave a boost too. Compass Point raised its price target on Visa to $443 from $436, maintaining a buy rating. The firm highlighted consistent gross revenue growth despite slower discretionary spending in sectors like airlines and e-commerce. (Investing)
Mastercard (MA), Visa’s nearest competitor, edged up slightly by midday. American Express (AXP) barely moved, keeping Visa’s jump aligned with the broader sector instead of sparking a standout rally.
The China corridor won’t follow a simple path. Regulatory hurdles, how fast clients jump on board, and the speed at which “real-time” payouts turn into fee income all play a role. Any disruption in travel or cross-border spending would quickly reflect in the key metrics investors track.
Traders are turning to Washington as the House prepares to vote Tuesday on stopgap funding. The delayed jobs report, initially set for Friday, still hangs over markets trying to gauge consumer strength. (Reuters)
