VISA INC., 10-Q filed on 4/21/2017
Quarterly Report
Document and Entity Information
6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Apr. 14, 2017
Class A common stock
Apr. 14, 2017
Class B common stock
Apr. 14, 2017
Class C common stock
Entity Registrant Name
VISA INC. 
 
 
 
Entity Central Index Key
0001403161 
 
 
 
Current Fiscal Year End Date
--09-30 
 
 
 
Entity Filer Category
Large Accelerated Filer 
 
 
 
Document Type
10-Q 
 
 
 
Document Period End Date
Mar. 31, 2017 
 
 
 
Document Fiscal Year Focus
2017 
 
 
 
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Q2 
 
 
 
Amendment Flag
false 
 
 
 
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
 
1,846,250,328 
245,513,385 
13,684,312 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2016
Assets
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 6,427 
$ 5,619 
Restricted cash—U.S. litigation escrow (Note 3)
1,029 
1,027 
Investment securities (Note 4):
 
 
Trading
78 
71 
Available-for-sale
1,417 
3,248 
Settlement receivable
3,350 
1,467 
Accounts receivable
1,081 
1,041 
Customer collateral (Note 7)
1,043 
1,001 
Current portion of client incentives
292 
284 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
788 
555 
Total current assets
15,505 
14,313 
Investment securities, available-for-sale (Note 4)
2,882 
3,931 
Client incentives
486 
448 
Property, equipment and technology, net
2,133 
2,150 
Other assets
980 
893 
Intangible assets, net (Note 2 and Note 5)
26,416 
27,234 
Goodwill (Note 2 and Note 5)
14,825 
15,066 
Total assets
63,227 
64,035 
Liabilities
 
 
Accounts payable
120 
203 
Settlement payable
2,879 
2,084 
Customer collateral (Note 7)
1,043 
1,001 
Accrued compensation and benefits
500 
673 
Client incentives
1,753 
1,976 
Accrued liabilities
1,167 
1,128 
Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 6)
1,748 
0 
Accrued litigation (Note 13)
996 
981 
Total current liabilities
10,206 
8,046 
Long-term debt (Note 6)
14,140 
15,882 
Deferred tax liabilities
5,731 
4,808 
Deferred purchase consideration (Note 2)
1,180 
1,225 
Other liabilities
1,187 
1,162 
Total liabilities
32,444 
31,123 
Equity
 
 
Treasury stock (Note 9)
0 
(170)
Right to recover for covered losses (Note 3)
(77)
(34)
Additional paid-in capital
17,103 
17,395 
Accumulated income
9,140 
10,462 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net:
 
 
Investment securities, available-for-sale
45 
36 
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans
(216)
(225)
Derivative instruments classified as cash flow hedges
(6)
(50)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(803)
(219)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
(980)
(458)
Total equity
30,783 
32,912 
Total liabilities and equity
63,227 
64,035 
Series A Preferred Stock
 
 
Equity
 
 
Preferred stock
0 
0 
U.K.& I preferred stock
 
 
Equity
 
 
Preferred stock
2,397 
2,516 
Europe preferred stock
 
 
Equity
 
 
Preferred stock
3,200 
3,201 
Class A common stock
 
 
Equity
 
 
Common stock
0 
0 
Class B common stock
 
 
Equity
 
 
Common stock
0 
0 
Class C common stock
 
 
Equity
 
 
Common stock
$ 0 
$ 0 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2016
Preferred Stock
 
 
Preferred stock, par value
$ 0.0001 
$ 0.0001 
Preferred stock, shares authorized
25 
25 
Preferred stock, shares issued
5 
5 
Preferred stock, shares outstanding
5 
5 
Series A Preferred Stock
 
 
Preferred stock, par value
$ 0.0001 
 
Preferred stock, shares issued
0 
0 
U.K.& I preferred stock
 
 
Preferred stock, par value
$ 0.0001 
 
Preferred stock, shares issued
2 
2 
Preferred stock, shares outstanding
2 
2 
Europe preferred stock
 
 
Preferred stock, par value
$ 0.0001 
 
Preferred stock, shares issued
3 
3 
Preferred stock, shares outstanding
3 
3 
Class A common stock
 
 
Common stock, par value
$ 0.0001 
$ 0.0001 
Common stock, shares authorized
2,001,622 
2,001,622 
Common stock, shares issued
1,847 
1,871 
Common stock, shares outstanding
1,847 1
1,871 
Class B common stock
 
 
Common stock, par value
$ 0.0001 
$ 0.0001 
Common stock, shares authorized
622 
622 
Common stock, shares issued
245 
245 
Common stock, shares outstanding
245 
245 
Class C common stock
 
 
Common stock, par value
$ 0.0001 
$ 0.0001 
Common stock, shares authorized
1,097 
1,097 
Common stock, shares issued
14 
17 
Common stock, shares outstanding
14 
17 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Operating Revenues
 
 
 
 
Service revenues
$ 1,993 
$ 1,699 
$ 3,911 
$ 3,344 
Data processing revenues
1,843 
1,473 
3,735 
2,952 
International transaction revenues
1,469 
1,045 
2,958 
2,076 
Other revenues
203 
198 
406 
396 
Client incentives
(1,031)
(789)
(2,072)
(1,577)
Net operating revenues
4,477 
3,626 
8,938 
7,191 
Operating Expenses
 
 
 
 
Personnel
704 
528 
1,275 
1,027 
Marketing
193 
186 
411 
380 
Network and processing
150 
126 
295 
254 
Professional fees
83 
66 
163 
138 
Depreciation and amortization
131 
121 
277 
241 
General and administrative
406 
164 
592 
320 
Litigation provision (Note 13)
2 
1 
17 
1 
Total operating expenses
1,669 
1,192 
3,030 
2,361 
Operating income
2,808 
2,434 
5,908 
4,830 
Non-operating (Expense) Income
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(135)
(132)
(275)
(161)
Other
29 
139 
48 
411 
Non-operating (expense) income
(106)
7 
(227)
250 
Income before income taxes
2,702 
2,441 
5,681 
5,080 
Income tax provision (Note 12)
2,272 
734 
3,181 
1,432 
Net income
$ 430 
$ 1,707 
$ 2,500 
$ 3,648 
Class A common stock
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)
$ 0.18 
$ 0.71 1
$ 1.04 1
$ 1.51 1
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)
1,854 
1,909 
1,857 
1,923 
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)
$ 0.18 
$ 0.71 1
$ 1.04 1
$ 1.51 1
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)
2,406 2
2,401 2
2,413 2
2,416 2
Class B common stock
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)
$ 0.30 
$ 1.17 1
$ 1.71 1
$ 2.49 1
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)
245 
245 
245 
245 
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)
$ 0.29 
$ 1.17 1
$ 1.71 1
$ 2.49 1
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)
245 
245 
245 
245 
Class C common stock
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)
$ 0.72 
$ 2.85 1
$ 4.15 1
$ 6.05 1
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)
15 
19 
16 
19 
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)
$ 0.72 
$ 2.84 1
$ 4.14 1
$ 6.04 1
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares)
15 
19 
16 
19 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
 
 
 
 
Net income
$ 430 
$ 1,707 
$ 2,500 
$ 3,648 
Investment securities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized gain
19 
26 
16 
60 
Income tax effect
(7)
(7)
(8)
(23)
Reclassification adjustment for net loss (gain) realized in net income
(1)
3 
(1)
3 
Income tax effect
0 
1 
0 
1 
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans:
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized actuarial (loss) gain and prior service credit
(5)
5 
(5)
61 
Income tax effect
2 
(2)
2 
(23)
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service credit realized in net income
15 
2 
21 
(5)
Income tax effect
(7)
0 
(9)
2 
Derivative instruments classified as cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized (loss) gain
(49)
(54)
25 
(38)
Income tax effect
11 
11 
4 
6 
Reclassification adjustment for net loss (gain) realized in net income
8 
(37)
20 
(85)
Income tax effect
(3)
11 
(5)
25 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
404 
0 
(584)
0 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
389 
(47)
(522)
(22)
Comprehensive income
$ 819 
$ 1,660 
$ 1,978 
$ 3,626 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Operating Activities
 
 
Net income
$ 2,500 
$ 3,648 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
Client incentives
2,072 
1,577 
Fair value adjustment for the Visa Europe put option
0 
(255)
Share-based compensation (Note 11)
116 
97 
Excess tax benefit for share-based compensation
0 
(43)
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment, technology and intangible assets
277 
241 
Deferred income taxes
1,700 
(29)
Right to recover for covered losses recorded in equity
(163)
0 
Noncash Contribution Expense
192 
0 
Other
23 
17 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
Settlement receivable
(1,946)
(6)
Accounts receivable
(40)
(97)
Client incentives
(2,306)
(1,912)
Other assets
(301)
(397)
Accounts payable
(83)
(34)
Settlement payable
883 
(57)
Accrued and other liabilities
(35)
81 
Accrued litigation (Note 14)
15 
(12)
Net cash provided by operating activities
2,904 
2,819 
Investing Activities
 
 
Purchases of property, equipment, technology and intangible assets
(317)
(250)
Investment securities, available-for-sale:
 
 
Purchases
(1,083)
(17,437)
Proceeds from maturities and sales
3,972 
15,860 
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired
302 
14 
Purchases of / contributions to other investments
(2)
(9)
Proceeds / distributions from other investments
0 
4 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
2,268 
(1,846)
Financing Activities
 
 
Dividends paid (Note 9)
(795)
(676)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes (Note 6)
0 
15,971 
Debt issuance costs (Note 6)
0 
(96)
Payments from litigation escrow account—U.S. retrospective responsibility plan (Note 3 and Note 14)
0 
11 
Cash proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee equity plans
87 
49 
Restricted stock and performance-based shares settled in cash for taxes
(66)
(85)
Excess tax benefit for share-based compensation
0 
43 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(4,243)
11,452 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(121)
0 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
808 
12,425 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
5,619 
3,518 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
6,427 
15,943 
Supplemental Disclosure
 
 
Income taxes paid, net of refunds
1,611 
1,501 
Interest payments on debt (Note 6)
244 
0 
Net unrealized gain on currency forward contracts
0 
116 
Accruals related to purchases of property, equipment, technology and intangible assets
37 
38 
Class A common stock
 
 
Financing Activities
 
 
Repurchase of class A common stock (Note 9)
$ (3,469)
$ (3,765)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization. Visa Inc. ("Visa" or the "Company") is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, merchants, financial institutions, businesses, strategic partners and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable electronic payments. Visa and its wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries, including Visa U.S.A. Inc. ("Visa U.S.A."), Visa International Service Association ("Visa International"), Visa Worldwide Pte. Limited, Visa Europe Limited ("Visa Europe"), Visa Canada Corporation, Inovant LLC and CyberSource Corporation ("CyberSource"), operate one of the world’s largest retail electronic payments networks — VisaNet — which facilitates authorization, clearing and settlement of payment transactions and enables us to provide our financial institution and merchant clients a wide range of products, platforms and value-added services. VisaNet also offers fraud protection for account holders and assured payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for account holders on Visa products. In most cases, account holder and merchant relationships belong to, and are managed by, Visa's financial institution clients.
Consolidation and basis of presentation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Visa and its consolidated entities and are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). The Company consolidates its majority-owned and controlled entities, including variable interest entities ("VIEs") for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company’s investments in VIEs have not been material to its consolidated financial statements as of and for the periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") requirements for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and, consequently, do not include all of the annual disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. Reference should be made to the Visa Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016 for additional disclosures, including a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements.
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. Subsequently, the FASB also issued a series of amendments to the new revenue standard. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2018, and expects to adopt the standard using the modified retrospective transition method. The Company expects that the new standard will primarily impact recognition timing for certain fixed incentives and price discounts provided to clients, and the classification of certain client incentives between contra revenues and operating expenses. The Company is still in the process of quantifying the full effect that ASU 2014-09 and all of its related subsequent updates will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payments, including the accounting for excess tax benefits and deficiencies, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification on the statement of cash flows related to excess tax benefits and employee taxes paid when an employer withholds shares for tax-withholding purposes. The Company elected to early adopt this guidance effective October 1, 2016. The adoption had the following impact on the consolidated financial statements:
•
The Company recorded excess tax benefits of $46 million in our provision for income taxes rather than as an increase to additional paid-in capital for the six months ended March 31, 2017 on a prospective basis. Therefore, the prior period presented has not been adjusted.
•
The Company excluded the excess tax benefits from the assumed proceeds available to repurchase shares in the computation of diluted earnings per share, which did not have a material impact on our diluted earnings per share for the six months ended March 31, 2017.
•
The Company elected to apply the presentation requirement for cash flows related to excess tax benefits prospectively, and thus, the prior period presented has not been adjusted. This adoption resulted in an increase to both net cash provided by operating activities and net cash used in financing of $46 million for the six months ended March 31, 2017.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, which requires that entities recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs. The standard will be effective for Visa on October 1, 2018. However, the Company is considering early adoption of the standard on October 1, 2017. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, which requires that a statement of cash flows includes the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2018. The adoption will impact the presentation of transactions related to the U.S. litigation escrow account on the consolidated statements of cash flows.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, which simplifies the test for goodwill impairment by eliminating a previously required step. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2020. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, which requires that the service cost component of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost be presented in the same line item as other employee compensation costs, while the other components be presented separately as non-operating income (expense). Currently, all net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs are presented in Personnel on the Company's consolidated statement of operations. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2018. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Visa Europe
Visa Europe
Note 2—Visa Europe
On June 21, 2016, the Company acquired 100% of the share capital of Visa Europe, a payments technology business. The acquisition positions Visa to create additional value through increased scale, efficiencies realized by the integration of both businesses, and benefits related to Visa Europe's transition from an association to a for-profit enterprise. At the closing of the transaction (the "Closing"), the Company:
•
paid up-front cash consideration of €12.2 billion ($13.9 billion);
•
issued preferred stock of the Company convertible upon certain conditions into approximately 79 million shares of class A common stock of the Company, as described below, equivalent to a value of €5.3 billion ($6.1 billion) at the closing stock price of $77.33 on June 21, 2016; and
•
agreed to pay an additional €1.0 billion, plus 4% compound annual interest, on the third anniversary of the Closing.
Preferred stock. In connection with the transaction, three new series of preferred stock of the Company were created:
•
series A convertible participating preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, which is generally designed to be economically equivalent to the Company’s class A common stock (the “class A equivalent preferred stock”);
•
series B convertible participating preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “U.K.&I preferred stock”); and
•
series C convertible participating preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Europe preferred stock”).
The Company issued 2,480,466 shares of U.K.&I preferred stock to Visa Europe’s member financial institutions in the United Kingdom and Ireland entitled to receive preferred stock at the Closing, and 3,156,823 shares of Europe preferred stock to Visa Europe’s other member financial institutions entitled to receive preferred stock at the Closing. Under certain conditions described below, the U.K.&I and Europe preferred stock is convertible into shares of class A common stock or class A equivalent preferred stock, at an initial conversion rate of 13.952 shares of class A common stock for each share of U.K.&I preferred stock and Europe preferred stock. The conversion rates may be reduced from time to time to offset certain liabilities, which may be incurred by the Company, Visa Europe or their affiliates as a result of certain existing and potential litigation relating to the setting of multilateral interchange fee rates in the Visa Europe territory, where, generally, the relevant claims (and resultant liabilities and losses) relate to the period before the Closing. See Note 3—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
Updated purchase price allocation.
Upon the Closing, total purchase consideration of $18.8 billion was allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on a preliminary valuation. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2017, based on additional information that became available, which impacted certain of the assumptions used, the Company updated the purchase price allocation.
The following table summarizes the updated purchase price allocation:
 
Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
 
Measurement Period Adjustments
 
Updated
Purchase Price Allocation
 
(in millions)
Current assets(1)
$
4,457

 
$
—

 
$
4,457

Non-current assets(2)
258

 
(46
)
 
212

Current liabilities(3)
(2,731
)
 
(39
)
 
(2,770
)
Non-current liabilities(2)
(2,605
)
 
618

 
(1,987
)
Tangible assets and liabilities
$
(621
)
 
$
533

 
$
(88
)
Intangible assets — customer relationships and reacquired rights(2)
16,137

 
(232
)
 
15,905

Goodwill(4)
3,268

 
(301
)
 
2,967

Fair value of net assets acquired
$
18,784

 
$
—

 
$
18,784


(1) 
Current assets are largely comprised of cash and cash equivalents and settlement receivable.
(2) 
Intangible assets consist of customer relationships and reacquired rights, which have been valued as a single composite intangible asset as they are inextricably linked. These intangibles are considered indefinite-lived assets as the associated customer relationships have historically not experienced significant attrition, and the reacquired rights are based on the Framework Agreement, which has a perpetual term. Non-current assets and liabilities include deferred tax assets and liabilities that result in net deferred tax liabilities of $1.7 billion based on the updated valuation. In February 2017, the Company completed a legal entity reorganization, resulting in the elimination of most of these deferred tax assets and liabilities. See Note 12—Income Taxes.
(3) 
Current liabilities assumed mainly include settlement payable, client incentives liabilities and accrued liabilities.
(4) 
The excess of purchase consideration over net assets acquired was recorded as goodwill, which represents the value that is expected from increased scale and synergies as a result of the integration of both businesses.
Actual and pro forma impact of acquisition.
The following table presents unaudited supplemental pro forma information for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016, as if the acquisition and related issuance of senior notes had occurred on October 1, 2014. The pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the Company's consolidated results of operations that would have been realized had the acquisition been completed on October 1, 2014, nor does it purport to project the future results of operations of the combined company or reflect any reorganizations, or cost or other operating synergies that may occur subsequent to the Closing. The actual results of operations of the combined company may differ significantly from the pro forma results presented here due to many factors.
 
Consolidated Actual Results
 
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Results
 
Consolidated Actual Results
 
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Results
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Six Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(in millions, except per share data)
Net operating revenues
$
4,477

 
$
3,935

 
$
8,938

 
$
7,899

Net income
$
430

 
$
1,679

 
$
2,500

 
$
3,456

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.18

 
$
0.68

 
$
1.04

 
$
1.39


The unaudited pro forma financial information for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016 reflects the following material pro forma adjustments:
•
conversion of Visa Europe's historical results of operations from euro to U.S. dollar, and from International Financial Reporting Standards to U.S. GAAP;
•
elimination of transactions between Visa and Visa Europe upon consolidation, primarily related to annual license and various other fees paid by Visa Europe to Visa in accordance with the Framework Agreement;
•
an increase in non-operating expense for the six months ended March 31, 2016 for additional interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs resulting from the issuance of the $16.0 billion senior notes;
•
exclusion of a $255 million gain related to the revaluation of the Visa Europe put option from the six months ended March 31, 2016(1); and
•
elimination of acquisition-related costs incurred by Visa Europe.
(1) 
For purposes of preparing this pro forma financial information, the fair value of the Visa Europe put option is presumed to have been reduced to zero prior to October 1, 2014. Therefore, the Company did not include any gains associated with a write-down in the fair value of the Visa Europe put option liability in the unaudited pro forma net income for the six months ended March 31, 2016.
The pro forma results also reflect the applicable tax impact of the pro forma adjustments. The taxes associated with the adjustments reflect the statutory tax rate in effect during the respective periods.
U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans
U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans
Note 3—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans
U.S. Retrospective Responsibility Plan
Under the terms of the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, the Company maintains an escrow account from which settlements of, or judgments in, the U.S. covered litigation are paid. The escrow funds are held in money market investments along with interest income earned, less applicable taxes, and are classified as restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheets. The balance of the escrow account was $1.0 billion at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016. The Company did not make any payments to opt-out merchants from the litigation escrow account during the six months ended March 31, 2017. See Note 13—Legal Matters.
The accrual related to the covered litigation could be either higher or lower than the litigation escrow account balance. The Company did not record an additional accrual for the covered litigation during the six months ended March 31, 2017. See Note 13—Legal Matters.
Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plan
Under the terms of the Europe retrospective responsibility plan, the Company is entitled to recover VE territory covered losses through a periodic adjustment to the class A common stock conversion rates applicable to the U.K.&I. and Europe preferred stock. VE territory covered losses are recorded in "right to recover for covered losses" within equity before the corresponding adjustment to the applicable conversion rate is effected. Adjustments to the conversion rate may be executed once in any six-month period unless a single, individual loss greater than €20 million is incurred, in which case, the six-month limitation does not apply. When the adjustment to the conversion rate is made, the amount previously recorded in "right to recover for covered losses" as contra-equity is then recorded against the book value of the preferred stock within stockholders' equity.
During the six months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recovered $120 million of VE territory covered losses through adjustments to the class A common stock conversion rates applicable to the U.K.&I and Europe preferred stock, from 13.952 at September 30, 2016 to 13.388 and 13.948, respectively, at March 31, 2017.
The following table sets forth the activities related to VE territory covered losses in preferred stock and "right to recover for covered losses" within equity during the six months ended March 31, 2017. VE territory covered losses incurred reflect settlements with merchants and additional legal costs. See Note 13—Legal Matters.
 
Preferred Stock
 
Right to Recover for Covered Losses
 
U.K.&I
 
Europe
 
 
(in millions)
Balance as of September 30, 2016
$
2,516

 
$
3,201

 
$
(34
)
VE territory covered losses incurred
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(163
)
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment
(119
)
 
(1
)
 
120

Balance as of March 31, 2017
$
2,397

 
$
3,200

 
$
(77
)

The following table sets forth the as-converted value of the preferred stock available to recover VE territory covered losses compared to the book value of preferred shares recorded in stockholders' equity within the Company's unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2017.(1)
 
March 31, 2017
 
As-Converted Value of Preferred Stock(2)
 
Book Value of Preferred Stock
 
(in millions)
U.K.&I preferred stock
$
2,951

 
$
2,397

Europe preferred stock
3,913

 
3,200

Total
$
6,864

 
$
5,597

Less: Right to recover for covered losses
(77
)
 
(77
)
Total recovery for covered losses available
$
6,787

 
$
5,520

(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. As-converted and book values are based on unrounded numbers.
(2) 
The as-converted value of preferred stock is calculated as the product of: (a) 2 million and 3 million shares of the U.K.&I and Europe preferred stock outstanding, respectively, as of March 31, 2017; (b)13.388 and 13.948, the class A common stock conversion rate applicable to the U.K.&I and Europe preferred stock as of March 31, 2017, respectively; and (c) $88.87, Visa's class A common stock closing stock price as of March 31, 2017.
Fair Value Measurements and Investments
Fair Value Measurements and Investments
Note 4—Fair Value Measurements and Investments
Fair Value Measurements
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
 
Fair Value Measurements
Using Inputs Considered as
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
March 31,
2017
 
September 30,
2016
 
March 31,
2017
 
September 30,
2016
 
(in millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents and restricted cash:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
$
4,594

 
$
4,537

 
 
 
 
U.S. government-sponsored debt securities
 
 
 
 
$
132

 
$
196

Investment securities, trading:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
78

 
71

 
 
 
 
Investment securities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government-sponsored debt securities
 
 
 
 
3,039

 
4,699

U.S. Treasury securities
1,102

 
2,178

 
 
 
 
Equity securities
78

 
53

 
 
 
 
Corporate debt securities
 
 
 
 
80

 
249

Prepaid and other current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange derivative instruments
 
 
 
 
52

 
50

Other assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange derivative instruments
 
 
 
 
—

 
6

Total
$
5,852

 
$
6,839

 
$
3,303

 
$
5,200

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange derivative instruments
 
 
 
 
$
83

 
$
116

Other liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange derivative instruments
 
 
 
 
—

 
20

Total
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
83

 
$
136


There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 assets during the six months ended March 31, 2017.
Level 1 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Money market funds, publicly-traded equity securities and U.S. Treasury securities are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy, as fair value is based on quoted prices in active markets.
Level 2 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of U.S. government-sponsored debt securities and corporate debt securities, as provided by third-party pricing vendors, is based on quoted prices in active markets for similar, not identical, assets. The pricing data obtained from outside sources is reviewed internally for reasonableness, compared against benchmark quotes from independent pricing sources, then confirmed or revised accordingly. Foreign exchange derivative instruments are valued using inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. There were no substantive changes to the valuation techniques and related inputs used to measure fair value during the six months ended March 31, 2017.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis
Non-marketable equity investments and investments accounted for under the equity method. These investments are classified as Level 3 due to the absence of quoted market prices, the inherent lack of liquidity, and the fact that inputs used to measure fair value are unobservable and require management's judgment. When certain events or circumstances indicate that impairment may exist, the Company revalues the investments using various assumptions, including the financial metrics and ratios of comparable public companies. There were no significant impairments during the six months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016. These investments totaled $49 million and $46 million at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively, and are classified in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
Non-financial assets and liabilities. Long-lived assets such as goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, finite-lived intangible assets, and property, equipment and technology are considered non-financial assets. The Company does not have any non-financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Finite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of customer relationships, trade names and reseller relationships, all of which were obtained through acquisitions.
If the Company were required to perform a quantitative assessment for impairment testing of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, the fair values would generally be estimated using an income approach. As the assumptions employed to measure these assets on a non-recurring basis are based on management's judgment using internal and external data, these fair value determinations are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Company completed its annual impairment review of its indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill as of February 1, 2017, and concluded that there was no impairment. No recent events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment existed at March 31, 2017.
Other Fair Value Disclosures
Long-term debt. Debt instruments are measured at amortized cost on the Company's unaudited consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2017. The fair value of the debt instruments, as provided by third-party pricing vendors, is based on quoted prices in active markets for similar, not identical, assets. The pricing data obtained from outside sources is reviewed internally for reasonableness, compared against benchmark quotes from independent pricing sources, then confirmed or revised accordingly. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, these instruments would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
The following table presents the carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s debt in order of maturity:
 
March 31, 2017
 
September 30, 2016
 
Carrying Amount
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
(in millions)
1.20% Senior Notes due December 2017
$
1,748

 
$
1,748

 
$
1,746

 
$
1,754

2.20% Senior Notes due December 2020
2,989

 
3,009

 
2,988

 
3,077

2.80% Senior Notes due December 2022
2,239

 
2,270

 
2,238

 
2,359

3.15% Senior Notes due December 2025
3,966

 
4,014

 
3,964

 
4,225

4.15% Senior Notes due December 2035
1,485

 
1,569

 
1,485

 
1,698

4.30% Senior Notes due December 2045
3,461

 
3,673

 
3,461

 
4,045

Total
$
15,888

 
$
16,283

 
$
15,882

 
$
17,158


Other financial instruments not measured at fair value. The following financial instruments are not measured at     fair value on the Company's unaudited consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2017, but disclosure of their fair values is required: time deposits recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets, settlement receivable and payable, commercial paper, and customer collateral. The estimated fair value of such instruments at March 31, 2017 approximates their carrying value due to their generally short maturities. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, these financial instruments would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Investments
Available-for-sale investment securities. The Company had $78 million in gross unrealized gains and $7 million in gross unrealized losses at March 31, 2017. There were $55 million gross unrealized gains and no gross unrealized losses at September 30, 2016. A majority of the Company's available-for-sale investment securities with stated maturities are due within one to two years.
Intangible Assets and Goodwill
Intangible Assets and Goodwill
Note 5—Intangible Assets and Goodwill
Goodwill and intangible assets at March 31, 2017 decreased from September 30, 2016 primarily due to measurement period adjustments as the Company updated the purchase price allocation during the second quarter of fiscal 2017. See Note 2—Visa Europe. Goodwill and intangible assets also decreased due to foreign currency translation, which is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheet.
In February 2017, the Company acquired a business for a total purchase consideration net of cash received of approximately $302 million, paid primarily with cash on hand. Total purchase consideration has been allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired, and to liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values on the acquisition date. Related finite-lived intangible assets recorded totaled $104 million with a weighted-average useful life of eight years. Goodwill of $181 million was recorded to reflect the excess purchase consideration over net assets acquired. The consolidated financial statements include the operating results of the acquired business from the date of acquisition. Pro forma information related to the acquisition has not been presented as the impact is not material to the Company's financial results.
Debt
Debt
Note 6—Debt
The Company had outstanding debt as follows:
 
March 31, 2017
 
September 30, 2016
 
 
 
Principal Amount
 
Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs
 
Carrying Amount
 
Principal Amount
 
Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs
 
Carrying Amount
 
Effective Interest Rate
 
(in millions, except percentages)
1.20% Senior Notes due December 2017 (the "2017 Notes")
$
1,750

 
$
(2
)
 
$
1,748

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
1.37
%
Total current maturities of long-term debt
1,750

 
(2
)
 
1,748

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.20% Senior Notes due December 2017 (the "2017 Notes")
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,750

 
(4
)
 
1,746

 
1.37
%
2.20% Senior Notes due December 2020 (the "2020 Notes")
3,000

 
(11
)
 
2,989

 
3,000

 
(12
)
 
2,988

 
2.30
%
2.80% Senior Notes due December 2022 (the "2022 Notes")
2,250

 
(11
)
 
2,239

 
2,250

 
(12
)
 
2,238

 
2.89
%
3.15% Senior Notes due December 2025 (the "2025 Notes")
4,000

 
(34
)
 
3,966

 
4,000

 
(36
)
 
3,964

 
3.26
%
4.15% Senior Notes due December 2035 (the "2035 Notes")
1,500

 
(15
)
 
1,485

 
1,500

 
(15
)
 
1,485

 
4.23
%
4.30% Senior Notes due December 2045 (the "2045 Notes")
3,500

 
(39
)
 
3,461

 
3,500

 
(39
)
 
3,461

 
4.37
%
Total long-term debt
14,250

 
(110
)
 
14,140

 
16,000

 
(118
)
 
15,882

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total debt
$
16,000

 
$
(112
)
 
$
15,888

 
$
16,000

 
$
(118
)
 
$
15,882

 
 

Senior Notes
Interest expense for the senior notes was $125 million and $250 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017, respectively, as compared to $125 million and $149 million for the same periods in 2016. The Company recognized interest expense as non-operating expense and paid $244 million in interest on the senior notes during the six months ended March 31, 2017.
Commercial Paper Program
The Company maintains a commercial paper program to support its working capital requirements and for other general corporate purposes. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company repaid the $567 million of commercial paper that was issued in December 2016. As of March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company had no outstanding obligations under the program.
Credit Facility Extension
On January 27, 2017, the Company extended the term of the $4.0 billion credit facility that was entered into on January 27, 2016. The credit facility will now expire on January 27, 2022. No other terms were materially changed. A brief description of the material terms and conditions of the credit facility are described in the Company's Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on November 15, 2016.
Settlement Guarantee Management
Settlement Guarantee Management
Note 7—Settlement Guarantee Management
The Company indemnifies its clients for settlement losses suffered due to failure of any other clients to fund its settlement obligations in accordance with the Visa Rules. This indemnification creates settlement risk for the Company due to the difference in timing between the date of a payment transaction and the date of subsequent settlement. The exposure to settlement losses through Visa's settlement indemnification is accounted for as a settlement risk guarantee. The Company’s settlement exposure is limited to the amount of unsettled Visa payment transactions at any point in time. The Company requires certain clients that do not meet its credit standards to post collateral to offset potential loss from their estimated unsettled transactions. The Company’s estimated maximum settlement exposure was $68.5 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, compared to $67.8 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2016. Of these amounts, $3.1 billion and $2.9 billion were covered by collateral at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively.
The Company maintained collateral as follows:

March 31,
2017
 
September 30,
2016
 
(in millions)
Cash equivalents(1)
$
1,324

 
$
1,295

Pledged securities at market value
154

 
170

Letters of credit
1,477

 
1,311

Guarantees
1,369

 
1,418

Total
$
4,324

 
$
4,194


(1) 
Cash collateral held by Visa Europe is not included on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as its clients retain beneficial ownership and the cash is only accessible to the Company in the event of default by the client on its settlement obligations.
The total available collateral balances presented in the table above were greater than the settlement exposure covered by customer collateral held due to instances in which the available collateral exceeded the total settlement exposure for certain financial institutions at each date presented.
The fair value of the settlement risk guarantee is estimated based on a proprietary probability-weighted model and was approximately $3 million and $2 million at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively. These amounts are reflected in accrued liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
In the last week of March 2017, the Company experienced delays in the processing and settlement of $1.6 billion of volume in Europe. As a result of this delay, this volume was processed and settled in the first few days of April 2017 instead of in March 2017. The settlement receivable and payable amounts recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2017 are elevated because they include this unsettled activity. The balances in these accounts returned to historical levels in early April 2017 following the settlement of this activity.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Note 8—Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
The Company sponsors various qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans that provide for retirement and medical benefits for substantially all employees residing in the U.S. The Company also sponsors other pension benefit plans that provide benefits for internationally-based employees at certain non-U.S. locations. The components of net periodic benefit cost presented below include the U.S. pension plans and the non-U.S. plans, which represent Visa Europe funded and unfunded pension plans. Disclosures relating to other non-U.S. pension benefit plans are not included as they are immaterial, individually and in aggregate.
In October 2015, the Company amended the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan and discontinued employer provided credits after December 31, 2015. Plan participants will continue to earn interest credits on existing balances at December 31, 2015. The Visa Europe pension plans had been closed to new entrants prior to the Visa Europe acquisition.
 
U.S. Plans
 
Non-U.S. Plans
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Pension Benefits
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Service cost
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1

Interest cost
9

 
10

 
—

 
—

 
2

Expected return on assets
(17
)
 
(18
)
 
—

 
—

 
(4
)
Amortization of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service credit
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1
)
 
—

Actuarial loss
4

 
2

 
—

 
—

 
1

Curtailment gain
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Settlement loss
11

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total net periodic benefit cost
$
7

 
$
(6
)
 
$
—

 
$
(1
)
 
$
—



 
U.S. Plans
 
Non-U.S. Plans
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Pension Benefits
 
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Service cost
$
—

 
$
13

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
3

Interest cost
18

 
21

 
—

 
—

 
5

Expected return on assets
(35
)
 
(35
)
 
—

 
—

 
(8
)
Amortization of:


 
 
 


 


 


Prior service credit
—

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
—

Actuarial loss
8

 
4

 
—

 
—

 
1

Curtailment gain
—

 
(8
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Settlement loss
13

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total net periodic benefit cost
$
4

 
$
(6
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
1

Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' Equity
Note 9—Stockholders' Equity
As-Converted Class A Common Stock. The number of shares of each series and class and the number of shares of class A common stock on an as-converted basis at March 31, 2017, are as follows:
(in millions, except conversion rates)
Shares Outstanding
 
Conversion Rate
Into Class A
Common Stock
 
As-converted Class A Common
Stock(1)
U.K.&I preferred stock
2

 
13.3880

 
33

Europe preferred stock
3

 
13.9480

 
44

Class A common stock (2)
1,847

 
—

 
1,847

Class B common stock
245

 
1.6483

(3) 
405

Class C common stock
14

 
4.0000

 
55

Total
 
 
 
 
2,384


(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. As-converted class A common stock is calculated based on unrounded numbers.
(2) 
Class A common stock shares outstanding exclude repurchases traded but not yet settled on or before March 31, 2017.
(3) 
The class B to class A common stock conversion rate is presented on a rounded basis. Conversion calculations for dividend payments are based on a conversion rate rounded to the tenth decimal.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the newly-formed Visa Foundation received all Visa Inc. shares that were previously recorded as treasury stock. See Note 12—Income Taxes.
Reduction in as-converted shares. During the six months ended March 31, 2017, total as-converted class A common stock was reduced by 43 million shares at an average price of $83.64 per share. Of the 43 million shares, 41 million were repurchased in the open market using $3.5 billion of operating cash on hand. Additionally, the Company recovered $120 million of VE territory covered losses in accordance with the Europe retrospective responsibility plan. The recovery has the same economic effect on earnings per share as repurchasing the Company's class A common stock, because it reduces the U.K.&I. and Europe preferred stock conversion rates and consequently the as-converted class A common stock share count. See Note 3—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
The following table presents share repurchases in the open market.(1) 
(in millions, except per share data)
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2017
 
Six Months Ended
March 31, 2017
Shares repurchased in the open market (2)
18

 
41

Average repurchase price per share (3)
$
88.45

 
$
83.59

Total cost
$
1,576

 
$
3,469

(1)  
Shares repurchased in the open market reflect repurchases settled during the three and six months ended March 31, 2017. These amounts include repurchases traded but not yet settled on or before September 30, 2016 for the six months, or December 31, 2016 for the three months, and exclude repurchases traded but not yet settled on or before March 31, 2017.
(2) 
All shares repurchased in the open market have been retired and constitute authorized but unissued shares.
(3) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Average repurchase price per share is calculated based on unrounded numbers.
As of March 31, 2017, the Company's July 2016 share repurchase program had remaining authorized funds of $2.3 billion for share repurchase. All share repurchase programs authorized prior to July 2016 have been completed. In April 2017, the Company's board of directors authorized an additional $5.0 billion share repurchase program.
Under the terms of the Europe retrospective responsibility plan, the Company is entitled to recover VE territory covered losses through a periodic adjustment to the class A common stock conversion rates applicable to the U.K.&I. and Europe preferred stock. See Note 3—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
The following table presents as-converted U.K.&I. and Europe preferred stock, after the Company recovered VE territory covered losses through a conversion rate adjustment, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017.
 
Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2017
(in millions, except per share and conversion rate data)
U.K.&I. Preferred Stock
 
Europe Preferred Stock
Reduction in equivalent number of shares of class A common stock
1

 
—

(1) 
Effective price per share (2)
$
85.01

 
$
85.01

 
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment
$
119

 
$
1

 
Conversion rate of preferred stock to class A common stock after adjustment
13.388

 
13.948

 
As-converted preferred stock after recovery
33

 
44

 
(1) 
The reduction in equivalent number of shares of class A common stock was less than one million shares.
(2) 
Effective price per share calculated using the volume-weighted average price of the Company's class A common stock over a pricing period in accordance with the Company's current certificates of designations for its series B and C convertible participating preferred stock.
Dividends. In April 2017, the Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.165 per share of class A common stock (determined in the case of class B and C common stock and U.K.&I and Europe preferred stock on an as-converted basis). The cash dividend will be paid on June 6, 2017, to all holders of record of the Company's common and preferred stock as of May 19, 2017. The Company declared and paid $396 million and $795 million in dividends to holders of the Company's common stock during the three and six months ended March 31, 2017.
Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share
Note 10—Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to each class by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding and participating securities during the period. Net income is allocated to each class of common stock and participating securities based on its proportional ownership on an as-converted basis. The weighted-average number of shares of each class of common stock outstanding reflects changes in ownership over the periods presented. See Note 9—Stockholders' Equity.
Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding, participating securities and, if dilutive, potential class A common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive class A common stock equivalents may consist of: (1) shares of class A common stock issuable upon the conversion of U.K.&I and Europe preferred stock and class B and C common stock based on the conversion rates in effect through the period, and (2) incremental shares of class A common stock calculated by applying the treasury stock method to the assumed exercise of employee stock options, the assumed purchase of stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the assumed vesting of unearned performance shares.
The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2017.(1) 
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
 
 
Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
(in millions, except per share data)
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
 
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
Class A common stock
$
332

 
1,854

 
$
0.18

 
 
$
430

 
2,406

(3) 
$
0.18

Class B common stock
73

 
245

 
$
0.30

 
 
$
72

 
245

 
$
0.29

Class C common stock
10

 
15

 
$
0.72

 
 
$
10

 
15

 
$
0.72

Participating securities(4)
15

 
Not presented

 
Not presented

 
 
$
15

 
Not presented

 
Not presented

Net income
$
430

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The following table presents earnings per share for the six months ended March 31, 2017.(1) 
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
 
 
Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
(in millions, except per share data)
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
 
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
Class A common stock
$
1,928

 
1,857

 
$
1.04

 
 
$
2,500

 
2,413

(3) 
$
1.04

Class B common stock
420

 
245

 
$
1.71

 
 
$
419

 
245

 
$
1.71

Class C common stock
65

 
16

 
$
4.15

 
 
$
65

 
16

 
$
4.14

Participating securities(4)
87

 
Not presented

 
Not presented

 
 
$
87

 
Not presented

 
Not presented

Net income
$
2,500

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2016.(1) 
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
 
 
Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
(in millions, except per share data)
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
 
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
Class A common stock
$
1,360

 
1,909

 
$
0.71

 
 
$
1,707

 
2,401

(3) 
$
0.71

Class B common stock
288

 
245

 
$
1.17

 
 
$
288

 
245

 
$
1.17

Class C common stock
55

 
19

 
$
2.85

 
 
$
55

 
19

 
$
2.84

Participating securities(4)
4

 
Not presented

 
Not presented

 
 
$
4

 
Not presented

 
Not presented

Net income
$
1,707

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents earnings per share for the six months ended March 31, 2016.(1) 
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
 
 
Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
(in millions, except per share data)
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
 
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
Class A common stock
$
2,910

 
1,923

 
$
1.51

 
 
$
3,648

 
2,416

(3) 
$
1.51

Class B common stock
612

 
245

 
$
2.49

 
 
$
611

 
245

 
$
2.49

Class C common stock
118

 
19

 
$
6.05

 
 
$
117

 
19

 
$
6.04

Participating securities(4)
8

 
Not presented

 
Not presented

 
 
$
8

 
Not presented

 
Not presented

Net income
$
3,648

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Earnings per share is calculated based on unrounded numbers.
(2) 
Net income is allocated based on proportional ownership on an as-converted basis. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class B common stock used in the income allocation was 405 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class C common stock used in the income allocation was 58 million and 63 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017, respectively and 77 million and 78 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016, respectively. The weighted-average number of shares of preferred stock, included within participating securities, was 34 million of as-converted U.K.&I preferred stock and 44 million of as-converted Europe preferred stock for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017.
(3) 
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding are calculated on an as-converted basis, and include incremental common stock equivalents, as calculated under the treasury stock method. The computation includes approximately 5 million common stock equivalents for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, because their effect would be dilutive. The computation excludes 3 million of common stock equivalents for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 and 1 million of common stock equivalents for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
(4) 
Participating securities include preferred stock outstanding and unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, such as the Company's U.K.&I and Europe preferred stock, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and earned performance-based shares. Participating securities' income is allocated based on the weighted-average number of shares of as-converted stock.
Share-based Compensation
Share-based Compensation
Note 11—Share-based Compensation
The Company granted the following equity awards to employees and non-employee directors under the 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan during the six months ended March 31, 2017:
 
Granted
 
Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair
Value
 
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
Non-qualified stock options
1,671,344

 
$
13.90

 
$
80.82

Restricted stock units ("RSUs")
3,122,624

 
$
80.96

 
 
Performance-based shares(1)
634,651

 
$
86.37

 
 
(1)  
Represents the maximum number of performance-based shares which could be earned.
The Company’s non-qualified stock options and RSUs are equity awards with service-only conditions and are accordingly expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The Company's performance-based shares are equity awards with service, market and performance conditions that are accounted for using the graded-vesting method. The Company recorded share-based compensation cost of $116 million for the six months ended March 31, 2017, net of estimated forfeitures, which are adjusted as appropriate.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
Note 12—Income Taxes
In February 2017, the Company completed a reorganization of Visa Europe and certain other legal entities ("legal entity reorganization" or "reorganization") to align the Company's corporate structure to the geographic jurisdictions in which it conducts business operations. As a result of the reorganization, during the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded a non-recurring, non-cash income tax provision of $1.5 billion primarily related to the elimination of deferred tax balances originally recognized upon the acquisition of Visa Europe. Associated with this reorganization, the newly-formed Visa Foundation received all Visa Inc. shares held by Visa Europe, which were previously recorded as treasury stock.
The effective income tax rates were 84% and 56% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017, respectively, and 30% and 28% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 differs from the effective tax rate in the same periods in the prior fiscal year primarily due to:
•
the aforementioned $1.5 billion non-recurring, non-cash income tax provision related to the legal entity reorganization recorded in the quarter ended March 31, 2017;
•
$71 million tax benefit related to Visa Foundation's receipt of Visa Inc. shares mentioned above;
•
$20 million and $46 million of excess tax benefits related to share-based payments recorded during the three and six months ended March 31, 2017, respectively, as a result of early adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-09. See Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies;
•
the restrictions on U.S. foreign tax credits that can be claimed for Visa Europe's foreign taxes prior to the aforesaid legal entity reorganization; and
•
the absence of the non-taxable $255 million revaluation of the Visa Europe put option recorded in the quarter ended December 31, 2015.
During the three and six months ended March 31, 2017, the Company's gross unrecognized tax benefits increased by $23 million and $56 million, respectively. The Company's unrecognized tax benefits that would favorably impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, increased by $69 million and $97 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017, respectively. The increase in unrecognized tax benefits is primarily related to various tax positions across several jurisdictions. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, there were no significant changes in interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
The Company’s tax filings are subject to examination by the U.S. federal, state and foreign taxing authorities. The timing and outcome of the final resolutions of the various ongoing income tax examinations are highly uncertain. It is not reasonably possible to estimate the increase or decrease in unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.
Legal Matters
Legal Matters
Note 13—Legal Matters
The Company is party to various legal and regulatory proceedings. Some of these proceedings involve complex claims that are subject to substantial uncertainties and unascertainable damages. Accordingly, except as disclosed, the Company has not established reserves or ranges of possible loss related to these proceedings, as at this time in the proceedings, the matters do not relate to a probable loss and/or the amount or range of losses are not reasonably estimable. Although the Company believes that it has strong defenses for the litigation and regulatory proceedings described below, it could, in the future, incur judgments or fines or enter into settlements of claims that could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. From time to time, the Company may engage in settlement discussions or mediations with respect to one or more of its outstanding litigation matters, either on its own behalf or collectively with other parties.
The litigation accrual is an estimate and is based on management’s understanding of its litigation profile, the specifics of each case, advice of counsel to the extent appropriate and management’s best estimate of incurred loss as of the balance sheet date.
The following table summarizes the activity related to accrued litigation:
 
Fiscal 2017
 
Fiscal 2016
 
(in millions)
Balance at October 1
$
981

 
$
1,024

Provision for uncovered legal matters
17

 
1

Accrual of VE territory covered litigation
142

 
—

Payments on legal matters
(144
)
 
(12
)
Balance at March 31
$
996

 
$
1,013


Accrual Summary—U.S. Covered Litigation
Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A. and Visa International are parties to certain legal proceedings that are covered by the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, which the Company refers to as the U.S. covered litigation. See Note 3—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans. An accrual for the U.S. covered litigation and a charge to the litigation provision are recorded when loss is deemed to be probable and reasonably estimable. In making this determination, the Company evaluates available information, including but not limited to actions taken by the litigation committee. The total accrual related to the U.S. covered litigation could be either higher or lower than the escrow account balance.
The following table summarizes the activity related to U.S. covered litigation:
 
Fiscal 2017
 
Fiscal 2016
 
(in millions)
Balance at October 1
$
978

 
$
1,023

Payments on U.S. covered litigation
—

 
(11
)
Balance at March 31
$
978

 
$
1,012


Accrual Summary—VE Territory Covered Litigation
Visa Inc., Visa International and Visa Europe are parties to certain legal proceedings that are covered by the Europe retrospective responsibility plan. Unlike the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan, the Europe retrospective responsibility plan does not have an escrow account that is used to fund settlements or judgments. The Company is entitled to recover VE territory covered losses through a periodic adjustment to the conversion rates applicable to the U.K.&I preferred stock and Europe preferred stock. An accrual for the VE territory covered losses and a reduction to stockholders' equity will be recorded when the loss is deemed to be probable and reasonably estimable. See further discussion below under VE Territory Covered Litigation and Note 3—U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans.
The following table summarizes the activity related to VE territory covered litigation:
 
Fiscal 2017
 
(in millions)
Balance at October 1
$
2

Accrual for VE territory covered litigation
142

Payments on VE territory covered litigation
(144
)
Balance at March 31
$
—

Interchange Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)
Putative Class Actions. On November 23, 2016, class plaintiffs that signed the 2012 Settlement Agreement filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of the Second Circuit’s decision that vacated the district court’s certification of the merchant class and reversed the approval of the settlement. The Supreme Court denied the petition on March 27, 2017.
On November 30, 2016, the district court entered an order appointing interim counsel for two putative classes of plaintiffs, a “Damages Class” and an “Injunctive Relief Class.” Following the district court’s order, on February 8, 2017, plaintiffs purporting to act on behalf of the putative Damages Class sought leave to file an amended complaint and plaintiffs purporting to act on behalf of the putative Injunctive Relief Class filed a new class complaint, as described below.
The plaintiffs that signed the 2012 Settlement Agreement, acting on behalf of the putative Damages Class, filed a motion requesting leave to file a Third Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint. The complaint seeks money damages alleged to range in the tens of billions of dollars (subject to trebling), as well as attorneys' fees and injunctive relief, and names as defendants Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A., Visa International, MasterCard Incorporated and MasterCard International Incorporated, and certain U.S. financial institutions. The plaintiffs assert that the proposed complaint updates, among other things, claims for damages and accounts for industry developments. Defendants opposed the Damages Class plaintiffs’ motion on March 10, 2017.
A new group of purported class plaintiffs, acting on behalf of the putative Injunctive Relief Class, filed a class action complaint seeking declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as attorneys’ fees. That complaint seeks, among other things, an injunction against: the setting of default interchange rates; certain Visa Rules relating to merchants, including the honor-all-cards rule; and various transaction fees, including the fixed acquirer network fee. The complaint names as defendants Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A., Visa International, MasterCard Incorporated and MasterCard International Incorporated, and certain U.S. financial institutions.
Individual Merchant Actions. On February 8, 2017, the same day that the putative Damages Class plaintiffs sought leave to file an amended complaint and the putative Injunctive Relief Class plaintiffs filed a new class action complaint, certain other individual merchants filed motions in existing actions in MDL 1720 requesting leave to amend their complaints. Merchants requesting leave to amend assert, among other things, that their proposed complaints add claims for injunctive relief and update claims for damages. Defendants opposed the various merchants’ motions on March 10, 2017. In addition, on February 8, 2017, certain individual merchants filed a new action in federal court which was subsequently included in MDL 1720.
A number of individual merchant actions previously filed have been settled and remain settled, but the settlement agreement with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. automatically terminated upon the exhaustion of appeals concerning the reversal of approval of the 2012 Settlement Agreement. The termination results in a decrease of the “settled” percentage of Visa-branded payment card sales volume of merchants who opted out of the 2012 Settlement Agreement. Consequently, as of the filing date, Visa has reached settlement agreements with individual merchants representing approximately 34% of the Visa-branded payment card sales volume of merchants who opted out of the 2012 Settlement Agreement.
Unlike the matters above, all of which were filed in federal court or are pending in MDL 1720, one merchant filed a case on February 17, 2017, in Texas state court. The Texas merchant generally pursues claims on allegations similar to those raised in MDL 1720. Based on currently available information, the Company believes this matter may be covered by the U.S. retrospective responsibility plan.
Consumer Interchange Litigation
On December 9, 2016, the Second Circuit denied plaintiffs’ petition for rehearing. On March 9, 2017, plaintiffs filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court.
VE Territory Covered Litigation
U.K. Merchant Litigation
Since July 2013, in excess of 150 Merchants (the capitalized term "Merchant," when used in this section, means a merchant together with subsidiary/affiliate companies who have issued claims jointly) have commenced proceedings against Visa Europe, Visa Inc. and Visa International relating to interchange rates in Europe, and seek damages for alleged anti-competitive conduct primarily in relation to U.K. domestic and/or Irish domestic and/or intra-EEA interchange fees for credit and debit cards. As of the date of this report, Visa Europe, Visa Inc. and Visa International have settled the claims asserted by 15 Merchants, leaving more than 130 Merchants with outstanding claims.
The trial in relation to claims filed in 2013 by a number of Merchants began in November 2016. Of the 15 settling Merchants, three Merchants settled before the trial commenced and the remaining 12 settled during trial. The trial concluded in March 2017, and a decision is pending with respect to one remaining Merchant.
In addition, over 30 additional Merchants have threatened to commence similar proceedings. Standstill agreements have been entered into with respect to some of those Merchants' claims.
Other Litigation
"Indirect Purchaser" Actions
On January 12, 2017, the appeals court affirmed the trial court's order denying the objector's motion for attorneys' fees and costs. The objector subsequently agreed not to seek any further appeal.
Canadian Competition Proceedings
On March 8, 2017, Visa entered into an agreement in principle with merchant class plaintiffs to settle, on a national basis, the active class actions filed in Quebec, British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta. The settlement remains subject to execution of a final settlement agreement and court approval.
Data Pass Litigation
On December 20, 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal as to certain claims against Gamestop Corporation, Webloyalty.com, Inc. and Visa, vacated the dismissal as to certain claims against Webloyalty and Gamestop, and remanded the case to the district court for further proceedings on the remaining claims.
U.S. ATM Access Fee Litigation
On November 17, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered that the writs of certiorari be dismissed as improvidently granted. On February 13, 2017, plaintiffs in the National ATM Council action filed a renewed application for a preliminary injunction to prohibit Visa and MasterCard from continuing to enforce non-discrimination ATM access fee rules. The application is pending.
Federal Trade Commission
Notice Regarding EMV Chip Debit Cards. On November 22, 2016, the FTC's Bureau of Competition informed Visa that the Bureau had closed its investigation.
EMV Chip Liability Shift
On March 10, 2017, the plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification. On March 20, 2017, Visa and MasterCard filed a motion to transfer the action to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, or, in the alternative, to stay the action. The motion is pending.
Walmart Acceptance Agreement
On February 27, 2017, the Court granted Walmart’s motion to dismiss Visa’s counterclaim for fraudulent inducement. Walmart’s claims and Visa’s remaining counterclaims remain pending.
Broadway Grill
On February 21, 2017, Visa filed a motion to stay the litigation pending the outcome of the federal class actions in MDL 1720. On March 20, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit granted Visa permission to appeal the district court’s order remanding the case to California state court.
On April 5, 2017, plaintiff Nuts for Candy, a California merchant represented by the same counsel that represents Broadway Grill, filed a complaint in California state court containing allegations similar to those raised by Broadway Grill.
Korea Fair Trade Commission
Following complaints lodged by certain financial institutions in Korea, in November 2016, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) initiated an investigation into certain pricing changes applicable to Visa financial institutions in Korea. Visa is cooperating with the KFTC.
Ohio Attorney General Civil Investigative Demand
On January 19, 2017, the State of Ohio Office of the Attorney General issued an investigative demand to Visa seeking documents and information focusing on Visa's rules related to the acceptance of Visa debit cards, as well as cardholder verification methods and the routing of Visa debit transactions. Visa is cooperating with the Attorney General.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
Consolidation and basis of presentation 
Consolidation and basis of presentation. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Visa and its consolidated entities and are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). The Company consolidates its majority-owned and controlled entities, including variable interest entities ("VIEs") for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company’s investments in VIEs have not been material to its consolidated financial statements as of and for the periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") requirements for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and, consequently, do not include all of the annual disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. Reference should be made to the Visa Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016 for additional disclosures, including a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.
Recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements 
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements.
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. Subsequently, the FASB also issued a series of amendments to the new revenue standard. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2018, and expects to adopt the standard using the modified retrospective transition method. The Company expects that the new standard will primarily impact recognition timing for certain fixed incentives and price discounts provided to clients, and the classification of certain client incentives between contra revenues and operating expenses. The Company is still in the process of quantifying the full effect that ASU 2014-09 and all of its related subsequent updates will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payments, including the accounting for excess tax benefits and deficiencies, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification on the statement of cash flows related to excess tax benefits and employee taxes paid when an employer withholds shares for tax-withholding purposes. The Company elected to early adopt this guidance effective October 1, 2016. The adoption had the following impact on the consolidated financial statements:
•
The Company recorded excess tax benefits of $46 million in our provision for income taxes rather than as an increase to additional paid-in capital for the six months ended March 31, 2017 on a prospective basis. Therefore, the prior period presented has not been adjusted.
•
The Company excluded the excess tax benefits from the assumed proceeds available to repurchase shares in the computation of diluted earnings per share, which did not have a material impact on our diluted earnings per share for the six months ended March 31, 2017.
•
The Company elected to apply the presentation requirement for cash flows related to excess tax benefits prospectively, and thus, the prior period presented has not been adjusted. This adoption resulted in an increase to both net cash provided by operating activities and net cash used in financing of $46 million for the six months ended March 31, 2017.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, which requires that entities recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs. The standard will be effective for Visa on October 1, 2018. However, the Company is considering early adoption of the standard on October 1, 2017. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, which requires that a statement of cash flows includes the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2018. The adoption will impact the presentation of transactions related to the U.S. litigation escrow account on the consolidated statements of cash flows.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, which simplifies the test for goodwill impairment by eliminating a previously required step. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2020. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, which requires that the service cost component of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost be presented in the same line item as other employee compensation costs, while the other components be presented separately as non-operating income (expense). Currently, all net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs are presented in Personnel on the Company's consolidated statement of operations. The Company will adopt the standard effective October 1, 2018. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
Visa Europe (Tables)
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation 
The following table summarizes the updated purchase price allocation:
 
Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
 
Measurement Period Adjustments
 
Updated
Purchase Price Allocation
 
(in millions)
Current assets(1)
$
4,457

 
$
—

 
$
4,457

Non-current assets(2)
258

 
(46
)
 
212

Current liabilities(3)
(2,731
)
 
(39
)
 
(2,770
)
Non-current liabilities(2)
(2,605
)
 
618

 
(1,987
)
Tangible assets and liabilities
$
(621
)
 
$
533

 
$
(88
)
Intangible assets — customer relationships and reacquired rights(2)
16,137

 
(232
)
 
15,905

Goodwill(4)
3,268

 
(301
)
 
2,967

Fair value of net assets acquired
$
18,784

 
$
—

 
$
18,784


(1) 
Current assets are largely comprised of cash and cash equivalents and settlement receivable.
(2) 
Intangible assets consist of customer relationships and reacquired rights, which have been valued as a single composite intangible asset as they are inextricably linked. These intangibles are considered indefinite-lived assets as the associated customer relationships have historically not experienced significant attrition, and the reacquired rights are based on the Framework Agreement, which has a perpetual term. Non-current assets and liabilities include deferred tax assets and liabilities that result in net deferred tax liabilities of $1.7 billion based on the updated valuation. In February 2017, the Company completed a legal entity reorganization, resulting in the elimination of most of these deferred tax assets and liabilities. See Note 12—Income Taxes.
(3) 
Current liabilities assumed mainly include settlement payable, client incentives liabilities and accrued liabilities.
(4) 
The excess of purchase consideration over net assets acquired was recorded as goodwill, which represents the value that is expected from increased scale and synergies as a result of the integration of both businesses.
Schedule of Pro Forma Information 
The following table presents unaudited supplemental pro forma information for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016, as if the acquisition and related issuance of senior notes had occurred on October 1, 2014. The pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the Company's consolidated results of operations that would have been realized had the acquisition been completed on October 1, 2014, nor does it purport to project the future results of operations of the combined company or reflect any reorganizations, or cost or other operating synergies that may occur subsequent to the Closing. The actual results of operations of the combined company may differ significantly from the pro forma results presented here due to many factors.
 
Consolidated Actual Results
 
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Results
 
Consolidated Actual Results
 
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Results
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Six Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
(in millions, except per share data)
Net operating revenues
$
4,477

 
$
3,935

 
$
8,938

 
$
7,899

Net income
$
430

 
$
1,679

 
$
2,500

 
$
3,456

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.18

 
$
0.68

 
$
1.04

 
$
1.39

U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans (Tables)
Schedule of Activities Related to Territory Covered Losses and Right to Recover for Covered Losses 
The following table sets forth the activities related to VE territory covered losses in preferred stock and "right to recover for covered losses" within equity during the six months ended March 31, 2017. VE territory covered losses incurred reflect settlements with merchants and additional legal costs. See Note 13—Legal Matters.
 
Preferred Stock
 
Right to Recover for Covered Losses
 
U.K.&I
 
Europe
 
 
(in millions)
Balance as of September 30, 2016
$
2,516

 
$
3,201

 
$
(34
)
VE territory covered losses incurred
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(163
)
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment
(119
)
 
(1
)
 
120

Balance as of March 31, 2017
$
2,397

 
$
3,200

 
$
(77
)
Schedule of As-converted and Book Value of Preferred Stock Available to Recover Europe Covered Losses 
The following table sets forth the as-converted value of the preferred stock available to recover VE territory covered losses compared to the book value of preferred shares recorded in stockholders' equity within the Company's unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2017.(1)
 
March 31, 2017
 
As-Converted Value of Preferred Stock(2)
 
Book Value of Preferred Stock
 
(in millions)
U.K.&I preferred stock
$
2,951

 
$
2,397

Europe preferred stock
3,913

 
3,200

Total
$
6,864

 
$
5,597

Less: Right to recover for covered losses
(77
)
 
(77
)
Total recovery for covered losses available
$
6,787

 
$
5,520

(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. As-converted and book values are based on unrounded numbers.
(2) 
The as-converted value of preferred stock is calculated as the product of: (a) 2 million and 3 million shares of the U.K.&I and Europe preferred stock outstanding, respectively, as of March 31, 2017; (b)13.388 and 13.948, the class A common stock conversion rate applicable to the U.K.&I and Europe preferred stock as of March 31, 2017, respectively; and (c) $88.87, Visa's class A common stock closing stock price as of March 31, 2017.

Fair Value Measurements and Investments (Tables)
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis 
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
 
Fair Value Measurements
Using Inputs Considered as
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
March 31,
2017
 
September 30,
2016
 
March 31,
2017
 
September 30,
2016
 
(in millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents and restricted cash:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
$
4,594

 
$
4,537

 
 
 
 
U.S. government-sponsored debt securities
 
 
 
 
$
132

 
$
196

Investment securities, trading:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
78

 
71

 
 
 
 
Investment securities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government-sponsored debt securities
 
 
 
 
3,039

 
4,699

U.S. Treasury securities
1,102

 
2,178

 
 
 
 
Equity securities
78

 
53

 
 
 
 
Corporate debt securities
 
 
 
 
80

 
249

Prepaid and other current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange derivative instruments
 
 
 
 
52

 
50

Other assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange derivative instruments
 
 
 
 
—

 
6

Total
$
5,852

 
$
6,839

 
$
3,303

 
$
5,200

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange derivative instruments
 
 
 
 
$
83

 
$
116

Other liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange derivative instruments
 
 
 
 
—

 
20

Total
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
83

 
$
136

Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments 
The following table presents the carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s debt in order of maturity:
 
March 31, 2017
 
September 30, 2016
 
Carrying Amount
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
(in millions)
1.20% Senior Notes due December 2017
$
1,748

 
$
1,748

 
$
1,746

 
$
1,754

2.20% Senior Notes due December 2020
2,989

 
3,009

 
2,988

 
3,077

2.80% Senior Notes due December 2022
2,239

 
2,270

 
2,238

 
2,359

3.15% Senior Notes due December 2025
3,966

 
4,014

 
3,964

 
4,225

4.15% Senior Notes due December 2035
1,485

 
1,569

 
1,485

 
1,698

4.30% Senior Notes due December 2045
3,461

 
3,673

 
3,461

 
4,045

Total
$
15,888

 
$
16,283

 
$
15,882

 
$
17,158

Debt (Tables)
Schedule of Debt
The Company had outstanding debt as follows:
 
March 31, 2017
 
September 30, 2016
 
 
 
Principal Amount
 
Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs
 
Carrying Amount
 
Principal Amount
 
Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs
 
Carrying Amount
 
Effective Interest Rate
 
(in millions, except percentages)
1.20% Senior Notes due December 2017 (the "2017 Notes")
$
1,750

 
$
(2
)
 
$
1,748

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
1.37
%
Total current maturities of long-term debt
1,750

 
(2
)
 
1,748

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.20% Senior Notes due December 2017 (the "2017 Notes")
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,750

 
(4
)
 
1,746

 
1.37
%
2.20% Senior Notes due December 2020 (the "2020 Notes")
3,000

 
(11
)
 
2,989

 
3,000

 
(12
)
 
2,988

 
2.30
%
2.80% Senior Notes due December 2022 (the "2022 Notes")
2,250

 
(11
)
 
2,239

 
2,250

 
(12
)
 
2,238

 
2.89
%
3.15% Senior Notes due December 2025 (the "2025 Notes")
4,000

 
(34
)
 
3,966

 
4,000

 
(36
)
 
3,964

 
3.26
%
4.15% Senior Notes due December 2035 (the "2035 Notes")
1,500

 
(15
)
 
1,485

 
1,500

 
(15
)
 
1,485

 
4.23
%
4.30% Senior Notes due December 2045 (the "2045 Notes")
3,500

 
(39
)
 
3,461

 
3,500

 
(39
)
 
3,461

 
4.37
%
Total long-term debt
14,250

 
(110
)
 
14,140

 
16,000

 
(118
)
 
15,882

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total debt
$
16,000

 
$
(112
)
 
$
15,888

 
$
16,000

 
$
(118
)
 
$
15,882

 
 

Settlement Guarantee Management (Tables)
Schedule of Customer Collateral 
The Company maintained collateral as follows:

March 31,
2017
 
September 30,
2016
 
(in millions)
Cash equivalents(1)
$
1,324

 
$
1,295

Pledged securities at market value
154

 
170

Letters of credit
1,477

 
1,311

Guarantees
1,369

 
1,418

Total
$
4,324

 
$
4,194

Schedule of Customer Collateral 

(1) 
Cash collateral held by Visa Europe is not included on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as its clients retain beneficial ownership and the cash is only accessible to the Company in the event of default by the client on its settlement obligations.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures
 
U.S. Plans
 
Non-U.S. Plans
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Pension Benefits
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Service cost
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1

Interest cost
9

 
10

 
—

 
—

 
2

Expected return on assets
(17
)
 
(18
)
 
—

 
—

 
(4
)
Amortization of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service credit
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1
)
 
—

Actuarial loss
4

 
2

 
—

 
—

 
1

Curtailment gain
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Settlement loss
11

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total net periodic benefit cost
$
7

 
$
(6
)
 
$
—

 
$
(1
)
 
$
—



 
U.S. Plans
 
Non-U.S. Plans
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Pension Benefits
 
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
Six Months Ended
March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Service cost
$
—

 
$
13

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
3

Interest cost
18

 
21

 
—

 
—

 
5

Expected return on assets
(35
)
 
(35
)
 
—

 
—

 
(8
)
Amortization of:


 
 
 


 


 


Prior service credit
—

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
—

Actuarial loss
8

 
4

 
—

 
—

 
1

Curtailment gain
—

 
(8
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Settlement loss
13

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total net periodic benefit cost
$
4

 
$
(6
)
 
$
(1
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
1

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)
Schedule of Stock by Class 
The number of shares of each series and class and the number of shares of class A common stock on an as-converted basis at March 31, 2017, are as follows:
(in millions, except conversion rates)
Shares Outstanding
 
Conversion Rate
Into Class A
Common Stock
 
As-converted Class A Common
Stock(1)
U.K.&I preferred stock
2

 
13.3880

 
33

Europe preferred stock
3

 
13.9480

 
44

Class A common stock (2)
1,847

 
—

 
1,847

Class B common stock
245

 
1.6483

(3) 
405

Class C common stock
14

 
4.0000

 
55

Total
 
 
 
 
2,384


(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. As-converted class A common stock is calculated based on unrounded numbers.
(2) 
Class A common stock shares outstanding exclude repurchases traded but not yet settled on or before March 31, 2017.
(3) 
The class B to class A common stock conversion rate is presented on a rounded basis. Conversion calculations for dividend payments are based on a conversion rate rounded to the tenth decimal.
Share Repurchase Program Disclosure 
The following table presents share repurchases in the open market.(1) 
(in millions, except per share data)
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2017
 
Six Months Ended
March 31, 2017
Shares repurchased in the open market (2)
18

 
41

Average repurchase price per share (3)
$
88.45

 
$
83.59

Total cost
$
1,576

 
$
3,469

(1)  
Shares repurchased in the open market reflect repurchases settled during the three and six months ended March 31, 2017. These amounts include repurchases traded but not yet settled on or before September 30, 2016 for the six months, or December 31, 2016 for the three months, and exclude repurchases traded but not yet settled on or before March 31, 2017.
(2) 
All shares repurchased in the open market have been retired and constitute authorized but unissued shares.
(3) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Average repurchase price per share is calculated based on unrounded numbers.
Effect of VE Territory Covered Losses Recovery on the Company Repurchasing its Common Stock 
The following table presents as-converted U.K.&I. and Europe preferred stock, after the Company recovered VE territory covered losses through a conversion rate adjustment, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017.
 
Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2017
(in millions, except per share and conversion rate data)
U.K.&I. Preferred Stock
 
Europe Preferred Stock
Reduction in equivalent number of shares of class A common stock
1

 
—

(1) 
Effective price per share (2)
$
85.01

 
$
85.01

 
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment
$
119

 
$
1

 
Conversion rate of preferred stock to class A common stock after adjustment
13.388

 
13.948

 
As-converted preferred stock after recovery
33

 
44

 
(1) 
The reduction in equivalent number of shares of class A common stock was less than one million shares.
(2) 
Effective price per share calculated using the volume-weighted average price of the Company's class A common stock over a pricing period in accordance with the Company's current certificates of designations for its series B and C convertible participating preferred stock.
Earnings Per Share (Tables)
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted
The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2017.(1) 
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
 
 
Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
(in millions, except per share data)
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
 
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
Class A common stock
$
332

 
1,854

 
$
0.18

 
 
$
430

 
2,406

(3) 
$
0.18

Class B common stock
73

 
245

 
$
0.30

 
 
$
72

 
245

 
$
0.29

Class C common stock
10

 
15

 
$
0.72

 
 
$
10

 
15

 
$
0.72

Participating securities(4)
15

 
Not presented

 
Not presented

 
 
$
15

 
Not presented

 
Not presented

Net income
$
430

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The following table presents earnings per share for the six months ended March 31, 2017.(1) 
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
 
 
Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
(in millions, except per share data)
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
 
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
Class A common stock
$
1,928

 
1,857

 
$
1.04

 
 
$
2,500

 
2,413

(3) 
$
1.04

Class B common stock
420

 
245

 
$
1.71

 
 
$
419

 
245

 
$
1.71

Class C common stock
65

 
16

 
$
4.15

 
 
$
65

 
16

 
$
4.14

Participating securities(4)
87

 
Not presented

 
Not presented

 
 
$
87

 
Not presented

 
Not presented

Net income
$
2,500

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2016.(1) 
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
 
 
Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
(in millions, except per share data)
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
 
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
Class A common stock
$
1,360

 
1,909

 
$
0.71

 
 
$
1,707

 
2,401

(3) 
$
0.71

Class B common stock
288

 
245

 
$
1.17

 
 
$
288

 
245

 
$
1.17

Class C common stock
55

 
19

 
$
2.85

 
 
$
55

 
19

 
$
2.84

Participating securities(4)
4

 
Not presented

 
Not presented

 
 
$
4

 
Not presented

 
Not presented

Net income
$
1,707

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents earnings per share for the six months ended March 31, 2016.(1) 
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
 
 
Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
(in millions, except per share data)
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
 
 
Income
Allocation
(A)(2)
 
Weighted-
Average
Shares
Outstanding (B)
 
Earnings per
Share =
(A)/(B)
Class A common stock
$
2,910

 
1,923

 
$
1.51

 
 
$
3,648

 
2,416

(3) 
$
1.51

Class B common stock
612

 
245

 
$
2.49

 
 
$
611

 
245

 
$
2.49

Class C common stock
118

 
19

 
$
6.05

 
 
$
117

 
19

 
$
6.04

Participating securities(4)
8

 
Not presented

 
Not presented

 
 
$
8

 
Not presented

 
Not presented

Net income
$
3,648

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1) 
Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Earnings per share is calculated based on unrounded numbers.
(2) 
Net income is allocated based on proportional ownership on an as-converted basis. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class B common stock used in the income allocation was 405 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class C common stock used in the income allocation was 58 million and 63 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017, respectively and 77 million and 78 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016, respectively. The weighted-average number of shares of preferred stock, included within participating securities, was 34 million of as-converted U.K.&I preferred stock and 44 million of as-converted Europe preferred stock for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017.
(3) 
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding are calculated on an as-converted basis, and include incremental common stock equivalents, as calculated under the treasury stock method. The computation includes approximately 5 million common stock equivalents for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, because their effect would be dilutive. The computation excludes 3 million of common stock equivalents for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 and 1 million of common stock equivalents for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
(4) 
Participating securities include preferred stock outstanding and unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, such as the Company's U.K.&I and Europe preferred stock, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and earned performance-based shares. Participating securities' income is allocated based on the weighted-average number of shares of as-converted stock.
Share-based Compensation (Tables)
Disclosure of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award
The Company granted the following equity awards to employees and non-employee directors under the 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan during the six months ended March 31, 2017:
 
Granted
 
Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair
Value
 
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
Non-qualified stock options
1,671,344

 
$
13.90

 
$
80.82

Restricted stock units ("RSUs")
3,122,624

 
$
80.96

 
 
Performance-based shares(1)
634,651

 
$
86.37

 
 
(1)  
Represents the maximum number of performance-based shares which could be earned.
Legal Matters (Tables)
Schedule of Loss Contingencies by Contingency 
The following table summarizes the activity related to accrued litigation:
 
Fiscal 2017
 
Fiscal 2016
 
(in millions)
Balance at October 1
$
981

 
$
1,024

Provision for uncovered legal matters
17

 
1

Accrual of VE territory covered litigation
142

 
—

Payments on legal matters
(144
)
 
(12
)
Balance at March 31
$
996

 
$
1,013


Schedule of Loss Contingencies by Contingency 
The following table summarizes the activity related to U.S. covered litigation:
 
Fiscal 2017
 
Fiscal 2016
 
(in millions)
Balance at October 1
$
978

 
$
1,023

Payments on U.S. covered litigation
—

 
(11
)
Balance at March 31
$
978

 
$
1,012

Schedule of Loss Contingencies by Contingency 
The following table summarizes the activity related to VE territory covered litigation:
 
Fiscal 2017
 
(in millions)
Balance at October 1
$
2

Accrual for VE territory covered litigation
142

Payments on VE territory covered litigation
(144
)
Balance at March 31
$
—

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
country
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2017
country
Mar. 31, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Number of countries in which entity operates (more than)
200 
 
200 
 
Income tax provision (Note 12)
$ 2,272 
$ 734 
$ 3,181 
$ 1,432 
Increase to net cash provided by operating activities
 
 
2,904 
2,819 
Increase in net cash used in financing activities
 
 
(4,243)
11,452 
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect
 
 
 
 
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Income tax provision (Note 12)
(20)
 
(46)
 
Increase to net cash provided by operating activities
 
 
(46)
 
Increase in net cash used in financing activities
 
 
$ (46)
 
Visa Europe (Details)
0 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2017
Class A equivalent preferred stock
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2017
U.K.& I preferred stock
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2017
Europe preferred stock
USD ($)
Jun. 21, 2016
Visa Europe
USD ($)
Jun. 21, 2016
Visa Europe
EUR (€)
Jun. 21, 2016
Visa Europe
EUR (€)
Jun. 21, 2016
Visa Europe
U.K.& I preferred stock
Jun. 21, 2016
Visa Europe
Europe preferred stock
Jun. 21, 2016
Visa Europe
Class A common stock
USD ($)
Class of Stock [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share capital of Visa Europe acquired (percent)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100.00% 
 
 
 
Up-front cash consideration
 
 
 
 
 
$ 13,900,000,000 
€ 12,200,000,000 
 
 
 
 
Shares issued or issuable at closing (shares)
 
 
 
 
 
79,000,000 
79,000,000 
 
2,480,466 
3,156,823 
 
Consideration, preferred stock of the Company
 
 
 
 
 
6,100,000,000 
5,300,000,000 
 
 
 
 
Closing stock price (in USD per share)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$ 77.33 
Additional cash consideration payable on the third anniversary of closing
$ 1,180,000,000 
$ 1,225,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
€ 1,000,000,000 
 
 
 
Compound annual interest rate on additional consideration paid on third anniversary of closing (percent)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.00% 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, par value
 
 
$ 0.0001 
$ 0.0001 
$ 0.0001 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Initial conversion rate of U.K.&I and Europe preferred stock into Class A equivalent preferred stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13.952 
 
 
 
Visa Europe - Purchase Price Allocation (Details) (USD $)
0 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Feb. 28, 2017
Sep. 30, 2016
Jun. 21, 2016
Jun. 21, 2016
Visa Europe
Jun. 21, 2016
Visa Europe
Jun. 21, 2016
Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Visa Europe
Jun. 21, 2016
Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Visa Europe
Jun. 21, 2016
Measurement Period Adjustments
Visa Europe
Jun. 21, 2016
Measurement Period Adjustments
Visa Europe
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total purchase consideration
 
 
 
 
$ 18,800,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
 
 
4,457,000,000 1
 
4,457,000,000 1
 
0 1
Non-current assets
 
 
 
 
 
212,000,000 2
 
258,000,000 2
 
(46,000,000)2
Current liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
(2,770,000,000)3
 
(2,731,000,000)3
 
(39,000,000)3
Non-current liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
(1,987,000,000)4
 
(2,605,000,000)4
 
618,000,000 4
Tangible assets and liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
(88,000,000)
 
(621,000,000)
 
533,000,000 
Intangible assets — customer relationships and reacquired rights
 
 
 
 
15,905,000,000 5
 
16,137,000,000 5
 
(232,000,000)5
 
Goodwill (Note 2 and Note 5)
14,825,000,000 
181,000,000 
15,066,000,000 
 
 
2,967,000,000 4
 
3,268,000,000 4
 
(301,000,000)4
Fair value of net assets acquired
 
 
 
 
 
18,784,000,000 
 
18,784,000,000 
 
0 
Net deferred tax liabilities
 
 
 
$ 1,700,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Visa Europe - Pro Forma Information (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Sep. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$ 4,477,000,000 
$ 3,626,000,000 
$ 8,938,000,000 
$ 7,191,000,000 
 
Net income
430,000,000 
1,707,000,000 
2,500,000,000 
3,648,000,000 
 
Fair value of the Visa Europe put option liability
 
 
 
 
0 
Visa Europe
 
 
 
 
 
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
Net operating revenues
 
3,935,000,000 
 
7,899,000,000 
 
Net income
 
1,679,000,000 
 
3,456,000,000 
 
Diluted earnings per share (in USD per share)
 
$ 0.68 
 
$ 1.39 
 
Senior Notes |
Visa Europe
 
 
 
 
 
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
Debt issued
 
16,000,000,000 
 
16,000,000,000 
 
Visa Europe put option
 
 
 
 
 
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
Revaluation of the Visa Europe put option
 
 
 
$ (255,000,000)
 
U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans (Details)
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2017
EUR (€)
Sep. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2017
U.K.& I preferred stock
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2017
U.K.& I preferred stock
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2016
U.K.& I preferred stock
Mar. 31, 2017
Europe preferred stock
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2017
Europe preferred stock
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2016
Europe preferred stock
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Escrow account
$ 1,029,000,000 
 
$ 1,027,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VE territory covered loss, maximum amount of loss to allow adjustment of conversion rate during six-month period
 
20,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Right to recover for covered losses
77,000,000 
 
34,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment
$ (120,000,000)
 
 
$ 119,000,000 
$ 119,000,000 
 
$ 1,000,000 
$ 1,000,000 
 
Preferred stock, conversion ratio
 
 
13.952 
13.3880 
13.3880 
 
13.9480 
13.9480 
 
Preferred stock, shares outstanding
 
 
 
2 
2 
2 
3 
3 
3 
Closing stock price
$ 88.87 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans - Preferred Stock Rollforward (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
Preferred Stock and Right to Recover for Covered Losses [Roll Forward]
 
 
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment
 
$ 120,000,000 
Right to recover for covered losses, beginning
 
34,000,000 
VE territory covered losses incurred
 
(163,000,000)
Right to recover for covered losses, ending
77,000,000 
77,000,000 
U.K.& I preferred stock
 
 
Preferred Stock and Right to Recover for Covered Losses [Roll Forward]
 
 
Preferred stock, beginning
 
2,516,000,000 
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment
(119,000,000)
(119,000,000)
Preferred stock, ending
2,397,000,000 
2,397,000,000 
Europe preferred stock
 
 
Preferred Stock and Right to Recover for Covered Losses [Roll Forward]
 
 
Preferred stock, beginning
 
3,201,000,000 
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment
(1,000,000)
(1,000,000)
Preferred stock, ending
$ 3,200,000,000 
$ 3,200,000,000 
U.S. and Europe Retrospective Responsibility Plans - Preferred Stock (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2016
Mar. 31, 2017
U.K.& I preferred stock
Sep. 30, 2016
U.K.& I preferred stock
Mar. 31, 2017
Europe preferred stock
Sep. 30, 2016
Europe preferred stock
Jun. 21, 2016
Visa Europe
Class of Stock [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As-converted value of preferred stock
$ 6,864 1 2
 
$ 2,951 1 2
 
$ 3,913 1 2
 
 
Preferred stock
 
 
2,397 
2,516 
3,200 
3,201 
 
Book value of preferred stock
5,597 1
 
 
 
 
 
 
Right to recover for covered losses
(77)
(34)
 
 
 
 
 
Total recovery for covered losses available, as converted
6,787 1 2
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total recovery for covered losses available, book value
$ 5,520 1
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, shares outstanding
 
 
2 
2 
3 
3 
 
Preferred stock, conversion ratio
 
13.952 
13.3880 
 
13.9480 
 
 
Initial conversion rate of U.K.&I and Europe preferred stock into Class A equivalent preferred stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
13.952 
Closing stock price
$ 88.87 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements and Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2016
Mar. 31, 2017
Minimum
Mar. 31, 2017
Maximum
Mar. 31, 2017
Senior Notes
Sep. 30, 2016
Senior Notes
Mar. 31, 2017
Senior Notes
2017 Notes
Sep. 30, 2016
Senior Notes
2017 Notes
Mar. 31, 2017
Senior Notes
2020 Notes
Sep. 30, 2016
Senior Notes
2020 Notes
Mar. 31, 2017
Senior Notes
2022 Notes
Sep. 30, 2016
Senior Notes
2022 Notes
Mar. 31, 2017
Senior Notes
2025 Notes
Sep. 30, 2016
Senior Notes
2025 Notes
Mar. 31, 2017
Senior Notes
2035 Notes
Sep. 30, 2016
Senior Notes
2035 Notes
Mar. 31, 2017
Senior Notes
2045 Notes
Sep. 30, 2016
Senior Notes
2045 Notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-marketable equity investments
$ 49,000,000 
$ 46,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carrying amount, current
1,748,000,000 
0 
 
 
 
 
1,748,000,000 
0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carrying amount, noncurrent
14,140,000,000 
15,882,000,000 
 
 
 
 
0 
1,746,000,000 
2,989,000,000 
2,988,000,000 
2,239,000,000 
2,238,000,000 
3,966,000,000 
3,964,000,000 
1,485,000,000 
1,485,000,000 
3,461,000,000 
3,461,000,000 
Long-term Debt
14,140,000,000 
15,882,000,000 
 
 
15,888,000,000 
15,882,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term Debt, Fair Value
 
 
 
 
16,283,000,000 
17,158,000,000 
1,748,000,000 
1,754,000,000 
3,009,000,000 
3,077,000,000 
2,270,000,000 
2,359,000,000 
4,014,000,000 
4,225,000,000 
1,569,000,000 
1,698,000,000 
3,673,000,000 
4,045,000,000 
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gains
78,000,000 
55,000,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized losses
$ 7,000,000 
$ 0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Available-for-sale investment securities, stated maturities
 
 
1 year 
2 years 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2016
Investment securities:
 
 
Trading
$ 78 
$ 71 
Accrued liabilities
 
 
Fair Value, Assets, Level 1 to Level 2 Transfers, Amount
0 
 
Level 1 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
 
 
Prepaid and other current assets:
 
 
Fair value, total assets
5,852 
6,839 
Accrued liabilities
 
 
Fair value, total liabilities
0 
0 
Level 2 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
 
 
Prepaid and other current assets:
 
 
Fair value, total assets
3,303 
5,200 
Accrued liabilities
 
 
Fair value, total liabilities
83 
136 
Foreign exchange derivative instruments |
Level 2 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
 
 
Accrued liabilities
 
 
Foreign exchange derivative instruments
83 
116 
Other liabilities
0 
20 
Money market funds |
Level 1 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
 
 
Cash equivalents and restricted cash:
 
 
Cash equivalents and restricted cash:
4,594 
4,537 
Equity securities |
Level 1 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
 
 
Investment securities:
 
 
Trading
78 
71 
Available-for-sale securities
78 
53 
U.S. Treasury securities |
Level 1 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
 
 
Investment securities:
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
1,102 
2,178 
U.S. government-sponsored debt securities |
Level 2 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
 
 
Cash equivalents and restricted cash:
 
 
Cash equivalents and restricted cash:
132 
196 
Investment securities:
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
3,039 
4,699 
Corporate debt securities |
Level 2 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
 
 
Investment securities:
 
 
Available-for-sale securities
80 
249 
Foreign exchange derivative instruments |
Level 2 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
 
 
Prepaid and other current assets:
 
 
Prepaid and other current assets:
52 
50 
Other assets
$ 0 
$ 6 
Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Feb. 28, 2017
Sep. 30, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
 
 
 
 
 
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired
 
$ 302 
$ 14 
 
 
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired
104 
 
 
 
 
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life
8 years 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill (Note 2 and Note 5)
$ 14,825 
$ 14,825 
 
$ 181 
$ 15,066 
Debt - Debt (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
 
 
Principal Amount, current
$ 1,750 
$ 0 
Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs, current
(2)
0 
Carrying Amount, current
1,748 
0 
Principal Amount, noncurrent
14,250 
16,000 
Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs, noncurrent
(110)
(118)
Carrying Amount, noncurrent
14,140 
15,882 
Total debt, principal
16,000 
16,000 
Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs
(112)
(118)
Carrying Amount
15,888 
15,882 
Senior Notes |
2017 Notes
 
 
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
 
 
Stated interest rate (percent)
1.20% 
 
Principal Amount, current
1,750 
0 
Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs, current
(2)
0 
Carrying Amount, current
1,748 
0 
Principal Amount, noncurrent
0 
1,750 
Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs, noncurrent
0 
(4)
Carrying Amount, noncurrent
0 
1,746 
Effective Interest Rate (percent)
1.37% 
 
Senior Notes |
2020 Notes
 
 
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
 
 
Stated interest rate (percent)
2.20% 
 
Principal Amount, noncurrent
3,000 
3,000 
Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs, noncurrent
(11)
(12)
Carrying Amount, noncurrent
2,989 
2,988 
Effective Interest Rate (percent)
2.30% 
 
Senior Notes |
2022 Notes
 
 
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
 
 
Stated interest rate (percent)
2.80% 
 
Principal Amount, noncurrent
2,250 
2,250 
Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs, noncurrent
(11)
(12)
Carrying Amount, noncurrent
2,239 
2,238 
Effective Interest Rate (percent)
2.89% 
 
Senior Notes |
2025 Notes
 
 
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
 
 
Stated interest rate (percent)
3.15% 
 
Principal Amount, noncurrent
4,000 
4,000 
Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs, noncurrent
(34)
(36)
Carrying Amount, noncurrent
3,966 
3,964 
Effective Interest Rate (percent)
3.26% 
 
Senior Notes |
2035 Notes
 
 
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
 
 
Stated interest rate (percent)
4.15% 
 
Principal Amount, noncurrent
1,500 
1,500 
Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs, noncurrent
(15)
(15)
Carrying Amount, noncurrent
1,485 
1,485 
Effective Interest Rate (percent)
4.23% 
 
Senior Notes |
2045 Notes
 
 
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
 
 
Stated interest rate (percent)
4.30% 
 
Principal Amount, noncurrent
3,500 
3,500 
Unamortized Discounts and Debt Issuance Costs, noncurrent
(39)
(39)
Carrying Amount, noncurrent
$ 3,461 
$ 3,461 
Effective Interest Rate (percent)
4.37% 
 
Debt - Narrative (Details) (USD $)
6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Sep. 30, 2016
Jan. 27, 2017
Credit Facility Expiring January 27, 2022
Mar. 31, 2017
Senior Notes
Mar. 31, 2016
Senior Notes
Mar. 31, 2017
Senior Notes
Mar. 31, 2016
Senior Notes
Mar. 31, 2017
Commercial Paper
Sep. 30, 2016
Commercial Paper
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
 
 
 
$ 125,000,000 
$ 125,000,000 
$ 250,000,000 
$ 149,000,000 
 
 
Interest payments on debt (Note 6)
244,000,000 
0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repayments of commercial paper
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
567,000,000 
 
Short-term Debt
1,750,000,000 
 
0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carrying Amount, current
1,748,000,000 
 
0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0 
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity
 
 
 
$ 4,000,000,000.0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Settlement Guarantee Management - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2015
Sep. 30, 2016
Settlement Guarantee Management [Abstract]
 
 
 
Estimated Maximum Settlement Exposure
$ 68,500,000,000 
$ 67,800,000,000 
 
Covered settlement exposure
3,100,000,000 
 
2,900,000,000 
Estimated probability-weighted value of the guarantee
$ 3,000,000 
 
$ 2,000,000 
Collateral (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
 
 
Cash equivalents(1)
$ 1,324 
$ 1,295 
Pledged securities at market value
154 
170 
Letters of credit
1,477 
1,311 
Guarantees
1,369 
1,418 
Total
$ 4,324 
$ 4,194 
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Pension Benefits
 
 
 
 
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$ 0 
 
$ 0 
$ 13 
Interest cost
9 
10 
18 
21 
Expected return on assets
(17)
(18)
(35)
(35)
Amortization of:
 
 
 
 
Prior service credit
0 
 
0 
(1)
Actuarial loss
4 
2 
8 
4 
Curtailment gain
0 
0 
0 
(8)
Settlement loss
11 
0 
13 
0 
Total net periodic benefit cost
7 
(6)
4 
(6)
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
 
 
 
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Service cost
0 
0 
0 
0 
Interest cost
0 
0 
0 
0 
Expected return on assets
0 
0 
0 
0 
Amortization of:
 
 
 
 
Prior service credit
0 
(1)
(1)
(2)
Actuarial loss
0 
0 
0 
0 
Curtailment gain
0 
0 
0 
0 
Settlement loss
0 
0 
0 
0 
Total net periodic benefit cost
0 
(1)
(1)
(2)
Foreign Pension Plan
 
 
 
 
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Service cost
1 
 
3 
 
Interest cost
2 
 
5 
 
Expected return on assets
(4)
 
(8)
 
Amortization of:
 
 
 
 
Prior service credit
0 
 
0 
 
Actuarial loss
1 
 
1 
 
Curtailment gain
0 
 
0 
 
Settlement loss
0 
 
0 
 
Total net periodic benefit cost
$ 0 
 
$ 1 
 
Stockholders' Equity - Number of Shares of Class A Common Shares Outstanding on an As-Converted Basis (Detail)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2016
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted [Line Items]
 
 
Preferred stock, conversion ratio
 
13.952 
As-converted Class A Common Stock
2,384 
 
U.K.& I preferred stock
 
 
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted [Line Items]
 
 
Preferred stock, shares outstanding
2 
2 
Preferred stock, conversion ratio
13.3880 
 
As-converted Class A Common Stock
33 1
 
Europe preferred stock
 
 
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted [Line Items]
 
 
Preferred stock, shares outstanding
3 
3 
Preferred stock, conversion ratio
13.9480 
 
As-converted Class A Common Stock
44 1
 
Class A common stock
 
 
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted [Line Items]
 
 
Common stock, shares outstanding
1,847 2
1,871 
As-converted Class A Common Stock
1,847 1 2
 
Class B common stock
 
 
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted [Line Items]
 
 
Common stock, shares outstanding
245 
245 
Common stock, conversion rate into Class A Common Stock
1.6483 3
 
As-converted Class A Common Stock
405 1
 
Class C common stock
 
 
Schedule of Common Stock as Converted [Line Items]
 
 
Common stock, shares outstanding
14 
17 
Common stock, conversion rate into Class A Common Stock
4 
 
As-converted Class A Common Stock
55 1
 
Stockholders' Equity - Share Repurchases in the Open Market (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
 
 
Shares repurchased in the open market
18 1 2
41 
Average repurchase price per share
$ 88.45 2 3
$ 83.59 
Total cost
$ 1,576 2
$ 3,469 
Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2017
Class A common stock
Jan. 31, 2017
Class A common stock
Apr. 20, 2017
Subsequent Event
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
Reduction in As-converted Stock, Shares
 
 
43 
 
 
Reduction in As-converted Stock, Average Price Per Share
 
 
$ 83.64 
 
 
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares
18 1 2
41 
 
 
 
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value
$ 1,576,000,000 2
$ 3,469,000,000 
 
 
 
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount
 
 
 
 
5,000,000,000 
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share
 
 
 
$ 0.165 
 
Stock Repurchase Remaining Authorized Amount
2,300,000,000 
2,300,000,000 
 
 
 
Dividends, Cash
396,000,000 
795,000,000 
 
 
 
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment
 
$ (120,000,000)
 
 
 
Stockholders' Equity Effect of VE Territory Covered Losses Recovery on the Company Repurchasing its Common Stock (Details) (USD $)
6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2016
Mar. 31, 2017
U.K.& I preferred stock
Mar. 31, 2017
U.K.& I preferred stock
Mar. 31, 2017
Europe preferred stock
Mar. 31, 2017
Europe preferred stock
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reduction in equivalent number of shares of class A common stock
 
 
1,000,000 
1,000,000 
0 1
0 1
Effective price per share (in USD per share)
 
 
$ 85.01 2
$ 85.01 2
$ 85.01 2
$ 85.01 2
Recovery through conversion rate adjustment
$ (120,000,000)
 
$ 119,000,000 
$ 119,000,000 
$ 1,000,000 
$ 1,000,000 
Conversion rate of preferred stock to class A common stock after adjustment
 
13.952 
13.3880 
13.3880 
13.9480 
13.9480 
As-converted preferred stock after recovery
2,384,000,000 
 
33,000,000 3
33,000,000 3
44,000,000 3
44,000,000 3
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Net income
$ 430 1
$ 1,707 1
$ 2,500 1
$ 3,648 1
Class A common stock
 
 
 
 
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Income Allocation (A)
332 1
1,360 1
1,928 1
2,910 1
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)
1,854 
1,909 
1,857 
1,923 
Earnings per Share (A)/(B)
$ 0.18 
$ 0.71 2
$ 1.04 2
$ 1.51 2
Income Allocation (A)
430 1
1,707 1
2,500 1
3,648 1
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)
2,406 3
2,401 3
2,413 3
2,416 3
Earnings per Share (A)/(B)
$ 0.18 
$ 0.71 2
$ 1.04 2
$ 1.51 2
Class B common stock
 
 
 
 
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Income Allocation (A)
73 1
288 1
420 1
612 1
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)
245 
245 
245 
245 
Earnings per Share (A)/(B)
$ 0.30 
$ 1.17 2
$ 1.71 2
$ 2.49 2
Income Allocation (A)
72 1
288 1
419 1
611 1
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)
245 
245 
245 
245 
Earnings per Share (A)/(B)
$ 0.29 
$ 1.17 2
$ 1.71 2
$ 2.49 2
Class C common stock
 
 
 
 
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Income Allocation (A)
10 1
55 1
65 1
118 1
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)
15 
19 
16 
19 
Earnings per Share (A)/(B)
$ 0.72 
$ 2.85 2
$ 4.15 2
$ 6.05 2
Income Allocation (A)
10 1
55 1
65 1
117 1
Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)
15 
19 
16 
19 
Earnings per Share (A)/(B)
$ 0.72 
$ 2.84 2
$ 4.14 2
$ 6.04 2
Participating securities
 
 
 
 
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Income Allocation (A)
15 1 4
4 1 4
87 1 4
8 1 4
Income Allocation (A)
$ 15 1 4
$ 4 1 4
$ 87 1 4
$ 8 1 4
[1] Net income is allocated based on proportional ownership on an as-converted basis. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class B common stock used in the income allocation was 405 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class C common stock used in the income allocation was 58 million and 63 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017, respectively and 77 million and 78 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2016, respectively. The weighted-average number of shares of preferred stock, included within participating securities, was 34 million of as-converted U.K.&I preferred stock and 44 million of as-converted Europe preferred stock for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017.
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Common stock equivalents included in the computation of diluted shares outstanding
5 
5 
5 
5 
Common stock equivalents excluded from computation of average dilutive shares outstanding
3 
1 
3 
1 
Class B common stock
 
 
 
 
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average as-converted common stock used in income allocation
405 
405 
405 
405 
Class C common stock
 
 
 
 
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average as-converted common stock used in income allocation
58 
77 
63 
78 
U.K.& I preferred stock
 
 
 
 
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average as-converted common stock used in income allocation
34 
 
 
 
Europe preferred stock
 
 
 
 
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average as-converted common stock used in income allocation
44 
 
44 
 
Share-based Compensation - Awards Granted to Company Employees and Non-employee Directors Under the 2007 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
 
 
Share-based Compensation
$ 116 
$ 97 
Non-qualified stock options
 
 
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
 
 
Granted
1,671,344 
 
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
$ 13.90 
 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
$ 80.82 
 
Restricted stock units (RSUs)
 
 
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
 
 
Granted
3,122,624 
 
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
$ 80.96 
 
Performance-bases shares
 
 
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
 
 
Granted
634,651 1
 
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
$ 86.37 1
 
Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
$ 2,272 
$ 734 
$ 3,181 
$ 1,432 
Income tax expense (benefit), charitable contributions
(71)
 
 
 
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, percent
84.00% 
30.00% 
56.00% 
28.00% 
Revaluation of the Visa Europe put option
 
255 
 
 
Increase in unrecognized tax benefits
23 
 
56 
 
Effective income tax rate reconciliation Unrecognized Tax Benefits that would Favorably Impact Effective Tax Rate
69 
 
97 
 
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect
 
 
 
 
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
(20)
 
(46)
 
Visa Europe
 
 
 
 
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
$ 1,500 
 
 
 
Accrued Litigation for Both Covered and Non-Covered Litigation (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
0 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Feb. 17, 2017
case_filed
Mar. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2016
Mar. 31, 2016
Sep. 30, 2015
Mar. 31, 2017
U.K. Merchant Litigation
merchant
Mar. 31, 2017
U.K. Merchant Litigation
merchant
Mar. 31, 2017
Threatened Litigation
U.K. Merchant Litigation
merchant
Mar. 31, 2017
Unsettled
Mar. 31, 2016
Unsettled
Mar. 31, 2017
Settled Litigation
Mar. 31, 2016
Settled Litigation
Mar. 31, 2017
U.S. Covered Litigation
Sep. 30, 2016
U.S. Covered Litigation
Mar. 31, 2016
U.S. Covered Litigation
Sep. 30, 2015
U.S. Covered Litigation
Mar. 31, 2017
U.S. Covered Litigation
Settled Litigation
Mar. 31, 2016
U.S. Covered Litigation
Settled Litigation
Mar. 31, 2017
VE Territory Covered Litigation
Mar. 31, 2016
VE Territory Covered Litigation
Mar. 31, 2017
VE Territory Covered Litigation
Settled Litigation
Nov. 30, 2016
Interchange Multidistrict Litigation
plaintiff_class
Apr. 20, 2017
Subsequent Event
Interchange Multidistrict Litigation
Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
 
$ 996 
$ 981 
$ 1,013 
$ 1,024 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$ 978 
$ 978 
$ 1,012 
$ 1,023 
 
 
$ 2 
 
 
 
 
Provision for uncovered legal matters
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
17 
1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
142 
0 
 
 
 
Payments on litigation matters
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(144)
(12)
 
 
 
 
0 
(11)
 
 
(144)
 
 
Balance at end of period
 
$ 996 
$ 981 
$ 1,013 
$ 1,024 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$ 978 
$ 978 
$ 1,012 
$ 1,023 
 
 
$ 0 
 
 
 
 
Number of putative classes of plaintiffs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2 
 
Merchants with settlement agreements (percent)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34.00% 
Case filed in Texas state court
1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of plaintiffs
 
 
 
 
 
 
150 
30 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of claims settled
 
 
 
 
 
 
15 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of claims pending trial decision
 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of claims settled before trial
 
 
 
 
 
 
3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of claims settled during trial
 
 
 
 
 
 
12 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merchants with outstanding claims
 
 
 
 
 
130 
130