Visa, Mastercard hit record highs as consumer spending holds up

Visa and Mastercard stocks reached fresh record highs, according to MarketWatch, as data showed aggregate U.S. consumer spending remaining resilient. The report noted that American shoppers are becoming choosier about what they buy, even as total spending volumes stay strong. The record highs matter because the two card networks are widely watched as a real-time gauge of consumer health, given they process a large share of everyday U.S. transactions. Strong aggregate spending, even alongside more selective buying, points to a consumer base still willing to spend rather than pulling back broadly. Separately, Visa CEO Ryan McInerney sold $2.16 million in stock and exercised options, a disclosure that doesn't change the spending data but is worth noting alongside the record share price. It remains unresolved whether the shift toward more selective spending is an early sign of consumer fatigue or simply a return to more normal buying patterns.