What is the main purpose of this 8-K filing?

The main purpose of this 8-K filing is to announce Mastercard's financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008, by attaching the relevant press release and presentation materials for an investor conference call.

What are non-GAAP financial measures, and why does Mastercard use them?

Non-GAAP financial measures are financial calculations that exclude certain items from standard GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) calculations. Mastercard uses them to provide investors with a clearer view of its ongoing operational performance by excluding specific items like litigation settlements and significant one-time income events, which they believe are not representative of core business operations.

What specific items are excluded in Mastercard's non-GAAP reporting for this period?

For this period, Mastercard excluded litigation settlements from operating expenses and margins, specific income items such as the termination of a customer business agreement and a World Cup sponsorship settlement from other income, and the income tax benefits associated with these litigation settlements from its effective income tax rate. These adjustments aim to provide a more meaningful comparison of ongoing performance.

Where can I find the detailed financial results and the reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP figures?

The detailed financial results and the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are provided in the press release filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this 8-K report.

MA 8-K: Earnings & Results & Regulation FD

Summary

Mastercard Incorporated filed an 8-K report on November 3, 2008, announcing its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008. The report primarily serves to attach a press release detailing these results and a presentation for an upcoming conference call. A key aspect of the filing is the discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, which the company uses to provide a clearer view of its ongoing operations by excluding certain significant items. Investors should note the company's rationale for using these non-GAAP measures, which include excluding litigation settlements from operating expenses and margins, specific income items from other income (like termination of a customer business agreement and a World Cup sponsorship settlement), and related tax benefits from the effective tax rate. These adjustments are made to allow for more meaningful comparisons of performance over periods and for internal management evaluation. The filing indicates that a detailed reconciliation of these non-GAAP figures to their GAAP equivalents is available in the attached press release.

Key Highlights

1Mastercard announced its Q3 2008 financial results on November 3, 2008, via an 8-K filing.
2The filing includes a press release (Exhibit 99.1) and a conference call presentation (Exhibit 99.2) related to the Q3 earnings.
3The company utilizes non-GAAP financial measures to present ongoing operational performance.
4Key exclusions from GAAP for non-GAAP reporting include litigation settlements, certain income adjustments (customer agreement termination, World Cup sponsorship settlement), and related tax benefits.
5These non-GAAP adjustments aim to provide investors with a better understanding of core business performance and facilitate period-over-period comparisons.
6A reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP figures is provided within the attached press release.

Mastercard Inc 8-K Report, Financial Results (Nov 3, 2008)

Summary

Key Highlights

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