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

The main purpose of this 8-K filing is to officially report Mastercard's financial results for the fourth quarter and the full year ended December 31, 2012. It includes the press release and presentation materials that management uses to discuss these results with investors and analysts.

Why is Mastercard presenting non-GAAP financial measures?

Mastercard is presenting non-GAAP measures, such as operating expenses, operating income, net income, earnings per diluted share, and effective tax rate on a pro forma basis excluding U.S. merchant litigation charges, to provide a clearer view of its ongoing operational performance. Management believes these adjustments help in understanding the underlying business trends and facilitate meaningful comparisons between different periods, especially when significant litigation expenses are involved.

What does 'adjusted for currency' mean in relation to growth rates?

Growth rates adjusted for currency mean that the reported growth in revenue or other metrics is calculated by removing the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. This is done by remeasuring prior period results using the current period's exchange rates, allowing investors to see how the business is performing in constant currency terms, unaffected by currency movements.

Where can I find the GAAP financial information?

While the 8-K itself primarily directs to the press release and presentation, these attached documents are expected to contain reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. Investors should refer to Exhibit 99.1 (the press release) for these details.

MA 8-K: Earnings & Results & Regulation FD

Summary

Mastercard Incorporated filed an 8-K on January 31, 2013, to report its fourth quarter and full-year financial results for the period ending December 31, 2012. The filing primarily includes a press release (Exhibit 99.1) and a conference call presentation (Exhibit 99.2) detailing these results. Notably, Mastercard is providing certain financial metrics on a pro forma basis, excluding charges related to U.S. merchant litigations. This adjusted view is intended to offer a clearer picture of ongoing operational performance and facilitate period-over-period comparisons. Investors should pay close attention to the non-GAAP financial measures presented, which also adjust for the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on growth rates. Management uses these pro forma and currency-adjusted figures for internal planning and performance evaluation. While these measures offer insights into underlying business trends, it's crucial for investors to also consider the GAAP results and understand the reconciliations provided in the attached press release to fully grasp the company's financial position.

Key Highlights

1Mastercard announced its Q4 and full-year 2012 financial results via an 8-K filing on January 31, 2013.
2The filing includes a press release (Exhibit 99.1) and a conference call presentation (Exhibit 99.2).
3The company is presenting certain financial results on a pro forma basis, excluding charges related to U.S. merchant litigations for the periods ending December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2012.
4Management believes these pro forma adjustments provide a better view of ongoing operational performance and aid in comparing results across periods.
5The effective tax rate is also presented on a pro forma basis, excluding related income tax benefits from the litigation charges.
6Growth rates are presented adjusted for currency fluctuations to highlight performance independent of foreign exchange impacts.
7Mastercard management utilizes these non-GAAP measures for internal evaluation, planning, and compensation calculations.

Mastercard Inc 8-K Report, Financial Results (Jan 31, 2013)

Summary

Key Highlights

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