MA
MA
Dec 31, 2025
Quarter ended Dec 31, 2025 · FY2025 Q4

Mastercard Incorporated stock research

Mastercard (MA) Free Cash Flow — Quarter Ended Dec 31, 2025

Revenue and operating cash flow were higher than the same quarter last year, but free cash flow margin weakened compared to both the prior quarter and the year-ago period. The sequential decline in operating cash flow despite revenue growth drove the margin compression.

Free cash flow takeaway

A quick read on the company's cash generation and what it means for investors.

Revenue and operating cash flow were higher than the same quarter last year, but free cash flow margin weakened compared to both the prior quarter and the year-ago period. The sequential decline in operating cash flow despite revenue growth drove the margin compression.

  • Operating cash flow and free cash flow were both higher than the year-ago quarter but lower than the immediately preceding quarter. Capital expenditure was lower than the prior quarter but higher than a year ago, while free cash flow margin declined from both comparison periods.
  • Compared with the preceding quarter, revenue was higher but operating cash flow was lower, resulting in a lower free cash flow margin. Versus the same quarter last year, revenue, operating cash flow, and free cash flow were all higher, yet the margin was lower due to a larger relative increase in capital expenditure.

FCF snapshot

Quarterly and TTM cash-flow metrics with the minimum valuation context.

TTM free cash flow

$17.2B

Trailing twelve-month free cash flow.

Quarter free cash flow

$4.9B

Free cash flow in the selected fiscal quarter.

Operating cash flow

$5.0B

Cash generated by operations before capital spending.

CapEx

$112.0M

Capital spending and related asset purchases.

FCF margin

55.5%

The share of revenue converted into free cash flow.

Cash flow trend

A short quarterly history shows whether FCF is scaling with revenue or only spiking for one period.

PeriodRevenueOperating CFCapExFCFFCF margin
2025-03-31$7.3B$2.4B$159.0M$2.2B30.6%
2025-06-30$8.1B$4.6B$40.0M$4.6B56.1%
2025-09-30$8.6B$5.7B$178.0M$5.5B63.8%
2025-12-31$8.8B$5.0B$112.0M$4.9B55.5%

Cash conversion quality

Checks that separate high-quality free cash flow from accounting noise or working-capital timing.

FCF / net income120.4%Shows whether accounting earnings convert into cash.
CapEx / revenue1.3%Lower capital intensity usually supports FCF margin.
Net cash-$8.4BCash and equivalents minus total debt.

Recent events shaping cash flow

Near-term business events that help explain the free cash flow result.

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Operating Cash Flow Efficiency

Operating cash flow increased year-over-year but decreased sequentially, even as revenue grew. This shift indicates a change in the proportion of cash generated from each dollar of revenue.

The decline in operating cash flow relative to revenue contributed to a weaker free cash flow margin compared with both prior periods.

What the cash flow says

How to interpret the company's free cash flow beyond the headline number.

Operating cash flow and free cash flow were both higher than the year-ago quarter but lower than the immediately preceding quarter. Capital expenditure was lower than the prior quarter but higher than a year ago, while free cash flow margin declined from both comparison periods.

Compared with the preceding quarter, revenue was higher but operating cash flow was lower, resulting in a lower free cash flow margin. Versus the same quarter last year, revenue, operating cash flow, and free cash flow were all higher, yet the margin was lower due to a larger relative increase in capital expenditure.

Monitor the trend of free cash flow margin, which declined sequentially and year-over-year, as it reflects the changing relationship between operating cash flow and revenue.