Visa Inc (V  ) stock recorded an all-time-high (ATH) on Wednesday. The stock was seen trading at a high of $262.48 during intraday trading, marking a new high in the stock's history.

The stock has returned 26.52% to investors so far this year. The surge has been propelled by a combination of strategic moves, financial prowess, and industry dynamics, solidifying Visa's position as a key player in the market.

Factors Driving Visa Stock

Factors that have been driving performance for Visa so far this year include:

  • Visa is one of the key beneficiaries of the switch from cash to electronic payments, globally.
  • The business has demonstrated operating leverage and successful buyback initiatives, which have led to significant EPS growth.
  • Visa's scale and low net debt allow M&A to preserve its technological superiority, giving it an advantage versus Mastercard Inc. (MA  ).
  • Visa reported better-than-expected fiscal Q4 earnings, which indicated the business has resilient consumers.
What Does The Chart Say?

Technical analysis suggests a potential upward trajectory for Visa's stock. The recent formation of a golden cross, where the 50-day SMA has crossed above the 100-day SMA, hints at a possible bullish trend.

Recent analyst ratings rate Visa stock a Buy and Outperform, with their price targets in the range of $280 to $295.

Price Action: Visa stock was down 1.17% to $259.31 at the time of publication Thursday.