10:40 AM EDT, 05/23/2025 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with Mastercard's ( MA ) response in the fourth paragraph.)

Visa (V) and Mastercard ( MA ) shares were edging lower Friday after Bloomberg reported EU antitrust authorities are looking into the two companies' fees, their overall transparency, and whether retailers have a choice in accepting Visa and Mastercard ( MA ) payments.

The authorities circulated a new series of questions last week to market participants on "scheme fees" they levy on financial institutions that provide card-payment services to retailers using Visa and Mastercard ( MA ) networks, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

The investigation could lead to fines that could amount to 10% of annual revenue if authorities find the companies guilty of abusing their market dominance, according to the report.

"Every day, Mastercard ( MA ) is focused on enabling commerce around the world," a company spokesperson told MT Newswires via email. "Mastercard ( MA ) offers consumers and businesses choice, ways to pay and be paid that are hassle-free and worry-free, secure and most convenient for them. That is the value we deliver."

Visa did not immediately reply to a request for comment from MT Newswires.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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