The headline rate for North America, which accounts for roughly half the global total, increased 12.9 per cent on the back of a strengthening contribution from the US Consumer sector. This is the fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, cementing the US as the key driver of global income. Comparative UK payments slumped 60.4 per cent from Q114, although this was linked to a sharp fall-away in special dividends; not least of which was the cash return linked to Vodafone’s sale of Verizon Wireless.
Meanwhile, emerging market income streams were boosted by an improved contribution from Russian stocks. The emerging markets segment increased 13.7 per cent on a headline rate to $15.6bn, while underlying payments were up by around a third.
