Rise In Q1 Purchase Volume Has TSYS Signaling Positive Months Ahead.(News)

Byline: Kevin Woodward

A significant increase in purchase transactions Total System Services Inc. processed during the first three months of the year may be an indication consumer confidence in the economy is rising, the Columbus, Ga.-based payment processor suggested in its first-quarter earnings results yesterday afternoon.

During the quarter ended March 31, TSYS processed 1.32 billion transactions initiated at the point of sale, up 7.3% from the 1.23 billion during the same period last year. Same-store sales volume increased 4.3% to 1.7 billion transactions from 1.63 billion transactions a year earlier.

"Again, a positive sign, and hopefully it's a …