Global Payments Inc. (GPN) AI Stock Analysis
GPN AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchGlobal Payments Inc. (NYSE: GPN) provides payment technology and software solutions worldwide across merchant, issuer, and consumer channels. The company generated $10.21B in trailing twelve month revenue with an operating margin of 16.1%, while carrying net debt of $17.01B. At its recent close of $83.67, the stock trades at a forward P/E of 5.3x with an enterprise value of $40.58B.
- Market cap
- $22.14B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $10.21B
- P/E
- 39.3x fwd 5.3x
- 1Y return
- 1.3% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $105.34 25.9% vs last close
Bull case
- The stock trades at a forward P/E of 5.3x and a PEG ratio of 0.21, well below the S&P 500 Industrials peer median forward P/E of 20.7x.
- Analyst estimates anticipate EPS rising 11.7% to $13.65 in FY2026 and an additional 17.9% to $16.09 in FY2027.
- The mean analyst price target of $105.34 represents an upside of 25.9% from the last closing price of $83.67.
Bear case
- Annual revenue contracted by 23.7% in FY2025 to $7.71B, contributing to a 5-year revenue CAGR of just 0.7%.
- Net debt is elevated at $17.01B against $5.41B in cash and short-term investments as of June 30, 2026.
- Long-term stock performance has lagged the broader market, with a 5-year return of -45.2% compared to an 83.0% gain for SPY.
What Global Payments does
Global Payments Inc. operates as a provider of payment technology and software solutions worldwide, catering to card, electronic, check, and digital-based transactions across the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific regions. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company divides its operations into three distinct segments: Merchant Solutions, Issuer Solutions, and Business and Consumer Solutions. Merchant Solutions offers authorization, settlement, terminal rental, payment security, and enterprise software across diverse vertical markets. Issuer Solutions enables financial institutions and retailers to manage card portfolios and delivers commercial payments and ePayables solutions. The Business and Consumer Solutions segment provides reloadable prepaid debit cards, payroll cards, demand deposit accounts, and other financial services.
Growth and profitability
Annual revenue rose from $8.52B in FY2021 to $10.11B in FY2024 before declining 23.7% to $7.71B in FY2025. Despite the FY2025 top-line contraction, gross margin reached 72.6% and operating margin was 19.1%, supporting net income of $1.40B and diluted EPS of $12.23. Across the 5-year period from FY2020 to FY2025, revenue achieved a CAGR of 0.7%. For the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2026, revenue stood at $10.21B with a profit margin of -9.2% and EPS of $2.13. In the quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue grew 68.6% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings fell 95.2%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, Global Payments held $5.41B in cash and short-term investments alongside total debt of $22.42B, resulting in net debt of $17.01B. Total assets stood at $63.57B, while shareholders' equity was $23.11B, yielding a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 0.82. Free cash flow reached $2.04B on operating cash flow of $2.66B in FY2025. During that year, the company deployed capital toward $617.8M in capital expenditures, $1.23B in share buybacks, and $238.5M in dividends paid, contributing to a 10.1% reduction in share count over 5 years.
Valuation and performance
With a market cap of $22.14B and an enterprise value of $40.58B, Global Payments trades at a trailing P/E of 39.3x and a forward P/E of 5.3x. Its forward P/E is lower than the 20.7x median of its S&P 500 Industrials peers. The company's EV-to-EBITDA multiple of 10.5x also sits below the peer median of 17.7x, while its price-to-sales ratio is 2.2x versus the peer median of 3.3x. Over the past year, GPN generated a return of 1.3%, trailing the S&P 500 (SPY) return of 16.8%. Over 5 years, the stock returned -45.2% compared to an 83.0% gain for the index.
GPN dividend
Global Payments pays an annual forward dividend of $1.00 per share, representing a dividend yield of 1.20% and a payout ratio of 7.8%. Dividends are distributed quarterly, and the company has paid dividends for 26 consecutive years. The annualized 5-year dividend growth rate is 5.1%, and its most recent ex-dividend date was September 11, 2026.
What analysts expect
Consensus ratings include 13 Strong Buy, 2 Buy, 19 Hold, 1 Sell, and 1 Strong Sell recommendations. The mean price target is $105.34, representing a 25.9% premium over the last close of $83.67. For the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, analysts expect revenue of $12.36B and EPS of $13.65. For the next fiscal year, 37 analysts project revenue of $13.00B and EPS of $16.09. Global Payments posted 4 EPS beats over the last 4 quarters, with its next earnings date scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Total debt of $22.42B and a current ratio of 0.82 may constrain balance sheet flexibility.
- Quarterly earnings fell 95.2% year-over-year in the quarter ended June 30, 2026, while trailing twelve month profit margin stood at -9.2%.
- Short interest represents 6.8% of the float, reflecting market skepticism despite 4 consecutive quarterly EPS beats.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this GPN AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Global Payments Inc. (GPN). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: GPN income statement, GPN balance sheet, GPN key metrics, GPN analyst forecast, GPN chart. See the GPN stock overview for the latest quote and news.
GPN AI stock analysis FAQ
What is Global Payments' dividend yield?
Global Payments offers an annual forward dividend of $1.00 per share, which yields 1.20% at the last close of $83.67. It has paid dividends for 26 consecutive years with a payout ratio of 7.8%.
How much debt does Global Payments hold?
As of June 30, 2026, Global Payments had total debt of $22.42B and cash and short-term investments of $5.41B, resulting in net debt of $17.01B. Its debt-to-equity ratio is 0.97.
What are analysts forecasting for GPN stock?
Analysts hold a mean price target of $105.34, which is 25.9% above the last close of $83.67. Consensus estimates forecast FY2026 revenue of $12.36B and EPS of $13.65.
When does Global Payments report earnings next?
The company's next earnings report is scheduled for November 3, 2026. Over the prior 4 quarters, Global Payments recorded 4 EPS beats.