U.S. Markets Finished Higher on Wednesday; Global Payments Saw Significant Gains
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 7 hours ago
0mins
Should l Buy GPN?
Source: Barron's
- U.S. Stock Market Performance: Stock indexes in the U.S. experienced gains on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 rising by 0.78%.
- Index Gains: The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.56%, while the Nasdaq Composite saw a rise of 0.26%.
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Analyst Views on GPN
Wall Street analysts forecast GPN stock price to rise
16 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
10 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 69.770
Low
75.00
Averages
102.82
High
135.00
Current: 69.770
Low
75.00
Averages
102.82
High
135.00
About GPN
Global Payments Inc. is a payments technology company delivering software and services to its customers globally. Through its Merchant Solutions segment, the Company provides payments technology and software solutions globally to primarily small- and-medium sized businesses and select mid-market and enterprise customers. Its payment technology solutions are similar around the world in that it enables its customers to accept card, check and digital-based payments. Its comprehensive offerings include authorization, settlement and funding services, customer support, chargeback resolution, reconciliation and dispute management services, terminal rental, sales and deployment, payment security services, consolidated billing and reporting. In addition, it offers a wide array of business management software solutions that streamline business operations to customers in numerous vertical markets.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Global Payments Inc. Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
- Acquisition and Divestiture Success: Global Payments successfully completed the acquisition of Worldpay and the divestiture of the Issuer Solutions business, marking a significant milestone in the company's strategic transformation, which is expected to enhance market competitiveness and optimize resource allocation.
- Strong Financial Performance: In Q4 2025, adjusted net revenue reached $2.32 billion, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase, while adjusted EPS was $3.18, up 12%, demonstrating the company's robust growth and profitability in the market.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: The company anticipates approximately 5% adjusted net revenue growth for 2026 and aims for around 150 basis points of adjusted operating margin expansion, showcasing confidence in future performance and commitment to ongoing investments.
- Shareholder Return Plans: Global Payments plans to return over $2 billion to shareholders in 2026 through share repurchases and dividends, further enhancing investor confidence and increasing shareholder value.
See More
Walmart Quarterly Earnings and Market Trends
- Walmart Earnings Release: Walmart is set to report its quarterly earnings live from Nasdaq in Times Square, which is expected to have a direct impact on its stock price, especially as it has already fallen 6% from its 52-week high.
- Market Performance Analysis: The S&P 500 has risen 1.8% this week, although it remains the worst performer year-to-date, down nearly 4.3%, indicating market volatility and investor caution.
- Global Payments Strong Rebound: Global Payments shares surged 16% on Wednesday, driven by better-than-expected earnings and guidance, reflecting market confidence in its future growth prospects.
- Real Estate Market Dynamics: Cushman & Wakefield is set to report quarterly results, with its stock down 8% over the past three months, highlighting challenges in the commercial real estate market, and investors should pay attention to the upcoming pending home sales data.
See More
US Stocks Close Higher on Strong Economic Data
- Strong Economic Data: US December capital goods new orders rose 0.6% month-over-month, exceeding expectations of 0.3%, indicating a rebound in capital spending that boosts market confidence and drives stock prices higher.
- Housing Market Recovery: December housing starts increased by 6.2% month-over-month to 1.404 million, significantly surpassing the expected 1.304 million, suggesting a recovery in the housing market that could stimulate investment and consumption in related sectors.
- Manufacturing Production Growth: January manufacturing production rose by 0.6% month-over-month, stronger than the expected 0.4%, marking the largest increase in 11 months, indicating a recovery in manufacturing that supports overall economic growth expectations.
- Optimistic Stock Market Performance: Over 75% of S&P 500 companies reported earnings that beat expectations, with Q4 earnings growth projected at 8.4%, providing strong support for the stock market despite lingering doubts about future interest rate policies.
See More
Global Payments Exceeds Q4 Earnings Expectations for 2025
- Strong Earnings Report: Global Payments reported Q4 net revenue of $2.32 billion, reflecting a 1% year-over-year growth, surpassing analyst expectations with adjusted net income of $3.18 per share, indicating robust market performance.
- Shareholder Return Plan: The board approved a stock buyback plan of up to $2.5 billion, including $550 million in an accelerated repurchase, aimed at enhancing shareholder value and boosting market confidence.
- Stable Dividend Policy: The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, maintaining its payout level since September 2021, with a yield of 1.2%, to be paid on March 30, further attracting investors.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: The company anticipates a 5% growth in adjusted net revenue for 2026, reaching $13.80 to $14.00, exceeding the analyst estimate of $13.78, reflecting successful transformation and ongoing growth potential.
See More
David Einhorn's Concerns on AI Overvaluation Impacting Stock Picks
- Investment Strategy Shift: David Einhorn invested tens of millions in Q4 2025 to increase stakes in Graphic Packaging and Capri Holdings by over 70%, reflecting his concerns about AI-driven market overvaluation and indicating a strategic pivot away from big tech.
- Stock Performance Volatility: Despite Graphic Packaging's shares dropping about 23% in Q4 2025 and over 44% for the year, Wall Street analysts remain optimistic, with an average price target suggesting more than 35% upside, indicating expectations for a rebound in the stock.
- Healthcare Investments: Einhorn more than doubled his position in Acadia Healthcare to over $58 million, despite a 43% plunge in Q4; however, analysts maintain a buy rating with a price target suggesting over 16% upside in the next 12 months, reflecting confidence in its recovery.
- Cautious on Tech Stocks: While expressing concerns about tech valuations, Einhorn established a $35 million stake in Global Payments, which fell 31% in 2025 but rebounded nearly 5% in 2026, with analysts' price targets implying over 25% upside, suggesting market optimism for its future performance.
See More
U.S. Markets Finished Higher on Wednesday; Global Payments Saw Significant Gains
- U.S. Stock Market Performance: Stock indexes in the U.S. experienced gains on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 rising by 0.78%.
- Index Gains: The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.56%, while the Nasdaq Composite saw a rise of 0.26%.
See More
Global Payments Inc. Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
- Acquisition and Divestiture Success: Global Payments successfully completed the acquisition of Worldpay and the divestiture of the Issuer Solutions business, marking a significant milestone in the company's strategic transformation, which is expected to enhance market competitiveness and optimize resource allocation.
- Strong Financial Performance: In Q4 2025, adjusted net revenue reached $2.32 billion, reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase, while adjusted EPS was $3.18, up 12%, demonstrating the company's robust growth and profitability in the market.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: The company anticipates approximately 5% adjusted net revenue growth for 2026 and aims for around 150 basis points of adjusted operating margin expansion, showcasing confidence in future performance and commitment to ongoing investments.
- Shareholder Return Plans: Global Payments plans to return over $2 billion to shareholders in 2026 through share repurchases and dividends, further enhancing investor confidence and increasing shareholder value.
See More
Walmart Quarterly Earnings and Market Trends
- Walmart Earnings Release: Walmart is set to report its quarterly earnings live from Nasdaq in Times Square, which is expected to have a direct impact on its stock price, especially as it has already fallen 6% from its 52-week high.
- Market Performance Analysis: The S&P 500 has risen 1.8% this week, although it remains the worst performer year-to-date, down nearly 4.3%, indicating market volatility and investor caution.
- Global Payments Strong Rebound: Global Payments shares surged 16% on Wednesday, driven by better-than-expected earnings and guidance, reflecting market confidence in its future growth prospects.
- Real Estate Market Dynamics: Cushman & Wakefield is set to report quarterly results, with its stock down 8% over the past three months, highlighting challenges in the commercial real estate market, and investors should pay attention to the upcoming pending home sales data.
See More
US Stocks Close Higher on Strong Economic Data
- Strong Economic Data: US December capital goods new orders rose 0.6% month-over-month, exceeding expectations of 0.3%, indicating a rebound in capital spending that boosts market confidence and drives stock prices higher.
- Housing Market Recovery: December housing starts increased by 6.2% month-over-month to 1.404 million, significantly surpassing the expected 1.304 million, suggesting a recovery in the housing market that could stimulate investment and consumption in related sectors.
- Manufacturing Production Growth: January manufacturing production rose by 0.6% month-over-month, stronger than the expected 0.4%, marking the largest increase in 11 months, indicating a recovery in manufacturing that supports overall economic growth expectations.
- Optimistic Stock Market Performance: Over 75% of S&P 500 companies reported earnings that beat expectations, with Q4 earnings growth projected at 8.4%, providing strong support for the stock market despite lingering doubts about future interest rate policies.
See More
Global Payments Exceeds Q4 Earnings Expectations for 2025
- Strong Earnings Report: Global Payments reported Q4 net revenue of $2.32 billion, reflecting a 1% year-over-year growth, surpassing analyst expectations with adjusted net income of $3.18 per share, indicating robust market performance.
- Shareholder Return Plan: The board approved a stock buyback plan of up to $2.5 billion, including $550 million in an accelerated repurchase, aimed at enhancing shareholder value and boosting market confidence.
- Stable Dividend Policy: The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, maintaining its payout level since September 2021, with a yield of 1.2%, to be paid on March 30, further attracting investors.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: The company anticipates a 5% growth in adjusted net revenue for 2026, reaching $13.80 to $14.00, exceeding the analyst estimate of $13.78, reflecting successful transformation and ongoing growth potential.
See More
David Einhorn's Concerns on AI Overvaluation Impacting Stock Picks
- Investment Strategy Shift: David Einhorn invested tens of millions in Q4 2025 to increase stakes in Graphic Packaging and Capri Holdings by over 70%, reflecting his concerns about AI-driven market overvaluation and indicating a strategic pivot away from big tech.
- Stock Performance Volatility: Despite Graphic Packaging's shares dropping about 23% in Q4 2025 and over 44% for the year, Wall Street analysts remain optimistic, with an average price target suggesting more than 35% upside, indicating expectations for a rebound in the stock.
- Healthcare Investments: Einhorn more than doubled his position in Acadia Healthcare to over $58 million, despite a 43% plunge in Q4; however, analysts maintain a buy rating with a price target suggesting over 16% upside in the next 12 months, reflecting confidence in its recovery.
- Cautious on Tech Stocks: While expressing concerns about tech valuations, Einhorn established a $35 million stake in Global Payments, which fell 31% in 2025 but rebounded nearly 5% in 2026, with analysts' price targets implying over 25% upside, suggesting market optimism for its future performance.
See More
U.S. Markets Finished Higher on Wednesday; Global Payments Saw Significant Gains
- U.S. Stock Market Performance: Stock indexes in the U.S. experienced gains on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 rising by 0.78%.
- Index Gains: The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.56%, while the Nasdaq Composite saw a rise of 0.26%.
See More
