Global Payments Q4 profit beats; announces $2.5-billion share repurchase authorization

Global Payments

18/02/2026 12:03

Overview

Payment technology firm's Q4 adjusted EPS beat analyst expectations

Q4 adjusted revenue met analyst expectations

Company announced $2.5 bln share repurchase authorization and $550 mln accelerated plan

Outlook

Global Payments expects 2026 adjusted EPS of $13.80 to $14.00, growth of 13% to 15%

Company forecasts 2026 adjusted net revenue growth of 5% excluding dispositions

Global Payments anticipates 2026 adjusted operating margin expansion of 150 basis points

Result Drivers

WORLDPLAY ACQUISITION - Acquisition of Worldpay and divestiture of Issuer Solutions repositioned company as leading merchant solutions provider

GENIUS PLATFORM - Launch of Genius platform in Q2 2025 showed strong commercial traction, according to CEO Cameron Bready

CASH FLOW FOCUS - Strategic actions in 2025 enhanced cash flow generation, with plans to return $7.5 bln to shareholders by 2027

Key Details

Metric
Beat/Miss
Actual
Consensus Estimate
Q4 Revenue
$1.90 bln
Q4 Adjusted Revenue
Meet
$2.32 bln
$2.32 bln (23 Analysts)
Q4 Adjusted EPS
Beat
$3.18
$3.16 (25 Analysts)
Q4 EPS
$0.92
Q4 Adjusted Operating Margin
44.70%


Analyst Coverage

The current average analyst rating on the shares is "hold" and the breakdown of recommendations is 12 "strong buy" or "buy", 19 "hold" and 2 "sell" or "strong sell"

The average consensus recommendation for the business support services peer group is "buy."

Wall Street's median 12-month price target for Global Payments Inc is $95.00, about 36.2% above its February 17 closing price of $69.77

The stock recently traded at 5 times the next 12-month earnings vs. a P/E of 6 three months ago

Press Release: ID:nBwccsdmya

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(This story was created using Reuters automation and AI based on LSEG and company data. It was checked and edited by a Reuters journalist prior to publication.)