TD Cowen upgrades FIS to 'buy' after deal to acquire Global Payments unit

Global Payments

21/04/2025 11:27

** TD Cowen upgrades payments processing firm FIS'  shares to "buy" from "hold"

** Brokerage raises PT on company's shares to $92 from $80, a 23.4% upside to stock's last close

** FIS on Thursday agreed to buy rival Global Payments' GPN.N issuer solutions unit, which offers card processing and account services, for $13.5 billion

            ** As part of that deal, FIS is also offloading its 45% stake in payments processor Worldpay to GPN

** Brokerage says FIS got the better end of the deal and the transaction serves as a catalyst for incremental investors to get onboard

** Says the deal is "topgrade swap" for FIS as it offers a steadier profile to further insulate the durability of its financial model

** 15 of 29 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, 13 "hold" and 1 "sell"; median PT $85 - data compiled by LSEG

** As of last close, FIS stock down 7.7% YTD

(Reporting by Arasu Kannagi Basil in Bengaluru)

((ArasuKannagi.Basil@thomsonreuters.com))