Stephens Issues Pessimistic Forecast for Global Payments (NYSE:GPN) Stock Price

Global Payments (NYSE:GPN) had its price target dropped by equities researchers at Stephens from $95.00 to $90.00 in a note issued to investors on Friday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage presently has an “equal weight” rating on the business services provider’s stock. Stephens’ price target would suggest a potential upside of 21.92% from the stock’s previous close.

A number of other research firms also recently weighed in on GPN. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Global Payments in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research raised shares of Global Payments to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on shares of Global Payments from $85.00 to $75.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 24th. Citigroup raised shares of Global Payments to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Global Payments from $90.00 to $85.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $98.62.

Global Payments Stock Down 1.6%

GPN opened at $73.82 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $17.48 billion, a PE ratio of 10.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.85. Global Payments has a fifty-two week low of $65.93 and a fifty-two week high of $114.17. The business has a 50-day moving average of $77.68 and a 200-day moving average of $81.92.

Global Payments (NYSE:GPN) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The business services provider reported $3.26 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.23 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $2.43 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.41 billion. Global Payments had a return on equity of 12.66% and a net margin of 19.68%.During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.08 earnings per share. Global Payments has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.600-6.666 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Global Payments will post 11.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Patricia A. Watson acquired 1,331 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The shares were bought at an average price of $75.06 per share, with a total value of $99,904.86. Following the acquisition, the director owned 2,651 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $198,984.06. This trade represents a 100.83% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Connie D. Mcdaniel sold 4,464 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $77.81, for a total value of $347,343.84. Following the sale, the director owned 30,014 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,335,389.34. This represents a 12.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders have purchased 14,723 shares of company stock valued at $1,186,772 and have sold 18,080 shares valued at $1,439,350. Corporate insiders own 1.01% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Global Payments

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of GPN. Perigon Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Global Payments by 31.7% during the 4th quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,660 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $283,000 after acquiring an additional 882 shares during the period. Formidable Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Global Payments during the fourth quarter worth about $397,000. Abacus Planning Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Global Payments during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $212,000. Tema Etfs LLC raised its holdings in shares of Global Payments by 12.3% in the 4th quarter. Tema Etfs LLC now owns 4,329 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $335,000 after buying an additional 473 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Global Payments by 7.5% in the 4th quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 86,579 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $6,701,000 after buying an additional 6,036 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.76% of the company’s stock.

Global Payments News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Global Payments this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Global Payments finalized its acquisition of Worldpay, a major strategic milestone that expands scale and payment volume exposure — a clear long-term growth driver. Global Payments Finalizes Worldpay Acquisition
• Positive Sentiment: Seaport Global upgraded Global Payments, which can support near-term sentiment and buying interest from funds following sell-side momentum. Seaport Global upgrades Global Payments (GPN)
• Positive Sentiment: Another analyst shop (Seaport Res Ptn) moved GPN to a “strong-buy,” reinforcing bullish research coverage that could attract new buyers. Seaport Res Ptn upgrade
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks published a bullish piece highlighting three reasons growth investors should like GPN (above-average growth metrics and scale benefits). 3 Reasons Growth Investors Will Love Global Payments (GPN)
• Neutral Sentiment: Barchart notes Q4 earnings are imminent; consensus expects only single-digit EPS growth — the report and management commentary will likely drive short-term volatility. What You Need To Know Ahead of Global Payments’ Earnings Release
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks ran a valuation-focused piece asking if GPN is undervalued now — useful perspective but not a catalyst by itself. Is Global Payments (GPN) Stock Undervalued Right Now?
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage pieces are asking whether the 28% pullback has gone too far — these narratives can attract bargain hunters but don’t change fundamentals. Has Global Payments (GPN) Fallen Too Far?
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts’ consensus remains a “hold,” indicating mixed expectations despite recent upgrades and deal completion. Consensus Recommendation of “Hold”
• Negative Sentiment: TD Cowen trimmed its price target to $90 from $95 and kept a “hold” rating — a lower target can weigh on sentiment and cap near-term upside. TD Cowen adjusts price target on Global Payments
• Negative Sentiment: A reported sale of GPN shares by Rep. Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. is a small but negative signal that can feed short-term selling pressure. Rep. Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr. Sells Shares

About Global Payments

Global Payments Inc (NYSE: GPN) is a worldwide provider of payment technology and software solutions that enables commerce for merchants, issuers and enterprises. The company develops and operates payment processing networks, point-of-sale systems and cloud-based software that facilitate electronic transactions across in-store, online and mobile channels. Its services span merchant acquiring, payment gateway services, omnichannel commerce platforms, and solutions for recurring and subscription billing.

Global Payments offers a range of products and services including integrated payment terminals and point-of-sale software, e-commerce and gateway technologies, fraud prevention and tokenization tools, and business analytics and reporting.