Global Payments Option Alert: Mar 21 $120 Puts at the Bid: 400 vs 1000 OI; Earnings 2/13 Before Open 

Global Payments Option Alert: Mar 21 $120 Puts at the Bid: 400 @ $14.9 vs 1000 OI; Earnings 2/13 Before Open Ref=$105.0

Global Payments (NYSE:GPN) Azioni

Global Payments

Global Payments is a leading provider of payment processing and software solutions and focuses on serving small and midsize merchants. The company operates in 30 countries and generates about one fourth of its revenue from outside North America, primarily in Europe and Asia. In 2019, Global Payments merged with Total System Services in an all-stock deal that gave Total System Services shareholders 48% of the combined company's shares. The merger added issuer processing operations.

Global Payments Inc

Wall Street saw a rebound in risk appetite on Thursday ahead of the long Easter weekend, as President Donald Trump signaled positive <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/donald-trump">momentum in trade negotiations.</a>
Speaking ahead of a scheduled meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Trump expressed strong confidence in reaching a trade agreement with the European Union. He also hinted at progress with China, stating, "We will make a good deal with China." 
Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that trade talks with Japan are moving in a highly satisfactory direction.
By midday in New York, the S&amp;P 500 had climbed 0.9%, while the Nasdaq 100 gained 0.5%, recouping some losses after a 3% slide on Wednesday. The Dow Jones, however, slipped 0.9%, weighed down by a sharp 23% plunge in UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) after the company slashed its full-year earnings forecast.
Energy stocks led the day&#8217;s gains, buoyed by rising oil prices. Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>) rallied 4.1%, while Chevron Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CVX#NYSE">CVX</a>) advanced 3.5%.
Gold prices retreated nearly 1% after a strong multi-day rally, pressured by a firmer U.S. dollar and rising Treasury yields. The 10-year Treasury yield climbed six basis points to 4.34%.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) edged up 0.9% to $85,000.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h1>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>Chg (%)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>1,884.35</td>
<td>1.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,323.43</td>
<td>0.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>18,357.77</td>
<td>0.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>39,441.72</td>
<td colspan="2">-0.6%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated by 12:55 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) rose 0.8% to $530.09.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) fell 0.7% to $394.05.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)&nbsp;rose 0.5% to $446.19.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) soared 1% to $186.67.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Energt&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) outperformed, up 3.5%; the&nbsp;Health Care&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLV#NYSE">XLV</a>) lagged, down 0.1%.</li>
</ul>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h1>
<ul>
<li>Eli Lilly Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LLY#NYSE">LLY</a>) surged 16% after announcing that its oral GLP-1 receptor agonist, Orforglipron, successfully completed Phase 3 trials without requiring food or water restrictions.</li>
<li>Fidelity National Information Services (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIS#NYSE">FIS</a>) jumped 9% after announcing a $13.5 billion deal to acquire Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>)&#8217;s Issuer Solutions business. The move is aimed at bolstering FIS's fintech capabilities and is expected to generate over $125 million in annual revenue synergies. Shares of GPN tumbled 15%. </li>
<li>Companies reacting to earnings reports included American Express Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AXP#NYSE">AXP</a>), up 0.5%; Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BX#NYSE">BX</a>), up 1.9%; Charles Schwab Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SCHW#NYSE">SCHW</a>), up 2.7%; Marsh &amp; McLennan Companies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MMC#NYSE">MMC</a>) down 3.3%; Truist Financial Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TFC#NYSE">TFC</a>), up 1.3%; State Street Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/STT#NYSE">STT</a>), up 3.2%; KeyCorp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KEY#NYSE">KEY</a>), up 3.7% and Huntington Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HBAN#NASDAQ">HBAN</a>), up 4%.</li>
<li>Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) rose 2% ahead of the earnings report, which is slated for release after the market close. </li>
</ul>
Read Now: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/health-care/25/04/44869920/unitedhealth-ceo-says-high-cost-of-us-health-care-simply-not-sustainable">UnitedHealth CEO Says High Cost Of US Health Care &#8216;Simply Not Sustainable&#8217;</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

Equities

Large Cap

Macro Economic Events

Sector ETFs

Broad U.S. Equity ETFs

Economics

Trading Ideas

ETFs

$BTC

SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust

HBAN

NFLX

SCHW

Wall Street Rebounds, Eli Lilly Rallies, UnitedHealth Group Plummets: What's Driving Markets Thursday?

U.S. stocks traded mostly lower midway through trading, with the Dow Jones index falling more than 450 points on Thursday.
The Dow traded down 1.20% to 39,191.93 while the NASDAQ fell 0.09% to 16,293.14. However, the S&amp;P 500 gained 0.30% to 5,291.42.
Check This Out: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/short-ideas/25/04/44836659/top-3-industrials-stocks-that-may-plunge-this-month">Top 3 Industrials Stocks That May Plunge This Month</a>
Leading and Lagging Sectors Energy shares surged by 2.5% on Thursday.
In trading on Thursday, information technology shares fell by 0.9%.
Top Headline
D.R. Horton, Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DHI#NYSE">DHI</a>) reported worse-than-expected second-quarter results and lowered its FY25 guidance.
Sales fell 15% year-over-year (Y/Y) to $7.73 billion, missing the consensus of $8.03 billion. EPS was $2.58, missing the consensus of $2.67. Net sales orders fell 15% Y/Y to 22,437 homes and decreased 17% Y/Y in value to $8.4 billion.
D.R. Horton revised its FY25 revenue guidance to $33.3 billion-$34.8 billion (from $36.0 billion – $37.5 billion) versus the consensus of $36.4 billion.
Equities Trading UP &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Baijiayun Group Ltd (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RTC#NASDAQ">RTC</a>) shares shot up 60% to $0.3447 after the company announced it formed a partnership with Xinlantian to combine their AI video and large language model technologies with expertise in autism rehabilitation.</li>
<li>Shares of Adagio Medical Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADGM#NASDAQ">ADGM</a>)got a boost, surging 138% to $2.0792 after the FDA granted Breakthrough Device Designation for the vCLAS cryoablation system.</li>
<li>Channel Therapeutics Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CHRO#NYSE">CHRO</a>) shares were also up, gaining 52% to $1.9080. Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LGND#NASDAQ">LGND</a>) and Channel Therapeutics on Thursday signed a definitive merger agreement to combine Ligand's wholly owned subsidiaries, Pelthos Therapeutics Inc. and LNHC, Inc. (collectively Pelthos) with CHRO Merger Sub Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Channel.</li>
</ul>
Equities Trading DOWN
<ul>
<li>UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) shares dropped 22% to $456.68 after the company reported worse-than-expected first-quarter results and cut its FY25 adjusted EPS guidance below estimates.</li>
<li>Shares of CaliberCos Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CWD#NASDAQ">CWD</a>) were down 29% to $0.3200 as the company announced the pricing of the public offering units.</li>
<li>Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>) was down, falling 18% to $69.07 after the company announced it bought a stake in Worldpay for $6.6 billion.</li>
</ul>
Commodities In commodity news, oil traded up 1.6% to $63.47 while gold traded down 1.2% at $3,305.90.
Silver traded down 2.4% to $32.200 on Thursday, while copper fell 1.3% to $4.6255.
Euro zone
European shares were lower today. The eurozone's STOXX 600 fell 0.29%, Germany's DAX 40 declined 0.64% and France's CAC 40 dipped 0.76%. Spain's IBEX 35 Index slipped 0.23%, while London's FTSE 100 fell 0.18%.
Asia Pacific Markets
Asian markets closed higher on Thursday, with Japan's Nikkei 225 gaining 1.35%, China's Shanghai Composite gaining 0.13%, Hong Kong's Gang Seng index gaining 1.61% and India's BSE Sensex gaining 1.96%.
Economics
<ul>
<li>U.S. housing starts dipped 11.4% month-over-month to an annualized rate of 1.324 million in March.</li>
<li>U.S. initial jobless claims declined by 9,000 from the previous week to 215,000 during the second week of April, versus market estimates of 225,000.</li>
<li>The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index fell 39 points to a reading of -26.4 in April, and down from market estimates of 2.</li>
<li>U.S. building permits climbed by 1.6% to an annualized rate of 1.482 million in March.</li>
<li>U.S. natural-gas stocks rose 16 billion cubic feet in the week ending April 11, compared to market estimates of a 24 billion cubic feet gain.</li>
</ul>
Now Read This:
<ul>
<li> <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44862443/intuit-to-rally-around-19-here-are-10-top-analyst-forecasts-for-thursday">Intuit To Rally Around 19%? Here Are 10 Top Analyst Forecasts For Thursday</a> </li>
</ul>
Photo via Shutterstock

Earnings

News

Eurozone

Commodities

Intraday Update

Markets

ADGM

CHRO

LGND

Gold Falls Over 1%; D.R. Horton Posts Downbeat Earnings

Fidelity National Information Services Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIS#NYSE">FIS</a>) on Thursday unveiled two strategic moves—acquiring Global Payments&#8217; Issuer Solutions unit and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/b44859301/fis-announces-sale-of-worldpay-stake-and-strategic-acquisition-of-global-payments-issuer-solutions" rel="noreferrer noopener">selling its remaining stake in Worldpay.</a>
What Happened: The Jacksonville, Florida-based firm agreed to purchase Global Payments&#8217; Issuer Solutions arm in a transaction valued at $13.5 billion. The deal includes $1.5 billion in projected tax-related benefits, resulting in a net outlay of $12 billion.
Simultaneously, Fidelity National will offload its 45% stake in Worldpay to Global Payments for $6.6 billion in pre-tax proceeds.
Fidelity National CEO Stephanie Ferris described the acquisition as a &#8220;high-margin&#8221; growth opportunity.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44857887/taiwan-semiconductor-q1-surges-41-in-sales-boosted-by-ai-chip-demand-expanded-margins" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taiwan Semiconductor CFO Anticipates Tariffs Impact But Has Not Seen Change In Customer Behavior Yet, Issues Strong Q2 Outlook</a>
Why It Matters: The Issuer Solutions platform processes over 40 billion transactions annually, serving clients across more than 75 countries.
It is expected to bolster Fidelity National&#8217;s existing suite of services in debit and banking infrastructure. It could also broaden access to a $28 billion global issuer market—including $15 billion in the U.S. alone.
&#8220;Issuer Solutions&#8217; globally scaled credit processing capabilities are highly complementary to FIS&#8217; established debit processing capabilities, strengthening our broader banking and capital markets offering,&#8221; Ferris said.
Separately, GTCR—which acquired a 55% majority stake in Worldpay from Fidelity National in 2023—will now sell the payments<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/n44859362/gtcr-announces-sale-of-worldpay-to-global-payments-for-24-25-billion-in-conjunction-with-transform" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> firm to Global Payments for $24.25 billion.</a> The private equity firm will receive 59% cash and 41% stock consideration as part of the Worldpay transaction.
Upon closing, GTCR will own shares representing 15% of Global Payments&#8217; outstanding shares.
CEO Charles Drucker will continue to lead the Worldpay team through the transition and future integration.
What&#8217;s Next: Fidelity National intends to finance the acquisition with $8 billion in new debt alongside proceeds from the Worldpay sale.
The purchase price for Issuer Solutions reflects a valuation of approximately 9 times expected 2025 EBITDA. The Worldpay sale to Global Payments stands at about 10.5 times expected 2025 EBITDA.
These two interlinked transactions are expected to close in the first half of 2026.
Following completion, Fidelity National plans to momentarily pause share repurchases and M&amp;A activity to prioritize reducing its debt.
1Q 2025&nbsp;Update
Fidelity National will release official earnings release scheduled for May 6. The company said it reported total preliminary revenue of about $2.5 billion versus the estimate of $2.57 billion. The <a href="https://www.investor.fisglobal.com/news-releases/news-release-details/fis-reports-full-year-2024-results-and-2025-outlook-confirms#:~:text=Full%2DYear%202024%20Financial%20Results&amp;text=approximately%20%2410.1%20billion.-,GAAP%20net%20earnings%20attributable%20to%20common%20stockholders%20from%20continuing%20operations,by%204%25%20recurring%20revenue%20growth." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prior view</a> was $2.485 billion- $2.51 billion. This reflected adjusted and recurring revenue growth of around 4%.
Adjusted EBITDA came in at roughly $958 million, while adjusted earnings per share stood at approximately $1.21 versus the analyst consensus estimate of $1.28 (prior view: $1.17&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;$1.22).
Price Action: FIS shares are trading lower by 0.93% to $68.00 premarket at last check Thursday. GPN shares are trading lower by 2.29% to $82.19.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/04/44849610/bitcoin-miners-buckle-under-april-price-pressure-but-jp-morgan-analyst-says-mara-cleanspark-held-strong" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitcoin Miners Buckle Under April Price Pressure, But JP Morgan Analyst Says MARA, CleanSpark Held Strong</a></li>
</ul>
Image: Shutterstock

Movers

General

Fidelity National Unloads Worldpay Stake To Global Payments For $6.6 Billion, Scoops Up Issuer Unit For $12 Billion

Sale of Industry-Leading Payments Technology and Solutions Company Marks an Important Milestone in&nbsp;GTCR's Strategic Transformation in Partnership with Leaders Strategy&#x2122;&nbsp;CEO Charles Drucker
CHICAGO, April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --&nbsp;GTCR, a leading private equity firm, announced today the signing of a definitive agreement to sell Worldpay (the "Company"), a global leader in merchant acquiring and payments processing, to Global Payments (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>) for $24.25 billion as part of a transformative three-way transaction.
In July 2023, GTCR signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 55% majority stake in Worldpay from FIS&#xAE; (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIS#NYSE">FIS</a>), a global leader in financial services technology. FIS retained the remaining 45% as part of the transaction. Under the terms of the sale agreement, Global Payments will acquire Worldpay from GTCR and FIS for $24.25 billion of cash and stock, while FIS will acquire Global Payments' Issuer Solutions business, at an enterprise value of $13.5 billion. As part of the Worldpay transaction, GTCR will receive 59% cash and 41% stock consideration and will continue to support the combined business through a successful integration and future growth. Upon closing, GTCR will own shares representing 15% of Global Payments' outstanding shares.
GTCR partnered with industry-veteran CEO Charles Drucker to acquire a majority stake in Worldpay from FIS in July 2023 behind a thesis of re-accelerating growth, affecting a seamless transition from FIS, and investing in innovative product and modern technology. Mr. Drucker&nbsp;assembled a world-class management team and executed a strategic vision centered on technology investments, operational improvements, and targeted acquisitions. Under Mr. Drucker's leadership, Worldpay expanded its global processing capabilities, launched innovative payment solutions, and enhanced its fraud prevention offerings. These initiatives supported new client wins, accelerated organic growth, and strengthened Worldpay's position as a leader in the global payments ecosystem.
The sale of Worldpay is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The sale of Worldpay and the sale of Global Payments' Issuer Solutions business are cross-conditioned upon one another and will close at the same time.
&nbsp;

GTCR Agrees To Sell Worldpay To Global Payments For $24.25B As Part Of Transformative Three-way Transaction

<ul>
<li>Acquisition of Global Payments' Issuer Solutions business (Issuer Solutions) strengthens FIS' position as a scaled fintech leader with global reach and a best-of-breed product suite</li>
<li>Issuer Solutions' credit processing offering will extend FIS' value proposition and drive long-term expected revenue synergies in excess of $125 million annually</li>
<li>Acquisition is expected to be accretive to Adjusted EBITDA margins, Adjusted EPS and Adjusted Free Cash Flow in the first 12 months, and unlock net EBITDA synergies of more than $150 million by year three</li>
<li>Transaction accelerates monetization of Worldpay stake with sale to Global Payments for $6.6 billion in pre-tax value</li>
<li>Sale of Worldpay and acquisition of Issuer Solutions replaces non-cash generating minority interest with growing recurring revenues, EBITDA and free cash flow</li>
<li>Company provides preliminary results for the first quarter of 2025, reiterates prior full year 2025 outlook and will host an investor conference call to discuss transactions at 8:30 a.m. (EDT)</li>
</ul>
FIS&#xAE; (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIS#NYSE">FIS</a>), (the "Company") a global leader in financial technology, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Global Payments' (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>) Issuer Solutions business for an enterprise value of $13.5 billion, or a net purchase price of $12 billion including $1.5 billion of anticipated net present value of tax assets.
Concurrently, FIS has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its stake in Worldpay to Global Payments for $6.6 billion in pre-tax value. This transaction accelerates the monetization of the Company's minority stake in Worldpay.

FIS Agrees To Buy Global Payments' Issuer Solutions Business For Enterprise Value Of $13.5B; Co. Agrees To Sell Stake In Worldpay to Global Payments for $6.6B In Pre-tax Value

Evercore ISI Group analyst Adam Frisch initiates coverage on Global Payments (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>) with a In-Line rating and announces Price Target of $85.

Price Target

Initiation

Analyst Ratings

Evercore ISI Group Initiates Coverage On Global Payments with In-Line Rating, Announces Price Target of $85

During the last three months, 7 analysts shared their evaluations of Global Payments (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>), revealing diverse outlooks from bullish to bearish.
The following table encapsulates their recent ratings, offering a glimpse into the evolving sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Insights from analysts' 12-month price targets are revealed, presenting an average target of $135.57, a high estimate of $163.00, and a low estimate of $120.00. This current average represents a 6.5% decrease from the previous average price target of $145.00. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1743426058_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis</h2>
The standing of Global Payments among financial experts becomes clear with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Vasundhara Govil</td>
<td>Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$135.00</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ashwin Shirvaikar</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$135.00</td>
<td>$138.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ramsey El-Assal</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
<td>$135.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>James Faucette</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$163.00</td>
<td>$166.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jason Kupferberg</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$149.00</td>
<td>$156.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Charles Nabhan</td>
<td>Stephens &amp; Co.</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Will Nance</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$122.00</td>
<td>$155.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: In response to dynamic market conditions and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their reaction to recent developments related to Global Payments. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Providing a comprehensive analysis, analysts offer qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Global Payments compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Global Payments's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
Capture valuable insights into Global Payments's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GPN/analyst-ratings?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=analyst-ratings&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Stay up to date on Global Payments analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Get to Know Global Payments Better</h2>
Global Payments is a leading provider of payment processing and software solutions and focuses on serving small and midsize merchants. The company operates in 30 countries and generates about one fourth of its revenue from outside North America, primarily in Europe and Asia. In 2019, Global Payments merged with Total System Services in an all-stock deal that gave Total System Services shareholders 48% of the combined company's shares. The merger added issuer processing operations.
<h3>Global Payments: Financial Performance Dissected</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization is below the industry average, suggesting that it is relatively smaller compared to peers. This could be due to various factors, including perceived growth potential or operational scale.
Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, Global Payments showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 3.35% as of 31 December, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Financials sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.
Net Margin: Global Payments's net margin is impressive, surpassing industry averages. With a net margin of 22.55%, the company demonstrates strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Global Payments's ROE lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns on equity capital. With an ROE of 2.52%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.
Return on Assets (ROA): Global Payments's ROA lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns from its assets. With an ROA of 1.17%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.
Debt Management: Global Payments's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average. With a ratio of 0.75, the company relies less on debt financing, maintaining a healthier balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: Simplified</h2>
Analysts are specialists within banking and financial systems that typically report for specific stocks or within defined sectors. These people research company financial statements, sit in conference calls and meetings, and speak with relevant insiders to determine what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts will rate each stock once a quarter. 
Some analysts will also offer forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide further guidance on stocks. Investors who use analyst ratings should note that this specialized advice comes from humans and may be subject to error.
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Forecasting The Future: 7 Analyst Projections For Global Payments

Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods analyst Vasundhara Govil maintains Global Payments (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>) with a Outperform and lowers the price target from $140 to $135.

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Maintains Outperform on Global Payments, Lowers Price Target to $135

Global Payments's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>) short percent of float has risen 6.67% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 7.09 million shares sold short, which is 2.88% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 3.34 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Global Payments Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1742488226_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Global Payments has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Global Payments's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Global Payments's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 4.98%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze?adType=benzinga-insights&amp;ad=short-interest&amp;campaign=wallstreetadvantage">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

How Is The Market Feeling About Global Payments?

John T. Turner, Director at Global Payments (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>), reported a large exercise of company stock options on March 12, according to a new SEC filing.
What Happened: Turner, Director at Global Payments, made a strategic move by exercising stock options for 6,113 shares of GPN as detailed in a Form 4 filing on Wednesday with the <a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001123360/000112760225009260//Archives/edgar/data/1123360/000112760225009260/0001127602-25-009260-index.htm">U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission</a>. The transaction value amounted to $264,876.
Global Payments shares are currently trading up by 1.1%, with a current price of $93.92 as of Thursday morning. This brings the total value of Turner's 6,113 shares to $264,876.
<h3>Unveiling the Story Behind Global Payments</h3>
Global Payments is a leading provider of payment processing and software solutions and focuses on serving small and midsize merchants. The company operates in 30 countries and generates about one fourth of its revenue from outside North America, primarily in Europe and Asia. In 2019, Global Payments merged with Total System Services in an all-stock deal that gave Total System Services shareholders 48% of the combined company's shares. The merger added issuer processing operations.
<h3>Breaking Down Global Payments's Financial Performance</h3>
Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, Global Payments showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 3.35% as of 31 December, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Financials sector.
Profitability Metrics: Unlocking Value
<ul>
<li>
Gross Margin: The company maintains a high gross margin of 62.14%, indicating strong cost management and profitability compared to its peers.
</li>
<li>
Earnings per Share (EPS): Global Payments's EPS is notably higher than the industry average. The company achieved a positive bottom-line trend with a current EPS of 2.26.
</li>
</ul>
Debt Management: With a below-average debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, Global Payments adopts a prudent financial strategy, indicating a balanced approach to debt management.
In-Depth Valuation Examination:
<ul>
<li>
Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio: Global Payments's P/E ratio of 15.08 is below the industry average, suggesting the stock may be undervalued.
</li>
<li>
Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio: With a P/S ratio of 2.34 below industry standards, the stock shows potential undervaluation, making it an appealing investment option for those focusing on sales performance.
</li>
<li>
EV/EBITDA Analysis (Enterprise Value to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation &amp; Amortization): Global Payments's EV/EBITDA ratio at 8.54 suggests potential undervaluation, falling below industry averages.
</li>
</ul>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Falling below industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization reflects a reduced size compared to peers. This positioning may be influenced by factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
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<h3>Why Insider Transactions Are Key in Investment Decisions</h3>
Insider transactions shouldn't be used primarily to make an investing decision, however, they can be an important factor for an investor to consider.
From a legal standpoint, the term "insider" pertains to any officer, director, or beneficial owner holding more than ten percent of a company's equity securities as outlined in Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This encompasses executives in the c-suite and significant hedge funds. These insiders are mandated to inform the public of their transactions through a Form 4 filing, to be submitted within two business days of the transaction.
A company insider's new purchase is a indicator of their positive anticipation for a rise in the stock.
While insider sells may not necessarily reflect a bearish view and can be motivated by various factors.
<h3>Transaction Codes Worth Your Attention</h3>
Surveying the realm of stock transactions, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/investing-tools">investors</a> often give prominence to those unfolding in the open market, systematically detailed in Table I of the Form 4 filing. A P in Box 3 indicates a purchase, while S signifies a sale. Transaction code C denotes the conversion of an option, and transaction code A denotes a grant, award, or other acquisition of securities from the company.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/sec/insider-trades/search/index?company_cik=0001123360">Check Out The Full List Of Global Payments's Insider Trades.</a>
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Insider Trades

Major Decision: John T. Turner Exercises Options, Realizing $264K At Global Payments

Global Payments (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 1.46% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 9.51%. Currently, Global Payments has a market capitalization of $23.39 billion. 
Buying $100 In GPN: If an investor had bought $100 of GPN stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $621.50 today based on a price of $94.48 for GPN at the time of writing.
<h3>Global Payments's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1741792516_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

If You Invested $100 In This Stock 20 Years Ago, You Would Have This Much Today

Global Payments (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 20 years by 2.22% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 10.38%. Currently, Global Payments has a market capitalization of $25.14 billion. 
Buying $1000 In GPN: If an investor had bought $1000 of GPN stock 20 years ago, it would be worth $7,160.98 today based on a price of $101.51 for GPN at the time of writing.
<h3>Global Payments's Performance Over Last 20 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1740688234_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning Global Payments Stock In The Last 20 Years

Barclays analyst Ramsey El-Assal maintains Global Payments (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $135 to $125.

Barclays Maintains Overweight on Global Payments, Lowers Price Target to $125

Morgan Stanley analyst James Faucette maintains Global Payments (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>) with a Overweight and lowers the price target from $166 to $163.

Morgan Stanley Maintains Overweight on Global Payments, Lowers Price Target to $163

Ratings for Global Payments (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>) were provided by 7 analysts in the past three months, showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
The table below provides a concise overview of recent ratings by analysts, offering insights into the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and drawing comparisons with the preceding months for a holistic perspective.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th align="right">Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th align="right">Indifferent</th>
<th align="right">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th align="right">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">3</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">2</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">1</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
<td align="right">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts have recently evaluated Global Payments and provided 12-month price targets. The average target is $141.0, accompanied by a high estimate of $166.00 and a low estimate of $120.00. This upward trend is apparent, with the current average reflecting a 1.02% increase from the previous average price target of $139.57.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1739534433_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Understanding Analyst Ratings: A Comprehensive Breakdown</h2>
A clear picture of Global Payments's perception among financial experts is painted with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Jason Kupferberg</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$149.00</td>
<td>$156.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Charles Nabhan</td>
<td>Stephens &amp; Co.</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
<td>$125.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Will Nance</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$122.00</td>
<td>$155.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>James Faucette</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$166.00</td>
<td>$156.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ramsey El-Assal</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$135.00</td>
<td>$120.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vasundhara Govil</td>
<td>Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>$140.00</td>
<td>$130.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Will Nance</td>
<td>Goldman Sachs</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$155.00</td>
<td>$135.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: In response to dynamic market conditions and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their reaction to recent developments related to Global Payments. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: Delving into assessments, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings communicate expectations for the relative performance of Global Payments compared to the broader market.</li>
<li>Price Targets: Delving into movements, analysts provide estimates for the future value of Global Payments's stock. This analysis reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
To gain a panoramic view of Global Payments's market performance, explore these analyst evaluations alongside essential financial indicators. Stay informed and make judicious decisions using our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/GPN/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Global Payments analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Delving into Global Payments's Background</h2>
Global Payments is a leading provider of payment processing and software solutions and focuses on serving small and midsize merchants. The company operates in 30 countries and generates about one fourth of its revenue from outside North America, primarily in Europe and Asia. In 2019, Global Payments merged with Total System Services in an all-stock deal that gave Total System Services shareholders 48% of the combined company's shares. The merger added issuer processing operations.
<h3>A Deep Dive into Global Payments's Financials</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: Reflecting a smaller scale, the company's market capitalization is positioned below industry averages. This could be attributed to factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity.
Positive Revenue Trend: Examining Global Payments's financials over 3 months reveals a positive narrative. The company achieved a noteworthy revenue growth rate of 5.08% as of 30 September, 2024, showcasing a substantial increase in top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Financials sector.
Net Margin: The company's net margin is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of 12.11%, the company may need to address challenges in effective cost control.
Return on Equity (ROE): Global Payments's ROE is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of 1.39%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns for shareholders.
Return on Assets (ROA): Global Payments's ROA is below industry averages, indicating potential challenges in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of 0.63%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial returns.
Debt Management: With a below-average debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, Global Payments adopts a prudent financial strategy, indicating a balanced approach to debt management.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: Simplified</h2>
Within the domain of banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their work involves attending company conference calls and meetings, researching company financial statements, and communicating with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically assess and rate each stock once per quarter.
Analysts may enhance their evaluations by incorporating forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, delivering additional guidance to investors. It is vital to acknowledge that, although experts in stocks and sectors, analysts are human and express their opinions when providing insights.
Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?
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This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Demystifying Global Payments: Insights From 7 Analyst Reviews

B of A Securities analyst Jason Kupferberg maintains Global Payments (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>) with a Buy and lowers the price target from $156 to $149.

B of A Securities Maintains Buy on Global Payments, Lowers Price Target to $149

Wall Street climbed on Thursday, even as the Producer Price Index (PPI) sharply exceeded estimates in January, reigniting concerns <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/02/43692996/inflation-fears-mount-as-producer-prices-soar-to-35-put-fed-interest-rate-cut-on-ice">over persistent inflationary pressures. </a>
Despite the hotter-than-expected PPI reading—up 3.5% year-over-year in January, surpassing the 3.3% forecast—investors found some relief in certain PPI components that influence the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, which showed signs of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/02/43701823/economists-breathe-sigh-of-relief-why-producer-inflation-isnt-as-bad-as-it-seems">cooling compared to December.</a>
Investor risk appetite remained supported by expectations of ceasefire talks in Ukraine following a conversation between former President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin a day earlier. 
By midday trading in New York, all major indices were in positive territory, with technology stocks leading the gains. Among semiconductor stocks, Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>) continued to rally, surging 10% after strong performances in prior sessions. 
The U.S. chipmaker benefited from renewed buying momentum following comments from Vice President J.D. Vance, who indicated that the Trump administration plans to ease regulations to accelerate AI chip innovation in the U.S.
Intel has now soared over 27% this week, tracking its best weekly performance since 1974. 
The U.S. dollar extended its decline as Treasury yields pulled back sharply, reversing Wednesday&#8217;s surge.
In commodities, gold edged up 0.4% to $2,918 per ounce, oil remained steady at $71 per barrel, and natural gas surged 2.4% to $3.66 per million British thermal units. 
Sentiment in cryptocurrency markets remained subdued, with Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) sliding 2.4% to trade below $96,000.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Performance In Major US Indices, ETFs</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day %chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>21,903.94</td>
<td>0.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>6,088.51</td>
<td>0.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>44,493.13</td>
<td>0.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>2,261.64</td>
<td>0.3%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated at 12:45 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://bzresearch.myclickfunnels.com/benzinga-pro-content-webinar-registration/?utm_source=BZprocontent021325&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>)&nbsp;rose 0.6% to $606.89.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) rose 0.3% to $445.18.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)&nbsp;rose 0.9% to $532.98.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) rose 0.4% to $224.58.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLB#NYSE">XLB</a>) outperformed, up 1.1%; the&nbsp;Industrials Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLI#NYSE">XLI</a>) lagged, down 1.2%.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h3>
Stocks reacting to company earnings reports included:
<ul>
<li>Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CSCO#NASDAQ">CSCO</a>): up 2.05%</li>
<li>Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZTS#NYSE">ZTS</a>): down 7.8%</li>
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Stocks Rise Despite Hot Producer Inflation, Intel Soars, Bitcoin Drops Below $96,000: What's Driving Markets Thursday?

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bullish stance on Global Payments.
Looking at options history for Global Payments (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>) we detected 8 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 37% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 25% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 3 are puts, for a total amount of $116,891 and 5, calls, for a total amount of $415,640.
<h3>What's The Price Target?</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $85.0 to $110.0 for Global Payments during the past quarter. 
<h3>Insights into Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
In today's trading context, the average open interest for options of Global Payments stands at 1491.0, with a total volume reaching 2,031.00. The accompanying chart delineates the progression of both call and put option volume and open interest for high-value trades in Global Payments, situated within the strike price corridor from $85.0 to $110.0, throughout the last 30 days.
<h3>Global Payments 30-Day Option Volume &amp; Interest Snapshot</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1739465154_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>GPN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$11.6</td>
<td>$10.5</td>
<td>$11.0</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$205.7K</td>
<td>575</td>
<td align="right">200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GPN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$11.5</td>
<td>$10.7</td>
<td>$11.0</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$108.9K</td>
<td>575</td>
<td align="right">300</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GPN</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$9.9</td>
<td>$9.5</td>
<td>$9.6</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$44.1K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
<td align="right">46</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GPN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$3.1</td>
<td>$2.05</td>
<td>$2.5</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$37.5K</td>
<td>385</td>
<td align="right">167</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GPN</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$1.45</td>
<td>$1.4</td>
<td>$1.45</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$36.4K</td>
<td>3.9K</td>
<td align="right">737</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Global Payments</h3>
Global Payments is a leading provider of payment processing and software solutions and focuses on serving small and midsize merchants. The company operates in 30 countries and generates about one fourth of its revenue from outside North America, primarily in Europe and Asia. In 2019, Global Payments merged with Total System Services in an all-stock deal that gave Total System Services shareholders 48% of the combined company's shares. The merger added issuer processing operations.
<h3>Global Payments's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 1,356,817, with GPN's price down by -3.12%, positioned at $105.43.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be approaching oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 0 days.</li>
</ul>
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Options

Global Payments Options Trading: A Deep Dive into Market Sentiment

Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>) shares are trading lower in the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/premarket" rel="noreferrer noopener">premarket session on Thursday.</a>
The company reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $2.95 (+12% constant currency), <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/02/b43688448/global-payments-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2024-results" rel="noreferrer noopener">missing the street view of $2.96. </a>Quarterly sales of $2.289 billion missed the analyst consensus estimate of $2.305 billion.
&#8220;2024 was a pivotal year for Global Payments as we launched our broad transformation agenda to set the future course for our business,&#8221; said CEO Cameron Bready. 
Adjusted net revenues increased 5% (6.5% constant currency excluding dispositions), compared to $2.19 billion in the year-ago period.
Merchant Solutions rose 5.5% to $1.76 billion, and Issuer Solutions increased 2.2% to $542.099 million.
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Operating income increased 67.1% year over year to $833.148 million, while adjusted operating income rose 5.7% to $1.03 billion. Adjusted operating margin expanded 40 basis points to 45.2%.
Bready continued, &#8220;We now expect to deliver more than $600 million of annual run-rate operating income benefits through our transformation by the first half of 2027.&#8221;
The company exited the quarter with cash and equivalents worth $2.538 billion.
Global Payments&#8217; long-term debt in the quarter under review contracted to $15.164 billion, from $15.692 billion a year ago.
The company entered into $250 million accelerated share repurchase plan/
Outlook: Global Payments expects FY25 adjusted revenue growth of 5%-6%, compared to the $9.43 billion estimate.
The company also anticipates adjusted EPS growth of 10%-11%, compared to the $12.72 estimate.
&#8220;Annual adjusted operating margin is expected to expand 50 basis points excluding dispositions. We also expect to return approximately $2 billion to shareholders during the year,&#8221; said Josh Whipple, chief financial officer.&nbsp;
Price Action: Global Payments shares are trading lower by 0.51% ro $108.28 premarket at last check Thursday.
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