Global Payments (GPN) Reaches A 52-Week High: Here's Why

On Feb 20, 2018, the stock of Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:GPN) hit a 52-week high of $115.24 before closing a tad lower at $14.73.

This rally is believed to have been driven by strong fourth-quarter results, a favorable 2018 guidance, increase in share buyback authorization and announcement of joint venture with HSBC.

In a year's time, shares of the company have outperformed both the industry as well as the S&P 500 index. The stock has surged 46% compared with the industry’s rise of 37.4% and the S&P 500's 36% growth.

Positives Driving the Stock

Strong results of the company raised investors’ optimism. The figures encompassed net revenue growth of 24% (4.5% in 2016), a 26% bottom line improvement and a double-digit revenue rise in business segments across all geographies namely North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Global Payments is not a simple payments company but a payments technology set-up offering distinctive, defensible and comprehensive vertical specific software solutions that help merchants run their businesses more efficiently. Investors favorably view the company’s consistent investments in technology solutions, which equip it well to remain ahead of its competitors in the industry race.

Global Payments further plans to make incremental investments in artificial intelligence and data analytics and expects that its technology-enabled channels will represent an increasingly larger proportion of its business going forward.

Global Payments has also entered into an agreement with its longstanding partner, HSBC, to establish a joint venture in Mexico. This collaboration will provide the fast-growing Mexican market with payment technology services wherein HSBC has a leading presence and a significant merchant base.

The company intends to leverage its best-in-class technology plus products and sales capabilities to accelerate growth. This transaction would globally expand the company’s direct distribution into new, faster growth payments markets with attractive fundamentals.

The company’s board recently increased its share repurchase authorization to $600 million from approximately $250 million. Global Payments is also working toward reducing its debt levels to 3x compared with 3.6x at the end of 2017.

Favorable 2018 Guidance

Global Payments expects adjusted earnings per share in the range of $4.95-$5.15 for 2018, demonstrating a growth rate of 23-28% year over year. It anticipates adjusted net revenues between $3.88 billion and $3.97 billion (up 12-15% year over year).

Impressive Surprise History & Estimates

Global Payments’ earnings have outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate for four straight quarters with an average positive surprise of 4%.

Moreover, analysts are steadily growing bullish on the stock, which is apparent from the rising earnings estimates. The Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.79 for 2018 and $5.52 for 2019 has moved north by 1.5% and 1.7%, respectively, in the last 30 days. The consensus mark of $1.06 for earnings in the first quarter of 2018 has been revised 1.9% upward in the same time frame.

Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider

Global Payments carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks in the same space are Mastercard Inc. (NYSE:MA) , Total System Services, Inc. (NYSE:TSS) and Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). All beat earnings estimates in the trailing four quarters with an average positive surprise of 5.99%, 6.63% and 8.11%, respectively. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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