See how Global Payments stacks up against other payment processors
Global Payments Inc. (GPN) is one of the world's largest payment technology companies, but how does it really compare to competitors like Fiserv (FISV) and Fidelity National Information Services (FIS)? This tool gives you a side-by-side breakdown of the metrics that matter most to investors: stock performance, valuation ratios, earnings growth, and competitive positioning.
Whether you're deciding between payment processor stocks or evaluating GPN as part of your fintech portfolio, this comparison tool cuts through the noise and shows you exactly where Global Payments stands in the competitive landscape. See real-time metrics, historical performance trends, and a personalized recommendation based on your investment style.
Updated regularly with the latest earnings reports and market data, this tool is designed to help investors make faster, more informed decisions about payment stock exposure.
| Feature | Global Payments (GPN) | Fiserv (FISV) | Fidelity National Info Services (FIS) | Shift4 Payments (FOUR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Stock Price | $145.32 | $168.45 | $156.78 | $89.50 |
| Market Cap | $43.2B | $51.8B | $47.6B | $18.4B |
| P/E Ratio | 28.4 | 32.1 | 26.8 | 35.2 |
| Revenue (2025) | $7.8B | $8.9B | $8.2B | $2.1B |
| Revenue Growth YoY | +8.3% | +6.8% | +7.2% | +24.5% |
| Operating Margin | 18.2% | 16.8% | 17.5% | 14.2% |
| Free Cash Flow | $1.2B | $1.4B | $1.3B | $320M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.15% | 1.08% | 1.32% | 0.0% |
| ROE | 19.4% | 17.8% | 18.9% | 22.3% |
| 1-Year Return | +22.5% | +18.3% | +19.7% | +31.4% |
| Business Focus | Card acquiring, issuer solutions, network security | Payments, fintech software, core processing | Banking software, payments, merchant solutions | Payment processing, hospitality, enterprise |
| Key Strength | Scale + acquisition synergies from TSYS merger | Diversified software + payments portfolio | Strong banking relationships + market data | Fastest growth, hospitality specialization |
Global Payments Inc. (NYSE: GPN) has emerged as one of the world's largest payment processors by transaction volume, with roots in merchant acquiring and card issuing services. The company's transformation accelerated dramatically with the 2019 TSYS merger, which created a payments powerhouse with operations spanning North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. As of February 2026, GPN trades at $145.32 with a market cap of $43.2 billion, making it a core holding for fintech-focused investors.
The payment processing industry is experiencing secular tailwinds from digital commerce growth, merchant digitalization, and alternative payment adoption. Global Payments benefits from this structural shift while also facing competition from Fiserv, FIS, and newer entrants like Shift4. Understanding how GPN compares on valuation, growth, and profitability is essential for investment decisions.
This tool provides real-time side-by-side comparison of Global Payments against its three primary competitors, allowing you to evaluate relative valuations, growth trajectories, and risk profiles in seconds.
Valuation Context: Global Payments trades at a P/E of 28.4x, positioning it between Shift4 (35.2x) and FIS (26.8x). While not cheap, GPN's valuation is justified by consistent 8%+ revenue growth and strong free cash flow generation of $1.2B annually. The company's 19.4% ROE demonstrates efficient capital deployment, crucial for capital-intensive payment processing.
Growth vs. Profitability Trade-off: Shift4 offers the highest growth (24.5% YoY) but commands a premium valuation multiple. Fiserv offers diversified software exposure with 6.8% growth but carries higher leverage (2.15x debt/equity). Global Payments balances 8.3% organic growth with a more conservative 1.82x leverage ratio, making it appropriate for moderate-risk portfolios.
Dividend & Return Profile: GPN's 1.15% dividend yield combined with 22.5% one-year stock return reflects strong capital appreciation. For income-focused investors, FIS offers a higher 1.32% yield. For growth investors, Shift4's 31.4% one-year return demonstrates sector momentum, though with higher volatility.
Merger Synergy Realization: The TSYS integration remains a long-term value driver. Cost synergies and cross-selling opportunities continue to expand GPN's operating margins and revenue per customer. Investors should monitor quarterly guidance for evidence of accelerating synergy capture beyond the initial 2019-2024 phase.
E-commerce Exposure: As global e-commerce penetration increases (especially in Asia-Pacific), Global Payments benefits from higher transaction volumes and merchant acquiring share gains. The company's diverse geographic footprint reduces US-centric risk compared to more domestically focused competitors.
Competitive Intensity: Payment processing remains highly competitive. Fiserv's software diversification and FIS's banking relationships provide defensibility. GPN's scale and customer stickiness (via TSYS legacy relationships) are key competitive moats. Shift4's growth rate suggests market share gains are possible; monitor GPN's competitive win rates.
Interest Rate Sensitivity: Higher leverage at Fiserv (2.15x) creates refinancing risk in rising rate environments. GPN's 1.82x debt/equity provides more cushion, while Shift4's 1.45x offers the most safety but at higher valuation.
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