Is Global Payments Stock Underperforming the S&P 500?

Company Overview - Global Payments Inc. (GPN) has a market capitalization of $20.4 billion and is a leading provider of payment technology and software solutions globally [1] - The company operates through its Merchant Solutions and Issuer Solutions segments, providing secure and innovative payment processing and software services to businesses and financial institutions [1] Market Position - Global Payments is categorized as a "large-cap" stock, with a global presence across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific [2] - The company continues to expand through strategic acquisitions, joint ventures, and advanced financial technology solutions [2] Stock Performance - Shares of Global Payments have decreased by 30.5% from their 52-week high of $120 [3] - Over the past three months, GPN shares have increased by 8.5%, underperforming the S&P 500 Index, which gained 9.7% in the same period [3] - Year-to-date, GPN stock is down 25.6%, while the S&P 500 has risen by 12.5% [4] - Over the past 52 weeks, GPN shares have dropped 24.9%, compared to a 17.5% return for the S&P 500 [4] - The stock has been trading below its 200-day moving average since late February [4] Recent Financial Performance - On August 6, shares surged 9.1% after GPN reported Q2 2025 adjusted EPS of $3.10, exceeding Wall Street estimates [5] - Strong growth and margin expansion in both Merchant Solutions and Issuer Solutions segments contributed to increased investor confidence [5] - Management raised full-year adjusted profit guidance to the upper end of the 10% - 11% range and reaffirmed progress on the $24.25 billion Worldpay acquisition, indicating stronger long-term growth prospects [5] Analyst Sentiment - Despite the stock's weak performance, analysts maintain a moderately optimistic outlook on GPN, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from 31 analysts [6] - The mean price target for GPN is $105.72, representing a 27.5% premium to current levels [6]