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Thursday, Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:GPN) maintained its Market Perform rating with a steady price target of $81.00, as confirmed by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods. The financial technology services company announced its decision to sell its payroll business to Acrisure for a sum of $1.1 billion. The transaction is part of Global Payments’ strategy to streamline operations and focus on core activities.
The management of Global Payments has expressed intentions to utilize the after-tax proceeds from the sale to return capital to its shareholders, while maintaining a neutral leverage position. This aligns with the company’s strong track record of shareholder returns, including 25 consecutive years of dividend payments and aggressive share buybacks, as highlighted by InvestingPro. The deal is expected to be finalized in the second half of 2025, aligning with the company’s previously communicated strategy during its investor day. The strategic move involves divesting non-core assets and channeling the proceeds towards shareholder returns.
Although specific financial details regarding the revenue and profit contribution of the payroll division were not disclosed, preliminary estimates suggest that the divestiture could slightly increase Global Payments’ earnings per share (EPS) for the fiscal year 2026. This forecast is made before considering the implications of the Worldpay deal and is consistent with the divestiture strategy outlined during the investor day presentation.
The sale of the payroll business to Acrisure is seen as a step towards simplifying Global Payments’ business model. The company is aligning its operations to focus on its primary offerings in the financial technology sector. The completion of this transaction is anticipated to occur in the latter half of 2025, marking a significant milestone in the company’s strategic reorientation.
In other recent news, Global Payments Inc. has announced the sale of its Payroll business to Acrisure for $1.1 billion, a strategic move aimed at simplifying its operations. The proceeds from this transaction will be used to return capital to shareholders, aligning with the company’s focus on core commerce solutions. Global Payments is also preparing for the acquisition of Worldpay, a move anticipated to significantly reshape its position in the payments industry. In financial developments, the company has secured a $7.25 billion credit facility from Bank of America and other lenders, enhancing its financial flexibility for future endeavors.
Analyst firms have been active in their assessments of Global Payments, with Bernstein reducing its stock target to $95, citing caution over the company’s complex investment thesis. Meanwhile, BMO Capital Markets has maintained a Market Perform rating with a price target of $86, highlighting the potential execution risks in Global Payments’ growth strategy. The company has also entered into a mutual referral agreement and long-term commercial partnership with Acrisure, ensuring continued service offerings to its merchant customers. These recent developments indicate that Global Payments is in a transformative phase, as it continues to streamline its business and focus on its strategic priorities.
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