Global Payments shares surged over 7% Wednesday after the payment processor reported fourth-quarter earnings that topped expectations. The company posted adjusted EPS of $3.18, beating forecasts of $3.16, with revenue growing 6% to $2.32 billion, matching consensus estimates.

CEO Cameron Bready described 2025 as "transformative" as Global Payments outlined bullish 2026 projections. The company forecast EPS of $13.80 to $14.00, representing 13-15% growth and beating Wall Street estimates. The board authorized a $2.5 billion share repurchase program and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share.

Adjusted operating margin expanded 80 basis points to 44.7% in the latest quarter. Global Payments expects to return more than $2 billion to shareholders through buybacks and dividends in 2026, including a $550 million accelerated repurchase plan. The company guided for 5% constant-currency revenue growth and 150 basis points of margin expansion next year.