Feb. 18, 2026 at 12:14 PM ET5 min read

Baird Labels Global Payments as Bullish Fresh Pick with $114 Target​

Tim BohenAvatar
Written by Tim Bohen
Reviewed by Ben Sturgill Fact-checked by Ellis Hobbs

Global Payments Inc.’s stocks have been trading up by 14.95 percent amid favorable financial forecasts and potential growth opportunities.

Key Takeaways

  • Baird has identified Global Payments as a bullish Fresh Pick, maintaining an Outperform rating alongside a $114 price target.
  • David Einhorn’s DME Capital added Global Payments as a new position in its investment portfolio for Q4 2025.
  • Upcoming on Feb 18, 2026, is the scheduled release of the company’s financial results for Q4 and the full year 2025.
  • On Jan 21, 2026, Regions Bank joined forces with Worldpay, a Global Payments branch, to boost payment solutions for businesses.
  • Autonomous Research shifted Global Payments’ price target from $98 to $100, with an outperform rating, citing promising growth prospects.

Candlestick Chart

Live Update At 12:13:01 EST: On Wednesday, February 18, 2026 Global Payments Inc. stock [NYSE: GPN] is trending up by 14.95%! Discover the key drivers behind this movement as well as our expert analysis in the detailed breakdown below.

Quick Financial Overview

Global Payments recently saw fluctuating stock prices, with an increase from $68.48 to close at $80.17 on Feb 18, 2026. This could be indicative of the company’s anticipation leading up to its forthcoming earnings announcement. The company’s recent financial performance, as detailed in the report, showcases substantial revenue streams with a Gross Profit Margin of 71.9% and an EBIT margin of 30.9%. These metrics speak to efficient management and operational excellence.

More Breaking News

Key financials from the latest report include a revenue figure of $10.1B, contributing to a net income for continuing operations of approximately $661M. The financial strength is further backed by a calculated pique interest coverage at 8.8 and a relatively robust long-term debt to capital ratio of 0.37. Coupled with the agreement with Regions Bank for advancing payment solutions, we could infer sustained growth in their transaction processing volumes.

Investor Confidence on the Rise

David Einhorn’s decision to introduce Global Payments into his prominent investment portfolio underscores a growing confidence in the company’s future prospects. This comes at a time when analysts like Baird and Autonomous Research show optimism around price targets, suggesting higher valuation expectations.

The upcoming release of financial results has garnered significant attention, serving as a litmus test for investor confidence following these positive endorsements. Global Payments’ strategic moves and alliances—such as the one with Regions Bank—position it well to harness future growth in the fintech space.

As Global Payments prepares to share its Q4 and full-year figures for 2025, investors remain keen on these updates as indicators of market trajectory and enterprise expansion.

Conclusion

Anticipation, strategic partnerships, and analyst optimism appear to fortify Global Payments’ market position. This is an exciting period for the company, with several upside potential areas visible on the horizon. The stock’s journey showcases a narrative blending both visionary technological adaptiveness and solid financial stewardship—laying the groundwork for future success in the digital payments realm. As these developments unfold, traders looking to capitalize on emerging trends should be mindful of the inherent volatility in fintech markets. As Tim Bohen, lead trainer with StocksToTrade says, “Time and experience have taught me that missed opportunities are part of the game. There’s always another setup around the corner.” Consequently, all eyes remain fixed on Feb 18, when they unveil their latest financial scorecard. Traders keen on fintech should certainly stay tuned for what promises to be revealing insights into the company’s fiscal health and growth trajectory.

This is stock news, not investment advice. StocksToTrade News delivers real-time stock market updates tailored to highlight the key catalysts driving short-term price movements. Our coverage is designed for active traders and investors who thrive in fast-moving markets, with a focus on volatile sectors like penny stocks, AI stocks, Robinhood stocks and other momentum plays. From earnings reports and FDA approvals to mergers, new contracts, and unusual trading volume, we break down the events that can spark significant price action.

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