Insider Trading February 23, 2026

Global Payments director increases stake with $99,344 purchase

Director Joia M. Johnson buys 1,213 shares as analysts update targets after Q4 2025 results

By Sofia Navarro GPN
Global Payments director increases stake with $99,344 purchase
GPN

Joia M. Johnson, a director at Global Payments Inc. (GPN), purchased 1,213 shares on February 20, 2026 for about $99,344. The purchase follows a week in which the stock jumped nearly 14% and comes after the company posted slightly stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter 2025 earnings. Analysts from Cantor Fitzgerald and UBS raised price targets while retaining Neutral ratings.

Key Points

  • Director Joia M. Johnson purchased 1,213 shares of Global Payments on February 20, 2026 at $81.90 per share, totaling about $99,344.
  • After the transaction Johnson owns 4,386 shares directly and 12,181 shares indirectly through a 2016 Revocable Trust.
  • Global Payments reported Q4 2025 EPS of $3.18 versus a $3.16 estimate and quarterly revenue of $2.32 billion, matching projections; Cantor Fitzgerald and UBS raised price targets while keeping Neutral ratings.

Global Payments Inc. (NYSE: GPN) director Joia M. Johnson bought 1,213 shares of the company's common stock on February 20, 2026, paying $81.90 per share for a total outlay of roughly $99,344.

The acquisition occurred in a week when Global Payments shares climbed almost 14%, though the stock was trading at $79.49 at the time the latest information was reported.

Following the trade, Johnson directly holds 4,386 shares of Global Payments stock. She also has an indirect position of 12,181 shares through a 2016 Revocable Trust.


Analyst context and company results

Global Payments reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share of $3.18, marginally above the $3.16 consensus estimate. The company's revenue for the quarter was $2.32 billion, which matched analyst projections.

In the wake of the quarterly report, Cantor Fitzgerald revised its financial model and raised its price target on Global Payments to $88 from $80 while keeping a Neutral rating. The firm cited the company's fiscal 2026 guidance, which includes adjusted net revenue growth of approximately 5% and an expected adjusted operating margin expansion of roughly 150 basis points.

UBS likewise increased its price target to $87 from $80 and maintained a Neutral rating. Global Payments provided 2026 guidance that includes adjusted earnings per share in a range of $13.80 to $14.00, representing growth of 13% to 15% compared with the 2025 base.

Both Cantor Fitzgerald and UBS noted the company's projection that adjusted free cash flow conversion will exceed 90% in fiscal 2026.


Data and research access

According to InvestingPro analysis cited with the transaction, the stock appears undervalued at current levels. For investors seeking expanded research, InvestingPro offers a Pro Research Report covering Global Payments along with more than 1,400 other U.S. equities.

The combination of insider buying, a modest quarterly EPS beat, revenue in line with expectations, and analyst adjustments to price targets provides a set of observable data points that market participants can weigh without drawing further conclusions beyond the facts presented.

Risks

  • Share price volatility - the purchase occurred after a near 14% weekly rally and the stock was trading at $79.49 at the time of reporting, indicating short-term price movement risks that affect investors and the broader financials and payments sector.
  • Analyst caution - both Cantor Fitzgerald and UBS retained Neutral ratings despite raising price targets, reflecting uncertainty in translating guidance into stronger consensus upgrades across financial analysts and affecting market sentiment in the payments and financial services sectors.
  • Guidance dependency - the company s 2026 outlook, including adjusted net revenue growth of approximately 5%, margin expansion of roughly 150 basis points, adjusted EPS of $13.80 to $14.00, and projected adjusted free cash flow conversion above 90%, creates execution risk if those metrics are not achieved, with implications for corporate finance and investor returns.

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