Global Payments Inc.’s GPN fourth-quarter 2020 adjusted earnings of $1.80 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.7%. Also, the bottom line improved 11.1% year over year.Adjusted net revenues declined 2.9% year over year to $1.75 billion. Moreover, the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.6%.Total expenses were down 6.3% year over year to $1.68 billion owing to lower cost of service.The company’s results reflect constant market recovery and cost-control efforts, which have been driving margins for a while. However, this upside is partially offset by softer revenues across other two segments barring Business and Consumer Solutions.Global Payments Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Global Payments Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Global Payments Inc. QuoteFull-Year UpdateAdjusted net revenues dipped 5.2% to $6.75 billion. Adjusted earnings per share inched up 2.9% to $6.40.Segmental PerformancesMerchant Solutions: Adjusted revenues of $1.11 billion decreased 4.2% year over year. Operating income of $528.1 million was up 1.1% year over year.Issuer Solutions: Adjusted net revenues of $457 million slid 0.4% year over year. Operating income of $204 million increased 10.5% year over year.Business and Consumer Solution: Adjusted net revenues came in at $204.7 million, up 2.6% year over year. Operating income was $49.4 million, up 15.5% year over year.Balance Sheet Position (as of Dec 31, 2020)Total cash and cash equivalents were $1.95 billion, which surged 15.9% from the level as of Dec 31, 2019.Long-term debt was $8.5 billion, down 6.7% from the level at 2019 end.Share Repurchase and Dividend UpdateThe board of directors cleared a dividend of 19.5 cents per share, payable Mar 26, 2021 to its shareholders of record as of Mar 12, 2021 and also approved an increase in the company’s existing authorization of its share buyback program, raising the total available stock to $1.5 billion.As part of that plan, it intends to execute an accelerated share repurchase program for $500 million in the coming days.Net cash provided by operating activities in 2020 was $2.3 billion, up 66% year over year.2021 GuidanceThe company expects 2021 adjusted net revenues in the range of $7.50-$7.60 billion, indicating growth of 11-13%. Adjusted earnings per share are likely to be in the $7.75 and $8.05 band, suggesting growth of 21-26% from the 2020 reported figure.Zacks Rank and Stocks to ConsiderGlobal Payments carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), currently. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Some better-ranked stocks in the same space are Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated DBD, The Western Union Co. WU and WEX Inc. WEX, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), presently.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2021 earnings of Diebold Nixdorf, Western Union and WEX Inc. is pegged at 35.1%, 9.26% and 35.1% growth, respectively. Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a GenerationBe among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.See 8 breakthrough stocks now>>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report The Western Union Company (WU): Free Stock Analysis Report Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated (DBD): Free Stock Analysis Report Global Payments Inc. (GPN): Free Stock Analysis Report WEX Inc. (WEX): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research