Global Payments Inc. GPN came up with fourth-quarter 2018 adjusted earnings of $1.33 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.8% and also improving 24.3% year over year.The reported quarter benefited both from the company’s higher revenues and decreased expenses.Behind the HeadlinesAdjusted net revenues plus network fees were $1.04 billion, up 13% year over year. The top line also marginally surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.1%, mainly driven by segmental performances.Total operating expense of $713.6 million decreased 21.2% year over year, led by a lower cost of services.Adjusted operating margin expanded 80 basis points to 31.6%.Global Payments Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Global Payments Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Global Payments Inc. QuoteGrowth Across SegmentsNorth America: Adjusted net revenues plus network fees of $765 million increased 13.9% year over year. Operating income of $247 million was up 20% year over year.Europe: Adjusted net revenues plus network fees of $188 million grew 7.7% year over year. Operating income of $89.6 million rose 7.6% year over year.Asia-Pacific: Adjusted net revenues plus network fees of $84.7 million climbed 9.5% year over year. Operating income of $29 million improved 10.7% year over year.Share Repurchase and Dividend UpdateGlobal Payments’ board of directors has approved a dividend of 1 cent per share, payable Mar 29, 2019 to shareholders of record as of Mar 15, 2019.The company ramped up its share repurchase program to $750 million.Balance Sheet PositionTotal cash and cash equivalents as of Dec 31, 2018 were $1.2 billion, down 9.4% from $1.3 billion as of Dec 31, 2017.Long-term debt as of Dec 31, 2018 was $5 billion, up 10% from the level at 2017 end.Net cash provided by operating activities for 2018 was $1.1 billion, up 116% year over year.Full-Year HighlightsFor 2018, adjusted revenues plus network fees increased 15% to $3.97 billion. Adjusted earnings per share grew $5.19, up 29% year over year.2019 OutlookFor 2019, the company expects adjusted net revenues plus network fees in the band of $4.43-$4.49 billion. Adjusted EPS is projected in the range of $5.90-$6.10.Zacks Rank and Performances of Other Industry PlayersGlobal Payments carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Among other players from the finance sector having reported fourth-quarter earnings so far, the bottom-line results of Synchrony Financial SYF, Intercontinental Exchange Inc. ICE and MarketAxess Holdings Inc. MKTX outpaced the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate.3 Medical Stocks to Buy NowThe greatest discovery in this century of biology is now at the flashpoint between theory and realization. Billions of dollars in research have poured into it. Companies are already generating revenue, and cures for a variety of deadly diseases are in the pipeline.So are big potential profits for early investors. Zacks has released an updated Special Report that explains this breakthrough and names the best 3 stocks to ride it.See them today for free >> 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 Synchrony Financial (SYF): Free Stock Analysis Report MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (MKTX): Get Free Report Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE): Free Stock Analysis Report Global Payments Inc. (GPN): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research