Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended February 28,August 31, 2015

OR
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from             to             

Commission file number: 001-16111
GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Georgia 58-2567903
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
10 Glenlake Parkway, North Tower, Atlanta, Georgia 30328
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (770) 829-8000

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý   No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes ý   No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes ¨   No x
 
The number of shares of the issuer’s common stock, no par value, outstanding as of March 31,September 22, 2015 was 66,458,271.64,941,999.


Table of Contents

GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.
FORM 10-Q
For the quarterly period ended February 28,August 31, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS
   Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. 
  
  
  
  
  
ITEM 2. 
ITEM 3. 
ITEM 4. 
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. 
ITEM 2. 
ITEM 5.
ITEM 6. 
  



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PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - 1—FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months EndedThree Months Ended
February 28, 2015 February 28, 2014August 31, 2015 August 31, 2014
      
Revenues$664,983
 $616,452
$748,796
 $704,895
Operating expenses:      
Cost of service250,255
 232,937
272,666
 259,839
Sales, general and administrative310,113
 286,224
Selling, general and administrative338,358
 320,658
560,368
 519,161
611,024
 580,497
Operating income104,615
 97,291
137,772
 124,398
Other income (expense):   
   
Interest and other income1,160
 2,944
1,142
 1,192
Interest and other expense(13,429) (16,457)(13,243) (11,010)
(12,269) (13,513)(12,101) (9,818)
Income before income taxes92,346
 83,778
125,671
 114,580
Provision for income taxes(23,031) (23,657)(32,623) (30,146)
Net income69,315
 60,121
93,048
 84,434
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income tax(6,747) (5,000)(6,402) (9,068)
Net income attributable to Global Payments$62,568
 $55,121
$86,646
 $75,366
      
Earnings per share attributable to Global Payments:      
Basic$0.94
 $0.77
Diluted$0.93
 $0.76
Basic earnings per share$1.33
 $1.11
Diluted earnings per share$1.32
 $1.10
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
















 


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GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)

 Nine Months Ended
 February 28, 2015 February 28, 2014
    
Revenues$2,067,169
 $1,880,259
Operating expenses:   
Cost of service767,890
 698,852
Sales, general and administrative946,282
 871,825
 Processing system intrusion
 (7,000)
 1,714,172
 1,563,677
Operating income352,997
 316,582
Other income (expense):   
Interest and other income3,634
 11,570
Interest and other expense(34,789) (32,361)
 (31,155) (20,791)
Income before income taxes321,842
 295,791
Provision for income taxes(82,837) (84,105)
Net income239,005
 211,686
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of income tax(26,290) (18,025)
Net income attributable to Global Payments$212,715
 $193,661
    
Earnings per share attributable to Global Payments:   
Basic$3.15
 $2.67
Diluted$3.13
 $2.65
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.



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GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands)

    
 Three Months Ended
 February 28, 2015 February 28, 2014
    
Net income$69,315
 $60,121
Other comprehensive income (loss):   
Foreign currency translation adjustments(103,283) (10,604)
Income tax benefit related to foreign currency translation adjustments7,958
 4,805
Unrealized losses on hedging activities(1,859) 
Reclassification of losses on hedging activities to interest expense1,750
 
Income tax benefit related to hedging activities41
 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax(95,393) (5,799)
    
Comprehensive (loss) income(26,078) 54,322
Less: comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests7,146
 (7,181)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Global Payments$(18,932) $47,141

   
Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
February 28, 2015 February 28, 2014August 31, 2015 August 31, 2014
      
Net income$239,005
 $211,686
$93,048
 $84,434
Other comprehensive income (loss):      
Foreign currency translation adjustments(221,138) 11,057
(37,017) (25,220)
Income tax benefit related to foreign currency translation adjustments15,249
 7,058
11,100
 2,516
Unrealized losses on hedging activities(6,278) 
(32) 
Reclassification of losses on hedging activities to interest expense2,281
 
1,734
 
Income tax benefit related to hedging activities1,484
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax(208,402) 18,115
Income tax provision related to hedging activities(622) 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax(24,837) (22,704)
      
Comprehensive income30,603
 229,801
68,211
 61,730
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests(338) (26,823)(8,300) (3,939)
Comprehensive income attributable to Global Payments$30,265
 $202,978
$59,911
 $57,791
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.



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GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
February 28, 2015 May 31, 2014August 31, 2015 May 31, 2015
(Unaudited)  (Unaudited)  
ASSETS    
    
Current assets:    
    
Cash and cash equivalents$610,148
  $581,872
$803,309
  $650,739
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $405 and $401, respectively170,895
  214,574
Claims receivable, net584
  809
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $398 and $468, respectively207,949
  202,390
Claims receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $5,933 and $548, respectively7,177
  548
Settlement processing assets744,976
  780,917
1,658,193
  2,394,822
Inventory5,587
  6,636
Deferred income taxes 11,933
  12,963
12,179
  11,664
Prepaid expenses and other current assets49,027
  45,673
58,231
  41,416
Total current assets1,593,150
  1,643,444
2,747,038
  3,301,579
Goodwill1,422,900
  1,337,285
1,603,593
  1,491,833
Other intangible assets, net516,083
  535,173
686,852
  560,136
Property and equipment, net355,885
  369,753
368,795
  374,143
Deferred income taxes 93,549
 101,928
30,375
 30,578
Other36,753
  31,067
36,265
  32,846
Total assets$4,018,320
  $4,018,650
$5,472,918
  $5,791,115
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY        
Current liabilities:        
Lines of credit$446,800
 $440,128
$356,675
 $592,629
Current portion of long-term debt62,500
 17,677

 61,784
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities284,472
  290,106
303,497
  312,647
Settlement processing obligations426,368
 451,317
1,699,353
 2,033,900
Income taxes payable22,560
 12,390
30,711
 14,228
Total current liabilities1,242,700
  1,211,618
2,390,236
  3,015,188
Long-term debt1,546,000
 1,376,002
1,932,028
 1,678,283
Deferred income taxes 201,737
  209,099
216,844
  214,669
Other long-term liabilities86,255
  89,132
Other noncurrent liabilities16,667
  19,422
Total liabilities3,076,692
  2,885,851
4,555,775
  4,927,562
Commitments and contingencies

  



  

Equity:        
Preferred stock, no par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized and none issued
  

  
Common stock, no par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 66,457,816 issued and outstanding at February 28, 2015 and 68,845,643 issued and outstanding at May 31, 2014
  
Common stock, no par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 64,941,393 issued and outstanding at August 31, 2015 and 65,278,838 issued and outstanding at May 31, 2015
  
Paid-in capital147,344
  183,023
138,212
  148,742
Retained earnings861,955
  815,980
861,212
  795,226
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(184,226)  (1,776)(212,727)  (185,992)
Total Global Payments shareholders’ equity825,073
  997,227
786,697
  757,976
Noncontrolling interests116,555
 135,572
130,446
 105,577
Total equity941,628
 1,132,799
917,143
 863,553
Total liabilities and equity$4,018,320
  $4,018,650
$5,472,918
  $5,791,115
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
February 28, 2015 February 28, 2014August 31, 2015 August 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income$239,005
 $211,686
$93,048
 $84,434
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment48,628
 43,645
17,909
 16,712
Amortization of acquired intangibles54,184
 43,553
20,848
 17,854
Share-based compensation expense14,827
 17,269
6,467
 4,066
Provision for operating losses and bad debts10,530
 14,203
4,263
 4,308
Deferred income taxes13,479
 3,103
3,584
 3,705
Other, net469
 (1,006)1,333
 (755)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions:
 

 
Accounts receivable32,124
 14,442
(7,512) 7,933
Claims receivable(7,159) (9,145)(12,261) (2,742)
Settlement processing assets and obligations, net(27,948) (19,669)402,676
 (179,462)
Inventory(256) 3,811
Prepaid expenses and other assets(5,431) 18,980
(18,114) 1,625
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(36,044) (16,422)
Accounts payable and other liabilities(14,801) (22,151)
Income taxes payable10,677
 (10,049)15,952
 1,000
Net cash provided by operating activities347,085
 314,401
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities513,392
 (63,473)
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Business, intangible and other asset acquisitions, net of cash acquired(232,864) (2,519)(241,530) (4,773)
Capital expenditures(56,746) (61,270)(16,858) (18,157)
Principal collections on financing receivables219
 1,997

 219
Net proceeds from sales of investments and business10,597
 3,521

 10,528
Net cash used in investing activities(278,794) (58,271)(258,388) (12,183)
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Net borrowings on short-term lines of credit44,622
 74,594
Net (payments) borrowings on short-term lines of credit(236,041) 212,029
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt1,593,500
 2,390,000
2,821,425
 390,000
Principal payments under long-term debt(1,378,679) (2,099,869)
Principal payments of long-term debt(2,626,925) (363,679)
Payment of debt issuance costs
 (5,961)(4,934) 
Repurchase of common stock(231,844) (258,562)(34,296) (132,283)
Proceeds from stock issued under share-based compensation plans18,867
 29,740
2,513
 12,588
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans(16,175) (5,682)(8,154) (15,105)
Tax benefit from share-based compensation plans3,851
 4,782
5,760
 3,154
Distributions to noncontrolling interests(19,355) (33,744)(8,158) (11,249)
Dividends paid(4,035) (4,330)(1,305) (1,370)
Net cash provided by financing activities10,752
 90,968
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(90,115) 94,085
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash(50,767) (14,008)(12,319) (4,417)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents28,276
 333,090
152,570
 14,012
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period581,872
 680,470
650,739
 581,872
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period$610,148
 $1,013,560
$803,309
 $595,884
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(in thousands)


 
Number  of Shares 
 
Paid-in Capital 
 
Retained Earnings 
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Total Global Payments Shareholders’ Equity Noncontrolling Interests Total Equity
Balance at May 31, 201565,279
 $148,742
 $795,226
 $(185,992) $757,976
 $105,577
 $863,553
Net income    86,646
   86,646
 6,402
 93,048
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax      (26,735) (26,735) 1,898
 (24,837)
Stock issued under share-based compensation plans473
 2,513
     2,513
   2,513
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans(301) (11,381) 

   (11,381)   (11,381)
Tax benefit from share-based compensation, net  5,760
     5,760
   5,760
Share-based compensation expense  6,467
     6,467
   6,467
Distributions to noncontrolling interests        
 (8,158) (8,158)
Contribution of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interest as consideration in business combination  4,673
     4,673
 24,727
 29,400
Repurchase of common stock(510) (18,562) (19,355)   (37,917)   (37,917)
Dividends paid ($0.02 per share)    (1,305)   (1,305)   (1,305)
Balance at August 31, 201564,941
 $138,212
 $861,212
 $(212,727) $786,697
 $130,446
 $917,143
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.


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GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
 
(in thousands)


 
Number  of Shares 
 
Paid-in Capital 
 
Retained Earnings 
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss 
Total Global Payments Shareholders’ Equity 
 Noncontrolling Interests Total Equity
Balance at May 31, 201468,846
 $183,023
 $815,980
 $(1,776) $997,227
 $135,572
 $1,132,799
Net income    212,715
   212,715
 26,290
 239,005
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax      (182,450) (182,450) (25,952) (208,402)
Stock issued under employee stock plans1,011
 18,867
     18,867
   18,867
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans(321) (7,389) 

   (7,389)   (7,389)
Tax benefit from employee share-based compensation, net  3,851
     3,851
   3,851
Share-based compensation expense  14,827
     14,827
   14,827
Distributions to noncontrolling interests          (19,355) (19,355)
Repurchase of common stock(3,078) (65,835) (162,705)   (228,540)   (228,540)
Dividends paid ($0.06 per share)    (4,035)   (4,035)   (4,035)
Balance at February 28, 201566,458
 $147,344
 $861,955
 $(184,226) $825,073
 $116,555
 $941,628
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.


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GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(in thousands)

Number  of Shares 
 
Paid-in Capital 
Retained Earnings 
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss 
Total Global Payments
Shareholders’ Equity
 
 Noncontrolling Interests Total Equity
Number  of Shares 
 
Paid-in Capital 
 
Retained Earnings 
 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss 
Total Global Payments Shareholders’ Equity 
 Noncontrolling Interests Total Equity
Balance at May 31, 201375,426
 $202,396
$958,751
 $(15,062) $1,146,085
 $140,522
 $1,286,607
Balance at May 31, 201468,846
 $183,023
 $815,980
 $(1,776) $997,227
 $135,572
 $1,132,799
Net income   193,661
   193,661
 18,025
 211,686
    75,366
   75,366
 9,068
 84,434
Other comprehensive income, net of tax    9,317
 9,317
 8,798
 18,115
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax      (17,575) (17,575) (5,129) (22,704)
Stock issued under employee stock plans1,557
 29,740
  

 29,740
   29,740
904
 12,588
   

 12,588
   12,588
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans(361) (5,682)  

 (5,682) 

 (5,682)(294) (6,713)   

 (6,713) 

 (6,713)
Tax benefit from employee share-based compensation, net  4,657
    4,657
   4,657
  3,154
     3,154
   3,154
Share-based compensation expense  17,269
    17,269
   17,269
  4,066
     4,066
   4,066
Distributions to noncontrolling interests      

 (33,744) (33,744)        
 (11,249) (11,249)
Repurchase of common stock(4,961) (53,072)(207,537)   (260,609)   (260,609)(1,783) (56,977) (67,515)   (124,492)   (124,492)
Dividends paid ($0.06 per share)   (4,330)   (4,330)   (4,330)
Balance at February 28, 201471,661
 $195,308
$940,545
 $(5,745) $1,130,108
 $133,601
 $1,263,709
Dividends paid ($0.02 per share)    (1,370)   (1,370)   (1,370)
Balance at August 31, 201467,673
 $139,141
 $822,461
 $(19,351) $942,251
 $128,262
 $1,070,513
See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.



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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Business, consolidation and presentation— We are a leading worldwide provider of payment technology services that deliversdelivering innovative solutions to our customers globally.customers. Our technologies, partnerships technologies and employee expertise enable us to provide a broad range of products and services that allow our customers to accept allvarious payment types. We distribute our productspayment services and digital commerce services across a variety of channels to merchants and partners in 2829 countries throughout North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and Brazil. We provide payment and digital commerce solutions and operate in twothree reportable segments: North America, merchant servicesEurope, and International merchant services.Asia-Pacific.
  
We were incorporated in Georgia as Global Payments Inc. in September 2000, and we spun-off from our former parent company onin January 31, 2001. Including our time as part of our former parent company, we have been in the payments business since 1967. Global Payments Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries are referred to collectively in this report as "Global Payments," the "Company," "we," "our" or "us," unless the context requires otherwise.
 
These unaudited consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our majority-owned subsidiaries, and all intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.eliminated in consolidation. These unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") for interim financial information pursuant to the rules and with Rule 10-01regulations of Regulation S-X.the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

In the opinion of our management, all known adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods have been made.  These adjustments consist of normal recurring accruals and estimates that impactaffect the carrying valueamount of assets and liabilities.  We suggest that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2014.2015.

Use of estimatesThe preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Revenue recognitionReclassifications Our two merchant services segments primarily provide payment solutions for credit cards, debit cards, electronic payments In the consolidated balance sheet as of August 31, 2015, we presented inventory within prepaid expenses and check-related services. Revenue is recognized as such services are performed. Revenue for services provided directly to merchants is recorded netother current assets instead of interchange fees charged by card issuing banks. Our primary business model provides payment products and services directly to merchants as our end customers. We also provide similar products and services to financial institutions and a limited number of independent sales organizations ("ISOs") that, in turn, resell our products and services, in which case, the financial institutions and select ISOs are our end customers. The majority of merchant services revenue is generated on services priced as a percentageseparate line item. Therefore, we reclassified inventory of transaction value or a specified fee per transaction, depending on card type. We also charge other fees based on specific services that are unrelated$5.2 million as of May 31, 2015 to conform to the numbercurrent presentation. The reclassification also resulted in the combination of transactions or the transaction value. Revenue from credit cardschanges in inventory of $1.0 million with changes in prepaid expenses and signature debit cards is generally based on a percentage of transaction value along with other related fees, while revenue from PIN-based debit cards is typically based on a fee per transaction.

Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and all liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less when purchased. Cash and cash equivalents include reserve funds collected from our merchants that serve as collateral to minimize contingent liabilities associated with any losses that may occur under the merchant agreement (“Merchant Reserves”). We record a corresponding liability in settlement processing assets and settlement processing obligations in our consolidated balance sheet. While this cash is not restricted in its use, we believe that designating this cash as Merchant Reserves strengthens our fiduciary standing with banks that sponsor us and is in accordance with guidelines set by the card networks. Asstatement of February 28, 2015 and May 31, 2014, our cash and cash equivalents included $169.8 million and $124.7 million, respectively, related to Merchant Reserves.

Certain of the banks that sponsor us hold Merchant Reserves on our behalf. In these instances, neither the Merchant Reserve cash nor the corresponding liability appears on our consolidated balance sheet; however, we have access to the collateral in the event that we incur a merchant loss.

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Our cash and cash equivalents include settlement related cash balances. Settlement related cash balances represent surplus funds that we hold when the incoming amount from the card networks precedes the funding obligation to the merchant. Settlement related cash balances are not restricted; however, these funds are generally paid out in satisfaction of settlement processing obligations the following day. Please see Note 2 - Settlement Processing Assets and Obligations.
Goodwill We test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level annually as of January 1st and more often if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its net carrying value. Macroeconomic factors such as general economic conditions, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and other developments in equity and credit markets are monitored for indications that goodwill assigned to one of our reporting units may be impaired. We have the option of performing a qualitative assessment of impairment to determine whether any further quantitative testing for impairment is necessary. The option of whether to perform a qualitative assessment is made annually and may vary by reporting unit.

When conducting a qualitative assessment, we consider factors including general macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance of our reporting units, events or changes affecting the composition or carrying value of the net assets of our reporting units, sustained decrease in our share price, and other relevant entity-specific events. If we elect to bypass the qualitative assessment or if we determine, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying value, a two-step quantitative test is required. In the first step, the reporting unit's carrying amount, including goodwill, is compared to its fair value. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit is greater than its fair value, goodwill may be impaired and step two must be performed. Step two measures any impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all the assets and liabilities of that unit (including unrecognized intangibles) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. The excess of the fair value over the amounts allocated to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit is the implied fair value of the goodwill. The excess of the carrying amount over the implied fair value of the goodwill is the impairment loss.

We have six reporting units: North America merchant services, U.K. merchant services, Asia-Pacific merchant services, Central and Eastern Europe merchant services, Russia merchant services and Spain merchant services. As of January 1, 2015, we elected to perform a qualitative assessment of impairment for each of our reporting units, except Russia merchant services. We determined on the basis of qualitative factors, as described above, that the fair values of these five reporting units were not more likely than not less than their respective carrying values. Due to the deterioration of economic conditions in the Russian Federation and the recent devaluation of the Russian Ruble compared to the United States Dollar, we elected to perform a quantitative assessment of impairment for the Russia merchant services reporting unit as of January 1, 2015. Based on this quantitative assessment, we determined that goodwill of our Russia merchant services reporting unit was not impaired. We believe that the fair values of our reporting units are substantially in excess of their carrying values.

Our goodwill impairment testing involves the use of estimates and the exercise of judgment on the part of management. Our assessment of qualitative factors involves significant judgments about expected future business performance and general market conditions. Significant changes in our assessment of such qualitative factors could affect our assessment of the fair value of one or more of our reporting units and could result in a goodwill impairment charge in a future period.

When applying a quantitative approach, we estimate the fair value of our reporting units using a combination of the income approach and the market approach. The income approach utilizes a discounted cash flow model incorporating management’s expectations for future revenue, operating expenses, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), capital expenditures and an anticipated tax rate. We discount the related cash flow forecasts using an estimated weighted-average cost of capital for each reporting unit at the date of valuation. The market approach utilizes comparative market multiples in the valuation estimate. Multiples are derived by relating the value of guideline companies, based on either the market price of publicly traded shares or the prices of companies being acquired in the marketplace, to various measures of their earnings and cash flow. Such multiples are then applied to the historical and projected earnings and cash flow of the reporting unit in developing the valuation estimate.

Preparation of forecasts and the selection of discount rates involve significant judgments about expected future business performance and general market conditions. Significant changes in our forecasts, the discount rates selected or the weighting of the income and market approach could affect the estimated fair value of one or more of our reporting units and could result in a goodwill impairment charge in a future period.

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Other intangible assets Other intangible assets primarily represent customer-related intangible assets (such as customer lists and merchant contracts), contract-based intangible assets (such as non-compete agreements, referral agreements and processing rights), acquired technologies and trademarks associated with acquisitions. Customer-related intangible assets, contract-based intangible assets and trademarks are amortized over their estimated useful lives from 5 to 30 years. The useful lives for customer-related intangible assets are determined based primarily on forecasted cash flows, which include estimates for the revenues, expenses, and customer attrition associated with the assets. The useful lives of contract-based intangible assets are equal to the terms of the agreements. The useful lives of amortizable trademarks and trade names are based on our plans to phase out the trademarks and trade names in the applicable markets.

Amortization for most of our customer-related intangible assets is calculated using an accelerated method. In determining amortization expense under our accelerated method for any given period, we calculate the expected cash flows for that period that were used in determining the acquired value of the asset and divide that amount by the expected total cash flows over the estimated life of the asset. We multiply that percentage by the initial carrying value of the asset to arrive at the amortization expense for that period. If the cash flow patterns that we experience differ significantly from our initial estimates, we will adjust the amortization schedule accordingly. These cash flow patterns are derived using certain assumptions and cost allocations due to a significant amount of asset interdependencies that exist in our business.

We believe that our accelerated method better approximates the distribution of cash flows generated by our acquired customer relationships. We use the straight-line method of amortization for our contract-based intangibles and amortizable trademarks and trade names. Acquired technologies are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.

Impairment of long-lived assetsWe regularly evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the carrying amount of property and equipment and finite-life intangible assets may not be recoverable. When factors indicate that these long-lived assets should be evaluated for possible impairment, we assess the potential impairment by determining whether the carrying value of such long-lived assets will be recovered through the future undiscounted cash flows expected from use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the carrying amount of the asset is determined not to be recoverable, a write-down to fair value is recorded. Fair values are determined based on quoted market prices or discounted cash flow analysis, as applicable. We regularly evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the useful lives of property and equipment and finite-life intangible assets may warrant revision. In our opinion, the carrying values of our long-lived assets, including property and equipment and finite-life intangible assets, were not impaired at February 28, 2015 or Maythree months ended August 31, 2014.

Derivative InstrumentsOur long-term debt bears interest, at our election, at either the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or a base rate, in each case plus a leverage-based margin. Consequently, we are exposed to variability in our interest payment cash flows due to changes in interest rates. We use interest rate swaps to manage a portion of this exposure. These financial instruments are recognized at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets, and changes in fair value are recognized in shareholders’ equity through accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI"). Our objective in managing our exposure to fluctuation in interest rates is to better control this element of cost and to mitigate the earnings and cash flow volatility associated with changes in applicable rates.

We have established policies and procedures that encompass risk-management philosophy and objectives, guidelines for derivative instrument usage, counterparty credit approval, and the monitoring and reporting of derivative activity. We do not enter into derivative instruments for the purpose of speculation. We formally designate and document instruments at inception that qualify for hedge accounting of underlying exposures in accordance with GAAP.

We formally assess, both at inception and at least quarterly, whether the financial instruments used in hedging transactions are effective at offsetting changes in cash flows of the related underlying exposure. Fluctuations in the value of these instruments generally are offset by changes in the cash flows of the underlying exposures being hedged. This offset is driven by the high degree of effectiveness between the exposure being hedged and the hedging instrument. GAAP requires all derivative instruments to be recognized as either assets or liabilities at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. We designated our interest rate swap agreements as a cash flow hedge of interest payments on variable rate borrowings. Any ineffective portion of a change in the fair value of a qualifying instrument is immediately recognized in earnings. Please see Note 5-Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities for more information about our interest rate swaps.


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Earnings per shareBasic earnings per share is computed by dividing reported net income attributable to Global Payments by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Global Payments by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period, including the impact of securities that would have a dilutive effect on earnings per share. All stock options with an exercise price less than the average market share price of our common stock for the period are assumed to have a dilutive effect on earnings per share.

The following table sets forth the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2015 and February 28, 2014:
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 February 28, 2015 February 28, 2014 February 28, 2015 February 28, 2014
 (in thousands) (in thousands)
        
Basic weighted average shares outstanding66,890
 71,835
 67,476
 72,598
Plus: Dilutive effect of stock options and other share-based awards416
 599
 415
 554
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding67,306
 72,434
 67,891
 73,152

Repurchased shares— We account for the retirement of repurchased shares using the par value method under which we allocate the cost of repurchased and retired shares between paid-in capital and retained earnings by comparing the price of shares repurchased to the original issue proceeds of those shares. When the repurchase price is greater than the original issue proceeds, the excess is charged to retained earnings. We use a last-in, first-out cost flow assumption to identify the original issue proceeds to the cost of the shares repurchased. We believe that this allocation method is preferable because it more accurately reflects our paid-in capital balances by allocating the cost of the shares repurchased and retired to paid-in capital in proportion to paid-in capital associated with the original issuance of said shares.

New accounting pronouncements— From time-to-time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") or other standards setting bodies that are adopted by us as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed below,may affect our management believes that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on our consolidatedcurrent and/or future financial statements upon adoption.when adopted.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In AprilSeptember 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-16, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments." The update requires than an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined, including the cumulative effect of the change in provisional amount as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The adjustments related to previous reporting periods since the acquisition date must be disclosed by income statement line item either on the face of the income statement or in the notes. We adopted this ASU during the three months ended August 31, 2015. Accordingly, we applied the amendments in this update to the measurement period adjustments made during the three months ended August 31, 2015 with no material effect on previous-period or current-period earnings. See "Note 3—Business Intangible Asset Acquisition and Joint Ventures" for more information regarding adjustments to provisional amounts that occurred during the three months ended August 31, 2015.


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In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation"Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.Costs." The update requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of being presented as an asset. Debt disclosures will include the face amount of the debt liability and the effective interest rate. The update requires retrospective application and represents a change in accounting principle. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. We are evaluating the impact of ASU 2015-03 on our consolidated financial statements.

In FebruaryAugust 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, 2015-15, "Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30):Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements-Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting," to clarify that an entity may elect to present debt issuance costs related to a line-of-credit arrangement as an asset, regardless of whether or not there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement.

We adopted both ASUs as of June 1, 2015, electing to continue to present debt issuance costs related to our revolving credit facilities as an asset, and reclassified prior-period amounts for debt issuance costs related to our term loans to conform to the Consolidation Analysis. current-period presentation. In our consolidated balance sheet as of May 31, 2015, we reclassified debt issuance costs of $0.7 million from prepaid expenses and other current assets to current portion of long-term debt and $1.7 million was reclassified from other noncurrent assets to long-term debt. The adoption of this standard did not affect our results of operations or cash flows in either the current or previous interim or annual periods. See "Note 5—Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities" for more information about the presentation of debt issuance costs.

Recently Issued Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, "Intangibles—Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement." The amendments in this update make changes to consolidationprovide guidance to address concernscustomers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of stakeholders that currentthe arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The guidance will not change GAAP for a customer’s accounting for certain legal entities might require a reporting entity to consolidate another legal entity in situations in which the reporting entity’s contractual rights do not give it the ability to act primarily on its own behalf, the reporting entity does not hold a majority of the legal entity’s voting rights, or the reporting entity is not exposed to a majority of the legal entity’s economic benefits or obligations.service contracts. The amendments in this Update arewill be effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and forannual periods, including interim periods within those fiscal years,annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted including adoption in an interim period.
In January 2015,for all entities. We are evaluating the FASB issuedeffect of ASU 2015-01, Income Statement Extraordinary2015-05 on our consolidated financial statements and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminatinghave not yet adopted the Concept of Extraordinary Items. The amendments in this update eliminate from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. A reporting entity may apply the amendments prospectively. A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements.new standard.


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In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue"Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)." The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue forto depict the transfer of promised goods or services equal to thein an amount that itreflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to receivein exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP and permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The standard requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016,2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted.period, with early adoption permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are evaluating the impact of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements.


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NOTE 2—SETTLEMENT PROCESSING ASSETS AND OBLIGATIONS

Funds settlement refers to the processAs of transferring funds for salesAugust 31, 2015 and credits between card issuers and merchants. For transactions processed on our systems, we use our internal network to provide funding instructions to financial institutions that in turn fund the merchants. We process funds settlement under two models, a sponsorship model and a direct membership model.

Under the sponsorship model, we are designated as a Merchant Service Provider by MasterCard and an Independent Sales Organization by Visa, which means that member clearing banks ("Member") sponsor us and require our adherence to the standards of the payment networks. In certain markets, we have sponsorship or depository and clearing agreements with financial institution sponsors. These agreements allow us to route transactions under the Members' control and identification numbers to clear credit card transactions through MasterCard and Visa. In this model, the standards of the payment networks restrict us from performing funds settlement or accessing merchant settlement funds, and, instead, require that these funds be in the possession of the Member until the merchant is funded.

Under the direct membership model, we are members in various payment networks, allowing us to process and fund transactions without third-party sponsorship. In this model, we route and clear transactions directly through the card brand’s network and are not restricted from performing funds settlement. Otherwise, we process these transactions similarly to how we process transactions in the sponsorship model. We are required to adhere to the standards of the payment
networks in which we are direct members. We maintain relationships with financial institutions, which may also serve as our Member sponsors for other card brands or in other markets, to assist with funds settlement.

Timing differences, interchange expense, Merchant Reserves and exception items cause differences between the amount received from the payment networks and the amount funded to the merchants. These intermediary balances arising in our settlement process for direct merchants are reflected asMay 31, 2015, settlement processing assets and obligations on our consolidated balance sheets. Settlement processing assets and obligations include the components outlined below:

Interchange reimbursement - our receivable from merchants for the portionconsisted of the discount fee related to reimbursement of the interchange expense.
Receivable from Members - our receivable from the Members for transactions in which merchants have been funded in advance of receipt of funding.
Receivable from networks - our receivable from a payment network for transactions processed on behalf of merchants where we are a direct member of that particular network.
Exception items - items such as customer chargeback amounts received from merchants.
Merchant Reserves - reserves held to minimize contingent liabilities associated with losses that may occur under the merchant agreement.
Liability to Members - our liability to the Members for transactions for which funding from the payment network has been received by the Members but merchants have not yet been funded.
Liability to merchants - our liability to merchants for transactions that have been processed but not yet funded where we are a direct member of a particular payment network.
Reserve for operating losses - our allowance for charges or losses that we are not able to collect from the merchants due to merchant fraud, insolvency, bankruptcy or any other merchant-related reason.

In accordance with ASC 210-20, Offsetting, we apply offsetting to our settlement processing assets and obligations where legal right of set-off exists. In the sponsorship model, we apply offsetting by Member because the Member is ultimately responsible for funds settlement. With these Member transactions, we do not have access to the gross proceeds of the receivable from the payment networks and, thus, do not have a direct obligation or any ability to satisfy the payable to fund the merchant. In these situations, we apply offsetting to determine a net position with each Member sponsor. If that net position is an asset, we reflect

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the net amount in settlement processing assets on our consolidated balance sheet, and we present the individual components in the settlement processing assets table below. If that net position is a liability, we reflect the net amount in settlement processing obligations on our consolidated balance sheet, and we present the individual components in the settlement processing obligations table below. In the direct membership model, offsetting is not applied, and the individual components are presented as an asset or obligation based on the nature of that component.following (in thousands):
February 28, 2015 May 31, 2014
(in thousands)August 31, 2015 May 31, 2015
Settlement processing assets:      
Interchange reimbursement$183,973
 $217,806
$22,566
 $186,660
Receivable from Members189,877
 206,322
66,793
 294,837
Receivable from networks411,997
 430,763
1,566,936
 1,919,148
Exception items9,055
 5,573
2,156
 4,920
Merchant Reserves(49,926) (79,547)(258) (10,743)
$744,976
 $780,917
$1,658,193
 $2,394,822
      
Settlement processing obligations:      
Interchange reimbursement$31,246
 $54,459
$235,716
 $68,444
Liability to Members(1,710) (5,490)(209,525) (628)
Liability to merchants(338,868) (407,651)(1,564,142) (1,931,390)
Exception items4,299
 6,313
10,794
 5,331
Merchant Reserves(119,919) (96,622)(167,543) (169,442)
Reserve for operating losses(1,119) (1,725)(1,223) (1,286)
Reserves for sales allowances(297) (601)
Reserve for sales allowances(3,430) (4,929)
$(426,368) $(451,317)$(1,699,353) $(2,033,900)

NOTE 3—BUSINESS AND INTANGIBLE ASSET ACQUISITIONS AND JOINT VENTURES

Fiscal 20152016

Bank of the Philippine Islands

On December 17, 2014, we announced an agreement with Bank of the Philippine Islands ("BPI") to provide merchant acquiring and payment services in the Philippines. We believe this arrangement will enable us to expand our direct distribution in the Philippines, further leverage our technological strengths and provide superior product and service offerings to customers in the Philippines. Under this arrangement, BPI will contribute its existing merchant acquiring business to our subsidiary in the Philippines, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Philippines Incorporated ("GPAPPI"), in return for a 49% ownership interest in GPAPPI and a cash payment of $3.6 million. We will retain a controlling 51% interest in GPAPPI, which is included in our International merchant services segment. The transaction is expected to close late in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions. For fiscal 2015, we expect this transaction to be immaterial to our consolidated revenues and earnings per share.

Fidelity National Information ServicesFIS Gaming Business
 
On September 30, 2014, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with Certegy Check Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary ofFidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS) ("FIS"), to acquire substantially all of the assets of its gaming business related to licensed gaming operators (the "FIS Gaming Business"). Pursuant to, which consisted primarily of customer contracts. On June 1, 2015, we completed the terms of the asset purchase agreement, we will acquire substantially all of the assets of the FIS Gaming Business,acquisition, which includesincluded approximately 260 gaming client locations, for $236.5$237.5 million subject to certain adjustments at closing. We expect the acquisition to close early in the first quarter of fiscal 2016, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, and to be funded from borrowings on our revolving credit facility.facility and cash on hand. We acquired the FIS Gaming Business to expand our direct distribution and service offerings in the gaming industry. This transaction was accounted for as a business combination. We recorded the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date, June 1, 2015. Due to the timing of this transaction, we have not finalized the valuation of intangible assets acquired. Acquisition costs associated with this purchase were not material. The revenue and earnings associated with the acquired business for the year ending May 31, 2016 are not expected to be material nor were the historical revenue and earnings of the acquired business material for the purpose of presenting pro forma information for the current or prior-year periods.
 
AtThe following table summarizes the same time, wepreliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date (in thousands):
Customer-related intangible assets$135,200
Liabilities(150)
Total identifiable net assets135,050
Goodwill102,450
Total purchase consideration$237,500

Goodwill of $102.5 million arising from the acquisition was included in the North America segment and was attributable to expected growth opportunities, including cross-selling opportunities at existing and acquired gaming client locations, operating

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synergies in the gaming business and assembled workforce. Goodwill associated with this acquisition is deductible for income tax purposes. The customer-related intangible assets have an estimated amortization period of 15 years.

We also entered into a gaming bureau license agreement and an outsourcing agreement with FIS.FIS on September 30, 2014. Under the license agreement, we acquired a perpetual software license for a gaming bureau application that we believe enhances our casino clients’ credit decision process. The software license is reflectedwas recorded in property and equipment in our consolidated balance sheet at

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February 28, 2015.when acquired. Under the outsourcing agreement, which has a term of 10 years, we have engaged FIS to provide a variety of services for our gaming clients, including: check and ACH verification services, collection services, claims management services, billing services and other gaming bureau services. The outsourcing agreement became effective on June 1, 2015.

Venture with Bank of the Philippine Islands

We provide merchant acquiring services in the Philippines through our subsidiary Global Payments Asia-Pacific Philippines Incorporated ("GP Philippines"). On August 3, 2015, we made a cash payment of $3.6 million and contributed a 49% ownership interest in GP Philippines to Bank of the Philippines ("BPI") in return for its merchant acquiring business, which is now part of GP Philippines, in which we have retained a controlling 51% interest.

The acquisition of BPI's merchant acquiring business was accounted for as a business combination. We recorded the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date, August 3, 2015. The estimated total purchase consideration for BPI's merchant acquiring business was $33.0 million, consisting of cash paid of $3.6 million and shares issued to BPI representing a 49% ownership interest in GP Philippines with an estimated acquisition-date fair value of $29.4 million. Due to the timing of this transaction, we have not finalized the valuation of shares issued to BPI for the noncontrolling interest or the intangible assets acquired; but, we have recorded provisional estimated amounts.

Central and Eastern European Venture

On July 27, 2015, we announced an agreement with CaixaBank, S.A. ("CaixaBank") and Erste Group Bank AG (“Erste Group”) to form a venture to provide merchant acquiring and payment services in three Central and Eastern European markets: the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic and Romania. As part of the agreement, Global Payments and CaixaBank will become effective whenform an entity, in which Global Payments will have a 51% controlling interest. This newly formed entity will pay €30 million ($34 million equivalent as of August 31, 2015) in cash to acquire a 51% controlling ownership in the asset purchase agreement closes.venture with Erste Group, which will contribute its existing merchant acquiring businesses in each of the three countries to the venture and hold a 49% interest. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of fiscal 2016, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Fiscal 2015

Realex Payments

On March 25, 2015, we acquired approximately 95% of the outstanding shares of Pay and Shop Limited for €110.2 million in cash ($118.9 million equivalent as of the acquisition date) funded from borrowings on our revolving credit facility. On October 5, 2015, we paid €6.7 million ($7.6 million equivalent) to acquire the remaining shares. Pay and Shop Limited, which does business as Realex Payments ("Realex"), is a leading European online payment gateway technology provider based in Dublin, Ireland. This transaction furthers our strategy to provide omnichannel solutions that combine gateway services, payment service provisioning and merchant acquiring across Europe. This transaction was accounted for as a business combination. We recorded the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interest at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date, March 25, 2015. Due to the timing of this transaction, we have not finalized the valuation of intangible assets acquired and related deferred income taxes.


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The following table summarizes the preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and the noncontrolling interest as of the acquisition date (in thousands):
Cash$4,082
Customer-related intangible assets16,079
Acquired technology39,820
Trade name3,453
Other intangible assets399
Other assets6,213
Liabilities(3,479)
Deferred income tax liabilities(7,216)
Total identifiable net assets59,351
Goodwill66,809
Noncontrolling interest(7,280)
Total purchase consideration$118,880

Goodwill of $66.8 million arising from the acquisition was included in the Europe segment and was attributable to expected growth opportunities in Europe, expected synergies from combining our existing business with gateway services and payment service provisioning in new markets and an assembled workforce to support the newly acquired technology. Goodwill associated with this acquisition is not deductible for income tax purposes. The customer-related intangible assets have an estimated amortization period of 16 years. The acquired technology has an estimated amortization period of 10 years. The trade name has an estimated amortization period of 7 years.

Ezidebit

On October 10, 2014, we completed the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding stock of Ezi Holdings Pty Ltd ("Ezidebit") for AU$305.0AUD302.6 million less working capital(US$266.0 million equivalent as of AU$2.4 million (US$268.1 million less working capital of US$2.1 million)the acquisition date). This acquisition was funded by a combination of cash on hand and borrowings on our revolving credit facility. Ezidebit is a leading integrated payments company focused on recurring payments verticals in Australia and New Zealand. Ezidebit markets its productsservices through a network of integrated software vendors and direct channels to numerous vertical markets. We acquired Ezidebit to establish a direct distribution channel in Australia and New Zealand and to further enhance our existing integrated solutions offerings. This acquisitiontransaction was recordedaccounted for as a business combination, and the purchase price was allocated tocombination. We recorded the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based onat their estimated fair values. Duevalues as of the acquisition date, October 10, 2014. Certain adjustments to estimated fair value were recorded during the three months ended August 31, 2015 based on new information obtained that existed as of the acquisition date. During the measurement period, management determined that deferred income taxes should be reflected for certain nondeductible intangible assets. These adjustments are detailed in the table below. FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805, "Business Combinations," as amended by ASU 2015-16, requires than an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. During the three months ended August 31, 2015, we increased deferred income tax liabilities by $11.6 million with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill, and with no material effect on previous-period or current-period earnings or other comprehensive income.


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The acquisition-date fair values of major classes of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as previously determined and as revised for measurement period adjustments as of August 31, 2015, including a reconciliation to the timing of this transaction, the allocation of thetotal purchase priceconsideration, is preliminary pending final valuation of intangible assets. Acquisition costs associated with this purchase were not material. The revenue and earnings of Ezidebit for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2015 are not material nor are the historical revenue and earnings of Ezidebit material for the purpose of presenting pro forma information for the current or prior-year periods.

The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocationas follows (in thousands):
As Previously Determined Measurement Period Adjustments Revised
     
Cash$45,826
$45,826
 $
 $45,826
Goodwill194,136
Customer-related intangible assets42,721
42,721
 
 42,721
Acquired technology27,954
27,954
 
 27,954
Trade name2,901
2,901
 
 2,901
Other assets2,337
2,337
 
 2,337
Total assets acquired315,875
Liabilities(49,797)
Deferred income taxes(96)
Net assets acquired$265,982
Deferred income tax assets (liabilities)1,815
 (11,603) (9,788)
Other liabilities(49,797) 
 (49,797)
Total identifiable net assets73,757
 (11,603) 62,154
Goodwill192,225
 11,603
 203,828
Total purchase consideration$265,982
 $
 $265,982

The preliminary purchase price allocation resulted in goodwill,Goodwill of $203.8 million arising from the acquisition was included in the International merchant servicesAsia-Pacific segment of $194.1 million. Goodwill isand was attributable to expected future growth opportunities in Australia and New Zealand, as well as growth opportunities and operating synergies inexpansion of integrated payments in the Asia-Pacific region, economies of scale in our existing Asia-Pacific business and North America markets. Goodwillan assembled workforce. Neither the goodwill nor the customer-related intangible assets associated with this acquisition is notare deductible for income tax purposes. The customer-related intangible assets have an estimated amortization periods of 15 years. The acquired technology has an estimated amortization period of 15 years. The trade name has an estimated amortization period of 5 years.

Fiscal 2014

Comercia Global Payments Brazil

Effective September 30, 2013, CaixaBank, S.A. ("CaixaBank"), which owns 49% of Comercia Global Payments ("Comercia"), our subsidiary in Spain, purchased 50% of Global Payments Brazil for $2.1 million in cash and a commitment to fund the capital needs of the business until such time as its cumulative funding was equal to funding that we provided from inception through the effective date of the transaction. The transaction created a new joint venture which does business as Comercia Global Payments Brazil.  As a result of the transaction, we deconsolidated Global Payments Brazil. Thereafter, we have applied the equity method of accounting to our retained interest in Global Payments Brazil.  We recorded a gain on the transaction of $2.1 million which was included in interest and other income in the consolidated statement of income for the nine months ended February 28, 2014. The results of the Brazil operation from inception until the restructuring into a joint venture on September 30, 2013 were not material to our consolidated results of operations, and the assets and liabilities that we derecognized were not material to our consolidated balance sheet.

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In late fiscal 2014, CaixaBank completed its initial funding commitment. During the three months ended August 31, 2014, CaixaBank and Global Payments each made an additional investment of $3.9 million in Global Payments Brazil to fund the operations of the business. During the three months ended February 28, 2015, we advanced an additional $6.7 million to Global Payments Brazil. We expect this advance will be replaced with permanent financing from CaixaBank and us in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.

PayPros

On March 4, 2014, we completed the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding stock of Payment Processing, Inc. ("PayPros") for $420.0 million in cash plus $6.5 million in cash for working capital. We funded the acquisition with a combination of cash on hand and proceeds from our Term Loan (as defined in Note 5). PayPros, based in California, is a provider of fully-integrated payment solutions for small-to-medium sized merchants in the United States.  PayPros delivers its products and services through a network of technology-based enterprise software partners to vertical markets that are complementary to the markets served by Accelerated Payment Technologies, which we acquired in October 2012. We acquired PayPros to expand our direct distribution capabilities in the United States and to further enhance our existing integrated solutions offerings. This acquisition was recorded as a business combination, and the purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The purchase price of PayPros was determined by analyzing the historical and prospective financial statements. Acquisition costs associated with this purchase were not material.

The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation (in thousands):
Goodwill$270,878
Customer-related intangible assets147,500
Contract-based intangible assets30,200
Acquired technology10,800
Property and equipment1,680
Other assets3,872
Total assets acquired464,930
Deferred income taxes(38,478)
     Net assets acquired$426,452

The purchase price allocation resulted in goodwill, included in the North America merchant services segment, of $270.9 million. Such goodwill is attributable primarily to operating synergies with the services offered and markets served by PayPros. The goodwill associated with the acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes. The customer-related intangible assets and the contract-based intangible assets have estimated amortization periods of 13 years. The acquired technology has an estimated amortization period of 7 years.


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The following pro forma information shows the results of our operations for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2014 as if the PayPros acquisition had occurred on June 1, 2013. The pro forma information is presented for information purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what would have occurred if the acquisition had been made as of that date. The pro forma information is also not intended to be a projection of future results due to the integration of the acquired business.
 Unaudited
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 February 28, 2014 February 28, 2014 February 28, 2014 February 28, 2014
 (Actual) (Pro forma) (Actual) (Pro forma)
 (in thousands, except per share data) (in thousands, except per share data)
Total revenues$616,452
 $643,086
 $1,880,259
 $1,954,570
Net income attributable to Global Payments$55,121
 $54,885
 $193,661
 $189,645
        
Net income per share attributable to Global Payments, basic$0.77
 $0.76
 $2.67
 $2.61
Net income per share attributable to Global Payments, diluted$0.76
 $0.76
 $2.65
 $2.59

NOTE 4—GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

As of February 28,August 31, 2015 and May 31, 2014,2015, goodwill and intangible assets consisted of the following:following (in thousands):  
February 28, 2015 May 31, 2014August 31, 2015 May 31, 2015
(in thousands)   
Goodwill$1,422,900
 $1,337,285
$1,603,593
 $1,491,833
Other intangible assets:

 



 

Customer-related intangible assets$702,037
 $714,704
$863,046
 $718,011
Contract-based intangible assets 131,612
 145,967
131,591
 130,874
Acquired technologies50,337
 25,700
92,137
 93,194
Trademarks and trade names7,015
 6,140
10,390
 10,777
891,001
 892,511
1,097,164
 952,856
Less accumulated amortization:      
Customer-related intangible assets 328,633
 317,629
355,471
 342,488
Contract-based intangible assets35,411
 32,031
39,518
 37,286
Acquired technologies6,839
 3,531
10,694
 8,509
Trademarks and trade names4,035
 4,147
4,629
 4,437
374,918
 357,338
410,312
 392,720
$516,083
 $535,173
$686,852
 $560,136



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The following table sets forth the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the ninethree months ended February 28, 2015:August 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 North America Merchant Services International Merchant Services Total
 (in thousands)
Balance at May 31, 2014$786,655
 $550,630
 $1,337,285
Accumulated impairment losses
 
 
 786,655
 550,630
 1,337,285
      
Goodwill acquired
 194,136
 194,136
Adjustment(1)
(699) 
 (699)
Effect of foreign currency translation(12,065) (95,757) (107,822)
Balance at February 28, 2015$773,891
 $649,009
 $1,422,900
 North America Europe Asia-Pacific Total
        
Balance at May 31, 2015$779,734
 $485,921
 $226,178
 $1,491,833
Goodwill acquired102,450
 
 16,500
 118,950
Effect of foreign currency translation(4,146) 1,594
 (15,830) (18,382)
Measurement-period adjustments
 (411) 11,603
 11,192
Balance at August 31, 2015$878,038
 $487,104
 $238,451
 $1,603,593

(1) During the nine months ended February 28,There were no accumulated impairment losses as of August 31, 2015 we recorded an adjustment to decrease goodwill by $0.7 million in our North America merchant services segment in connection with the finalization of the intangible asset and deferred tax valuations associated with the purchase price allocation and the working capital settlement for the PayPros acquisition.or May 31, 2015.

NOTE 5—LONG-TERM DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES

As of February 28,August 31, 2015 and May 31, 2014, outstanding2015, long-term debt consisted of the following:following (in thousands):
 February 28, 2015 May 31, 2014
Lines of credit:(in thousands)
Corporate Credit Facility - long-term$358,500
 $140,000
Short-term lines of credit446,800
 440,128
Total lines of credit805,300
 580,128
Notes payable
 3,679
Term loan1,250,000
 1,250,000
Total debt$2,055,300
 $1,833,807
    
Current portion$509,300
 $457,805
Long-term debt1,546,000
 1,376,002
Total debt$2,055,300
 $1,833,807
 August 31, 2015 May 31, 2015
    
Term loan:   
$1,750,000 face amount (less unamortized debt issuance costs of $4,972) at August 31, 2015 and $1,234,375 face amount (less unamortized debt issuance costs of $2,433) at May 31, 2015$1,745,028
 $1,231,942
Revolving credit facility187,000
 508,125
Total long-term debt1,932,028
 1,740,067
Less current portion of long-term debt ($62,500 face amount less unamortized debt issuance costs of $716 at May 31, 2015)
 61,784
Long-term debt, excluding current portion$1,932,028
 $1,678,283

Maturity requirements on long-term debt by fiscal year are as follows (in thousands):
2016$
2017
2018131,250
2019175,000
2020 and thereafter1,630,750
Total$1,937,000

On February 28, 2014,July 31, 2015, we entered into ana second amended and restated term loan agreement ("Term Loan"(the “Term Loan Agreement”) and ana second amended and restated credit agreement ("Corporate(the “Revolving Credit Facility"Facility Agreement” and, together with the Term Loan Agreement, the “Agreements”), each with a syndicate of financial institutions. The Term Loan Agreement and the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement amended and restated the our prior term loan agreement and revolving credit facility agreement, each dated February 28, 2014.

The Term Loan isAgreement provides for a five-year senior unsecured $1.75 billion term loan facility (the “Term Loan”), and the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement provides for a senior unsecured $1.25 billion term loan. We used proceedsrevolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). The available borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility may be increased, at our option, by up to an additional $500 million, subject to our receipt of increased or new commitments from lenders and the satisfaction of certain conditions.


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Pursuant to the Term Loan to partially fund our acquisition of PayPros on March 4, 2014 and to repayAgreement, the outstanding balances on our previously existing revolving credit facility and our previously existing term loan.

The Term Loan expires February 28, 2019must be repaid in equal quarterly installments of $43.8 million commencing in November 2017 and bearsending in May 2020, with the remaining principal balance due upon maturity in July 2020; provided, however, that the Term Loan may be prepaid without penalty. Each of the Agreements provides for an interest rate, at our election, atof either LIBORLondon Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or a base rate, in each case plus a leverage-based margin. As of February 28,August 31, 2015, the interest rate on the Term Loan was 1.92%1.70%. Commencing in May 2015 and ending in November 2018, the Term Loan has scheduled quarterly principal payments of 1.25%, increasing up to 2.50% of the original principal balance. At maturity, 27.5% of the Term Loan will have been repaid through scheduled amortization and the remaining principal balance will be due. With notice, the Term Loan may be voluntarily prepaid at any time, in whole or in part, without penalty.


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The Corporate Credit Facility is a five-year senior unsecured $1.0 billion revolving credit facility that expires February 28, 2019 and bears interest, at our election, at either LIBOR or a base rate, in each case plus a leverage-based margin. Borrowing under the Corporate Credit Facility is available in various currencies. As of February 28,August 31, 2015, the outstanding balance on the CorporateRevolving Credit Facility was $358.5$187 million, and the interest rate was 1.89%1.65%. The Corporate Credit Facility is available for general corporate purposes.

The CorporateRevolving Credit Facility allows us to issue standby letters of credit of up to $100.0$100 million in the aggregate. Outstanding letters of credit under the CorporateRevolving Credit Facility reduce the amount of borrowings available to us. At February 28, 2015 and May 31, 2014, we had standby letters of credit of $7.4 million and $8.1 million, respectively. Borrowings available to us under the CorporateRevolving Credit Facility are further limited by the covenants described below under "Compliance with Covenants." At August 31, 2015, we had standby letters of credit of $9.5 million. The total available incremental borrowings under our CorporateRevolving Credit Facility at February 28,August 31, 2015 was $417.3 million. We are required to pay a quarterly commitment fee on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility Agreement expires in July 2020.

Upon the closing of the Term Loan and Maythe Revolving Credit Facility, which occurred on July 31, 2014 was $626.5 million2015, we used the proceeds of approximately $2.0 billion to repay the outstanding balances on our previously existing term loan and $851.9 million, respectively.revolving credit facility together with accrued interest and fees on each. We intend to use the remaining proceeds to support strategic capital allocation initiatives, including acquisitions and ongoing share repurchases.

We incurred fees and expenses associated with these new arrangements of approximately $4.9 million. The portion of the debt issuance costs related to the Revolving Credit Facility are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets at August 31, 2015. The portion of the debt issuance costs related to the Term Loan are reported as a reduction to the carrying amount of the debt. Debt issuance costs are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the terms of the Agreements.

The agreementsAgreements contain customary affirmative and restrictive covenants, including, among others, financial covenants based on our leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios. Please seeSee "Compliance with Covenants" below. Each of the agreementsAgreements includes customary events of default, the occurrence of which, following any applicable cure period, would permit the lenders to, among other things, declare the principal, accrued interest and other obligations to be immediately due and payable.

Short-term Lines of Credit

We have short-term lines of credit with banks in the United States and Canada as well as several countries in Europe and in the Asia-Pacific region in which we do business. The short-term lines of credit, which are primarily used to fundrestricted for use in funding settlement, generally have variable short-term interest rates and are subject to annual review. The credit facilities are generally denominated in local currency but may, in some cases, facilitate borrowings in multiple currencies. For certain of our lines of credit, the line of credit balance is reduced by the amount of cash we have on deposit in specific accounts with the lender when determining compliance with the credit limit.available credit. Accordingly, the amount of the outstanding line of credit balance may exceed the stated credit limit, at any given point in time, when in factwhile the combinednet position is less than the credit limit. As of February 28,August 31, 2015 and May 31, 2014, we had2015, a total of $901.5108.9 million and $818.5$193.2 million, respectively, of additional borrowing capacitycash on deposit was used to determine the available credit.

As of August 31, 2015 and May 31, 2015, respectively, we had $356.7 million and $592.6 million outstanding under ourthese short-term lines of credit with additional capacity as of August 31, 2015 of $859.5 million to fund settlement. The weighted-average interest rate on these borrowings was 1.83% and 1.50% at August 31, 2015 and May 31, 2015, respectively. We are required to pay a commitment fee on unused portions of short-term lines of credit.

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Compliance with Covenants

There are certain financial and non-financial covenants contained in our various credit facilities and Term Loan. Our Term Loan and Corporate Credit FacilityThe Agreements include financial covenants requiring (i) a leverage ratio no greater than 3.50 to 1.00 (3.75 to 1.00, in the case of a businessor up to 3.75 to 1.00 if we were to complete an acquisition, subject to certain conditions)conditions, and (ii) a fixed charge coverage ratio no less than 2.50 to 1.00.1.00. We complied with all applicable covenants as of and for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2015 and as of MayAugust 31, 2014.2015.

Interest Rate Swap AgreementAgreements

On October 9, 2014, we entered into anWe have interest rate swap agreementagreements with a major financial institutioninstitutions to hedge changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate risk on a portion of our variable-rate debt instruments. TheA $500 million notional interest rate swap agreement, which became effective on October 31, 2014, effectively converted $500 million of our variable-rate debt to a fixed rate of 1.52% plus a leverage-based margin and will mature on February 28, 2019. The fair value of ourA $250 million notional interest rate swap, as of Februarywhich became effective on August 28, 2015, waseffectively converted $250 million of our variable-rate debt to a liabilityfixed rate of $4.0 million, which is reflected in accounts payable1.34% plus a leverage-based margin and accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet. will mature on July 31, 2020.

Net amounts to be received or paid under the swap agreementagreements are reflected as adjustments to interest expense. Since we have designated the interest rate swap agreementagreements as a cash flow hedge,hedges, unrealized gains or losses resulting from adjusting this swapthe swaps to its fair value are recorded as elementscomponents of AOCI within the consolidated balance sheetother comprehensive income, except for any ineffective portion of the change in fair value, which would be immediately recorded in interest expense. During the three and nine months ended February 28,August 31, 2015, there was no ineffectiveness. The fair valuevalues of the swap agreement isinterest rate swaps were determined based on the present value of the estimated future net cash flows using implied rates in the applicable yield curve as of the valuation date. ThisThese derivative instrument isinstruments were classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

At February 28, 2015,The table below presents the fair values of our derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges included within the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
  Consolidated Balance Sheet Location August 31, 2015 May 31, 2015
Interest rate swap ($250 million notional) Other assets $1,541
 $
Interest rate swap ($500 million notional) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $5,996
 $6,157

The table below presents the effects of our interest rate swap agreement effectively converted $500.0 millionswaps on the consolidated statements of our variable-rate debt to a fixed rate of 1.52% plus a leverage-based margin. Duringincome and other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 we recognized $1.8 million and $2.3 million, respectively, in interest expense related to settlements on(in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
 August 31, 2015 August 31, 2014
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:   
Amount of loss recognized in other comprehensive income$32
 $
Amount of loss recognized in interest expense$1,734
 $

At August 31, 2015, the interest rate swap. At February 28, 2015, the

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amount in AOCIaccumulated other comprehensive income related to our interest rate swapswaps that is expected to be reclassified into interest expense during the next 12 months is not material.was approximately $7.8 million.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $13.4 million and $8.5 million for the three months ended August 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Interest expense is comprised primarily of interest on our long-term debt and short-term lines of credit. Interest expense also includes settlements on our interest rate swaps, amortization of deferred debt issuance costs and commitment fees on the unused portions of our Revolving Credit Facility and short-term lines of credit.


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NOTE 6—INCOME TAX

Our effective income tax rates were 24.9%26.0% and 28.2%26.3% for the three months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 and February 28,August 31, 2014, respectively. Our effective income tax rates were 25.7% and 28.4% for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 and February 28, 2014, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2014 reflects additional income tax expense we recorded as a result of the reduction of certain U.K. deferred tax assets due to enacted corporate tax rate reductions in the United Kingdom of 3%. Our effective tax rate differsdiffer from the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to domestic and international tax planning initiatives and income generated in international jurisdictions with lower tax rates.

As of February 28, 2015 and May 31, 2014, other long-term liabilities included liabilities for unrecognized income tax benefits of $71.1 million and $71.2 million, respectively, including interest. $68.0 million of our liabilities for unrecognized income tax benefits at February 28, 2015 relate to tax positions that are currently under review by tax authorities. It is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by between $0.0 million and $68.0 million as a result of this review. Based on the nature of the underlying positions, we do not believe that a negative outcome would have any impact on our income or results of operations in the period of change.  Further, a negative outcome would not have a significant impact on our financial condition or liquidity. During the three and nine months ended February 28, 2015 and February 28, 2014, amounts recorded for accrued interest and penalty expense related to the unrecognized income tax benefits were insignificant.

We conduct business globally and file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. In the normal course of business, we are subject to examination by taxing authorities around the world, including, without limitation, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. We are no longer subject to state income tax examinations for years ended on or before May 31, 2008 and are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for fiscal years prior to 2012.2012 and U.K. federal income tax examinations for years ended on or before May 31, 2013.

NOTE 7—SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

DuringOn April 10, 2015, we entered into an accelerated share repurchase program (the ''ASR'') with a financial institution to repurchase an aggregate of $100 million of our common stock. In exchange for an up-front payment of $100 million, the three and nine monthsfinancial institution committed to deliver a number of shares during the ASR's purchase period, which ended February 28,on June 16, 2015. On April 14, 2015,815,494 shares were initially delivered to us. At May 31, 2015, we accounted for the variable component of remaining shares to be delivered under the ASR as a forward contract indexed to our common stock which met all of the applicable criteria for equity classification. On June 16, 2015, an additional 162,371 shares were delivered to us. The total number of shares delivered under the ASR was 977,865 shares at an average price of $102.26 per share.

In addition to the ASR, we repurchased and retired 0.6347,495 shares of our common stock at a cost of $37.9 million, or an average cost of $109.11 per share, including commissions, during the three months ended August 31, 2015. As of August 31, 2015, we had a remaining authorized amount of $365.0 million for share repurchases.

During the three months ended August 31, 2014, we repurchased and 3.1retired 1.8 million shares of our common stock at a cost of $56.6 million and $228.5$124.5 million, or an average cost of $88.74 and $74.25$69.82 per share, respectively, including commissions. As of February 28, 2015, we had $243.4 million of remaining authorized share repurchases.

During the three and nine months ended February 28, 2014, we repurchased and retired 0.3 million and 5.0 million shares of our common stock at a cost of $21.5 million and $260.6 million, or an average of $64.04 and $52.53 per share, respectively, including commissions.

NOTE 8—SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTIONS

Non-qualified stock options and restricted stock have been granted to officers, key employees and directors under the Global Payments Inc. 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the "2000 Plan"), the Global Payments Inc. Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Plan (the "2005 Plan"), the Amended and Restated 2000 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the "Director Stock Option Plan"), and the Global Payments Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan (the "2011 Plan") (collectively, the "Plans"). There were no further grants made under the 2000 Plan after the 2005 Plan was effective, and the Director Stock Option Plan expired by its terms on February 1, 2011. There will be no future grants under the 2000 Plan, the 2005 Plan or the Director Stock Option Plan.

The 2011 Plan permits grants of equity to employees, officers, directors and consultants. A total of 7.0 million shares of our common stock was reserved and made available for issuance pursuant to awards granted under the 2011 Plan.


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The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense and the related income tax benefit recognized for our share-based awards and stock options restricted stock, performance units, TSR units, and shares issued under our employee stock purchase plan (each as described below).(in thousands):
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
February 28, 2015 February 28, 2014 February 28, 2015 February 28, 2014August 31, 2015 August 31, 2014
(in millions) (in millions)   
Share-based compensation expense$5.7
 $5.3
 $14.8
 $17.3
$6,467
 $4,066
Income tax benefit$1.9
 $2.0
 $4.8
 $5.2
$2,358
 $3,335
 
We grant various share-based awards pursuant to the Plans under what we refer to as our "long-term incentive plan." The awards are held in escrow and released upon the grantee’s satisfaction of conditions of the award certificate.

Restricted Stock

We grant restricted stock awards and restricted stock units. Restricted stock awards vest over a period of time, provided, however, that if the grantee is not employed by us on the vesting date, the shares are forfeited. Restricted shares cannot be sold or transferred until they have vested. Restricted stock granted before fiscal 2015 vests in equal installments on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date. Restricted stock granted during fiscal 2015 will either vest in equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date or cliff vest at the end of a three-year service period. Restricted shares entitle the holder to vote with common shareholders and receive dividends paid on our common stock during the vesting period. Holders of restricted stock units do not have the right to vote shares or receive dividends. The grant date fair value of restricted stock, which is based on the quoted market value of our common stock at the closing of the award date, is recognized as share-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

Performance Units

Certain of our executives have been granted up to three types of "performance units" under our long-term incentive plan. "Performance units" are performance-based restricted stock units that, after a performance period, convert into common shares, which may be restricted. The number of shares is dependent upon the achievement of certain performance measures during the performance period. The target number of performance units and any market-based performance measures ("at threshold," "target," and "maximum") are set by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Performance units are converted only after the Compensation Committee certifies performance based on pre-established goals.

The performance units granted to certain executives in fiscal 2014 were based on a one-year performance period. After the Compensation Committee certified the performance results, 25% of the performance units converted to unrestricted shares.  The remaining 75% converted to restricted shares that vest in equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the conversion date. The performance units granted to certain executives during fiscal 2015 were based on a three-year performance period. After the Compensation Committee certifies the performance results for the three-year period, performance units earned will convert into unrestricted common stock. 

The Compensation Committee may set a range of possible performance-based outcomes for performance units. Depending on the achievement of the performance measures, the grantee may earn as little as 0% and up to a maximum of 200% of the target number of shares. For awards with only performance conditions, we recognize compensation expense over the performance period using the grant date fair value of the award, which is based on the number of shares expected to be earned according to the level of achievement of performance goals. If the number of shares expected to be earned were to change at any time during the performance period, we would make a cumulative adjustment to share-based compensation expense based on the revised number of shares expected to be earned.

During fiscal 2015, certain executives were granted performance units that we refer to as "leveraged performance units," or "LPUs." LPUs contain a market condition based on our relative stock price growth over a three-year performance period. The LPUs contain a minimum threshold performance, which if not met would result in no payout. The LPUs also contain a maximum award

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opportunity set as a fixed dollar and fixed number of shares. After the three-year performance period, one-third of any earned units converts to unrestricted common stock. The remaining two-thirds convert to restricted stock that will vest in equal installments on each of the first two anniversaries of the conversion date. We recognize share-based compensation expense based on the grant date fair value of the LPUs, as determined by use of a Monte Carlo model, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the LPU award.

Total Shareholder Return ("TSR") Units

Before fiscal 2015, certain of our executives were granted “TSR units,” which are performance-based restricted stock units that are earned based on our total shareholder return over a three-year performance period compared to companies in the S&P 500. Once the performance results are certified, TSR units convert into unrestricted common stock. Depending on our performance, the grantee may earn as little as 0% and up to a maximum of 200% of the target number of shares. The target number of TSR units for each executive is set by the Compensation Committee. We recognize share-based compensation expense based on the grant date fair value of the TSR units, as determined by use of a Monte Carlo model, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.Share-Based Awards

The following table summarizes the changes in unvested share-based awards for the ninethree months ended February 28, 2015:August 31, 2015 (shares in thousands):
 Shares 
Weighted Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 Shares 
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 (in thousands)      
Unvested at May 31, 2014 877
 $45
Unvested at May 31, 2015 924
 $58
Granted 469
 72
 223
 112
Vested (322) 46
 (301) 52
Forfeited (92) 53
 (9) 57
Unvested at February 28, 2015 932
 $58
Unvested at August 31, 2015 837
 $73

Including the restricted stock, performance units and TSR units described above, theThe total fair value of share-based awards vested during the ninethree months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 and February 28,August 31, 2014 was $14.915.7 million and $15.913.0 million, respectively.

For these share-based awards, we recognized compensation expense of $5.46.1 million and $5.03.7 million induring the three months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 and February 28,August 31, 2014, respectively. For the nine months ended February 28, 2015 and February 28, 2014, we recognized compensation expense for these share-based awards of $13.8 million and $16.2 million, respectively. As of February 28,August 31, 2015, there was $47.5$58.3 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested share-based awards that we expect to recognize over a weighted averageweighted-average period of 2.272.5 years.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

We have an employee stock purchase plan under which the sale of 2.4 million shares of our common stock has been authorized. Employees may designate up to the lesser of $25,000 or 20% of their annual compensation for the purchase of our common stock. The price for shares purchased under the plan is 85% of the market value on the last day of each calendar quarter. As of February 28,August 31, 2015, 1.1 million shares had been issued under this plan, with 1.3 million shares reserved for future issuance. We recognized compensation expense for the plan of $0.1$0.2 million in botheach of the three monthsthree-month periods ended February 28,August 31, 2015 and February 28, 2014. We recognized compensation expense for the plan of $0.5 million and $0.4 million in the nine months ended February 28, 2015 and February 28,August 31, 2014, respectively.
 
The weighted averageweighted-average grant-date fair value of each designated share purchased under this plan during the ninethree months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 and February 28,August 31, 2014 was approximately $813 and $7, respectively, which represents the fair value of the 15% discount.


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Stock Options

Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to 100% of fair market value on the date of grant and have a term of ten years. Stock options granted before fiscal 2015 vest in equal installments on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date. Stock options granted during fiscal 2015 and thereafter vest in equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. During the ninethree months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, we granted 0.1 million and 0.2 million stock options. We did not grant stock options, during the three months ended February 28, 2015 or during the three and nine months ended February 28, 2014.respectively. Our stock option plans provide for accelerated vesting under certain conditions.


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Table of Contents

The following is a summary of our stock option activity as of and for the ninethree months ended February 28,August 31, 2015: 
 Options Weight Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value Options Weighted-Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value
 (in thousands)   (in years) (in millions) (in thousands)   (in years) (in millions)
Outstanding at May 31, 2014 766
 $41
 3.8 $21.3
Outstanding at May 31, 2015 447
 $51
 5.2 $23.9
Granted 153
 72
   72
 112
  
Forfeited (23) 56
   (9) 37
  
Exercised (366) 41
   (37) 47
  
Outstanding at February 28, 2015 530
 $49
 4.9 $22.8
Outstanding at August 31, 2015 473
 $61
 5.9 $24.1
            
Options vested and exercisable at February 28, 2015 392
 $41
 3.3 $20.0
Options vested and exercisable at August 31, 2015 314
 $47
 4.1 $20.5

We recognized compensation expense for stock options of $0.2$0.2 million in both and $0.1 million during the three months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 and February 28, 2014. We recognized compensation expense for stock options of $0.5 million and $0.7 million in the nine months ended February 28, 2015 and February 28,August 31, 2014, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the ninethree months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 and February 28,August 31, 2014 was $11.72.7 million and $24.08.1 million, respectively. As of February 28,August 31, 2015, we had $1.93.6 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options that we expect to recognize over a weighted averageweighted-average period of 3.34.1 years.

The weighted averageweighted-average grant-date fair value of each stock option granted during the ninethree months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 was $17.$31 and $17, respectively. Fair value was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
Risk-free interest rates1.57%
Expected volatility23.65%
Dividend yields0.13%
Expected lives5 years
 Three Months Ended
 August 31, 2015 August 31, 2014
Risk-free interest rate1.62% 1.57%
Expected volatility28.65% 23.65%
Dividend yield0.10% 0.13%
Expected life (years)5 5

The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield of a zero coupon U.S. Treasury security with a maturity equal to the expected life of the option from the date of the grant. Our assumption on expected volatility is based on our historical volatility. The dividend yield assumption is calculated using our average stock price over the preceding year and the annualized amount of our most current quarterly dividend.dividend per share. We based our assumptions on the expected lives of the options on our analysis of the historical exercise patterns of the options and our assumption on the future exercise pattern of options.
 
NOTE 9—EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing reported net income attributable to Global Payments by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. Earnings available to common shareholders is the same as reported net income attributable to Global Payments for all periods presented.

Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Global Payments by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period, including the effect of share-based awards that would have a dilutive effect on earnings per share. All stock options with an exercise price lower than the average market share price of our common stock for the period are assumed to have a dilutive effect on earnings per share. The diluted share base for the three months ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 excludes 0.1 million and 0.2 million shares, respectively, related to stock options that would have an antidilutive effect on the computation of diluted earnings per share.

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The following table sets forth the computation of diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the three months ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
 August 31, 2015 August 31, 2014
    
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding65,164
 68,146
Plus: Dilutive effect of stock options and other share-based awards409
 471
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding65,573
 68,617

NOTE 10—ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The changes in the accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive loss were as follows for the three months ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 Foreign Currency Translation Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Hedging Activities Defined Benefit Pension Plans Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
        
Balance at May 31, 2014$1,583
 $
 $(3,359) $(1,776)
Other comprehensive loss, net of income tax(17,575) 
 
 (17,575)
Balance at August 31, 2014$(15,992) $
 $(3,359) $(19,351)
        
Balance at May 31, 2015$(178,309) $(3,874) $(3,809) $(185,992)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax(27,815) 1,080
 
 (26,735)
Balance at August 31, 2015$(206,124) $(2,794) $(3,809) $(212,727)

Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, which relates only to foreign currency translation, was $1.9 million and $(5.1) million for the three months ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively.

NOTE 11—SEGMENT INFORMATION

General Information

We are a leading worldwide provider of payment technology services that deliversdelivering innovative solutions driven byto our customer needs globally.customers. Our partnerships, technologies and employee expertise enable us to provide a broad range of products and services

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that allow our customers to accept allvarious payment typestypes. We distribute our services across a variety of distribution channels in many markets around the world. We haveto merchants and partners in 2829 countries throughout North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and an equity method investment in Brazil. We provide payment and digital commerce solutions and operateEarly in two reportablefiscal 2016, we realigned our businesses into three segments: North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Recent and anticipated international growth have led to a realigned management structure replacing our International merchant services segment with two new operating segments: Europe and International merchant services.

Asia-Pacific. We began reporting on the revised basis during fiscal 2016. As a result, we have recast prior year segment data to conform to our current year presentation.

Information About Profit and Assets

We evaluate performance and allocate resources based on the operating income of each segment. The operating income of each segment includes the revenues of the segment less those expenses that are directly related to those revenues. Operating overhead, shared costs and certain compensation costs are included in Corporate in the following table. Interest and other income, interest and other expense, the financial results of equity method investments and provision for income taxes are not allocated to the individual segments. We do not evaluate performance or allocate resources using segment asset data. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 20142015 and our summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1."Note 1-Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies."


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Table of Contents

Information on segments, including revenue by geographic distribution within segments and reconciliations to consolidated revenues and consolidated operating income are as follows for the three and nine months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 and 2014:2014 (in thousands):
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
February 28, 2015 February 28, 2014 February 28, 2015 February 28, 2014
(in thousands) (in thousands)Three Months Ended
       August 31, 2015 August 31, 2014
Revenues:          
United States$404,016
 $355,880
 $1,222,841
 $1,081,506
Canada69,047
 73,467
 243,004
 245,379
North America merchant services473,063
 429,347
 1,465,845
 1,326,885
       
North America$530,857
 $504,007
Europe138,378
 143,832
 461,140
 433,886
168,357
 162,787
Asia-Pacific (1)
53,542
 43,273
 140,184
 119,488
International merchant services191,920
 187,105
 601,324
 553,374
Asia-Pacific(2)
49,582
 38,101
Consolidated revenues$664,983
 $616,452
 $2,067,169
 $1,880,259
$748,796
 $704,895
          
Operating income (loss) for segments:          
North America merchant services$66,723
 $61,695
 $218,906
 $201,831
International merchant services (2)
64,902
 58,077
 214,947
 182,085
North America$83,513
 $77,937
Europe(1)
72,733
 67,045
Asia-Pacific(2)
12,233
 6,557
Corporate(27,010) (22,481) (80,856) (67,334)(30,707) (27,141)
Consolidated operating income$104,615
 $97,291
 $352,997
 $316,582
$137,772
 $124,398
          
Depreciation and amortization:          
North America merchant services$20,100
 $14,422
 $61,018
 $41,488
International merchant services11,928
 13,790
 36,984
 40,934
North America$23,743
 $20,476
Europe10,344
 11,037
Asia-Pacific(2)
3,057
 1,453
Corporate1,612
 1,594
 4,810
 4,776
1,613
 1,600
Consolidated depreciation and amortization$33,640
 $29,806
 $102,812
 $87,198
$38,757
 $34,566

(1) Revenues for Ezidebit, which operates primarily in Australia and New Zealand, are included in the Asia-Pacific region.

(2) During the ninethree months ended February 28, 2015,August 31, 2014, operating income for the International merchant servicesEurope segment includes a $2.9 million gain on the sale of a component of our Russia business that leased automated teller machines to our sponsor bank in Russia. The gain is presentedincluded in the “Sales,selling, general and administrative” lineadministrative expenses in the consolidated statementsstatement of income.income for the three months ended August 31, 2014.

(2) The results of Ezidebit are included in the Asia-Pacific segment from the date of acquisition, October 10, 2014.

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NOTE 10—12—SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On March 25,September 29, 2015, we acquired approximately 95%our board of directors declared a two-for-one stock split of the Company’s common stock to be effected in the form of a stock dividend of one additional share of common stock for each outstanding sharesshare of Pay and Shop Limited for €108.5 million ($119.1 million equivalentcommon stock. The stock dividend will be payable on November 2, 2015 to shareholders of record as of October 21, 2015. The financial statements presented in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q do not reflect the acquisition date), adjusted for working capital, funded by borrowings on our revolving credit facility. Pay and Shop Limited, which does business as Realex Payments, is a leading European online payment gateway technology provider based in Dublin, Ireland. This transaction furthers our strategy to provide omni-channel solutions that combine gateway services, payment service provisioning and merchant acquiring across Europe. This transaction will be recorded as a business combination, andeffect of the purchase price will be allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. Due to the timing of this transaction, the allocation of purchase price has not been finalized pending valuation of intangible assets acquired. For fiscal 2015, we expect this transaction to be immaterial to our consolidated revenues and earnings per share.stock split.



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ITEM 2 - 2—MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
For an understandingThe following discussion and analysis of the significant factors that influenced our financial condition and results the following discussionof operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhereincluded in Item 1 of Part 1 of this report. This management’s discussionQuarterly Report and analysis should also be read in conjunction with the management’s discussionManagement’s Discussion and analysisAnalysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and consolidated financial statements includedcontained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2014.2015. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements about our plans and expectations of what may happen in the future. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that involveare inherently subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Ouruncertainties, and our actual results could differ materially from the results anticipated by our forward-looking statements. See "Special Cautionary"Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" below for additional information.

General
We are a leading worldwide provider of payment technology services that delivers innovative solutions to our customers globally. Our partnerships, technologies and employee expertise enable us to provide a broad range of products and services that allow our customers to accept all payment types. We distribute our products and services across a variety of channels to merchants and partners in 28 countries throughout North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and Brazil. We provide payment and digital commerce solutions and operate in two reportable segments: North America merchant services and International merchant services.

We were incorporated in Georgia as Global Payments Inc. in September 2000, and we spun-off from our former parent company on January 31, 2001. Including our time as part of our former parent company, we have been in the payments business since 1967. Global Payments Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries are referred to collectively in this report as "Global Payments," the "Company," "we," "our" or "us," unless the context requires otherwise.

Our North America merchant services and International merchant services segments target customers in many vertical industries including financial services, gaming, government, health care, professional services, restaurants, retail, universities, nonprofit organizations and utilities.

Our offerings enable merchants to accept card, electronic, check and digital-based payments at the point of sale. Our primary business model provides payment products and services directly to merchants as our end customers. We also provide similar products and services to financial institutions and a limited number of ISOs that, in turn, resell our products and services, in which case the financial institutions and select ISOs are our end customers. These particular services are marketed in the United States, Canada and parts of Europe.

The majority of merchant services revenue is generated on services priced as a percentage of transaction value or a specified fee per transaction, depending on card type. We also charge other fees based on specific services that are unrelated to the number of transactions or the transaction value. Revenue from credit cards and signature debit cards is generally based on a percentage of transaction value along with other related fees, while revenue from PIN-based debit cards is typically based on a fee per transaction.

Our products and services are marketed through a variety of sales channels that include a direct sales force, trade associations, agent and enterprise software providers and referral arrangements with value added resellers, ISOs, as well as proprietary telesales groups. We seek to leverage the continued shift to electronic payments by expanding market share in our existing markets through our distribution channels or through acquisitions in North America, the Asia-Pacific region and Europe, and investing in and leveraging technology and people. We also seek to enter new markets through acquisitions in Europe and the Asia-Pacific and Latin America regions.

Our business does not have pronounced seasonality in which more than 30% of our revenues occur in one fiscal quarter. However, each geographic channel has somewhat higher and lower quarters given the nature of the portfolio. While there is some variation in seasonality across markets, the first and fourth quarters are generally the strongest, and the third quarter tends to be the weakest due to lower volumes processed in the months of January and February.


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Executive Overview

ForWe are a leading worldwide provider of payment technology services delivering innovative solutions to our customers. Our technologies, partnerships and employee expertise enable us to provide a broad range of services that allow our customers to accept various payment types. We distribute our payment services and digital commerce services across a variety of channels to merchants and partners in 29 countries throughout North America, Europe, the nineAsia-Pacific region and Brazil. Following is a summary of significant matters related to our financial condition and results of operations for the three months ended February 28, 2015,August 31, 2015:

Consolidated revenues increased 9.9%6.2% to $2,067.2$748.8 million from $1,880.3$704.9 million for the prior year period, reflecting growth in most of our markets, despite the impact of unfavorable currency fluctuations.markets;
��
Consolidated operating income was $353.0increased 10.8% to $137.8 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 compared to $316.6from $124.4 million for the prior year. year period. Our operating margin was 18.4% for the three months ended August 31, 2015 and 17.6% for the prior year period;

Net income attributable to Global Payments increased $19.1$11.3 million, or 9.8%15.0%, to $212.7$86.6 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 from $193.7$75.4 million in the prior year. Dilutedyear period, and diluted earnings per share increased $0.48$0.22 to $3.13$1.32 from $1.10 for in the nine months ended February 28, 2015 from $2.65 for the nine months ended February 28, 2014.prior year period;

North America merchant services segment revenue increased $139.0 million, or 10.5%,We completed a refinancing of our long-term debt that expanded our debt capacity to $1,465.8 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 from $1,326.9 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2014. North America merchant services segment operating income increased to $218.9 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 from $201.8 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2014, with operating margins of 14.9% and 15.2% for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 and February 28, 2014, respectively. The growth$3 billion in the North America merchant services segment for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 was primarily due to growth inaggregate and lowered our U.S. direct integrated solutions channel, including our acquisition of Payment Processing, Inc. ("PayPros") on March 4, 2014, partially offset by unfavorable currency fluctuations in Canada. Revenue growth in our U.S. ISO channel was less than 1% for the nine months ended February 28, 2015.borrowing rates; and

International merchant servicesWe completed two acquisitions: one in our North America segment revenue increased $48.0 million, or 8.7%, to $601.3 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 from $553.4 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2014. International merchant services operating income increased to $214.9 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 from $182.1 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2014, with operating margins of 35.7% and 32.9% for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 and February 28, 2014, respectively. Growthone in the International merchant services segment for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 was due to growth in Europe, particularly in Spain and our ecommerce channel, and in the Asia-Pacific region. Revenue growth in Europe was driven in part by card transaction and volume growth and a decrease in interchange rates in Spain due to recently effective legislation, partially offset by unfavorable currency fluctuations. Revenue growth in the Asia-Pacific region was primarily due to growth in card transactions and volume, including our acquisition of Ezi Holdings Pty Ltd ("Ezidebit") as described below, partially offset by unfavorable currency fluctuations.segment.

On October 10, 2014, we completed the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding stock of Ezidebit for AU$305.0 million less working capital of AU$2.4 million (US$268.1 million less working capital of US$2.1 million). This acquisition was funded by a combination of cash on hand and borrowings on our revolving credit facility. Ezidebit is a leading integrated payments company focused on recurring payments verticals in Australia and New Zealand. Ezidebit markets its products through a network of integrated software vendors and direct channels to numerous vertical markets. We acquired Ezidebit to establish a direct distribution channel in Australia and New Zealand and to further enhance our existing integrated solutions offerings.Acquisitions

On September 30, 2014, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with Certegy Check Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary ofFidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS) ("FIS"), to acquire substantially all of the assets of its gaming business related to licensed gaming operators (the “FIS"FIS Gaming Business”Business"). Pursuant toOn June 1, 2015, we completed the terms of the asset purchase agreement, we will acquire substantially all of the assets of the FIS Gaming Business,acquisition, which includesincluded approximately 260 gaming client locations, for $236.5$237.5 million, subject to certain adjustments at closing. funded from borrowings on our revolving credit facility and cash on hand.

We expect the acquisition to close earlyprovide merchant acquiring services in the first quarterPhilippines through our subsidiary Global Payments Asia-Pacific Philippines Incorporated ("GP Philippines"). On August 3, 2015, we made a cash payment of fiscal 2016, subject$3.6 million and contributed a 49% ownership interest in GP Philippines to Bank of the satisfactionPhilippines ("BPI") in return for its merchant acquiring business, which is now part of customary closing conditions.GP Philippines, in which we have retained a controlling 51% interest.

On December 17, 2014,July 27, 2015, we announced an agreement with CaixaBank, S.A. ("CaixaBank") and Erste Group Bank of the Philippine Islands ("BPI"AG (“Erste Group”) to form a venture to provide merchant acquiring and payment services in three Central and Eastern European markets: the Philippines. We believe this arrangementCzech Republic, the Slovak Republic and Romania. As part of the agreement, Global Payments and CaixaBank will enable usform an entity, in which Global Payments will have a 51% controlling interest. This newly formed entity, to expandbe included in our direct distributionEurope segment, will pay €30 million ($34 million equivalent as of August 31, 2015) in cash to acquire a 51% controlling ownership in the Philippines, further leverage our technological strengths and provide superior product and service offerings to customers in the Philippines. Under this arrangement, BPIventure with Erste Group, which will contribute its existing merchant acquiring businessbusinesses in each of the three countries to our subsidiarythe venture and

23


hold a 49% percent interest. The transaction is expected to close in the Philippines, Global Payments Asia-Pacific Philippines Incorporated ("GPAPPI"), in return for a 49% ownership interest in GPAPPI and a cash payment of $3.6 million. We will retain a controlling 51% interest in GPAPPI. We expect the acquisition to close late in the fourth quartersecond half of fiscal 2015,2016, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions. For fiscal 2015, we expect this transaction to be immaterial to our consolidated revenues and earnings per share.


28


On March 25, 2015, we acquired approximately 95% of the outstanding shares of Pay and Shop Limited for €108.5 million ($119.1 million equivalent as of the acquisition date), adjusted for working capital, funded by borrowings on our revolving credit facility. Pay and Shop Limited, which does business as Realex Payments, is a leading European online payment gateway technology provider based in Dublin, Ireland. This transaction furthers our strategy to provide omni-channel solutions that combine gateway services, payment service provisioning and merchant acquiring across Europe. For fiscal 2015, we expect this transaction to be immaterial to our consolidated revenues and earnings per share.these acquisitions.

Results of Operations

RevenuesEarly in fiscal 2016, we realigned our businesses into three segments: North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, and we began reporting on the revised basis during fiscal 2016. As a result, we have recast prior year segment data shown in the table below to conform to our current year presentation.

We derive our revenues from four primary sources: charges based on volumes and fees for services; charges based on transaction quantity; service fees; and equipment sales and rentals. These revenues depend upon a number of factors, such as demand for and price of our services, the technological competitiveness of our product offerings, our reputation for providing timely and reliable service, competition within our industry and general economic conditions.

In direct merchant acquiring, we provide payment services to merchants and fund settlement either directly, in markets where we have direct membership with the payment networks, or through our relationship with a member bank in markets where we are sponsored. Revenue for direct merchant services is recognized in the amount of merchant billing net of interchange. We market our direct merchant services through a variety of sales channels, including a direct sales force, trade associations, agent and enterprise software providers and referral arrangements with value added resellers. We also sell through our ISO channel, in which case, the ISO receives a share of the merchant profitability in the form of a monthly residual payment, which is reflected as a component of selling, general and administrative expense.

In indirect merchant acquiring, the partner, typically a financial institution or an ISO, is our customer. We provide payment services to the indirect customer's merchants, but do not provide sponsorship or funds settlement. We bill the indirect customer fees for transactions and various other services, which are recognized as revenue.

Operating Expenses

Cost of Service

Cost of service consists primarily of salaries, wages and related expenses paid to operations and technology-related personnel, including those who monitor our transaction processing systems and settlement functions; assessments and other fees paid to card networks; the cost of transaction processing systems, including third-party services; the cost of network telecommunications capability; depreciation and occupancy costs associated with the facilities performing these functions; amortization of intangible assets and provisions for operating losses.

Sales, General and Administrative Expenses

Sales, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of commissions paid to ISOs, independent contractors, and other third parties; salaries, wages and related expenses paid to sales personnel, non-revenue producing customer support functions, administrative employees and management; other selling expenses; occupancy costs of leased space directly related to these functions; share-based compensation expense and advertising costs.

Operating Income and Operating Margin

For the purpose of discussing segment operations, we refer to "operating income," which is calculated by subtracting segment direct expenses from segment revenues. Overhead and shared expenses, including share-based compensation, are not allocated to segment operations; they are reported in the caption “Corporate.” Similarly, we refer to "operating margin" regarding segment operations, which is calculated by dividing segment revenues by segment operating income.


29


The following table showssets forth key selected financial data for the three months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 and February 28,August 31, 2014, this data as a percentage of total revenues, and the changes between three months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 and February 28,August 31, 2014 in dollars and as a percentage of the prior year amount.
Three Months Ended August 31, 2015 
% of Revenue(1)
 Three Months Ended August 31, 2014 
% of Revenue(1)
 Change % Change
Three Months Ended February 28, 2015 
% of Revenue(1)
 Three Months Ended February 28, 2014 
% of Revenue(1)
 Change % Change           
(dollar amounts in thousands)(dollar amounts in thousands)
Revenues:                      
United States$404,016
 60.8% $355,880
 57.7% $48,136
 13.5 %
Canada69,047
 10.4% 73,467
 11.9% (4,420) (6.0)%
North America merchant services473,063
 71.1% 429,347
 69.6% 43,716
 10.2 %
           
North America$530,857
 70.9% $504,007
 71.5% $26,850
 5.3%
Europe138,378
 20.8% 143,832
 23.3% (5,454) (3.8)%168,357
 22.5% 162,787
 23.1% 5,570
 3.4%
Asia-Pacific (2)
53,542
 8.1% 43,273
 7.0% 10,269
 23.7 %49,582
 6.6% 38,101
 5.4% 11,481
 30.1%
International merchant services191,920
 28.9% 187,105
 30.4% 4,815
 2.6 %
Total revenues748,796
 100.0% 704,895
 100.0% 43,901
 6.2%
                      
Total revenues$664,983
 100% $616,452
 100% $48,531
 7.9 %
                      
Consolidated operating expenses:                      
Cost of service$250,255
 37.6% $232,937
 37.8% $17,318
 7.4 %272,666
 36.4% 259,839
 36.9% 12,827
 4.9%
Sales, general and administrative310,113
 46.6% 286,224
 46.4% 23,889
 8.3 %
Selling, general and administrative338,358
 45.2% 320,658
 45.5% 17,700
 5.5%
Operating income$104,615
 15.7% $97,291
 15.8% $7,324
 7.5 %$137,772
 18.4% $124,398
 17.6% $13,374
 10.8%
                      
Operating income (loss) for segments:                      
North America merchant services$66,723
   $61,695
   $5,028
 8.1 %
International merchant services64,902
   58,077
   6,825
 11.8 %
North America$83,513
   $77,937
   $5,576
 7.2%
Europe72,733
   67,045
   5,688
 8.5%
Asia-Pacific(2)
12,233
   6,557
   5,676
 86.6%
Corporate(27,010)   (22,481)   (4,529) 20.1 %(30,707)   (27,141)   (3,566) 13.1%
Operating income$104,615
   $97,291
   $7,324
 7.5 %$137,772
   $124,398
   $13,374
 10.8%
                    
Operating margin for segments:                      
North America merchant services14.1%   14.4%
  (0.3)%  
International merchant services33.8%   31.0%
  2.8 %  
North America15.7%   15.5%
  0.2%  
Europe43.2%   41.2%   2.0%  
Asia-Pacific(2)
24.7%   17.2%
  7.5%  

(1)Percentage amounts may not sum to the total due to rounding.
(2)Revenues forThe results of Ezidebit which operates primarily in Australia and New Zealand, are included in the Asia-Pacific region.segment from the date of acquisition.















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The following table shows key selected financial data for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 and February 28, 2014, this data as a percentage of total revenues, and the change between nine months ended February 28, 2015 and February 28, 2014, in dollars and as a percentage of the prior year amount.
 Nine Months Ended February 28, 2015 
% of Revenue(1)
 Nine Months Ended February 28, 2014 
% of Revenue(1)
 Change % Change
 (dollar amounts in thousands)
Revenues:           
United States$1,222,841
 59.2% $1,081,506
 57.5 % $141,335
 13.1 %
Canada243,004
 11.8% 245,379
 13.1 % (2,375) (1.0)%
    North America merchant services1,465,845
 70.9% 1,326,885
 70.6 % 138,960
 10.5 %
            
Europe461,140
 22.3% 433,886
 23.1 % 27,254
 6.3 %
Asia-Pacific (2)
140,184
 6.8% 119,488
 6.4 % 20,696
 17.3 %
    International merchant services601,324
 29.1% 553,374
 29.4 % 47,950
 8.7 %
            
          Total revenues$2,067,169
 100% $1,880,259
 100 % $186,910
 9.9 %
            
Consolidated operating expenses:           
Cost of service$767,890
 37.1% $698,852
 37.2 % $69,038
 9.9 %
Sales, general and administrative946,282
 45.8% 871,825
 46.4 % 74,457
 8.5 %
Processing system intrusion
 % (7,000) (0.4)% 7,000
 (100.0)%
          Operating income$352,997
 17.1% $316,582
 16.8 % $36,415
 11.5 %
            
Operating income (loss) for segments:           
North America merchant services$218,906
   $201,831
   $17,075
 8.5 %
International merchant services214,947
   182,085
   32,862
 18.0 %
Corporate (3)
(80,856)   (67,334)   (13,522) 20.1 %
          Operating income$352,997
   $316,582
   $36,415
 11.5 %
           
Operating margin for segments:           
North America merchant services14.9%   15.2%   (0.3)%  
International merchant services35.7%   32.9%   2.8 %  

(1) Percentage amounts may not sum to the total due to rounding
(2) Revenues for Ezidebit, which operates primarily in Australia and New Zealand, are included in the Asia-Pacific region.
(3) Includes a processing system intrusion credit of $7.0 million in the nine months ended February 28, 2014.

Revenues

For the three months ended February 28,August 31, 2015, revenues increased 7.9%6.2% to $665.0 million compared to the prior year, reflecting growth in most of our markets. For the nine months ended February 28, 2015, revenues increased 9.9% to $2,067.2$748.8 million compared to the prior yearprior-year period. The increase in our revenues during the three and nine months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 was partially offset by the unfavorable effect of currency fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. For the three and nine months ended February 28, 2015, currency exchange rate fluctuations decreased our revenues by $28.8 million and $42.9 million, respectively, compared to the prior year, calculated by converting our fiscal 2015 actual revenues using fiscal 2014 rates.

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North America Merchant Services Segment$46.7 million.

North America Segment. For the three months ended February 28,August 31, 2015, revenue from our North America merchant services segment increased 10.2%5.3% to $473.1 million compared to the prior year, despite the impact of unfavorable currency fluctuations in Canada. For the nine months ended February 28, 2015, revenue from our North America merchant services segment increased 10.5% to $1,465.8 million compared to prior year. U.S. revenue growth was driven by growth in our direct integrated solutions channel, including the addition of PayPros. Revenue growth in our U.S. ISO channel was less than 1% for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2015.

For the three months ended February 28, 2015, revenues in Canada decreased 6.0% to $69.0$530.9 million compared to the prior year. The growth in the North America segment was primarily due to growth in our U.S. direct distribution channels, including increases from the acquisition of the FIS Gaming Business, partially offset by the unfavorable effect of currency fluctuations in Canada.

Europe Segment. For the ninethree months ended February 28,August 31, 2015, revenues in Canada decreased 1.0%Europe revenue increased 3.4% to $243.0$168.4 million compared to the prior year. In both periods, our revenues in Canada decreased due to unfavorable changes in exchange rates, which outweighed revenue growth achieved in local currency resulting from stable business performance and selective pricing initiatives.

International Merchant Services Segment

For the three months ended February 28, 2015, International merchant services revenue increased 2.6% to $191.9 million compared to the prior year, despite the impact of unfavorable currency fluctuations in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. For the nine months ended February 28, 2015, International merchant services revenue increased 8.7% to $601.3 million compared to the prior year. Our Europe merchant services revenue for the three months ended February 28, 2015 decreased 3.8% to $138.4 million compared to the prior year due to unfavorable changes in exchange rates, which more than offset revenue growth achieved in local currencies. Europe merchant services revenue for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 increased 6.3% to $461.1 million compared to the prior year period. Revenue growth in Europe for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 was driven primarily by card transaction and volume growth and a decreaseacross our major markets in interchange rates in Spain, as well as growth in our e-commerce channel,Europe, partially offset by the unfavorable changes in exchange rates.effect of currency fluctuations.

Asia-Pacific merchant servicesSegment. For the three months ended August 31, 2015, Asia-Pacific revenue of $53.5increased 30.1% to $49.6 million compared to the prior year. Revenue growth in the Asia-Pacific segment for the three months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 represents an increase of 23.7% compared to the prior year. Asia-Pacific merchant services revenue of $140.2 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 represents an increase of 17.3% compared to the prior year period. For the three and nine months ended February 28, 2015, revenue growth in the Asia-Pacific region was primarily due largely to growth in card transactions and volume, including increases from the additionacquisition of Ezidebit, partially offset by the unfavorable changes in exchange rates.effect of currency fluctuations.

Operating Expenses

Cost of Service. Cost of service increased 7.4%4.9% to $272.7 million for the three months ended February 28, 2015 compared to the prior year and increased 9.9% for the nine months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 compared to the prior year. As a percentage of revenue, cost of service decreased to 37.6%36.4% for the three months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 from 37.8% in the prior year. As a percentage of revenue, cost of service decreased slightly to 37.1% for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 from 37.2%36.9% in the prior year. The increase in cost of service for the three and nine month periods ended February 28, 2015 was driven primarily by an increase in the variable costs associated with revenue growth and additional intangible asset amortization and other incremental cost of service associated with our acquisitions, of PayPros and Ezidebit, partially offset by the favorable changes in exchange rates.effect of currency fluctuations.

Sales,Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 8.3%5.5% to $338.4 million for the three months ended February 28, 2015 compared to the prior year and increased 8.5% for the nine months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 compared to the prior year. As a percentage of revenues, sales, general and administrative expenses increased slightly to 46.6% for the three months ended February 28, 2015 from 46.4% in the prior year. As a percentage of revenues, sales,selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 45.8%45.2% for the ninethree months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 from 46.4%45.5% in the prior year. The increase in sales,selling, general and administrative expenses for the three and nine month periods ended February 28, 2015 was primarily due to an increase in commission payments to third-party sales partners and incremental costs related to our acquisitions, of PayPros and Ezidebit, partially offset by the favorable changes in exchange rates.effect of currency fluctuations.

Processing System Intrusion

During the nine months ended February 28, 2014, we recorded a credit of $7.0 million for insurance recoveries related to a processing system intrusion that occurred in fiscal 2012, which is described in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2014.

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Operating Income and Operating Margin for Segments

North America Merchant Services Segment

. Operating income in our North America merchant services segment increased 8.1%7.2% to $83.5 million for the three months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 compared to the prior year, despite the impactunfavorable effect of unfavorable currency fluctuations in Canada. Operating income in our North America merchant services segment increased 8.5% for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 compared to the prior year. The increase in operating income was primarily due to the growth in our U.S. direct integrated solutions channel,distribution channels, including PayPros,increases from the acquisition of the FIS Gaming Business, partially offset by intangible asset amortization and other incremental operating costs associated with PayPros andthe unfavorable effect of exchange rate fluctuations in Canada. The operating margin was 14.1%15.7% and 14.4%15.5% for the three months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 and February 28,August 31, 2014, respectively. The operating margin was 14.9% and 15.2% for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 and February 28, 2014, respectively. Our North America operating margins decreased in the three and nine months ended February 28, 2015 as a result of the incremental intangible asset amortization associated with the acquisition of PayPros.

International Merchant ServicesEurope Segment

. Operating income in our International merchant servicesEurope segment increased 11.8%8.5% to $64.9$72.7 million for the three months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 compared to the prior year, despite the impactunfavorable effect of unfavorable currency fluctuations in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Operating income in our International merchant services segment increased 18.0% to $214.9 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 compared to the prior year.fluctuations. The increase in operating income was driven primarily by revenue growth in Spainour major markets, partially offset by the unfavorable effect of currency fluctuations in Europe. The operating margin was 43.2% and 41.2% for the three months ended August 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively.

Asia-Pacific Segment. Operating income in our e-commerce channels, andAsia-Pacific segment increased 86.6% to $12.2 million for the three months ended August 31, 2015 compared to the prior year, despite the unfavorable effect of currency fluctuations. The increase in operating income was driven primarily by the incremental revenue and operating margin from our acquisition of Ezidebit, in the Asia-Pacific region, partially offset by the unfavorable effect of exchange rate fluctuations in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.fluctuations. The operating margin was 33.8%24.7% and 31.0%17.2% for the three months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 and February 28, 2014, respectively. The operating margin was 35.7% and 32.9% for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 and February 28,August 31, 2014, respectively.


Corporate
25


Corporate. Corporate expenses increased 20.1%13.1% to $27.0$30.7 million for the three months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 compared to $22.5 million in the prior year, primarily due to business tax assessments in the United States for prior periods and an increase in professional services expense. Corporate expenses increased 20.1% to $80.9 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 compared to $67.3$27.1 million in the prior year, primarily due to the credit of $7.0 million associated with the processing system intrusion recordedan increase in the prior year and the settlement of a legal claim in the current year.share-based compensation expense.

Operating Income

For the three months ended February 28,August 31, 2015, our consolidated operating income increased 7.5%10.8% to $104.6$137.8 million from $97.3$124.4 million in the prior year, despite the impactunfavorable effect of unfavorable currency fluctuations. For the nine months ended February 28, 2015, our consolidated operating income increased 11.5% to $353.0 million from $316.6 million in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to revenue growth in our North America, Europe and International merchant servicesAsia-Pacific segments, partially offset by higher variable costs of services associated with revenue growth, higher intangible asset amortization and other incremental operating costs associated with PayProsacquisitions, and Ezidebit, andthe unfavorable exchange rateeffect of currency fluctuations. In addition, during the nine months ended February 28, 2014, we recorded a processing system intrusion credit of $7.0 million.

Other Income/Expense, Net

Other expense, net, decreased to $12.3Interest and other income was relatively unchanged at $1.1 million for the three months ended February 28, 2015 compared to $13.5 million in the prior year and increased to $31.2 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 compared to $20.8 million in the prior year.

For the three months and nine months ended February 28, 2015, interestAugust 31, 2015. Interest and other income decreased $1.8expense increased $2.2 million and $7.9 million, respectively, due to a decrease in interest income on cash investments and a decrease in income earned on investments in unconsolidated entities accounted for using the equity method.


33


For the three months ended February 28,August 31, 2015, interest and other expense decreased $3.0 million due to an increase in interest expense on our long-term debt and credit facilities that was more thanresulting from an increase in average balances outstanding under those debt facilities and payments made to settle our interest rate swaps, partially offset by a decrease in other expenses. During the three months ended February 28, 2014,losses from equity method investments. Also, in connection with our debt refinancing completed on July 31, 2015, we recorded a loss on extinguishment of $0.5 million, representing the write-off of certain remaining unamortized debt of $4.8 million in connectionissuance costs associated with the refinancing of ourpreviously existing term loan and revolving credit facilities. In addition, during the three months ended February 28, 2014, we made a final dividend payment to HSBC Asia in the amount of $3.3 million related to a redeemable noncontrolling interest that HSBC Asia held in Global Payments Asia-Pacific ("GPAP"). The dividend was reflected as interest expense in our consolidated statements of income in the accordance with the provisions of ASC 480. Please see Note 4 - Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions and Joint Ventures-Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Acquisition in the notes to consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2014 for further discussion.loan.

For the nine months ended February 28, 2015, interest and other expense increased $2.4 million due to an increase in interest expense on our long-term debt and credit facilities and an increase in equity method losses on investments in unconsolidated entities, partially offset by the loss on extinguishment of debt and the dividend payment to HSBC Asia described above that were recorded in the prior period. The increase for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 also reflects a gain that was recorded in the prior period. During the nine months ended February 28, 2014, we recorded a $2.1 million gain in connection with the sale of 50% of our subsidiary in Brazil. Please see Note 3 - Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions and Joint Ventures-Comercia Global Payments Brazil in the notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements in this report for further discussion.

Provision for Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rates were 24.9%26.0% and 28.2%26.3% for the three months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 and February 28,August 31, 2014, respectively. Our effective tax rates were 25.7% and 28.4% for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 and February 28, 2014, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended February 28, 2014 reflects the reduction to certain U.K. deferred tax assets due to enacted corporate tax rate reductions in the U.K. of 3%. Our effectiveincome tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to domestic and international tax planning initiatives and income generated in international jurisdictions with lower tax rates.

Noncontrolling Interests, Net of Tax

Noncontrolling interests, net of tax increased to $6.7 million from $5.0 million for the three months ended February 28, 2015 and February 28, 2014, respectively. Noncontrolling interests, net of tax increased to $26.3 million from $18.0 million for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 and February 28, 2014, respectively. The increase in both periods is due primarily to income growth in Spain which is conducted through Comercia Global Payments, of which we own a controlling 51% interest.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

A significant portion of our liquidity comes from operating cash flows. Cash flow from operations is used to make planned capital investments in our business, to pursue acquisitions that meet our corporate objectives, to pay dividends, and to pay down debt and repurchase shares of our common stock and pay dividends, each at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Accumulated cash balances are invested in high quality andhigh-quality, marketable short-term instruments.

Our capital plan objectives are to support ourthe Company's operational needs and strategic plan for long-term growth while maintaining a low cost of capital. Short-term lines of credit are used in certain of our markets to fund settlement. Other bank financing, such as our corporate credit facility and our term loan, are used for general corporate purposes and to fund acquisitions. We regularly evaluate our liquidity and capital position relative to cash requirements, and we may elect to raise additional funds in the future, either through the issuance of debt, equity or otherwise.

At February 28,August 31, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents totaling $610.1803.3 million. Of this amount, we consider $231.7$200.1 million to be available cash. Available cash excludes settlement related and merchant reserve cash balances. Settlement related cash balances represent funds that we hold when the incoming amount from the card networks precedes the funding obligation to the merchant. Settlement related cash balances are not restricted; however, these funds are generally paid out in satisfaction of settlement processing obligations the following day. Merchant reserve cash balances represent funds collected from our merchants that serve as collateral to minimize contingent liabilities associated with any losses that may occur under the merchant agreement (“("Merchant Reserves”Reserves"). At February 28,August 31, 2015, our cash and cash equivalents included $169.8167.8 million related to Merchant Reserves. While this cash is not

34


restricted in its use, we believe that designating this cash asto collateralize Merchant Reserves strengthens our fiduciary standing with our member sponsors and is in accordance with the guidelines set by the card networks.

Our available cash balance includes $218.9$165.0 million of cash held by foreign subsidiaries whose earnings are considered permanently reinvested for U.S. tax purposes. These cash balances reflect our capital investments in these subsidiaries and the accumulation of cash flows generated by each subsidiary'stheir operations, net of cash flows used to service debt locally and fund non-U.S. acquisitions.acquisitions outside of the United States. We believe that we are able to maintain a sufficient level of liquidity for our domestic operations and commitments

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without repatriation of the earnings of these foreign subsidiaries. If we were to repatriate some or all of the cash held by such foreign subsidiaries, we do not believe that the associated income tax liabilities would have a significant impacteffect on our liquidity.

Operating activities provided net cash of $347.1$513.4 million for the ninethree months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 compared to $314.4and used net cash of $63.5 million for the ninethree months ended February 28, 2014August 31, 2014. The increase in cash flow from operating activities was primarily due to growtha change in our earnings and favorable changes in working capital, including settlement processing assets and obligations.obligations of $582.1 million. Fluctuations in settlement processing assets and obligations are largely due to timing of month end.month-end.

Net cash used in investing activities increased to $278.8was $258.4 million for during the ninethree months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 from $58.3and $12.2 million for in the nineprior year. During the three months ended February 28, 2014. During the nine months ended February 28,August 31, 2015, we invested net cash of $218.8$241.1 million to acquire Ezidebit,the FIS Gaming Business and the merchant acquiring business of BPI. We made capital expenditures of $16.9 million and $18.2 million during the three months ended August 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. During fiscal 2016, we made additional investmentsexpect capital expenditures to approximate $105.0 million. In the prior-year period, we received proceeds of $10.6 million in Global Payments Brazil. Cash used for these investments was partially offset by $10.4 million of proceeds we received from the sale of a component of our Russia business that leased automated teller machines to our sponsor bank in Russia.machines.

Financing activities providedDuring the three months ended August 31, 2015, we also entered into an agreement to acquire merchant processing businesses in Central and Eastern Europe. We expect the agreement to close in the second half of fiscal 2016, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions. See "Note 3 - Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions and Joint Ventures" in the notes to the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for further discussion, including expected funding requirements.

We used net cash of $10.8$90.1 million for financing activities during the ninethree months ended February 28, 2015 compared to $91.0 million forAugust 31, 2015. During the ninethree months ended February 28, 2014.August 31, 2014, financing activities provided cash of $94.1 million. On July 31, 2015, we refinanced our term loan and revolving credit facility as further discussed below under "Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities - Contractual Obligations." We used proceeds from the refinancing of approximately $2.0 billion to repay the outstanding balances on our previously existing term loan and revolving credit facility together with accrued interest and fees on each. During the ninethree months ended February 28,August 31, 2015, net borrowings under long-term debt, including the refinancing, were $214.8$194.5 million compared to $290.1$26.3 million in the prior year. A portion of our borrowings during the three months ended August 31, 2015 were made to fund the acquisition of the FIS Gaming Business.

During the ninethree months ended February 28,August 31, 2015, net borrowingsrepayments on short-term lines of credit used to fund settlement were $44.6$236.0 million compared to $74.6net borrowings of $212.0 million in the prior year. Fluctuations in short-term lines of credit are largely due to timing of month endmonth-end on settlement. The net proceeds from these borrowing activities were offset by common stock repurchases

In addition, we used cash of $231.8$34.3 million and $132.3 million during the ninethree months ended February 28,August 31, 2015 comparedand 2014, respectively, to $258.6 million in the prior year and cash used to fund distributions to noncontrolling interests and dividends.repurchase shares of our common stock.

We believe that our current level of cash and borrowing capacity under our lines of creditdebt facilities described below, together with future cash flows from operations, arewill be sufficient to meet the needs of our existing operations and planned improvementsrequirements for the foreseeable future. We expect capital expenditures for fiscal 2015 to approximate $90.0 million.


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Contractual Obligations

The operating lease commitments disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2014 have not changed significantly. Our remaining current contractual and other obligations are as follows:

Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities

As a result of February 28,a debt refinancing we completed on July 31, 2015, and May 31, 2014, outstandingwe have a long-term debt consistedfacility comprised of the following:
 February 28, 2015 May 31, 2014
Lines of credit:(in thousands)
Corporate credit facility - long-term$358,500
 $140,000
Short-term lines of credit446,800
 440,128
Total lines of credit805,300
 580,128
Notes payable
 3,679
Term loan1,250,000
 1,250,000
Total debt$2,055,300
 $1,833,807
    
Current portion$509,300
 $457,805
Long-term debt1,546,000
 1,376,002
Total debt$2,055,300
 $1,833,807

The term loan is a five-year senior unsecured $1.25$1.75 billion term loan facility (the “Term Loan”) and a senior unsecured $1.25 billion revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the Term Loan Agreement, the “Agreements”). The available borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility may be increased, at our option, by up to an additional $500 million, subject to our receipt of increased or new commitments from lenders and the satisfaction of certain conditions.

The Term Loan must be repaid in equal quarterly installments of $43.8 million commencing in November 2017 and ending in May 2020, with the remaining principal balance due upon maturity in July 2020; provided, however, that expires February 28, 2019the Term Loan may be prepaid without penalty. The Term Loan and bearsthe Revolving Credit Facility bear an interest rate, at our election, atof either the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or a base rate, in each case plus a leverage-based margin. As of February 28,August 31, 2015, the interest rate on the term loanTerm Loan was 1.92%1.70%. Commencing in May 2015 and ending in November 2018, the term loan has scheduled quarterly principal payments

27

Table of 1.25%, increasing up to 2.50% of the original principal balance. At maturity, 27.5% of the term loan will have been repaid through scheduled amortization and the remaining principal balance will be due. With notice, the term loan may be voluntarily prepaid at any time, in whole or in part, without penalty.Contents


The corporate credit facility is a five-year senior unsecured $1.0 billion revolving credit facility that expires February 28, 2019 and bears interest, at our election, at either LIBOR or a base rate, in each case plus a leverage-based margin. Borrowing under the corporate credit facility is available in various currencies. As ofFebruary 28, August 31, 2015,, the outstanding balance on the corporate credit facilityRevolving Credit Facility was $358.5$187 million, and the interest rate was 1.89%1.65%. The corporate credit facility is available for general corporate purposes.

The corporate credit facilityRevolving Credit Facility allows us to issue standby letters of credit of up to $100.0$100 million in the aggregate. Outstanding letters of credit under the corporate credit facilityRevolving Credit Facility reduce the amount of borrowings available to us. Borrowings available to us under the corporate credit facilityRevolving Credit Facility are further limited by the covenants described below under "Compliance with Covenants." February 28,At August 31, 2015, and May 31, 2014, we had standby letters of credit of $7.4 million and $8.1 million, respectively. Borrowings available to us$9.5 million. The total available incremental borrowings under our corporate credit facilityRevolving Credit Facility at February 28,August 31, 2015 was $417.3 million. We are required to pay a quarterly commitment fee on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility.

We intend to use the remaining proceeds to support strategic capital allocation initiatives, including acquisitions and May 31, 2014 was $626.5 million and $851.9 million, respectively.ongoing share repurchases. The Agreements expire in July 2020.

The loan agreements contain customary affirmative and restrictive covenants, including, among others, financial covenants based on our leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios. Please seeSee "Compliance with Covenants" below. Each of the agreementsAgreements includes customary events of default, the occurrence of which, following any applicable cure period, would permit the lenders to, among other things, declare the principal, accrued interest and other obligations to be immediately due and payable.


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Short-term Lines of Credit

We have short-term lines of credit with banks in the United States and Canada as well as several countries in Europe and in the Asia-Pacific region in which we do business. The short-term lines of credit, which are primarily used to fundrestricted for use in funding settlement, generally have variable short-term interest rates and are subject to annual review. The credit facilities are generally denominated in local currency but may, in some cases, facilitate borrowings in multiple currencies. For certain of our lines of credit, the line of credit balance is reduced by the amount of cash we have on deposit in specific accounts with the lender when determining compliance with the credit limit.available credit. Accordingly, the amount of the outstanding line of credit balance may exceed the stated credit limit, at any given point in time, when in factwhile the combinednet position is less than the credit limit. As of February 28,August 31, 2015 and May 31, 2014, we had $901.52015, a total of $108.9 million and $818.5$193.2 million, respectively, of additional borrowing capacitycash on deposit was used to determine the available credit.

As of August 31, 2015 and May 31, 2015, respectively, we had $356.7 million and $592.6 million outstanding under ourthese short-term lines of credit with additional capacity as of August 31, 2015 of $859.5 million to fund settlement. The weighted-average interest rate on these borrowings was 1.83% and 1.50% at August 31, 2015 and May 31, 2015, respectively. We are required to pay a commitment fee on unused portions of short-term lines of credit.

Compliance with Covenants

There are certain financial and non-financial covenants contained in our various credit facilities and Term Loan. Our Term Loan and CorporateRevolving Credit Facility agreements include financial covenants requiring (i) a leverage ratio no greater than 3.50 to 1.00 (3.75 to 1.00, in the case of a businessor up to 3.75 to 1.00 if we were to complete an acquisition, subject to certain conditions)conditions, and (ii) a fixed charge coverage ratio no less than 2.50 to 1.00.1.00. We complied with all applicable covenants as of and for the three and nine months ended February August 31, 2015.

See "Note 5—Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities" in the notes to the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our borrowing arrangements.


28 2015


Commitments and Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments as of MayAugust 31, 2014.2015 (in thousands):
 Payments Due by Future Period
 Total Less than 1 Year 1-3 Years 3-5 Years 5+ Years
          
Long-term debt$1,937,000
 $
 $175,000
 $1,762,000
 $
Interest on long-term debt(1)
167,868
 43,784
 71,981
 52,103
 
Short-term lines of credit356,675
 356,675
 
 
 
Operating lease obligations(2)
59,934
 13,079
 21,818
 15,941
 9,096
Purchase obligations(3)
276,035
 83,332
 101,454
 36,403
 54,846
 $2,797,512
 $496,870
 $370,253
 $1,866,447
 $63,942

(1)Interest on long-term debt is based on rates effective and amounts borrowed as of August 31, 2015. The estimated effect of interest rate swaps is included in interest on long-term debt. Since the contractual rates for our long-term debt and settlements on our interest rate swaps are variable, actual cash payments may differ from the estimates provided.

Interest Rate Swap Agreement(2)Includes future minimum lease payments for non-cancelable operating leases at August 31, 2015.

On October 9, 2014,(3)Includes estimate of future payments for contractual obligations related to service arrangements with vendors for fixed or minimum amounts.

The table above excludes other obligations that we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a major financial institution to hedge changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate risk on a portion of our variable-rate debt instruments. The interest rate swap agreement, which became effective on October 31, 2014, will mature on February 28, 2019. The fair value of our interest rate swapmay have, such as of February 28, 2015 was a liability of $4.0 million, which isemployee benefit plan obligations, unrecognized tax benefits, and other current and noncurrent liabilities reflected in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet. NetAt this time, we are unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of these payments; therefore, such amounts to be received or paid underare not included in the swap agreement are reflected as adjustments to interest expense. Sinceabove contractual obligation table.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not entered into any transactions with unconsolidated entities whereby we have designatedfinancial guarantees, subordinated retained interest, derivative instruments, or other contingent arrangements that expose us to material continuing risks, contingent liabilities, or other obligations under a variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides us with financing, liquidity, market, or credit risk support other than the interest rate swap agreement as a cash flow hedge, unrealized gains or losses resulting from adjusting this swap to its fair value are recorded as elementsguarantee services described in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of AOCI withinFinancial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the consolidated balance sheet except for any ineffective portion of the change in fair value, which would be immediately recorded in interest expense. During the three and nine monthsyear ended February 28, 2015, there was no ineffectiveness. The fair value of the swap agreement is determined based on the present value of the estimated future net cash flows using implied rates in the applicable yield curve as of the valuation date. This derivative instrument is classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

At February 28, 2015, our interest rate swap agreement effectively converted $500.0 million of our variable-rate debt to a fixed rate of 1.52% plus a leverage-based margin. During the three and nine months ended February 28, 2015, we recognized $1.8 million and $2.3 million, respectively, in interest expense related to settlements on the interest rate swap. At February 28, 2015, the amount in AOCI related to our interest rate swap that is expected to be reclassified into interest expense during the next 12 months is not material.May 31, 2015.

Critical Accounting EstimatesPolicies
 
In applying the accounting policies that we use to prepare ourOur consolidated financial statements we necessarily makehave been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting estimates that affectprinciples, which often require the judgment of management in the selection and application of certain accounting principles and methods. We discuss our reported amountscritical accounting policies in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of assets, liabilities, revenuesFinancial Condition and expenses. SomeResults of these accounting estimates require us to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time we make the accounting estimates. We base these assumptions and the resulting estimates on historical information and other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, and we evaluate these assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis. In many instances, however, we reasonably could have used different accounting estimates, and, in other instances, changesOperations,” in our accounting estimates could occur from period to period, withAnnual Report on Form 10-K for the result in each case being a material change in the financial statement presentation of our financial condition or results of operations. We refer to accounting estimates of this type as “critical accounting estimates."
Accounting estimates necessarily require subjective determinations about future events and conditions.year ended May 31, 2015. During the three and nine months ended February 28,August 31, 2015, we did not adopt any new critical accounting policies, did not change any critical accounting policies and did not change the application of any critical accounting policies from the year ended May 31, 2014. You should read Critical2015.

Effect of New Accounting EstimatesPronouncements and Recently Issued Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

From time-to-time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other standards setting bodies that may affect our current and/or future financial statements. See "Note 1—Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,the notes to the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for new accounting guidance.

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Item 1A – Risk Factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2014 and our summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 of the notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements in this report.

Special Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

We believe that it is important to communicate our plans and expectations about the future to our shareholders and to the public. Investors are cautioned that some of the statements we use in this report contain forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the “safe-harbor”"safe-harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, are predictive in nature, and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions. You can sometimes identify forward-looking statements by our use of the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans”"believes," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans" and similar expressions. Actual events or results might differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements.

Although we believe that the plans and expectations reflected in or suggested by our forward-looking statements are reasonable, those statements are based on a number of assumptions, estimates, projections or plans that are inherently subject to significant risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that are subject to change. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee you that our plans and expectations will be achieved. Our actual revenues, revenue growth and margins, other results of operations and shareholder values could differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements as a result of many known and unknown factors. Important factors that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated by our forward-looking statements include our potential failure to safeguard our data; increased competition from nontraditional competitors; our ability to update our products and services in a timely manner; potential systems interruptions or failures; software defects or undetected errors; our ability to maintain Visa and MasterCard registration and financial institution sponsorship; our reliance on financial institutions to provide clearing services in connection with our settlement activities; our potential failure to comply with card network requirements; increased merchant, referral partner or ISO attrition; our ability to increase our share of existing markets and expand into new markets; unanticipated increases in chargeback liability; increases in credit card network fees; changes in laws, regulations or network rules or interpretations thereof; foreign currency exchange and interest rate risks; political, economic and regulatory changes in the foreign countries in which we operate; future performance, integration and conversion of acquired operations; loss of key personnel; and other risk factors presented in Item 1A – 1A—Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2014,2015, which we advise you to review.

Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing our plans and expectations as of any subsequent date. We specifically disclaim any obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to our forward-looking statements.

Where to Find More InformationITEM 3—QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We file annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). You may read and print materials that we have filed with the SEC from its website at www.sec.gov. In addition, certain of our SEC filings, including our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K and amendments thereto can be viewed and printed from the investor information section of our website at www.globalpaymentsinc.com free of charge. Certain materials relating to our corporate governance, including our senior financial officers’ code of ethics, are also available in the investor information section of our website. Copies of our filings and specified exhibits and these corporate governance materials are also available, free of charge, by writing or calling us using the address or phone number on the cover of this Form 10-Q. You may also telephone our investor relations office directly at (770) 829-8234. We are not including the information on our website as a part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this report.


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Our SEC filings may also be viewed and copied at the following SEC public reference room, and at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, where our common stock is quoted under the symbol “GPN.”

SEC Public Reference Room
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20549
(You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room.)

NYSE Euronext
20 Broad Street
New York, NY 10005

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates on our long-term debt and cash investments. Our long-term debt bears interest, at our election, at either LIBOR or a base rate, in each case plus a leverage-based margin. We invest our excess cash in securities that we believe are highly liquid and marketable in the short term and earn a floating rate of interest. These investments are not held for trading or other speculative purposes. Under our current policies, we may selectively use derivative instruments, such as interest rate swaps or forward rate agreements, to manage all or a portion of our exposure to interest rate changes. We have an interest rate swapswaps that reducesreduce a portion of our exposure to market interest rate risk on our LIBOR-based debt as discussed in Note 5 to the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements. Using the February 28,August 31, 2015 balances outstanding under variable-rate debt arrangements, with consideration given to the aforementioned interest rate swap,swaps, a hypothetical increase of 100 basis points in applicable interest rates as of February 28,August 31, 2015 would increase our annual interest expense by approximately $11.0$17.1 million.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

A substantial amount of our operations are conducted in foreign currencies. Consequently, a portion of our revenues and expenses may be affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We are also affected by fluctuations in exchange rates on assets and liabilities related to our foreign operations. We have not historically hedged our translation risk on foreign currency exposure, but we may do so in the future.


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Item 4.

ITEM 4—CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of February 28,August 31, 2015, management carried out, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).  Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of February 28,August 31, 2015, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in those reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 

Changes in Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended February 28,August 31, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II - PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal ProceedingsITEM 1—LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None.

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.ITEM 2UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(c) Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

The shares repurchased in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2015,2016, the approximate average price paid per share, including commissions, and the approximate dollar value remaining for share purchases are as follows:
Plan categoryTotal Number of
Shares Purchased
 Approximate Average Price Paid per Share Total Number of
Shares Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
 Maximum
Number (or
Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs
December 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
 $
 
  
January 1, 2015 - January 31, 2015304,600
 86.40
 304,600
  
February 1, 2015 - February 28, 2015333,274
 90.87
 333,274
  
Total637,874
 $88.74
 637,874
 $243,402,708
Plan categoryTotal Number of
Shares Purchased
 Approximate Average Price Paid per Share Total Number of
Shares Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
 Maximum
Number (or
Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs
June 2015162,371
 $102.26
 162,371
  
July 20158,900
 $112.30
 8,900
  
August 2015338,595
 $109.03
 338,595
  
Total509,866
   509,866
 $365,000,000
 
On July 29, 2014 and January 6,April 10, 2015, we announced thatentered into an Accelerated Share Repurchase program (''ASR'') with a financial institution to repurchase an aggregate of $100 million of our Boardcommon stock. In exchange for an up-front payment of Directors authorized up$100 million, the financial institution committed to $200.0 milliondeliver a number of shares during the ASR's purchase period, which ended on June 16, 2015. On April 14, 2015, 815,494 shares were initially delivered to us. At May 31, 2015, we accounted for the variable component of remaining shares to be delivered under the ASR as a forward contract indexed to our common stock which met all of the applicable criteria for equity classification. On June 16, 2015, an additional 162,371 shares was delivered to us. The total number of shares delivered under this ASR was 977,865 shares at an average price of $102.26 per share.

In addition to the ASR, we repurchased and $102.3 million, respectively, of repurchasesretired 347,495 shares of our common stock in addition to anyat a cost of $37.9 million, or an average of $109.11 per share, respectively, including commissions during the three months ended August 31, 2015. As of August 31, 2015, we had $365.0 million of remaining balance of repurchase authorizations announced in previous quarters.

Item 5. Other Information

On April 7, 2015, the Board of Directors appointed David M. Sheffield as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, effective April 9, 2015. Mr. Sheffield, age 53, has served as Vice President, Accounting and Controller - U.S. Tower Division of American Tower Corporation, a publicly-traded real estate investment trust since January 2012. Mr. Sheffield also served as Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer of EMS Technologies, Inc. (“EMS”), a publicly-traded technology company, from 2008 to January 2012. EMS was acquired by Honeywell International Inc. in August 2011.

Mr. Sheffield will participate in the Company’s compensation program for members of senior management with similar positions. The Company did not enter into any material plan, contract or arrangement with Mr. Sheffield in connection with his appointment other than the following: (i) Mr. Sheffield received a one-time grant of $150,000 in restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, which will vest in equal installments over the first three anniversaries of the grant date; and (ii) the Company entered into a Change in Control, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement with Mr. Sheffield (the “Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Sheffield is prohibited from competing with the Company or soliciting the Company’s employees or customers for 12 months following termination of his employment. In the event Mr. Sheffield’s employment is terminated in connection with a change in control of the Company, depending on the reason for the termination and when it occurs, Mr. Sheffield will receive severance benefits as set forth in the Agreement.

There are no family relationships between Mr. Sheffield and any of the Company’s directors or executive officers, and the Company has not entered into any transactions with Mr. Sheffield that are required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. The foregoing description of the Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.5 and incorporated herein by reference.

authorized share repurchases.

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Item 6. ExhibitsITEM 6—EXHIBITS

List of Exhibits
2.1*10.1 Asset PurchaseSecond Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2015, by and among Certegy Check Services, Inc., Global Payments Gaming Services, Inc.the Company and Global Payments Direct, Inc., as borrowers, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and certain other lenders party thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 6, 2015.
10.1*+10.2 FormSecond Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of Restricted Stock Award pursuantJuly 31, 2015, by and among the Company and certain wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, as borrowers, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and letter of credit issuer, and certain other lenders party thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the 2011 Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (fiscal 2015).
10.2*+Company’s Current Report on Form of Stock Option Award pursuant to the 2011 Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (fiscal 2015).8-K filed August 6, 2015.
10.3*+ Form of Performance Unit Award Certificate Award pursuant to the 2011 Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (fiscal 2015).Second Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan.
10.4*+ Form of Performance Unit Award Certificate (Leveraged Performance Units) pursuant to the 2011 Incentive Plan for Executive Officers (fiscal 2015)2016).
10.5*+Change in Control, Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement between David M. Sheffield and the Company, dated as of April 6, 2015.
31.1* Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2* Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1* Certification of the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101* 
The following financial information from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28,August 31, 2015, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) and filed electronically herewith: (i) the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income; (ii) the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss); (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (iv) the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; (v) the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity; and (vi) the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

______________________
*     Filed herewith.
+    Represents a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
      


  Global Payments Inc.
  (Registrant)
   
Date: April 8,October 7, 2015 /s/ Cameron M. Bready
  Cameron M. Bready
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
   
   
Date: April 8, 2015 /s/ Daniel C. O’Keefe
  Daniel C. O’Keefe
  Chief Accounting Officer






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