Global Payments (GPN) 10-Q 8 Nov 17 2017 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Nov. 02, 2017
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC
Entity Central Index Key	1,123,360
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		159,142,431

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,038,907	$ 951,885	$ 2,920,910	$ 2,420,789
Operating expenses:
Cost of service	493,883	469,980	1,418,969	1,125,041
Selling, general and administrative	372,553	361,516	1,092,648	1,019,626
Total costs and expenses	866,436	831,496	2,511,617	2,144,667
Operating income	172,471	120,389	409,293	276,122
Other income (expense):
Interest and other income	2,347	1,465	5,787	45,312
Interest and other expense	(40,764)	(45,609)	(130,422)	(95,280)
Total nonoperating income (expense)	(38,417)	(44,144)	(124,635)	(49,968)
Income before income taxes	134,054	76,245	284,658	226,154
Provision for income taxes	(15,692)	(14,021)	(40,893)	(33,350)
Net income	118,362	62,224	243,765	192,804
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income tax	(7,622)	(6,714)	(17,302)	(15,150)
Net income attributable to Global Payments	$ 110,740	$ 55,510	$ 226,463	$ 177,654
Earnings per share attributable to Global Payments:
Basic earnings per share (in USD per share)	$ 0.72	$ 0.36	$ 1.48	$ 1.24
Diluted earnings per share (in USD per share)	$ 0.71	$ 0.36	$ 1.47	$ 1.23

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEME3

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 118,362	$ 62,224	$ 243,765	$ 192,804
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	42,417	1,694	133,921	(9,259)
Income tax benefit related to foreign currency translation adjustments			0	5,816
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging activities	341	3,429	(2,214)	(12,665)
Reclassification of unrealized losses on hedging activities to net income	1,172	1,853	4,667	5,733
Income tax (provision) benefit related to hedging activities	(670)	(1,951)	(919)	2,618
Other	18	23	(196)	(803)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	43,278	5,048	135,259	(8,560)
Comprehensive income	161,640	67,272	379,024	184,244
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(9,950)	(5,902)	(32,352)	(18,926)
Comprehensive income attributable to Global Payments	$ 151,690	$ 61,370	$ 346,672	$ 165,318

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,186,050	$ 1,162,779
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $1,423 and $1,092, respectively	296,366	275,032
Settlement processing assets	1,847,232	1,546,854
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	220,649	131,341
Total current assets	3,550,297	3,116,006
Goodwill	5,616,414	4,807,594
Other intangible assets, net	2,328,709	2,085,292
Property and equipment, net	577,188	526,370
Deferred income taxes	16,736	15,789
Other noncurrent assets	192,205	113,299
Total assets	12,281,549	10,664,350
Current liabilities:
Settlement lines of credit	487,513	392,072
Current portion of long-term debt	93,408	177,785
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	992,363	804,887
Settlement processing obligations	1,550,627	1,477,212
Total current liabilities	3,123,911	2,851,956
Long-term debt	4,677,910	4,260,827
Deferred income taxes	632,648	676,472
Other noncurrent liabilities	152,127	95,753
Total liabilities	8,586,596	7,885,008
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Preferred stock, no par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized and none issued	0	0
Common stock, no par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 158,762,894 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and 152,185,616 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2016	0	0
Paid-in capital	2,376,331	1,816,278
Retained earnings	1,357,526	1,137,230
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(202,508)	(322,717)
Total Global Payments shareholders’ equity	3,531,349	2,630,791
Noncontrolling interests	163,604	148,551
Total equity	3,694,953	2,779,342
Total liabilities and equity	$ 12,281,549	$ 10,664,350

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowances for doubtful accounts	$ 1,423	$ 1,092
Preferred stock, par value (in USD per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in USD per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	158,762,894	152,185,616
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	158,762,894	152,185,616

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEME6

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 243,765	$ 192,804
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	80,868	62,964
Amortization of acquired intangibles	249,095	173,345
Share-based compensation expense	30,771	26,060
Provision for operating losses and bad debts	37,203	26,069
Amortization of capitalized customer acquisition costs	32,863	9,337
Deferred income taxes	(51,093)	(30,504)
Gain on sale of investments	0	(41,150)
Other, net	34,190	26,790
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(6,070)	14,216
Settlement processing assets and obligations, net	(232,713)	(109)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(12,605)	(27,474)
Capitalized customer acquisition costs	(65,697)	(45,425)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	19,546	(19,491)
Net cash provided by operating activities	360,123	367,432
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(563,009)	(1,825,975)
Capital expenditures	(136,612)	(102,442)
Proceeds from sale of investments	0	37,783
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	37,520	0
Other, net	(48,056)	(1,409)
Net cash used in investing activities	(710,157)	(1,892,043)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from (repayments of) settlement lines of credit	77,397	(952)
Proceeds from long-term debt	1,713,324	3,263,045
Repayments of long-term debt	(1,386,721)	(1,110,258)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(9,520)	(58,448)
Repurchase of common stock	(32,811)	(130,314)
Proceeds from stock issued under share-based compensation plans	7,068	5,614
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans	(21,171)	(15,622)
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interest	0	16,374
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(9,301)	(10,216)
Dividends paid	(5,141)	(4,376)
Net cash provided by financing activities	333,124	1,954,847
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	40,181	(7,142)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	23,271	423,094
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	1,162,779	587,751
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$ 1,186,050	$ 1,010,845

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEME7

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Total Global Payments Shareholders’ Equity	Number of Shares	Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance, beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015			129,274,000
Balance, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 942,210	$ 830,034		$ 133,345	$ 943,879	$ (247,190)	$ 112,176
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	192,804	177,654			177,654		15,150
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(8,560)	(12,336)				(12,336)	3,776
Stock issued under share-based compensation plans (in shares)			761,000
Stock issued under share-based compensation plans	5,614	5,614		5,614
Common stock repurchased - share based compensation plans (in shares)			(258,000)
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans	(19,850)	(19,850)		(19,850)
Tax benefit from employee share-based compensation plans	13,896	13,896		13,896
Share-based compensation expense	26,060	26,060		26,060
Issuance of common stock in connection with a business combination (in shares)			25,644,000
Issuance of common stock in connection with a business combination	1,879,458	1,879,458		1,879,458
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest	42,027						42,027
Contribution of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interest related to a business combination	(4,745)	(820)		(820)			(3,925)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(10,216)						(10,216)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)			(1,816,000)
Repurchase of common stock	(130,314)	(130,314)		(127,816)	(2,498)
Dividends paid	(4,376)	(4,376)			(4,376)
Balance, ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2016			153,605,000
Balance, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2016	2,924,008	2,765,020		1,909,887	1,114,659	(259,526)	158,988
Balance, beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016			152,186,000
Balance, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016	2,779,342	2,630,791		1,816,278	1,137,230	(322,717)	148,551
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	243,765	226,463			226,463		17,302
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	135,259	120,209				120,209	15,050
Stock issued under share-based compensation plans (in shares)			851,000
Stock issued under share-based compensation plans	7,068	7,068		7,068
Common stock repurchased - share based compensation plans (in shares)			(256,000)
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans	(24,078)	(24,078)		(24,078)
Share-based compensation expense	30,771	30,771		30,771
Issuance of common stock in connection with a business combination (in shares)			6,358,000
Issuance of common stock in connection with a business combination	572,079	572,079		572,079
Dissolution of a subsidiary	0	7,998			7,998		(7,998)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(9,301)						(9,301)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)			(376,000)
Repurchase of common stock	(34,811)	(34,811)		(25,787)	(9,024)
Dividends paid	(5,141)	(5,141)			(5,141)
Balance, ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2017			158,763,000
Balance, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 3,694,953	$ 3,531,349		$ 2,376,331	$ 1,357,526	$ (202,508)	$ 163,604

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEME8

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends per share (in USD per share)	$ 0.03133	$ 0.03

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMA

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Business, consolidation and presentation — We are a leading worldwide provider of payment technology services delivering innovative solutions to our customers globally. Our technologies and employee expertise enable us to provide a broad range of services that allow our customers to accept various payment types. We distribute our services across a variety of channels to customers in 30 countries throughout North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and Brazil and operate in three reportable segments: North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. We were incorporated in Georgia as Global Payments Inc. in 2000 and spun-off from our former parent company in 2001 . Including our time as part of our former parent company, we have been in the payment technology services business since 1967 . Global Payments Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries are referred to collectively 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 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 regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 was derived from the audited financial statements included in our Transition Report on Form 10-K for the seven months ended December 31, 2016 but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP for annual financial statements. As a result of the change in our fiscal year end from May 31 to December 31, we presented our interim financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 on the basis of the new fiscal year for comparative purposes. 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 affect the carrying amount of assets and liabilities. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Transition Report on Form 10-K for the seven months ended December 31, 2016 . Use of estimates — The 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. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. " The amendments in this update changed how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payments to employees. We adopted the various amendments in ASU 2016-09 in our unaudited consolidated financial statements effective January 1, 2017 with no material effect at the date of adoption. On a prospective basis, as required, we recognize the income tax effects of the excess benefits or deduction deficiencies of share-based awards in the statement of income when the awards vest or are settled. Previously, these amounts were recorded as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital. In addition, these excess tax benefits or deduction deficiencies from share-based compensation plans, which were previously presented as a financing activity in our consolidated statement of cash flows, are now presented as an operating activity using a retrospective transition method for all periods presented. Finally, we have elected to account for forfeitures of share-based awards with service conditions as they occur. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments ," which makes clarifications to how cash receipts and cash payments in certain transactions are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. We adopted ASU 2016-15 on a retrospective basis effective January 1, 2017 with no effect on our unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows for any period presented. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ." The ASU eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. In computing the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities) following the procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Instead, under the amendments in this ASU, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. We adopted ASU 2017-04 on a prospective basis effective January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard had no effect on our unaudited consolidated financial statements. Recently Issued Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted Accounting Standard Codification ( " ASC " ) 606 - New Revenue Standard In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)." The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in 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 modified retrospective transition method. The update requires significant 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. ASU 2014-09, as amended by ASU 2015-14, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date ," is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods, with early adoption permitted for years beginning after December 15, 2016. Since the issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB has issued additional interpretive guidance, including new accounting standards updates, that clarifies certain points of the standard and modifies certain requirements. We have performed a review of the requirements of the new revenue standard and are monitoring the activity of the FASB and the transition resource group as it relates to specific interpretive guidance. We have established a cross-functional implementation team to assess the effects of the new revenue standard in a multi-phase approach. In the first phase, we analyzed customer contracts for our most significant contract categories, applied the five-step model of the new standard to each contract category and compared the results to our current accounting practices. We are nearing completion of the second phase, which includes quantifying the potential effects, assessing additional contract categories and principal agent considerations, revising accounting policies and considering the effects on related disclosures and/or internal control over financial reporting. The third phase, which will complete our adoption and implementation of the new revenue standard, includes activities such as implementing parallel accounting and reporting for areas affected by the new standard, quantifying the cumulative effect adjustment (including tax effects), evaluating and testing modified and newly implemented internal controls and revising financial statement disclosures. The new standard could change the amount and timing of revenue and expenses to be recognized under certain of our arrangement types. In addition, it could increase the administrative burden on our operations to properly account for customer contracts and provide the more expansive required disclosures. More judgment and estimates may be required within the process of applying the requirements of the new standard than are required under existing GAAP, such as identifying performance obligations in contracts, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in transaction price, allocating transaction price to each separate performance obligation and estimating expected customer lives. We have not completed our assessment or quantified the effect the new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements, related disclosures and/or our internal control over financial reporting. This will occur during the third and final phase of our implementation as discussed in the previous paragraph. Our preliminary view is that we expect the amount and timing of revenue to be recognized under ASU 2014-09 for our most significant contract category, core payment services, will be similar to the amount and timing of revenue recognized under our current accounting practices. However, we are still evaluating principal agent considerations for certain amounts that we pay to third parties and currently recognize as a component of operating expense, which could result in such amounts being recorded as a reduction of revenue under ASU 2014-09. This change would not affect operating income. We also expect to be required to capitalize additional costs to obtain contracts with customers, and, in some cases, may be required to amortize these costs and costs that we currently capitalize (such as capitalized customer acquisition costs) over a longer time period. Finally, we expect disclosures about our revenues and related customer acquisition costs will be more extensive. We plan to adopt ASU 2014-09, as well as other clarifications and technical guidance issued by the FASB related to this new revenue standard, on January 1, 2018. We will likely apply the modified retrospective transition method, which would result in an adjustment to retained earnings for the cumulative effect, if any, of applying the standard to contracts that are not completed at the date of initial application. Under this method, we would not restate the prior financial statements presented, therefore the new standard requires us to provide additional disclosures of the amount by which each financial statement line item is affected in the current reporting period during 2018, as compared to the guidance that was in effect before the change, and an explanation of the reasons for significant changes, if any. Other Accounting Standards Updates In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. " The ASU expands and refines hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. In addition, the amendments in this update modify disclosure requirements for presentation of hedging activities. Those modifications include a tabular disclosure related to the effect on the income statement of fair value and cash flow hedges and eliminate the requirement to disclose the ineffective portion of the change in fair value of hedging instruments, if any. The ASU will become effective for us on January 1, 2019. Early application is permitted for all hedging relationships that exist at the date of adoption. We are evaluating the effect of ASU 2017-12 on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business ." The ASU clarifies the definition of a business, which affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill and consolidation. The new standard is intended to help companies and other organizations evaluate whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses, with the expectation that fewer will qualify as acquisitions (or disposals) of businesses. The ASU will become effective for us on January 1, 2018. These amendments will be applied prospectively from the date of adoption. The effect of ASU 2017-01 will be dependent upon the nature of future acquisitions or dispositions that we make, if any. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory ." The amendments in this update state that an entity should recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory, such as intellectual property and property and equipment, when the transfer occurs. The amendments in this update will become effective for us on January 1, 2018. The amendments in this update should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. We do not expect that the adoption of ASU 2016-16 will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial instruments ." The amendments in this update change how companies measure and recognize credit impairment for many financial assets. The new expected credit loss model will require companies to immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of the financial assets (including trade receivables) that are in the scope of the update. The update also made amendments to the current impairment model for held-to-maturity and available-for-sale debt securities and certain guarantees. The guidance will become effective for us on January 1, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. We are evaluating the effect of ASU 2016-13 on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases." The amendments in this update require lessees to recognize, on the balance sheet, assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases. In addition, several new disclosures will be required. Although early adoption is permitted, we expect to adopt ASU 2016-02 when it becomes effective for us on January 1, 2019. Adoption will require a modified retrospective transition where the lessees are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented. In September 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-13, "Revenue Recognition" (Topic 605), "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (Topic 606), "Leases" (Topic 840), and "Leases" (Topic 842) , which provides additional implementation guidance on the previously issued ASU 2016-02. We have not completed our evaluation of the effect of ASU 2016-02 or ASU 2017-13 on our consolidated financial statements; however, we expect to recognize right of use assets and liabilities for our operating leases in the balance sheet upon adoption. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities ." The amendments in this update address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The amendments in this update supersede the guidance to classify equity securities with readily determinable fair values into different categories (that is, trading or available-for-sale) and require equity securities (including other ownership interests, such as partnerships, unincorporated joint ventures and limited liability companies) to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through earnings. Equity investments that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting or result in consolidation of an investee are not included within the scope of this update. The amendments allow equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values to be remeasured at fair value either upon the occurrence of an observable price change or upon identification of an impairment. The amendments also require enhanced disclosures about those investments. The guidance will become effective for us on January 1, 2018. We do not expect that the adoption of ASU 2016-01 will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	ACQUISITIONS ACTIVE Network On September 1, 2017 , we acquired the communities and sports divisions of Athlaction Topco, LLC ("ACTIVE Network") in a cash-and-stock transaction with Vista Equity Partners. We paid the sellers consideration of $600 million in cash, which we funded primarily by drawing on our revolving credit facility, and 6,357,509 shares of our common stock having an estimated fair value of approximately $572 million . The acquisition-date fair value of common stock issued to the sellers was determined based on the share price of our common stock as of the acquisition date and the effect of certain transfer restrictions. This transaction was accounted for as a business combination, which requires that we record the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value as of the acquisition date. The accounting for this acquisition was not complete as of September 30, 2017 . The fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed have been determined provisionally and are subject to adjustment as we obtain additional information. In particular, additional time is needed to refine and review the results of the valuation of assets and liabilities and to evaluate the basis differences for assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes. The provisional estimated acquisition-date fair values of major classes of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including a reconciliation to the total purchase consideration, are as follows (in thousands): Cash and cash equivalents $ 42,866 Property and equipment 22,889 Identified intangible assets 471,120 Other assets 80,485 Deferred income taxes (26,757 ) Other liabilities (123,047 ) Total identifiable net assets 467,556 Goodwill 704,020 Total purchase consideration $ 1,171,576 ACTIVE Network delivers cloud-based, mission critical enterprise software, including payment technology solutions, to event organizers in the communities and health and fitness verticals. This acquisition aligns with our technology-enabled, software driven strategy and adds an enterprise software business operating in two new vertical markets that we believe offer attractive growth fundamentals. Goodwill of $704.0 million arising from the acquisition, included in the North America operating segment, was attributable to expected growth opportunities, potential synergies from combining our existing businesses and an assembled workforce. We expect that approximately 80% of the goodwill will be deductible for income tax purposes. We are still evaluating information to separately identify and value the intangible assets acquired. We expect such assets to include primarily customer-related intangible assets and acquired technology as well as other identifiable intangible assets that are similar to those we have identified in previous acquisitions. We estimate the amortization periods for the more significant intangible assets to be in a range of 5 to 15 years. Heartland We merged with Heartland Payment Systems, Inc. ("Heartland") in a cash-and-stock transaction on April 22, 2016 for total purchase consideration of $3.9 billion . The following table summarizes the components of the consideration transferred on April 22, 2016 (in thousands): Cash consideration paid to Heartland stockholders $ 2,043,362 Fair value of Global Payments common stock issued to Heartland stockholders 1,879,458 Total purchase consideration $ 3,922,820 This transaction was accounted for as a business combination, which requires that we record the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value as of the acquisition date. The estimated acquisition-date fair values of major classes of assets acquired and liabilities assumed previously determined as of December 31, 2016 and as subsequently revised, including a reconciliation to the total purchase consideration, are as follows: December 31, 2016 Measurement-Period Adjustments Final (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 304,747 $ — $ 304,747 Accounts receivable 70,385 — 70,385 Prepaid expenses and other assets 103,090 (5,131 ) 97,959 Identified intangible assets 1,639,040 — 1,639,040 Property and equipment 106,583 — 106,583 Debt (437,933 ) — (437,933 ) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (457,763 ) (65 ) (457,828 ) Settlement processing obligations (36,578 ) (3,727 ) (40,305 ) Deferred income taxes (518,794 ) 18,907 (499,887 ) Other liabilities (64,938 ) (33,495 ) (98,433 ) Total identifiable net assets 707,839 (23,511 ) 684,328 Goodwill 3,214,981 23,511 3,238,492 Total purchase consideration $ 3,922,820 $ — $ 3,922,820 The measurement-period adjustments were the result of continued refinement of certain estimates, particularly regarding certain tax positions and deferred income taxes. Goodwill of $3.2 billion arising from the merger, included in the North America segment, was attributable to expected growth opportunities, potential synergies from combining our existing businesses and an assembled workforce, and is not deductible for income tax purposes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , we incurred transaction costs in connection with the merger of $24.7 million , which are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. The following reflects the estimated fair values of the identified intangible assets and the respective weighted-average estimated amortization periods: Estimated Fair Values Weighted-Average Estimated Amortization Periods (in thousands) (years) Customer-related intangible assets $ 977,400 15 Acquired technology 457,000 5 Trademarks and trade names 176,000 7 Covenants-not-to-compete 28,640 1 Total estimated acquired intangible assets $ 1,639,040 11

SETTLEMENT PROCESSING ASSETS AN

SETTLEMENT PROCESSING ASSETS AND OBLIGATIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Offsetting [Abstract]
SETTLEMENT PROCESSING ASSETS AND OBLIGATIONS	SETTLEMENT PROCESSING ASSETS AND OBLIGATIONS As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , settlement processing assets and obligations consisted of the following: September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Settlement processing assets: Interchange reimbursement $ 288,923 $ 150,612 Receivable from members 14,483 71,590 Receivable from networks 1,546,821 1,325,029 Exception items 9,570 6,450 Merchant reserves (12,565 ) (6,827 ) $ 1,847,232 $ 1,546,854 Settlement processing obligations: Interchange reimbursement $ 74,970 $ 199,202 Liability to members (20,340 ) (177,979 ) Liability to merchants (1,472,221 ) (1,358,271 ) Exception items 11,018 21,194 Merchant reserves (140,327 ) (158,419 ) Reserve for operating losses and sales allowances (3,727 ) (2,939 ) $ (1,550,627 ) $ (1,477,212 )

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE A

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , goodwill and other intangible assets consisted of the following: September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Goodwill $ 5,616,414 $ 4,807,594 Other intangible assets: Customer-related intangible assets $ 2,119,873 $ 1,864,731 Acquired technologies 804,485 547,151 Trademarks and trade names 190,021 188,311 Contract-based intangible assets 162,107 157,882 3,276,486 2,758,075 Less accumulated amortization: Customer-related intangible assets 635,574 487,729 Acquired technologies 179,006 89,633 Trademarks and trade names 44,586 24,142 Contract-based intangible assets 88,611 71,279 947,777 672,783 $ 2,328,709 $ 2,085,292 The following table sets forth the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 : North America Europe Asia-Pacific Total (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 4,083,252 $ 455,300 $ 269,042 $ 4,807,594 Goodwill acquired 704,020 — — 704,020 Effect of foreign currency translation 5,559 50,515 18,185 74,259 Measurement-period adjustments 23,511 — 7,030 30,541 Balance at September 30, 2017 $ 4,816,342 $ 505,815 $ 294,257 $ 5,616,414 There was no accumulated impairment loss as of September 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016 .

OTHER ASSETS

OTHER ASSETS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
OTHER ASSETS	OTHER ASSETS Through certain of our subsidiaries in Europe, we were a member and shareholder of Visa Europe Limited ("Visa Europe"). On June 21, 2016, Visa Inc. ("Visa") acquired all of the membership interests in Visa Europe, including ours, upon which we recorded a gain of $41.2 million included in interest and other income in our consolidated statements of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . We received up-front consideration comprised of €33.5 million ( $37.7 million equivalent at June 21, 2016) in cash and Series B and C convertible preferred shares whose initial conversion rate equates to Visa common shares valued at $22.9 million as of June 21, 2016. However, the preferred shares were assigned a value of zero based on transfer restrictions, Visa's ability to adjust the conversion rate, and the estimation uncertainty associated with those factors. Based on the outcome of potential litigation involving Visa Europe in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe, the conversion rate of the preferred shares could be adjusted down such that the number of Visa common shares we ultimately receive could be as low as zero, and approximately €25.6 million ( $28.8 million equivalent at June 21, 2016) of the up-front cash consideration could be refundable. On the third anniversary of the closing of the acquisition by Visa, we will also receive €3.1 million ( $3.5 million equivalent at June 21, 2016) of deferred consideration (plus compounded interest at a rate of 4.0% per annum).

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CRE

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT	LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , long-term debt consisted of the following: September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Corporate credit facility: Term loans (face amounts of $3,956,497 and $3,728,857 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, less unamortized debt issuance costs of $40,180 and $46,282 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively) $ 3,916,317 $ 3,682,575 Revolving Credit Facility 855,000 756,000 Capital lease obligations 1 37 Total long-term debt 4,771,318 4,438,612 Less current portion of corporate credit facility (face amounts of $102,129 and $187,274 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, less unamortized debt issuance costs of $8,722 and $9,526 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively) and current portion of capital lease obligations of $1 and $37 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively 93,408 177,785 Long-term debt, excluding current portion $ 4,677,910 $ 4,260,827 Maturity requirements on long-term debt as of September 30, 2017 by year are as follows (in thousands): Years ending December 31, 2017 $ 23,821 2018 108,979 2019 141,912 2020 161,144 2021 180,376 2022 3,111,391 2023 and thereafter 1,083,875 Total $ 4,811,498 We are party to a credit facility agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and a syndicate of financial institutions as lenders and other agents (as amended from time to time, the "Credit Facility Agreement"). On May 2, 2017, we entered into the Fourth Amendment to the Credit Facility Agreement (the "Fourth Amendment"), which increased the total financing capacity available under the Credit Facility Agreement to $5.2 billion ; however, the aggregate outstanding debt under the Credit Facility Agreement did not change as we repaid certain outstanding amounts under the Term A Loan, the Term A-2 Loan and the Revolving Credit Facility (each as defined below) in connection with the Fourth Amendment. As of September 30, 2017 , the Credit Facility Agreement provided for secured financing comprised of (i) a $1.5 billion term loan (the "Term A Loan"), (ii) a $1.3 billion term loan (the "Term A-2 Loan"), (iii) a $1.2 billion term loan facility, (the "Term B-2 Loan") and (iv) a $1.25 billion revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). Substantially all of the assets of our domestic subsidiaries are pledged as collateral under the Credit Facility Agreement. The Credit Facility Agreement provides for an interest rate, at our election, of either London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or a base rate, in each case plus a leverage-based margin. As of September 30, 2017 , the interest rates on the Term A Loan, the Term A-2 Loan and the Term B-2 Loan were 2.99% , 2.95% and 3.23% , respectively. The Term A Loan and the Term A-2 Loan mature, and the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement expires, on May 2, 2022 . The Term B-2 Loan matures on April 22, 2023 . The Term A Loan principal must be repaid in quarterly installments in the amount of 1.25% of principal through June 2019 , increasing to 1.875% of principal through June 2021 , and increasing to 2.50% of principal through March 2022 , with the remaining principal balance due upon maturity in May 2022 . The Term A-2 Loan principal must be repaid in quarterly installments of $1.7 million through June 2018 , increasing to quarterly installments of $8.6 million through March 2022 , with the remaining balance due upon maturity in May 2022 . The Term B-2 Loan principal must be repaid in quarterly installments in the amount of 0.25% of principal through March 2023 , with the remaining principal balance due upon maturity in April 2023 . The Credit Facility Agreement allows us to issue standby letters of credit of up to $100 million in the aggregate under the Revolving Credit Facility. Outstanding letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Facility reduce the amount of borrowings available to us. Borrowings available to us under the Revolving Credit Facility are further limited by the covenants described below under "Compliance with Covenants." The total available commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were $383.1 million and $446.3 million , respectively. As of September 30, 2017 , the interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility was 2.95% . In addition, we are required to pay a quarterly commitment fee on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility at an applicable rate per annum ranging from 0.20% to 0.30% depending on our leverage ratio. The portion of deferred debt issuance costs related to the Revolving Credit Facility is included in other noncurrent assets, and the portion of deferred debt issuance costs related to the term loans is reported as a reduction to the carrying amount of the term loans. Debt issuance costs are amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the terms of the respective facilities. Settlement Lines of Credit In various markets where we do business, we have lines of credit, which are restricted for use in funding settlement. The settlement lines of credit generally have variable interest rates, are subject to annual review and are denominated in local currency but may, in some cases, facilitate borrowings in multiple currencies. For certain of our settlement lines of credit, the available credit is increased by the amount of cash we have on deposit in specific accounts with the lender. Accordingly, the amount of the outstanding line of credit may exceed the stated credit limit. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , a total of $55.5 million and $51.0 million , respectively, of cash on deposit was used to determine the available credit. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, we had $487.5 million and $392.1 million outstanding under these lines of credit with additional capacity of $669.9 million as of September 30, 2017 to fund settlement. The weighted-average interest rate on these borrowings was 2.11% and 1.90% at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2017 , the maximum and average outstanding balances under these lines of credit were $627.3 million and $334.2 million , respectively. Compliance with Covenants The Credit Facility Agreement contains customary affirmative and restrictive covenants, including, among others, financial covenants based on our leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios, as defined in the agreement. As of September 30, 2017 , financial covenants under the Credit Facility Agreement required a leverage ratio no greater than: (i) 4.50 to 1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter ending during the period from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018 ; (ii) 4.25 to 1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter ending during the period from July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 ; and (iii) 4.00 to 1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter ending thereafter. The fixed charge coverage ratio is required to be no less than 2.25 to 1.00 . The Credit Facility Agreement and settlement lines of credit also include various other covenants that are customary in such borrowings. The Credit Facility Agreement includes covenants, subject in each case to exceptions and qualifications, that may restrict certain payments, including in certain circumstances, the payment of cash dividends in excess of our current rate of $0.01 per share per quarter. The Credit Facility Agreement also 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. We were in compliance with all applicable covenants as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 . Interest Rate Swap Agreements We have interest rate swap agreements with financial institutions to hedge changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate risk on a portion of our variable-rate debt instruments. Net amounts to be received or paid under the swap agreements are reflected as adjustments to interest expense. Since we have designated the interest rate swap agreements as portfolio cash flow hedges, unrealized gains or losses resulting from adjusting the swaps to fair value are recorded as components of other 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 September 30, 2017 and 2016 , there was no ineffectiveness. The fair values of the interest 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. These derivative instruments were classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. The table below presents the fair values of our derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges included in the consolidated balance sheets: Derivative Financial Instruments Balance Sheet Location Weighted-Average Fixed Rate of Interest at September 30, 2017 Range of Maturity Dates September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Interest rate swaps (Notional of $1,000 million at September 30, 2017, $250 million at December 31, 2016) Other assets 1.49% February 28, 2019 - July 31, 2020 $ 2,923 $ 2,147 Interest rate swaps (Notional of $300 million at September 30, 2017, $750 million at December 31, 2016) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1.91% March 31, 2021 $ 1,495 $ 3,175 The table below presents the effects of our interest rate swaps on the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 (in thousands) Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income $ 341 $ 3,429 $ (2,214 ) $ (12,665 ) Amount reclassified out of other comprehensive income to interest expense $ 1,172 $ 1,853 $ 4,667 $ 5,733 As of September 30, 2017 , the amount in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to our interest rate swaps that is expected to be reclassified into interest expense during the next 12 months was approximately $1.7 million . Interest Expense Interest expense was $41.8 million and $44.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and $130.3 million and $95.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively.

INCOME TAX

INCOME TAX	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAX	INCOME TAX Our effective income tax rates were 11.7% and 18.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 , respectively. Our effective income tax rates were 14.4% and 14.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 , respectively. Our effective income tax rates differ from the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to income generated in international jurisdictions with lower tax rates. In addition, as a result of adopting ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017, as described in "Note 1 — Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," we recognize the income tax effects of the excess benefits or deficiencies of share-based awards in the statement of income when share-based awards vest or are settled, which contributed to lower effective income tax rates in the current year periods. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , we recorded an income tax benefit of $12.7 million associated with the elimination of certain net deferred tax liabilities associated with undistributed earnings from Canada as a result of management's plans to reinvest these earnings outside the United States indefinitely. 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 and the United Kingdom. We are no longer subject to state income tax examinations for years ended on or before May 31, 2008 , U.S. federal income tax examinations for fiscal years prior to 2013 and U.K. federal income tax examinations for years ended on or before May 31, 2013 .

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY We make repurchases of our common stock mainly through the use of open market purchases and, at times, through accelerated share repurchase programs. As of September 30, 2017 , we were authorized to repurchase up to $264.9 million of our common stock. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , respectively, through open market repurchase plans, we repurchased and retired 311,593 and 376,309 shares of our common stock, at a cost of $29.0 million and $34.8 million , or an average cost of $93.09 and $92.51 per share, including commissions. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively, through open market repurchase plans, we repurchased and retired 484,256 and 1,142,415 shares of our common stock at a cost of $35.5 million and $80.3 million , or an average cost of $73.25 and $70.29 per share, including commissions. In addition to shares repurchased through open market repurchase plans, we repurchased 673,212 shares of our common stock at a cost of $50.0 million , or an average cost of $74.27 per share, including commissions, through an accelerated share repurchase program during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 .

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTIONS

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTIONS	SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTIONS The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense and the related income tax benefit recognized for our share-based awards and stock options: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 (in thousands) Share-based compensation expense $ 9,617 $ 8,688 $ 30,771 $ 26,060 Income tax benefit $ 3,523 $ 2,968 $ 10,788 $ 8,679 Share-Based Awards The following table summarizes the changes in unvested share-based awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 : Shares Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value (in thousands) Unvested at December 31, 2016 1,263 $49.55 Granted 611 71.77 Vested (685 ) 40.35 Forfeited (71 ) 60.36 Unvested at September 30, 2017 1,118 $66.74 The total fair value of share-based awards vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 was $27.6 million and $22.2 million , respectively. For these share-based awards, we recognized compensation expense of $8.6 million and $8.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 , respectively, and $27.7 million and $24.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 , respectively. As of September 30, 2017 , there was $ 53.2 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested share-based awards that we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years. Our share-based award plans provide for accelerated vesting under certain conditions. Stock Options Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to 100% of fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant and have a term of ten years. Stock options granted before the year ended May 31, 2015 vest in equal installments on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date. Stock options granted during the year ended May 31, 2015 and thereafter vest in equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 , we granted stock options to purchase 123,958 and 72,733 shares of our common stock. Our stock option plans provide for accelerated vesting under certain conditions. The following summarizes changes in stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 : Options Weighted-Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) (years) (in millions) Outstanding at December 31, 2016 759 $37.51 6.0 $24.5 Granted 124 79.45 Exercised (156 ) 23.56 Outstanding at September 30, 2017 727 $47.67 6.6 $34.4 Options vested and exercisable at September 30, 2017 505 $36.49 5.6 $29.6 We recognized compensation expense for stock options of $0.7 million and $0.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 , respectively, and $2.0 million and $1.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 , respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 was $9.9 million and $10.6 million , respectively. As of September 30, 2017 , we had $4.0 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options that we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of each stock option granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $23.68 . Fair value was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following weighted-average assumptions: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Risk-free interest rate 1.99% Expected volatility 30% Dividend yield 0.06% Expected term (years) 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 per share. We based our assumptions on the expected term of the options on our analysis of the historical exercise patterns of the options and our assumption on the future exercise pattern of options.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE	EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing 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 following table sets forth the computation of diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 (in thousands) Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding 154,560 153,668 153,138 143,794 Plus: Dilutive effect of stock options and other share-based awards 842 862 941 937 Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding 155,402 154,530 154,079 144,731

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS The changes in the accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive loss, net of tax, were as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 : Foreign Currency Translation Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Hedging Activities Other Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) Balance at June 30, 2016 $ (249,374 ) $ (11,377 ) $ (4,634 ) $ (265,385 ) Other comprehensive income, net of tax 2,505 3,331 23 5,859 Balance at September 30, 2016 $ (246,869 ) $ (8,046 ) $ (4,611 ) $ (259,526 ) Balance at June 30, 2017 $ (239,669 ) $ 51 $ (3,841 ) $ (243,459 ) Other comprehensive income, net of tax 40,090 843 18 40,951 Balance at September 30, 2017 $ (199,579 ) $ 894 $ (3,823 ) $ (202,508 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, which relates only to foreign currency translation, was approximately $2.3 million and $(0.8) million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 , respectively. Foreign Currency Translation Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Hedging Activities Other Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ (239,650 ) $ (3,732 ) $ (3,808 ) $ (247,190 ) Other comprehensive loss, net of tax (7,219 ) (4,314 ) (803 ) (12,336 ) Balance at September 30, 2016 $ (246,869 ) $ (8,046 ) $ (4,611 ) $ (259,526 ) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (318,450 ) $ (640 ) $ (3,627 ) $ (322,717 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 118,871 1,534 (196 ) 120,209 Balance at September 30, 2017 $ (199,579 ) $ 894 $ (3,823 ) $ (202,508 ) Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest, which relates only to foreign currency translation, was approximately $15.1 million and $3.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 , respectively.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT INFORMATION	SEGMENT INFORMATION We evaluate performance and allocate resources based on the operating income of each operating segment. The operating income of each operating segment includes the revenues of the segment less 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 and provision for income taxes are not allocated to the individual segments. We do not evaluate the performance of or allocate resources to our operating segments using asset data. The accounting policies of the reportable operating segments are the same as those described in our Transition Report on Form 10-K for the seven months ended December 31, 2016 and our summary of significant accounting policies in "Note 1 — Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies." Information on segments and reconciliations to consolidated revenues and consolidated operating income are as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 (in thousands) Revenues (1) : North America $ 764,902 $ 718,977 $ 2,162,911 $ 1,770,957 Europe 205,203 173,246 557,258 479,620 Asia-Pacific 68,802 59,662 200,741 170,212 Consolidated revenues $ 1,038,907 $ 951,885 $ 2,920,910 $ 2,420,789 Operating income (loss) (1) : North America $ 138,345 $ 110,983 $ 344,604 $ 258,648 Europe 76,214 63,727 196,394 172,293 Asia-Pacific 20,032 14,657 57,321 40,266 Corporate (2) (62,120 ) (68,978 ) (189,026 ) (195,085 ) Consolidated operating income $ 172,471 $ 120,389 $ 409,293 $ 276,122 Depreciation and amortization (1) : North America $ 95,056 $ 91,790 $ 277,219 $ 189,585 Europe 11,863 11,019 34,926 30,780 Asia-Pacific 4,484 4,450 12,068 12,204 Corporate 2,246 1,296 5,750 3,740 Consolidated depreciation and amortization $ 113,649 $ 108,555 $ 329,963 $ 236,309 (1) Revenues, operating income and depreciation and amortization reflect the effect of acquired businesses from the respective dates of acquisition. For further discussion, see "Note 2 — Acquisitions." (2) During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , respectively, operating loss for Corporate included acquisition and integration expenses of $21.5 million and $69.5 million . During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively, operating loss for Corporate included acquisition and integration expenses of $34.0 million and $93.0 million .

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Leases In May 2017 , we received $37.5 million from the sale of our operating facility in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which we acquired as part of the Heartland merger, and simultaneously leased the property back for an initial term of 20 years , followed by four optional renewal terms of 5 years . The arrangement met the criteria to be treated as a sale for accounting purposes, and as a result, we derecognized the associated property. There was no resulting gain or loss on the sale because the proceeds received were equal to the carrying amount of the property. We are accounting for the lease as an operating lease.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUM22

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Business, consolidation and presentation	Business, consolidation and presentation — We are a leading worldwide provider of payment technology services delivering innovative solutions to our customers globally. Our technologies and employee expertise enable us to provide a broad range of services that allow our customers to accept various payment types. We distribute our services across a variety of channels to customers in 30 countries throughout North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and Brazil and operate in three reportable segments: North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. We were incorporated in Georgia as Global Payments Inc. in 2000 and spun-off from our former parent company in 2001 . Including our time as part of our former parent company, we have been in the payment technology services business since 1967 . Global Payments Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries are referred to collectively 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 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 regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 was derived from the audited financial statements included in our Transition Report on Form 10-K for the seven months ended December 31, 2016 but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP for annual financial statements. As a result of the change in our fiscal year end from May 31 to December 31, we presented our interim financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 on the basis of the new fiscal year for comparative purposes. 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 affect the carrying amount of assets and liabilities. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Transition Report on Form 10-K for the seven months ended December 31, 2016 .
Use of estimates	Use of estimates — The 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.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. " The amendments in this update changed how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payments to employees. We adopted the various amendments in ASU 2016-09 in our unaudited consolidated financial statements effective January 1, 2017 with no material effect at the date of adoption. On a prospective basis, as required, we recognize the income tax effects of the excess benefits or deduction deficiencies of share-based awards in the statement of income when the awards vest or are settled. Previously, these amounts were recorded as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital. In addition, these excess tax benefits or deduction deficiencies from share-based compensation plans, which were previously presented as a financing activity in our consolidated statement of cash flows, are now presented as an operating activity using a retrospective transition method for all periods presented. Finally, we have elected to account for forfeitures of share-based awards with service conditions as they occur. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments ," which makes clarifications to how cash receipts and cash payments in certain transactions are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. We adopted ASU 2016-15 on a retrospective basis effective January 1, 2017 with no effect on our unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows for any period presented. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ." The ASU eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. In computing the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities) following the procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Instead, under the amendments in this ASU, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. We adopted ASU 2017-04 on a prospective basis effective January 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard had no effect on our unaudited consolidated financial statements. Recently Issued Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted Accounting Standard Codification ( " ASC " ) 606 - New Revenue Standard In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)." The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in 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 modified retrospective transition method. The update requires significant 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. ASU 2014-09, as amended by ASU 2015-14, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date ," is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods, with early adoption permitted for years beginning after December 15, 2016. Since the issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB has issued additional interpretive guidance, including new accounting standards updates, that clarifies certain points of the standard and modifies certain requirements. We have performed a review of the requirements of the new revenue standard and are monitoring the activity of the FASB and the transition resource group as it relates to specific interpretive guidance. We have established a cross-functional implementation team to assess the effects of the new revenue standard in a multi-phase approach. In the first phase, we analyzed customer contracts for our most significant contract categories, applied the five-step model of the new standard to each contract category and compared the results to our current accounting practices. We are nearing completion of the second phase, which includes quantifying the potential effects, assessing additional contract categories and principal agent considerations, revising accounting policies and considering the effects on related disclosures and/or internal control over financial reporting. The third phase, which will complete our adoption and implementation of the new revenue standard, includes activities such as implementing parallel accounting and reporting for areas affected by the new standard, quantifying the cumulative effect adjustment (including tax effects), evaluating and testing modified and newly implemented internal controls and revising financial statement disclosures. The new standard could change the amount and timing of revenue and expenses to be recognized under certain of our arrangement types. In addition, it could increase the administrative burden on our operations to properly account for customer contracts and provide the more expansive required disclosures. More judgment and estimates may be required within the process of applying the requirements of the new standard than are required under existing GAAP, such as identifying performance obligations in contracts, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in transaction price, allocating transaction price to each separate performance obligation and estimating expected customer lives. We have not completed our assessment or quantified the effect the new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements, related disclosures and/or our internal control over financial reporting. This will occur during the third and final phase of our implementation as discussed in the previous paragraph. Our preliminary view is that we expect the amount and timing of revenue to be recognized under ASU 2014-09 for our most significant contract category, core payment services, will be similar to the amount and timing of revenue recognized under our current accounting practices. However, we are still evaluating principal agent considerations for certain amounts that we pay to third parties and currently recognize as a component of operating expense, which could result in such amounts being recorded as a reduction of revenue under ASU 2014-09. This change would not affect operating income. We also expect to be required to capitalize additional costs to obtain contracts with customers, and, in some cases, may be required to amortize these costs and costs that we currently capitalize (such as capitalized customer acquisition costs) over a longer time period. Finally, we expect disclosures about our revenues and related customer acquisition costs will be more extensive. We plan to adopt ASU 2014-09, as well as other clarifications and technical guidance issued by the FASB related to this new revenue standard, on January 1, 2018. We will likely apply the modified retrospective transition method, which would result in an adjustment to retained earnings for the cumulative effect, if any, of applying the standard to contracts that are not completed at the date of initial application. Under this method, we would not restate the prior financial statements presented, therefore the new standard requires us to provide additional disclosures of the amount by which each financial statement line item is affected in the current reporting period during 2018, as compared to the guidance that was in effect before the change, and an explanation of the reasons for significant changes, if any. Other Accounting Standards Updates In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. " The ASU expands and refines hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. In addition, the amendments in this update modify disclosure requirements for presentation of hedging activities. Those modifications include a tabular disclosure related to the effect on the income statement of fair value and cash flow hedges and eliminate the requirement to disclose the ineffective portion of the change in fair value of hedging instruments, if any. The ASU will become effective for us on January 1, 2019. Early application is permitted for all hedging relationships that exist at the date of adoption. We are evaluating the effect of ASU 2017-12 on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business ." The ASU clarifies the definition of a business, which affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill and consolidation. The new standard is intended to help companies and other organizations evaluate whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses, with the expectation that fewer will qualify as acquisitions (or disposals) of businesses. The ASU will become effective for us on January 1, 2018. These amendments will be applied prospectively from the date of adoption. The effect of ASU 2017-01 will be dependent upon the nature of future acquisitions or dispositions that we make, if any. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory ." The amendments in this update state that an entity should recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory, such as intellectual property and property and equipment, when the transfer occurs. The amendments in this update will become effective for us on January 1, 2018. The amendments in this update should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. We do not expect that the adoption of ASU 2016-16 will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial instruments ." The amendments in this update change how companies measure and recognize credit impairment for many financial assets. The new expected credit loss model will require companies to immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of the financial assets (including trade receivables) that are in the scope of the update. The update also made amendments to the current impairment model for held-to-maturity and available-for-sale debt securities and certain guarantees. The guidance will become effective for us on January 1, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. We are evaluating the effect of ASU 2016-13 on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases." The amendments in this update require lessees to recognize, on the balance sheet, assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases. In addition, several new disclosures will be required. Although early adoption is permitted, we expect to adopt ASU 2016-02 when it becomes effective for us on January 1, 2019. Adoption will require a modified retrospective transition where the lessees are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented. In September 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-13, "Revenue Recognition" (Topic 605), "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (Topic 606), "Leases" (Topic 840), and "Leases" (Topic 842) , which provides additional implementation guidance on the previously issued ASU 2016-02. We have not completed our evaluation of the effect of ASU 2016-02 or ASU 2017-13 on our consolidated financial statements; however, we expect to recognize right of use assets and liabilities for our operating leases in the balance sheet upon adoption. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities ." The amendments in this update address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The amendments in this update supersede the guidance to classify equity securities with readily determinable fair values into different categories (that is, trading or available-for-sale) and require equity securities (including other ownership interests, such as partnerships, unincorporated joint ventures and limited liability companies) to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through earnings. Equity investments that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting or result in consolidation of an investee are not included within the scope of this update. The amendments allow equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values to be remeasured at fair value either upon the occurrence of an observable price change or upon identification of an impairment. The amendments also require enhanced disclosures about those investments. The guidance will become effective for us on January 1, 2018. We do not expect that the adoption of ASU 2016-01 will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

ACQUISITIONS - (Tables)

ACQUISITIONS - (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
ACTIVE Network
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule of recognized identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed	The provisional estimated acquisition-date fair values of major classes of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including a reconciliation to the total purchase consideration, are as follows (in thousands): Cash and cash equivalents $ 42,866 Property and equipment 22,889 Identified intangible assets 471,120 Other assets 80,485 Deferred income taxes (26,757 ) Other liabilities (123,047 ) Total identifiable net assets 467,556 Goodwill 704,020 Total purchase consideration $ 1,171,576
Heartland Payment Systems, Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule of business acquisition, consideration transferred	The following table summarizes the components of the consideration transferred on April 22, 2016 (in thousands): Cash consideration paid to Heartland stockholders $ 2,043,362 Fair value of Global Payments common stock issued to Heartland stockholders 1,879,458 Total purchase consideration $ 3,922,820
Schedule of recognized identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed	The estimated acquisition-date fair values of major classes of assets acquired and liabilities assumed previously determined as of December 31, 2016 and as subsequently revised, including a reconciliation to the total purchase consideration, are as follows: December 31, 2016 Measurement-Period Adjustments Final (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 304,747 $ — $ 304,747 Accounts receivable 70,385 — 70,385 Prepaid expenses and other assets 103,090 (5,131 ) 97,959 Identified intangible assets 1,639,040 — 1,639,040 Property and equipment 106,583 — 106,583 Debt (437,933 ) — (437,933 ) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (457,763 ) (65 ) (457,828 ) Settlement processing obligations (36,578 ) (3,727 ) (40,305 ) Deferred income taxes (518,794 ) 18,907 (499,887 ) Other liabilities (64,938 ) (33,495 ) (98,433 ) Total identifiable net assets 707,839 (23,511 ) 684,328 Goodwill 3,214,981 23,511 3,238,492 Total purchase consideration $ 3,922,820 $ — $ 3,922,820 The following reflects the estimated fair values of the identified intangible assets and the respective weighted-average estimated amortization periods: Estimated Fair Values Weighted-Average Estimated Amortization Periods (in thousands) (years) Customer-related intangible assets $ 977,400 15 Acquired technology 457,000 5 Trademarks and trade names 176,000 7 Covenants-not-to-compete 28,640 1 Total estimated acquired intangible assets $ 1,639,040 11

SETTLEMENT PROCESSING ASSETS 24

SETTLEMENT PROCESSING ASSETS AND OBLIGATIONS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Offsetting [Abstract]
Schedule of offsetting liabilities	As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , settlement processing assets and obligations consisted of the following: September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Settlement processing assets: Interchange reimbursement $ 288,923 $ 150,612 Receivable from members 14,483 71,590 Receivable from networks 1,546,821 1,325,029 Exception items 9,570 6,450 Merchant reserves (12,565 ) (6,827 ) $ 1,847,232 $ 1,546,854 Settlement processing obligations: Interchange reimbursement $ 74,970 $ 199,202 Liability to members (20,340 ) (177,979 ) Liability to merchants (1,472,221 ) (1,358,271 ) Exception items 11,018 21,194 Merchant reserves (140,327 ) (158,419 ) Reserve for operating losses and sales allowances (3,727 ) (2,939 ) $ (1,550,627 ) $ (1,477,212 )
Schedule of offsetting assets	As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , settlement processing assets and obligations consisted of the following: September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Settlement processing assets: Interchange reimbursement $ 288,923 $ 150,612 Receivable from members 14,483 71,590 Receivable from networks 1,546,821 1,325,029 Exception items 9,570 6,450 Merchant reserves (12,565 ) (6,827 ) $ 1,847,232 $ 1,546,854 Settlement processing obligations: Interchange reimbursement $ 74,970 $ 199,202 Liability to members (20,340 ) (177,979 ) Liability to merchants (1,472,221 ) (1,358,271 ) Exception items 11,018 21,194 Merchant reserves (140,327 ) (158,419 ) Reserve for operating losses and sales allowances (3,727 ) (2,939 ) $ (1,550,627 ) $ (1,477,212 )

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE25

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of goodwill and intangible assets	As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , goodwill and other intangible assets consisted of the following: September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Goodwill $ 5,616,414 $ 4,807,594 Other intangible assets: Customer-related intangible assets $ 2,119,873 $ 1,864,731 Acquired technologies 804,485 547,151 Trademarks and trade names 190,021 188,311 Contract-based intangible assets 162,107 157,882 3,276,486 2,758,075 Less accumulated amortization: Customer-related intangible assets 635,574 487,729 Acquired technologies 179,006 89,633 Trademarks and trade names 44,586 24,142 Contract-based intangible assets 88,611 71,279 947,777 672,783 $ 2,328,709 $ 2,085,292
Schedule of goodwill	The following table sets forth the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 : North America Europe Asia-Pacific Total (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 4,083,252 $ 455,300 $ 269,042 $ 4,807,594 Goodwill acquired 704,020 — — 704,020 Effect of foreign currency translation 5,559 50,515 18,185 74,259 Measurement-period adjustments 23,511 — 7,030 30,541 Balance at September 30, 2017 $ 4,816,342 $ 505,815 $ 294,257 $ 5,616,414

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF C26

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of outstanding debt	As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , long-term debt consisted of the following: September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Corporate credit facility: Term loans (face amounts of $3,956,497 and $3,728,857 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, less unamortized debt issuance costs of $40,180 and $46,282 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively) $ 3,916,317 $ 3,682,575 Revolving Credit Facility 855,000 756,000 Capital lease obligations 1 37 Total long-term debt 4,771,318 4,438,612 Less current portion of corporate credit facility (face amounts of $102,129 and $187,274 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, less unamortized debt issuance costs of $8,722 and $9,526 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively) and current portion of capital lease obligations of $1 and $37 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively 93,408 177,785 Long-term debt, excluding current portion $ 4,677,910 $ 4,260,827
Schedule of maturities of long-term debt	Maturity requirements on long-term debt as of September 30, 2017 by year are as follows (in thousands): Years ending December 31, 2017 $ 23,821 2018 108,979 2019 141,912 2020 161,144 2021 180,376 2022 3,111,391 2023 and thereafter 1,083,875 Total $ 4,811,498
Schedule of derivative instruments	The table below presents the fair values of our derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges included in the consolidated balance sheets: Derivative Financial Instruments Balance Sheet Location Weighted-Average Fixed Rate of Interest at September 30, 2017 Range of Maturity Dates September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Interest rate swaps (Notional of $1,000 million at September 30, 2017, $250 million at December 31, 2016) Other assets 1.49% February 28, 2019 - July 31, 2020 $ 2,923 $ 2,147 Interest rate swaps (Notional of $300 million at September 30, 2017, $750 million at December 31, 2016) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1.91% March 31, 2021 $ 1,495 $ 3,175
Schedule of derivative instrument effect on other comprehensive income (loss)	The table below presents the effects of our interest rate swaps on the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 (in thousands) Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income $ 341 $ 3,429 $ (2,214 ) $ (12,665 ) Amount reclassified out of other comprehensive income to interest expense $ 1,172 $ 1,853 $ 4,667 $ 5,733

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTIONS

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTIONS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of compensation cost for share-based payment arrangements, allocation of share-based compensation costs by plan	The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense and the related income tax benefit recognized for our share-based awards and stock options: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 (in thousands) Share-based compensation expense $ 9,617 $ 8,688 $ 30,771 $ 26,060 Income tax benefit $ 3,523 $ 2,968 $ 10,788 $ 8,679
Schedule of changes in non-vested restricted stock awards activity	The following table summarizes the changes in unvested share-based awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 : Shares Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value (in thousands) Unvested at December 31, 2016 1,263 $49.55 Granted 611 71.77 Vested (685 ) 40.35 Forfeited (71 ) 60.36 Unvested at September 30, 2017 1,118 $66.74
Schedule of share-based compensation, stock options, activity	The following summarizes changes in stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 : Options Weighted-Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) (years) (in millions) Outstanding at December 31, 2016 759 $37.51 6.0 $24.5 Granted 124 79.45 Exercised (156 ) 23.56 Outstanding at September 30, 2017 727 $47.67 6.6 $34.4 Options vested and exercisable at September 30, 2017 505 $36.49 5.6 $29.6
Schedule of share-based payment award, stock options, valuation assumptions	Fair value was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following weighted-average assumptions: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Risk-free interest rate 1.99% Expected volatility 30% Dividend yield 0.06% Expected term (years) 5

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of weighted average number of shares	The following table sets forth the computation of diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 (in thousands) Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding 154,560 153,668 153,138 143,794 Plus: Dilutive effect of stock options and other share-based awards 842 862 941 937 Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding 155,402 154,530 154,079 144,731

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI29

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive loss	The changes in the accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive loss, net of tax, were as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 : Foreign Currency Translation Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Hedging Activities Other Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) Balance at June 30, 2016 $ (249,374 ) $ (11,377 ) $ (4,634 ) $ (265,385 ) Other comprehensive income, net of tax 2,505 3,331 23 5,859 Balance at September 30, 2016 $ (246,869 ) $ (8,046 ) $ (4,611 ) $ (259,526 ) Balance at June 30, 2017 $ (239,669 ) $ 51 $ (3,841 ) $ (243,459 ) Other comprehensive income, net of tax 40,090 843 18 40,951 Balance at September 30, 2017 $ (199,579 ) $ 894 $ (3,823 ) $ (202,508 ) Foreign Currency Translation Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Hedging Activities Other Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ (239,650 ) $ (3,732 ) $ (3,808 ) $ (247,190 ) Other comprehensive loss, net of tax (7,219 ) (4,314 ) (803 ) (12,336 ) Balance at September 30, 2016 $ (246,869 ) $ (8,046 ) $ (4,611 ) $ (259,526 ) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (318,450 ) $ (640 ) $ (3,627 ) $ (322,717 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 118,871 1,534 (196 ) 120,209 Balance at September 30, 2017 $ (199,579 ) $ 894 $ (3,823 ) $ (202,508 )

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of segment reporting information, by segment	Information on segments and reconciliations to consolidated revenues and consolidated operating income are as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 : Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 (in thousands) Revenues (1) : North America $ 764,902 $ 718,977 $ 2,162,911 $ 1,770,957 Europe 205,203 173,246 557,258 479,620 Asia-Pacific 68,802 59,662 200,741 170,212 Consolidated revenues $ 1,038,907 $ 951,885 $ 2,920,910 $ 2,420,789 Operating income (loss) (1) : North America $ 138,345 $ 110,983 $ 344,604 $ 258,648 Europe 76,214 63,727 196,394 172,293 Asia-Pacific 20,032 14,657 57,321 40,266 Corporate (2) (62,120 ) (68,978 ) (189,026 ) (195,085 ) Consolidated operating income $ 172,471 $ 120,389 $ 409,293 $ 276,122 Depreciation and amortization (1) : North America $ 95,056 $ 91,790 $ 277,219 $ 189,585 Europe 11,863 11,019 34,926 30,780 Asia-Pacific 4,484 4,450 12,068 12,204 Corporate 2,246 1,296 5,750 3,740 Consolidated depreciation and amortization $ 113,649 $ 108,555 $ 329,963 $ 236,309 (1) Revenues, operating income and depreciation and amortization reflect the effect of acquired businesses from the respective dates of acquisition. For further discussion, see "Note 2 — Acquisitions." (2) During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , respectively, operating loss for Corporate included acquisition and integration expenses of $21.5 million and $69.5 million . During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively, operating loss for Corporate included acquisition and integration expenses of $34.0 million and $93.0 million .

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUM31

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017segmentCountry
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of countries in which entity operates | Country	30
Number of reportable segments | segment	3

ACQUISITIONS - Narrative (Detai

ACQUISITIONS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 01, 2017	Apr. 22, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill acquired				$ 704,020
Goodwill				5,616,414	$ 4,807,594
ACTIVE Network
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration paid	$ 600,000
Number of shares issued as consideration (in shares)	6,357,509
Fair value of Global Payments common stock issued	$ 572,000
Goodwill acquired				$ 704,020
Expected tax deductible amount of goodwill (as a percent)	80.00%
Heartland Payment Systems, Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration paid		$ 2,043,362
Fair value of Global Payments common stock issued		1,879,458
Amortization period of intangible assets				11 years
Goodwill		$ 3,200,000		$ 3,238,492	$ 3,214,981
Transaction costs in connection with merger			$ 24,700
Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization period of intangible assets				5 years
Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization period of intangible assets				15 years

ACQUISITIONS - Components of Co

ACQUISITIONS - Components of Consideration Transferred (Details) - Heartland Payment Systems, Inc - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 22, 2016	May 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration paid	$ 2,043,362
Fair value of Global Payments common stock issued	1,879,458
Total purchase consideration	$ 3,922,820	$ 37,500	$ 3,922,820	$ 3,922,820

ACQUISITIONS - Acquisition Date

ACQUISITIONS - Acquisition Date Fair value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 22, 2016	May 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill acquired			$ 704,020
Goodwill			5,616,414	$ 4,807,594
ACTIVE Network
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			42,866
Identified intangible assets			471,120
Property and equipment			22,889
Other assets			80,485
Other liabilities			(26,757)
Other liabilities			(123,047)
Total identifiable net assets			467,556
Goodwill acquired			704,020
Total purchase consideration			1,171,576
Heartland Payment Systems, Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			304,747	304,747
Accounts receivable			70,385	70,385
Prepaid expenses and other assets			97,959	103,090
Identified intangible assets	$ 1,639,040		1,639,040	1,639,040
Property and equipment			106,583	106,583
Debt			(437,933)	(437,933)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			457,828	457,763
Settlement processing obligations			(40,305)	(36,578)
Other liabilities			(499,887)	(518,794)
Other liabilities			(98,433)	(64,938)
Total identifiable net assets			684,328	707,839
Goodwill	3,200,000		3,238,492	3,214,981
Total purchase consideration	3,922,820	$ 37,500	$ 3,922,820	$ 3,922,820
Measurement-Period Adjustments
Cash and cash equivalents	0
Accounts receivable	0
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(5,131)
Identified intangible assets	0
Property and equipment	0
Debt	0
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(65)
Settlement processing obligations	(3,727)
Deferred income taxes	18,907
Other liabilities	(33,495)
Total identifiable net assets	(23,511)
Goodwill	23,511
Total purchase consideration	$ 0

ACQUISITIONS - Schedule of Fair

ACQUISITIONS - Schedule of Fair Value of Intangible Assets (Details) - Heartland Payment Systems, Inc - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Apr. 22, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Values	$ 1,639,040	$ 1,639,040	$ 1,639,040
Weighted-Average Estimated Amortization Periods	11 years
Customer-related intangible assets
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Values			977,400
Weighted-Average Estimated Amortization Periods	15 years
Acquired technology
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Values			457,000
Weighted-Average Estimated Amortization Periods	5 years
Trademarks and trade names
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Values			176,000
Weighted-Average Estimated Amortization Periods	7 years
Covenants-not-to-compete
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Values			$ 28,640
Weighted-Average Estimated Amortization Periods	1 year

SETTLEMENT PROCESSING ASSETS 36

SETTLEMENT PROCESSING ASSETS AND OBLIGATIONS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Settlement processing assets
Total	$ 1,847,232	$ 1,546,854
Settlement processing obligations
Total	(1,550,627)	(1,477,212)
Merchant reserves
Settlement processing assets
Merchant reserves	(12,565)	(6,827)
Settlement processing obligations
Settlement liabilities, reserves	(140,327)	(158,419)
Reserve for operating losses and sales allowances
Settlement processing obligations
Settlement liabilities, reserves	(3,727)	(2,939)
Interchange reimbursement
Settlement processing assets
Settlement processing assets:	288,923	150,612
Settlement processing obligations
Settlement processing obligations:	74,970	199,202
Receivable from members
Settlement processing assets
Settlement processing assets:	14,483	71,590
Liability to members
Settlement processing obligations
Settlement processing obligations:	(20,340)	(177,979)
Receivable from networks
Settlement processing assets
Settlement processing assets:	1,546,821	1,325,029
Liability to merchants
Settlement processing obligations
Settlement processing obligations:	(1,472,221)	(1,358,271)
Exception items
Settlement processing assets
Settlement processing assets:	9,570	6,450
Settlement processing obligations
Settlement processing obligations:	$ 11,018	$ 21,194

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE37

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Accumulated impairment of goodwill	$ 0	$ 0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	5,616,414,000	4,807,594,000
Other intangible assets:
Other intangible assets	3,276,486,000	2,758,075,000
Less accumulated amortization:
Less accumulated amortization	947,777,000	672,783,000
Other intangible assets, net	2,328,709,000	2,085,292,000
Customer-related intangible assets
Other intangible assets:
Other intangible assets	2,119,873,000	1,864,731,000
Less accumulated amortization:
Less accumulated amortization	635,574,000	487,729,000
Acquired technologies
Other intangible assets:
Other intangible assets	804,485,000	547,151,000
Less accumulated amortization:
Less accumulated amortization	179,006,000	89,633,000
Trademarks and trade names
Other intangible assets:
Other intangible assets	190,021,000	188,311,000
Less accumulated amortization:
Less accumulated amortization	44,586,000	24,142,000
Contract-based intangible assets
Other intangible assets:
Other intangible assets	162,107,000	157,882,000
Less accumulated amortization:
Less accumulated amortization	$ 88,611,000	$ 71,279,000

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE38

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Goodwill Rollforward (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2016	$ 4,807,594
Goodwill acquired	704,020
Effect of foreign currency translation	74,259
Measurement-period adjustments	30,541
Balance at September 30, 2017	5,616,414
North America
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2016	4,083,252
Goodwill acquired	704,020
Effect of foreign currency translation	5,559
Measurement-period adjustments	23,511
Balance at September 30, 2017	4,816,342
Europe
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2016	455,300
Goodwill acquired	0
Effect of foreign currency translation	50,515
Measurement-period adjustments	0
Balance at September 30, 2017	505,815
Asia-Pacific
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at December 31, 2016	269,042
Goodwill acquired	0
Effect of foreign currency translation	18,185
Measurement-period adjustments	7,030
Balance at September 30, 2017	$ 294,257

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE39

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Accumulated impairment loss	$ 0	$ 0

OTHER ASSETS - Narrative (Detai

OTHER ASSETS - Narrative (Details) € in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017EUR (€)	Jun. 21, 2016USD ($)
Other Assets [Line Items]
Gain as a result of acquisition of member interests in Visa Europe	$ 41.2
Cash consideration received from sale		€ 33.5	$ 37.7
Equity interests received from sale			22.9
Deferred compensation		€ 3.1	3.5
Percentage of interest compounded annually		4.00%
Maximum
Other Assets [Line Items]
Deferred compensation		€ 25.6	$ 28.8

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF C41

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT - Schedule of outstanding debt (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 4,771,318,000	$ 4,438,612,000
Less current portion of corporate credit facility (face amounts of $102,129 and $187,274 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, less unamortized debt issuance costs of $8,722 and $9,526 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively) and current portion of capital lease obligations of $1 and $37 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	93,408,000	177,785,000
Long-term debt	4,677,910,000	4,260,827,000
Debt instrument, face amount	102,129,000	187,274,000
Unamortized debt issuance expense	8,722,000	9,526,000
Current portion of capital lease obligation	1,000	37,000
Term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	3,916,317,000	3,682,575,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	855,000,000	756,000,000
Capital lease obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital lease obligations	1,000	37,000
Five Year Unsecured Term Loan Due February 2019 | Term loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	3,956,497,000	3,728,857,000
Unamortized debt issuance expense	$ 40,180,000	$ 46,282,000

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF C42

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT - Schedule of maturities of long term debt (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2,017	$ 23,821
2,018	108,979
2,019	141,912
2,020	161,144
2,021	180,376
2,022	3,111,391
2023 and thereafter	1,083,875
Total	$ 4,811,498

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF C43

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	14 Months Ended	26 Months Ended	50 Months Ended	59 Months Ended	71 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)Rate	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesRate	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2023	Jun. 30, 2020	May 02, 2017USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 102,129,000		$ 102,129,000		$ 187,274,000
Other restrictions on payments of dividends (in USD per share) | $ / shares			$ 0.01
Interest expense	41,800,000	$ 44,600,000	$ 130,300,000	$ 95,600,000
Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount												$ 5,200,000,000
Secured Debt | Term Loan A
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 1,500,000,000		$ 1,500,000,000
Credit facility interest rate (as a percentage) | Rate	2.99%		2.99%
Secured Debt | Term Loan A-2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 1,300,000,000		$ 1,300,000,000
Credit facility interest rate (as a percentage) | Rate	2.95%		2.95%
Secured Debt | Term Loan B-2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 1,200,000,000		$ 1,200,000,000
Credit facility interest rate (as a percentage) | Rate	3.23%		3.23%
Secured Debt | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 1,250,000,000		$ 1,250,000,000
Line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	627,300,000		627,300,000
Remaining borrowing capacity	669,900,000		669,900,000
Repayments of lines of credit			55,500,000		51,000,000
Amount outstanding under lines of credit	$ 487,500,000		$ 487,500,000		$ 392,100,000
Short-term debt, weighted average interest rate	2.11%		2.11%		1.90%
Average outstanding balance	$ 334,200,000
Interest rate swap
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to interest rate			$ 1,700,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Fourth Amendment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Minimum interest coverage ratio	2.25		2.25
Revolving Credit Facility | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate (as a percentage) | Rate	2.95%		2.95%
Revolving Credit Facility | Scenario, Forecast | Term Loan A
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of quarterly installment payments							1.25%	1.875%	2.50%
Revolving Credit Facility | Scenario, Forecast | Term Loan A-2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Periodic payment of debt						$ 1,700,000			$ 8,600,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Scenario, Forecast | Term Loan B-2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of quarterly installment payments										0.25%
Revolving Credit Facility | Scenario, Forecast | Fourth Amendment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum leverage ratio						4.5	4.25				4
Letter of Credit | Line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 100,000,000		$ 100,000,000
Standby letters of credit | Line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remaining borrowing capacity	$ 383,100,000		$ 383,100,000		$ 446,300,000
Minimum | Revolving Credit Facility | Fourth Amendment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage			0.20%
Maximum | Revolving Credit Facility | Fourth Amendment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage			0.30%

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF C44

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT - Schedule of derivative instruments (Details) - Interest rate swap - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Assets
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted-average fixed rate of interest	1.49%
Interest rate swaps	$ 2,923,000	$ 2,147,000
Notional amount	$ 1,000,000,000	250,000,000
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted-average fixed rate of interest	1.91%
Interest rate swaps	$ 1,495,000	3,175,000
Notional amount	$ 300,000,000	$ 750,000,000

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF C45

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT - Schedule of effect on other comprehensive income (loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income	$ 341	$ 3,429	$ (2,214)	$ (12,665)
Amount reclassified out of other comprehensive income to interest expense	$ 1,172	$ 1,853	$ 4,667	$ 5,733

INCOME TAX - Narrative (Detail

INCOME TAX - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Income tax benefit	$ (15,692)	$ (14,021)	$ (40,893)	$ (33,350)
Effective tax rate	11.70%	18.40%	14.40%	14.70%
Canada
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Income tax benefit				$ 12,700

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Narrativ

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Repurchase and retirement of common stock			$ 34,811	$ 130,314
Other than accelerated share repurchase program
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Remaining authorized repurchase amount (up to)	$ 264,900		$ 264,900
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)	311,593	484,256	376,309	1,142,415
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	$ 29,000	$ 35,500	$ 34,800	$ 80,300
Repurchase of common stock (in USD per share)	$ 93.09	$ 73.25	$ 92.51	$ 70.29
Accelerated share repurchase program
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)			673,212
Repurchase and retirement of common stock				$ 50,000
Repurchase of common stock (in USD per share)			$ 74.27

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTION48

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTIONS - Share-based Compensation Expense and Income Tax Benefit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 9,617	$ 8,688	$ 30,771	$ 26,060
Income tax benefit	$ 3,523	$ 2,968	$ 10,788	$ 8,679

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTION49

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTIONS - Share-Based Awards (Details) - Share-Based Awards shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares) | shares	1,263
Granted (in shares) | shares	611
Vested (in shares) | shares	(685)
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(71)
Ending balance (in shares) | shares	1,118
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Beginning balance (in USD per share) | $ / shares	$ 49.55
Granted (in USD per share) | $ / shares	71.77
Vested (in USD per share) | $ / shares	40.35
Forfeited (in USD per share) | $ / shares	60.36
Ending balance (in USD per share) | $ / shares	$ 66.74

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTION50

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTIONS - Share-Based Awards Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 9,617	$ 8,688	$ 30,771	$ 26,060
Share-Based Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value of share-based awards vested			27,600	22,200
Share-based compensation expense	8,600	$ 8,000	27,700	$ 24,300
Compensation not yet recognized	$ 53,200		$ 53,200
Total unrecognized compensation cost, weighted average period			2 years 29 days

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTION51

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTIONS - Stock Options Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 9,617	$ 8,688	$ 30,771	$ 26,060
Employee stock option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair market value (as a percentage)	100.00%		100.00%
Stock option term			10 years
Granted (in shares)			124,000
Share-based compensation expense	$ 700	$ 500	$ 2,000	1,200
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised			9,900	$ 10,600
Total unrecognized compensation cost	$ 4,000		$ 4,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost, weighted average period			2 years 18 days
Weighted average grant date fair value for each option granted (in USD per share)	$ 23.68		$ 23.68
Granted Before Fiscal 2015 | Employee stock option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period			4 years
Granted Before Fiscal 2015 | Employee stock option | Performance period. year one
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of award vesting rights			25.00%
Granted Before Fiscal 2015 | Employee stock option | Performance period, year two
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of award vesting rights			25.00%
Granted Before Fiscal 2015 | Employee stock option | Performance period, year three
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of award vesting rights			25.00%
Granted Before Fiscal 2015 | Employee stock option | Performance period, year four
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of award vesting rights			25.00%
Granted Fiscal 2015 | Employee stock option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period			3 years
Granted Fiscal 2015 | Employee stock option | Performance period. year one
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of award vesting rights			33.00%
Granted Fiscal 2015 | Employee stock option | Performance period, year two
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of award vesting rights			33.00%
Granted Fiscal 2015 | Employee stock option | Performance period, year three
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of award vesting rights			33.00%
Granted Fiscal 2017 | Employee stock option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted (in shares)			123,958
Granted Fiscal 2016 | Employee stock option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted (in shares)				72,733

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTION52

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTIONS - Stock Option Activity (Details) - Employee stock option - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Options
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	759
Granted (in shares)	124
Exercised (in shares)	(156)
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	727	759
Options vested and exercisable (in shares)	505
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price, beginning of period (in USD per share)	$ 37.51
Granted, weighted average exercise price (in USD per share)	79.45
Exercised, weighted average exercise price (in USD per share)	23.56
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price, end of period (in USD per share)	47.67	$ 37.51
Options vested and exercisable, weighted average exercise price (in USD per share)	$ 36.49
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term
Outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term (in years)	6 years 7 months 6 days	6 years
Options vested and exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual term (in years)	5 years 7 months 6 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding aggregate intrinsic value	$ 34.4	$ 24.5
Options vested and exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 29.6

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTION53

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTIONS - Valuation Assumptions (Details) - Employee stock option	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate (in percentage)	1.99%
Expected volatility (in percentage)	30.00%
Dividend yield (in percentage)	0.06%
Expected term (years)	5 years

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	154,560	153,668	153,138	143,794
Plus: Dilutive effect of stock options and other share-based awards (in shares)	842	862	941	937
Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	155,402	154,530	154,079	144,731

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI55

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - Schedule of OCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ 2,630,791
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 43,278	$ 5,048	135,259	$ (8,560)
Ending balance	3,531,349		3,531,349
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(243,459)	(265,385)	(322,717)	(247,190)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	40,951	5,859	120,209	(12,336)
Ending balance	(202,508)	(259,526)	(202,508)	(259,526)
Foreign Currency Translation
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(239,669)	(249,374)	(318,450)	(239,650)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	40,090	2,505	118,871	(7,219)
Ending balance	(199,579)	(246,869)	(199,579)	(246,869)
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Hedging Activities
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	51	(11,377)	(640)	(3,732)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	843	3,331	1,534	(4,314)
Ending balance	894	(8,046)	894	(8,046)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(3,841)	(4,634)	(3,627)	(3,808)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	18	23	(196)	(803)
Ending balance	$ (3,823)	$ (4,611)	$ (3,823)	$ (4,611)

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI56

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment, other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 2.3	$ (0.8)	$ 15.1	$ 3.8

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,038,907	$ 951,885	$ 2,920,910	$ 2,420,789
Operating income (loss) for segments	172,471	120,389	409,293	276,122
Depreciation and amortization	113,649	108,555	329,963	236,309
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss) for segments	(62,120)	(68,978)	(189,026)	(195,085)
Depreciation and amortization	2,246	1,296	5,750	3,740
Acquisition related costs	21,500	34,000	69,500	93,000
North America | Operating segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	764,902	718,977	2,162,911	1,770,957
Operating income (loss) for segments	138,345	110,983	344,604	258,648
Depreciation and amortization	95,056	91,790	277,219	189,585
Europe | Operating segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	205,203	173,246	557,258	479,620
Operating income (loss) for segments	76,214	63,727	196,394	172,293
Depreciation and amortization	11,863	11,019	34,926	30,780
Asia-Pacific | Operating segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	68,802	59,662	200,741	170,212
Operating income (loss) for segments	20,032	14,657	57,321	40,266
Depreciation and amortization	$ 4,484	$ 4,450	$ 12,068	$ 12,204

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES -

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Narrative (Details) - Heartland Payment Systems, Inc $ in Thousands	Apr. 22, 2016USD ($)	May 31, 2017USD ($)option	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Total purchase consideration | $	$ 3,922,820	$ 37,500	$ 3,922,820	$ 3,922,820
Initial term of contract		20 years
Number of renewal options | option		4
Renewal term		5 years