Global Payments (GPN) 10-Q 2 Nov 21 2021 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover

Cover - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Oct. 29, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-16111
Entity Registrant Name	GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	GA
Entity Tax Identification Number	58-2567903
Entity Address, Address Line One	3550 Lenox Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Atlanta
Entity Address, State or Province	GA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	30326
City Area Code	770
Local Phone Number	829-8000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, no par value
Trading Symbol	GPN
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		290,151,001
Entity Central Index Key	0001123360
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 2,202,337	$ 1,917,815	$ 6,329,781	$ 5,493,365
Operating expenses:
Cost of service	944,172	900,921	2,805,728	2,728,532
Selling, general and administrative	858,082	726,475	2,486,153	2,122,862
Total operating expenses	1,802,254	1,627,396	5,291,881	4,851,394
Operating income	400,083	290,419	1,037,900	641,971
Interest and other income	6,320	29,983	16,009	35,277
Interest and other expense	(82,187)	(82,976)	(245,884)	(258,475)
Total nonoperating income (expense)	(75,867)	(52,993)	(229,875)	(223,198)
Income before income taxes and equity in income of equity method investments	324,216	237,426	808,025	418,773
Income tax expense	50,117	42,834	131,600	59,173
Income before equity in income of equity method investments	274,099	194,592	676,425	359,600
Equity in income of equity method investments, net of tax	31,364	35,638	94,261	60,682
Net income	305,463	230,230	770,686	420,282
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(8,727)	(9,259)	(13,679)	(18,406)
Net income attributable to Global Payments	$ 296,736	$ 220,971	$ 757,007	$ 401,876
Earnings per share attributable to Global Payments:
Basic earnings per share (USD per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.74	$ 2.57	$ 1.34
Diluted earnings per share (USD per share)	$ 1.01	$ 0.74	$ 2.56	$ 1.34

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_2

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 305,463	$ 230,230	$ 770,686	$ 420,282
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(79,532)	110,809	(80,427)	(10,844)
Income tax benefit related to foreign currency translation adjustments	447	0	5,438	1,160
Net unrealized (losses) gains on hedging activities	(646)	194	(62)	(53,332)
Reclassification of net unrealized losses on hedging activities to interest expense	9,788	11,133	30,288	25,786
Income tax (expense) benefit related to hedging activities	(2,208)	(2,612)	(7,297)	6,677
Other, net of tax	(2,209)	(3,531)	4,017	(3,288)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(74,360)	115,993	(48,043)	(33,841)
Comprehensive income	231,103	346,223	722,643	386,441
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4,625)	(18,010)	(6,328)	(25,898)
Comprehensive income attributable to Global Payments	$ 226,478	$ 328,213	$ 716,315	$ 360,543

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,347,732	$ 1,945,868
Accounts receivable, net	904,142	794,172
Settlement processing assets	1,912,421	1,230,853
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	628,042	621,467
Total current assets	5,792,337	4,592,360
Goodwill	24,344,275	23,871,451
Other intangible assets, net	11,529,826	12,015,883
Property and equipment, net	1,667,287	1,578,532
Deferred income taxes	8,480	7,627
Other noncurrent assets	2,412,270	2,135,692
Total assets	45,754,475	44,201,545
Current liabilities:
Settlement lines of credit	588,347	358,698
Current portion of long-term debt	39,148	827,357
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	2,387,972	2,061,384
Settlement processing obligations	2,018,840	1,301,652
Total current liabilities	5,034,307	4,549,091
Long-term debt	10,709,791	8,466,407
Deferred income taxes	2,831,349	2,948,390
Other noncurrent liabilities	824,679	750,613
Total liabilities	19,400,126	16,714,501
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Preferred stock, no par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized and none issued	0	0
Common stock, no par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 290,086,635 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2021 and 298,332,459 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020	0	0
Paid-in capital	23,544,800	24,963,769
Retained earnings	2,845,192	2,570,874
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(242,965)	(202,273)
Total Global Payments shareholders’ equity	26,147,027	27,332,370
Noncontrolling interests	207,322	154,674
Total equity	26,354,349	27,487,044
Total liabilities and equity	$ 45,754,475	$ 44,201,545

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value (USD per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred stock authorized (shares)	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock issued (shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (USD per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock authorized (shares)	400,000,000	400,000,000
Common stock issued (shares)	290,086,635	298,332,459
Common stock outstanding (shares)	290,086,635	298,332,459

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_3

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 770,686	$ 420,282
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	292,230	265,738
Amortization of acquired intangibles	973,948	941,654
Amortization of capitalized contract costs	68,112	57,888
Share-based compensation expense	146,097	105,081
Provision for operating losses and credit losses	73,286	98,967
Noncash lease expense	80,371	73,493
Deferred income taxes	(136,004)	(118,466)
Equity in income of equity investments, net of tax	(94,261)	(60,682)
Other, net	19,967	(13,584)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of business combinations:
Accounts receivable	(123,370)	23,352
Settlement processing assets and obligations, net	28,242	155,385
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(185,973)	(240,804)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	114,279	(163,544)
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,027,610	1,544,760
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business combinations and other acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(946,377)	(77,180)
Capital expenditures	(350,745)	(329,413)
Other, net	1,248	11,575
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,295,874)	(395,018)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings from (repayments of) settlement lines of credit	244,858	(31,069)
Proceeds from long-term debt	3,909,988	1,868,199
Repayments of long-term debt	(2,434,805)	(1,829,637)
Payments of debt issuance costs	(8,569)	(8,075)
Repurchases of common stock	(1,833,689)	(421,162)
Proceeds from stock issued under share-based compensation plans	38,570	51,055
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans	(84,659)	(41,966)
Contribution from a noncontrolling interest	46,320	0
Distribution to a noncontrolling interest	0	(6,955)
Dividends paid	(188,203)	(175,025)
Net cash used in financing activities	(310,189)	(594,635)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(42,704)	(12,558)
Increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	378,843	542,549
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of the period	2,089,771	1,678,273
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of the period	$ 2,468,614	$ 2,220,822

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_4

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Total Global Payments Shareholders’ Equity	Total Global Payments Shareholders’ EquityCumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Number of Shares	Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Retained EarningsCumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at beginning of period (shares) at Dec. 31, 2019					300,226,000
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 28,054,989	$ (5,379)	$ 27,855,747	$ (5,379)		$ 25,833,307	$ 2,333,011	$ (5,379)	$ (310,571)	$ 199,242
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	420,282		401,876				401,876			18,406
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(33,841)		(41,333)						(41,333)	7,492
Stock issued under share-based compensation plans (shares)					1,495,000
Stock issued under share-based compensation plans	51,055		51,055			51,055
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans (shares)					(339,000)
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans	(42,403)		(42,403)			(42,403)
Distribution to a noncontrolling interest	(6,955)									(6,955)
Share-based compensation expense	$ 105,081		105,081			105,081
Repurchases of common stock (shares)	(2,094,731)				(2,095,000)
Repurchases of common stock	$ (403,962)		(403,962)			(326,441)	(77,521)
Cash dividends declared	(175,025)		(175,025)				(175,025)
Balance at end of period (shares) at Sep. 30, 2020					299,287,000
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2020	27,963,842		27,745,657			25,620,599	2,476,962		(351,904)	218,185
Balance at beginning of period (shares) at Jun. 30, 2020					299,244,000
Balance at beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2020	27,632,989		27,425,859			25,570,582	2,314,423		(459,146)	207,130
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	230,230		220,971				220,971			9,259
Other comprehensive (loss) income	115,993		107,242						107,242	8,751
Stock issued under share-based compensation plans (shares)					50,000
Stock issued under share-based compensation plans	8,423		8,423			8,423
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans (shares)					(7,000)
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans	(682)		(682)			(682)
Distribution to a noncontrolling interest	(6,955)									(6,955)
Share-based compensation expense	$ 42,276		42,276			42,276
Repurchases of common stock (shares)	0
Cash dividends declared	$ (58,432)		(58,432)				(58,432)
Balance at end of period (shares) at Sep. 30, 2020					299,287,000
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2020	27,963,842		27,745,657			25,620,599	2,476,962		(351,904)	218,185
Balance at beginning of period (shares) at Dec. 31, 2020					298,332,000
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2020	27,487,044		27,332,370			24,963,769	2,570,874		(202,273)	154,674
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	770,686		757,007				757,007			13,679
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(48,043)		(40,692)						(40,692)	(7,351)
Stock issued under share-based compensation plans (shares)					1,900,000
Stock issued under share-based compensation plans	38,570		38,570			38,570
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans (shares)					(456,000)
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans	(84,432)		(84,432)			(84,432)
Share-based compensation expense	$ 146,097		146,097			146,097
Repurchases of common stock (shares)	(9,689,181)				(9,689,000)
Repurchases of common stock	$ (1,813,690)		(1,813,690)			(1,519,204)	(294,486)
Contribution from a noncontrolling interest	46,320									46,320
Cash dividends declared	(188,203)		(188,203)				(188,203)
Balance at end of period (shares) at Sep. 30, 2021					290,087,000
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2021	26,354,349		26,147,027			23,544,800	2,845,192		(242,965)	207,322
Balance at beginning of period (shares) at Jun. 30, 2021					293,703,000
Balance at beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2021	26,850,140		26,693,763			24,201,763	2,664,707		(172,707)	156,377
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	305,463		296,736				296,736			8,727
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(74,360)		(70,258)						(70,258)	(4,102)
Stock issued under share-based compensation plans (shares)					819,000
Stock issued under share-based compensation plans	9,262		9,262			9,262
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans (shares)					(203,000)
Common stock repurchased - share-based compensation plans	(34,003)		(34,003)			(34,003)
Share-based compensation expense	$ 65,611		65,611			65,611
Repurchases of common stock (shares)	(4,232,232)				(4,232,000)
Repurchases of common stock	$ (740,757)		(740,757)			(697,833)	(42,924)
Contribution from a noncontrolling interest	46,320									46,320
Cash dividends declared	(73,327)		(73,327)				(73,327)
Balance at end of period (shares) at Sep. 30, 2021					290,087,000
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2021	$ 26,354,349		$ 26,147,027			$ 23,544,800	$ 2,845,192		$ (242,965)	$ 207,322

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_5

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends per share (USD per share)	$ 0.25	$ 0.195	$ 0.64	$ 0.585

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMA

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
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 payments technology company delivering innovative software and services to our customers globally. Our technologies, services and team member expertise allow us to provide a broad range of solutions that enable our customers to operate their businesses more efficiently across a variety of channels around the world. We operate in three reportable segments: Merchant Solutions, Issuer Solutions and Business and Consumer Solutions, which are described in "Note 13—Segment Information." Global Payments Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries are referred to herein 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 ("SEC"). The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 was derived from the audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP for annual financial statements. 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. COVID-19 Update - Since early 2020, the global economy has been, and continues to be, affected by COVID-19. The pandemic has caused and may continue to cause significant disruptions to businesses and markets worldwide as the virus spreads or has a resurgence in certain jurisdictions. Measures have been implemented by governments worldwide in an effort to contain the virus, including lockdowns, physical distancing, travel restrictions, limitations on public gatherings, work from home and restrictions on nonessential businesses. Certain government actions to gradually ease restrictions, provide economic stimulus and distribute vaccines have resulted in signs of economic recovery. However, the effects of the pandemic continue, and its ultimate severity and duration, and the implications on future global economic conditions, remain uncertain. 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. In particular, the future magnitude, duration and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are difficult to predict at this time, and the ultimate effect could result in additional charges related to the recoverability of assets, including financial assets, long-lived assets and goodwill and other losses. These unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect the financial statement effects of COVID-19 based upon management’s estimates and assumptions utilizing the most currently available information. Recently adopted accounting pronouncements Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2019-12 — In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2019-12, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes ," which is intended to enhance and simplify various aspects of the accounting for income taxes. The amendments in this update remove certain exceptions to the general principles in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 740 related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. ASU 2019-12 also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistency in application of the accounting for franchise taxes, enacted changes in tax laws or rates and transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 on January 1, 2021 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. Recently issued pronouncements not yet adopted ASU 2021-08 — In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers ." Under current GAAP, an acquirer generally recognizes assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, including contract assets and contract liabilities arising from revenue contracts with customers and other similar contracts that are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 606, at fair value on the acquisition date. ASU 2021-08 requires that an entity recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with ASC Topic 606. At the acquisition date, an acquirer should account for the related revenue contracts in accordance with ASC Topic 606 as if it had originated the contracts, which should generally result in an acquirer recognizing and measuring the acquired contract assets and contract liabilities consistent with how they were recognized and measured in the acquiree’s financial statements. This update also provides certain practical expedients for acquirers when recognizing and measuring acquired contract assets and contract liabilities from revenue contracts in a business combination. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years and should be applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Adoption during an interim period requires retrospective application to all business combinations for which the acquisition date occurs on or after the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period of early application. We are evaluating the effect of ASU 2021-08 on our consolidated financial statements. ASU 2020-04 — In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ," which provides optional expedients and exceptions to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments in this update apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Inter-bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The expedients and exceptions provided by the amendments do not apply to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022 for which an entity has elected certain optional expedients and which are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. The amendments in this update also include a general principle that permits an entity to consider contract modifications due to reference rate reform to be an event that does not require contract remeasurement at the modification date or reassessment of a previous accounting determination. If elected, the optional expedients for contract modifications must be applied consistently for all eligible contracts or eligible transactions within the relevant ASC Topic or Industry Subtopic that contains the guidance that otherwise would be required to be applied. The amendments in this update were effective upon issuance and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. A portion of our indebtedness bears interest at a variable rate based on LIBOR. Furthermore, we have entered into hedging instruments to manage our exposure to fluctuations in the LIBOR benchmark interest rate. We are evaluating the effect of the discontinuance of LIBOR on our outstanding debt and hedging instruments and the related effect of ASU 2020-04 on our consolidated financial statements.

ACQUISITION

ACQUISITION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Business Combination and Asset Acquisition [Abstract]
ACQUISITION	ACQUISITION On June 10, 2021, we acquired Zego, a real estate technology company that provides a comprehensive resident experience management software and digital commerce solutions to property managers, primarily in the United States. Zego’s real estate software and payments solutions support property managers and residents throughout the real estate lifecycle. This acquisition aligns with our technology-enabled, software driven strategy and expands our business into a new vertical market. We paid cash consideration of approximately $933 million, which we funded with cash on hand and by drawing on our revolving credit facility. 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: Provisional Amounts at Acquisition Date Measurement-Period Adjustments Provisional Amounts at September 30, 2021 (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 67,374 $ — $ 67,374 Accounts receivable 1,033 (16) 1,017 Identifiable intangible assets 410,443 62,557 473,000 Property and equipment 3,634 (3,059) 575 Other assets 9,141 — 9,141 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (65,753) (496) (66,249) Deferred income tax liabilities (10,709) (1,451) (12,160) Other liabilities (8,268) — (8,268) Total identifiable net assets 406,895 57,535 464,430 Goodwill 525,929 (57,113) 468,816 Total purchase consideration $ 932,824 $ 422 $ 933,246 This transaction was accounted for as a business combination, which generally requires that we record the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value as of the acquisition date. As of September 30, 2021, we considered these amounts to be provisional because we were still in the process of gathering and reviewing information to support the valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and to evaluate the basis differences for assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes. We made measurement-period adjustments, as shown in the table above, that decreased the amount of provisional goodwill by $57.1 million. The effects of the measurement-period adjustments on our consolidated statement of income for the third quarter of 2021 were not material. Goodwill of $468.8 million arising from the acquisition, included in the Merchant Solutions segment, is attributable to expected growth opportunities, potential synergies from combining our existing businesses and an assembled workforce. We expect that a portion of the goodwill will be deductible for income tax purposes. The following table reflects the provisional estimated fair values of the identified intangible assets of Zego and the respective weighted-average estimated amortization periods: Estimated Fair Value Weighted-Average Estimated Amortization Periods (in thousands) (years) Customer-related intangible assets $ 208,000 13 Contract-based intangible assets 119,000 20 Acquired technologies 124,000 6 Trademarks and trade names 22,000 15 Total estimated identifiable intangible assets $ 473,000 14

REVENUES

REVENUES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
REVENUES	REVENUES The following tables present a disaggregation of our revenues from contracts with customers by geography for each of our reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Merchant Issuer Business and Intersegment Total (in thousands) Americas $ 1,245,805 $ 394,893 $ 204,584 $ (16,507) $ 1,828,775 Europe 189,282 120,383 3,086 — 312,751 Asia Pacific 60,811 6,890 — (6,890) 60,811 $ 1,495,898 $ 522,166 $ 207,670 $ (23,397) $ 2,202,337 Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 Merchant Issuer Business and Intersegment Total (in thousands) Americas $ 1,039,039 $ 370,938 $ 204,106 $ (15,097) $ 1,598,986 Europe 154,262 113,907 — — 268,169 Asia Pacific 50,660 2,564 — (2,564) 50,660 $ 1,243,961 $ 487,409 $ 204,106 $ (17,661) $ 1,917,815 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Merchant Issuer Business and Intersegment Total (in thousands) Americas $ 3,529,245 $ 1,152,057 $ 669,747 $ (50,180) $ 5,300,869 Europe 488,860 358,769 8,864 — 856,493 Asia Pacific 172,419 17,523 — (17,523) 172,419 $ 4,190,524 $ 1,528,349 $ 678,611 $ (67,703) $ 6,329,781 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Merchant Issuer Business and Intersegment Total (in thousands) Americas $ 2,926,472 $ 1,127,832 $ 624,774 $ (47,558) $ 4,631,520 Europe 392,721 327,532 — — 720,253 Asia Pacific 141,592 5,832 — (5,832) 141,592 $ 3,460,785 $ 1,461,196 $ 624,774 $ (53,390) $ 5,493,365 The following table presents a disaggregation of our Merchant Solutions segment revenues by distribution channel for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 (in thousands) Relationship-led $ 799,948 $ 709,749 $ 2,245,839 $ 1,934,265 Technology-enabled 695,950 534,212 1,944,685 1,526,520 $ 1,495,898 $ 1,243,961 $ 4,190,524 $ 3,460,785 ASC Topic 606, Revenues from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"), requires that we determine for each customer arrangement whether revenue should be recognized at a point in time or over time. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, substantially all of our revenues were recognized over time. Supplemental balance sheet information related to contracts from customers as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was as follows: Balance Sheet Location September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Assets: Capitalized costs to obtain customer contracts, net Other noncurrent assets $ 278,565 $ 253,780 Capitalized costs to fulfill customer contracts, net Other noncurrent assets 106,236 81,371 Liabilities: Contract liabilities, net (current) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 218,585 217,938 Contract liabilities, net (noncurrent) Other noncurrent liabilities 46,290 52,944 Net contract assets were not material at September 30, 2021 or at December 31, 2020. Revenue recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 from contract liability balances at the beginning of each period was $75.5 million and $69.7 million, respectively. Revenue recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 from contract liability balances at the beginning of each period was $186.0 million and $195.3 million, respectively. ASC 606 requires disclosure of the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations. The purpose of this disclosure is to provide additional information about the amounts and expected timing of revenue to be recognized from the remaining performance obligations in our existing contracts. The following table includes estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied at September 30, 2021. However, as permitted, we have elected to exclude from this disclosure any contracts with an original duration of one year or less and any variable consideration that meets specified criteria. Accordingly, the total amount of unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied performance obligations related to processing services is significantly higher than the amounts disclosed in the table below (in thousands): Year Ending December 31, 2021 $ 256,447 2022 908,834 2023 694,952 2024 522,068 2025 410,883 2026 321,754 2027 and thereafter 518,598 Total $ 3,633,538

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE A

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, goodwill and other intangible assets consisted of the following: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Goodwill $ 24,344,275 $ 23,871,451 Other intangible assets: Customer-related intangible assets $ 9,475,914 $ 9,275,093 Acquired technologies 2,918,284 2,795,991 Contract-based intangible assets 2,108,556 1,981,260 Trademarks and trade names 1,261,241 1,239,925 15,763,995 15,292,269 Less accumulated amortization: Customer-related intangible assets 2,418,357 1,914,214 Acquired technologies 1,266,883 960,281 Contract-based intangible assets 165,837 120,631 Trademarks and trade names 383,092 281,260 4,234,169 3,276,386 $ 11,529,826 $ 12,015,883 The following table sets forth the changes by reportable segment in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2021: Merchant Issuer Business and Total (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2020 $ 13,548,690 $ 7,957,616 $ 2,365,145 $ 23,871,451 Goodwill acquired 517,240 — — 517,240 Effect of foreign currency translation (33,565) (4,258) (1,251) (39,074) Measurement period adjustments (5,202) — (140) (5,342) Balance at September 30, 2021 $ 14,027,163 $ 7,953,358 $ 2,363,754 $ 24,344,275 There were no accumulated impairment losses for goodwill as of September 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020.

OTHER ASSETS

OTHER ASSETS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
OTHER ASSETS	OTHER ASSETSThrough 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, and we received consideration in the form of cash and Series B and C convertible preferred shares of Visa. We assigned the preferred shares received 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 any current or 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 receive could be as low as zero.The Series B and C convertible preferred shares become convertible in stages based on developments in the litigation and become fully convertible no later than 2028 (subject to a holdback to cover any then pending claims). On September 24, 2020, in connection with the first mandatory release assessment, a portion of the Series B and C convertible preferred shares was converted by Visa representing approximately half of the original potential conversion rate. We recognized a gain of $27.3 million reported in interest and other income in our consolidated statement of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 based on the fair value of the shares received.

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CRE

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT	LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, long-term debt consisted of the following: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (in thousands) 3.800% senior notes due April 1, 2021 $ — $ 752,199 3.750% senior notes due June 1, 2023 558,454 562,258 4.000% senior notes due June 1, 2023 560,986 565,930 2.650% senior notes due February 15, 2025 994,375 993,110 1.200% senior notes due March 1, 2026 1,091,536 — 4.800% senior notes due April 1, 2026 800,849 809,324 4.450% senior notes due June 1, 2028 479,293 482,588 3.200% senior notes due August 15, 2029 1,237,611 1,236,424 2.900% senior notes due May 15, 2030 989,903 989,025 4.150% senior notes due August 15, 2049 740,056 739,789 Unsecured term loan facility 1,988,789 1,985,776 Unsecured revolving credit facility 1,222,000 36,000 Finance lease liabilities 64,081 75,989 Other borrowings 21,006 65,352 Total long-term debt 10,748,939 9,293,764 Less current portion 39,148 827,357 Long-term debt, excluding current portion $ 10,709,791 $ 8,466,407 The carrying amounts of our senior notes and term loan in the table above are presented net of unamortized discount and unamortized debt issuance costs, as applicable. At September 30, 2021, unamortized discount on senior notes was $8.7 million, and unamortized debt issuance costs on senior notes and the unsecured term loan facility were $49.0 million. At December 31, 2020, unamortized discount on senior notes was $8.5 million and unamortized debt issuance costs on our senior notes and the unsecured term loan facility were $47.4 million. The portion of unamortized debt issuance costs related to revolving credit facilities is included in other noncurrent assets. At September 30, 2021, unamortized debt issuance costs on the unsecured revolving credit facility were $10.8 million, and at December 31, 2020, unamortized debt issuance costs on the unsecured revolving credit facility were $13.8 million. At September 30, 2021, future maturities of long-term debt (excluding finance lease liabilities) are as follows by year (in thousands): Year Ending December 31, 2021 $ 12,602 2022 58,403 2023 1,300,000 2024 2,972,000 2025 1,000,000 2026 1,850,000 2027 and thereafter 3,450,000 Total $ 10,643,005 Senior Unsecured Notes On February 26, 2021, we issued $1.1 billion in aggregate principal amount of 1.200% senior unsecured notes due March 2026. We incurred debt issuance costs of approximately $8.6 million, including underwriting fees, fees for professional services and registration fees, which were capitalized and reflected as a reduction of the related carrying amount of the notes in our consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2021. Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing September 1, 2021. The notes are unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness and rank equally in right of payment with all of our other outstanding unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. We used the net proceeds from this offering to fund the redemption in full of the 3.800% senior unsecured notes due April 2021, to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under our revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes. As of September 30, 2021, our senior notes had a total carrying amount of $7.5 billion and an estimated fair value of $7.9 billion. The estimated fair value of our senior notes was based on quoted market prices in an active market and is considered to be a Level 1 measurement of the valuation hierarchy. The fair value of other long-term debt approximated its carrying amount at September 30, 2021. Compliance with Covenants The senior unsecured term loan and revolving credit facility contain customary conditions to funding, affirmative covenants, negative covenants, financial covenants and events of default. As of September 30, 2021, financial covenants under the term loan facility required a leverage ratio of 3.50 to 1.00 and an interest coverage ratio of 3.00 to 1.00. We were in compliance with all applicable covenants as of September 30, 2021. Derivative 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 (loss). The fair values of our 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 information about our derivative financial instruments, designated as cash flow hedges, included in the consolidated balance sheets: Fair Values Derivative Financial Instruments Balance Sheet Location Weighted-Average Fixed Rate of Interest at September 30, 2021 Range of Maturity Dates at September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Interest rate swaps (Notional of $300 million at December 31, 2020) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities NA NA $ — $ 1,330 Interest rate swaps (Notional of $1,250 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020) Other noncurrent liabilities 2.73% December 31, 2022 $ 40,701 $ 65,490 NA = not applicable. The table below presents the effects of our interest rate swaps on the consolidated statements of income and statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 (in thousands) Net unrealized (losses) gains recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) $ (646) $ 194 $ (62) $ (53,332) Net unrealized losses reclassified out of other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense $ 9,788 $ 11,133 $ 30,288 $ 25,786 As of September 30, 2021, the amount of net unrealized losses 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 $38.5 million. Interest Expense Interest expense was $82.3 million and $82.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $242.9 million and $244.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

INCOME TAX

INCOME TAX	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAX	INCOME TAXOur effective income tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 were 15.5% and 16.3%, respectively. Our effective income tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 differed favorably from the U.S. statutory rate primarily as a result of foreign interest income not subject to tax, tax credits and the foreign-derived intangible income deduction. Our effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 also included the effect of enacted tax law changes in the U.K. which required a remeasurement of deferred tax balances raising the effective rate, and was favorably affected by a change in the assessment of the need for a valuation allowance related to foreign tax credit carryforwards. The effective rate for each period includes the effects of applicable state income taxes.Our effective income tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 were 18.0% and 14.1%, respectively. Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2020 differed from the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to tax credits, foreign interest income not subject to tax, the foreign-derived intangible income deduction, changes in uncertain tax positions and the tax effect of a U.K. statutory income tax rate change that took effect during the quarter. Our effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 differed from the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to tax credits, foreign interest income not subject to tax, the foreign-derived intangible income deduction and excess tax benefits of share-based awards. The effective rate for each period includes the effects of applicable state income taxes.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Equity [Abstract]
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY We repurchase our common stock mainly through open market repurchase plans and, at times, through accelerated share repurchase ("ASR") programs. During the three months ended September 30, 2021, we repurchased and retired 4,232,232 shares of our common stock at a cost, including commissions, of $740.8 million, or $175.03 per share. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, there were no repurchases. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, we repurchased and retired 9,689,181 and 2,094,731 shares of our common stock at a cost, including commissions, of $1,813.7 million and $404.0 million, or $187.21 per share and $192.85 per share, respectively. The activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 included the repurchase of 2,491,161 shares at an average price of $200.71 per share under an ASR agreement we entered into on February 10, 2021 with a financial institution to repurchase an aggregate of $500 million of our common stock during the A SR program purchase period, which ended on March 31, 2021. As of September 30, 2021, the remaining amount available under our share repurchase program was $949.2 million. On October 28, 2021, our board of directors declared a dividend of $0.25 per share payable on December 30, 2021 to common shareholders of record as of December 16, 2021.

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK OP

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK OPTIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK OPTIONS	SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK 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, 2021 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 (in thousands) (in thousands) Share-based compensation expense $ 65,611 $ 42,276 $ 146,097 $ 105,081 Income tax benefit $ 16,224 $ 9,123 $ 34,595 $ 23,338 Share-Based Awards The following table summarizes the changes in unvested restricted stock and performance awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2021: Shares Weighted-Average (in thousands) Unvested at December 31, 2020 1,546 $176.71 Granted 1,437 193.59 Vested (1,162) 153.99 Forfeited (90) 180.76 Unvested at September 30, 2021 1,731 $183.74 The total fair value of restricted stock and performance awards vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020 was $178.9 million and $77.9 million, respectively. For restricted stock and performance awards, we recognized compensation expense of $62.2 million and $38.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $135.6 million and $94.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As of September 30, 2021, there was $204.9 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock and performance awards that we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years. Stock Options The following table summarizes stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2021: Options Weighted-Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) (years) (in millions) Outstanding at December 31, 2020 1,253 $93.66 6.3 $152.6 Granted 112 196.06 Forfeited (1) 113.48 Exercised (181) 69.08 Outstanding at September 30, 2021 1,183 $106.98 6.0 $69.4 Options vested and exercisable at September 30, 2021 908 $86.45 5.3 $66.4 We recognized compensation expense for stock options of $1.9 million and $2.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $6.0 million and $6.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $23.4 million and $69.8 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2021, we had $10.1 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options that we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 was $65.99 and $54.85, respectively. 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, 2021 September 30, 2020 Risk-free interest rate 0.59% 1.24% Expected volatility 40% 30% Dividend yield 0.44% 0.39% Expected term (years) 5 5 The risk-free interest rate was 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 was based on our historical volatility. The dividend yield assumption was determined 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, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE	EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic earnings per share ("EPS") was 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 was the same as reported net income attributable to Global Payments for all periods presented. Diluted EPS 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 EPS. 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 EPS. The dilutive share base for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 excluded approximately 234,813 shares related to stock options that would have an antidilutive effect on the computation of diluted earnings per share. The dilutive share base for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 excluded approximately 124,888 shares related to stock options that would have an antidilutive effect on the computation of diluted 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, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 (in thousands) Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding 291,502 299,255 294,262 299,261 Plus: Dilutive effect of stock options and other share-based awards 1,005 1,236 1,159 1,264 Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding 292,507 300,491 295,421 300,525

SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFO

SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION	SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash A reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the consolidated statements of cash flows as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 to the amounts in the consolidated balance sheets is as follows: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,347,732 $ 1,945,868 Restricted cash included in prepaid expenses and other current assets 120,882 143,903 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows $ 2,468,614 $ 2,089,771 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities At September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet included obligations totaling $17.7 million and $48.4 million, respectively, for employee termination benefits resulting from integration activities related to our merger with Total System Services, Inc. (the "Merger"). During the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, we recognized charges for employee termination benefits of $4.7 million and $8.1 million, which included $1.9 million of share-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2020. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, we recognized charges for employee termination benefits of $43.0 million

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Equity [Abstract]
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS The changes in the accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Foreign Currency Translation Gains (Losses) Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Hedging Activities Other Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) Balance at June 30, 2021 $ (106,882) $ (65,548) $ (277) $ (172,707) Other comprehensive income (loss) (74,983) 6,934 (2,209) (70,258) Balance at September 30, 2021 $ (181,865) $ (58,614) $ (2,486) $ (242,965) Balance at June 30, 2020 $ (361,133) $ (98,903) $ 890 $ (459,146) Other comprehensive income (loss) 102,058 8,715 (3,531) 107,242 Balance at September 30, 2020 $ (259,075) $ (90,188) $ (2,641) $ (351,904) Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, which relates only to foreign currency translation, was a loss of $(4.1) million and income of $8.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Foreign Currency Translation Losses Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Hedging Activities Other Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2020 $ (114,227) $ (81,543) $ (6,503) $ (202,273) Other comprehensive income (loss) (67,638) 22,929 4,017 (40,692) Balance at September 30, 2021 $ (181,865) $ (58,614) $ (2,486) $ (242,965) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ (241,899) $ (69,319) $ 647 $ (310,571) Other comprehensive loss (17,176) (20,869) (3,288) (41,333) Balance at September 30, 2020 $ (259,075) $ (90,188) $ (2,641) $ (351,904) Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, which relates only to foreign currency translation, was a loss of $(7.4) million and income of $7.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT INFORMATION	SEGMENT INFORMATION We operate in three reportable segments: Merchant Solutions, Issuer Solutions and Business and Consumer Solutions. 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 share-based compensation costs are included in Corporate. Interest and other income, interest and other expense, income tax expense and equity in income of equity method investments, net of tax, 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 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, consolidated operating income and consolidated depreciation and amortization was as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 (in thousands) Revenues : (1) Merchant Solutions $ 1,495,898 $ 1,243,961 $ 4,190,524 $ 3,460,785 Issuer Solutions 522,166 487,409 1,528,349 1,461,196 Business and Consumer Solutions 207,670 204,106 678,611 624,774 Intersegment eliminations (23,397) (17,661) (67,703) (53,390) Consolidated revenues $ 2,202,337 $ 1,917,815 $ 6,329,781 $ 5,493,365 Operating income (loss) (1)(2) : Merchant Solutions $ 488,407 $ 344,981 $ 1,265,689 $ 824,212 Issuer Solutions 77,692 70,800 220,954 188,131 Business and Consumer Solutions 35,233 31,052 139,439 110,358 Corporate (201,249) (156,414) (588,182) (480,730) Consolidated operating income $ 400,083 $ 290,419 $ 1,037,900 $ 641,971 Depreciation and amortization : (1) Merchant Solutions $ 244,055 $ 238,946 $ 743,154 $ 708,808 Issuer Solutions 145,530 137,965 435,831 410,955 Business and Consumer Solutions 21,209 23,957 65,066 71,712 Corporate 7,767 6,031 22,127 15,917 Consolidated depreciation and amortization $ 418,561 $ 406,899 $ 1,266,178 $ 1,207,392 (1) Revenues, operating income and depreciation and amortization reflect the effects of acquired businesses from the respective acquisition dates.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Purchase Obligations We have contractual obligations related to service arrangements with suppliers for fixed or minimum amounts. Future minimum payments at September 30, 2021 for purchase obligations were as follows (in thousands): Year Ending December 31: 2021 $ 182,374 2022 261,049 2023 199,775 2024 133,911 2025 156,296 2026 188,874 2027 and thereafter 771,046 Total future minimum payments $ 1,893,325 Legal Matters We are party to a number of claims and lawsuits incidental to our business. In our opinion, the liabilities, if any, which may ultimately result from the outcome of such matters, individually or in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity, results of operations or cash flows. On September 23, 2019, a jury in the Superior Court of Dekalb County Georgia, awarded Frontline Processing Corp. ("Frontline") $135.2 million in damages, costs and attorney's fees (plus interest) following a trial of a breach of contract dispute between Frontline and Global Payments, wherein Frontline alleged that Global Payments violated provisions of the parties' Referral Agreement and Master Services Agreement. The Superior Court entered a final judgment on the verdict in favor of Frontline on September 30, 2019. We appealed the decision to the Georgia Court of Appeals. On June 30, 2021, a panel of the Georgia Court of Appeals unanimously reversed the judgment, including the entire damages award. We previously determined that it was not probable that a loss had been incurred under the applicable accounting standard (ASC Topic 450, Contingencies

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUM_2

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Business, consolidation and presentation	Business, consolidation and presentation - We are a leading payments technology company delivering innovative software and services to our customers globally. Our technologies, services and team member expertise allow us to provide a broad range of solutions that enable our customers to operate their businesses more efficiently across a variety of channels around the world. We operate in three reportable segments: Merchant Solutions, Issuer Solutions and Business and Consumer Solutions, which are described in "Note 13—Segment Information." Global Payments Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries are referred to herein 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 ("SEC"). The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 was derived from the audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP for annual financial statements. 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
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. In particular, the future magnitude, duration and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are difficult to predict at this time, and the ultimate effect could result in additional charges related to the recoverability of assets, including financial assets, long-lived assets and goodwill and other losses. These unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect the financial statement effects of COVID-19 based upon management’s estimates and assumptions utilizing the most currently available information.
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements and recently issued pronouncements not yet adopted	Recently adopted accounting pronouncements Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2019-12 — In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2019-12, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes ," which is intended to enhance and simplify various aspects of the accounting for income taxes. The amendments in this update remove certain exceptions to the general principles in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 740 related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. ASU 2019-12 also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistency in application of the accounting for franchise taxes, enacted changes in tax laws or rates and transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 on January 1, 2021 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. Recently issued pronouncements not yet adopted ASU 2021-08 — In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers ." Under current GAAP, an acquirer generally recognizes assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, including contract assets and contract liabilities arising from revenue contracts with customers and other similar contracts that are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 606, at fair value on the acquisition date. ASU 2021-08 requires that an entity recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with ASC Topic 606. At the acquisition date, an acquirer should account for the related revenue contracts in accordance with ASC Topic 606 as if it had originated the contracts, which should generally result in an acquirer recognizing and measuring the acquired contract assets and contract liabilities consistent with how they were recognized and measured in the acquiree’s financial statements. This update also provides certain practical expedients for acquirers when recognizing and measuring acquired contract assets and contract liabilities from revenue contracts in a business combination. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years and should be applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Adoption during an interim period requires retrospective application to all business combinations for which the acquisition date occurs on or after the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period of early application. We are evaluating the effect of ASU 2021-08 on our consolidated financial statements. ASU 2020-04 — In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ," which provides optional expedients and exceptions to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments in this update apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference London Inter-bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The expedients and exceptions provided by the amendments do not apply to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022 for which an entity has elected certain optional expedients and which are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. The amendments in this update also include a general principle that permits an entity to consider contract modifications due to reference rate reform to be an event that does not require contract remeasurement at the modification date or reassessment of a previous accounting determination. If elected, the optional expedients for contract modifications must be applied consistently for all eligible contracts or eligible transactions within the relevant ASC Topic or Industry Subtopic that contains the guidance that otherwise would be required to be applied. The amendments in this update were effective upon issuance and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. A portion of our indebtedness bears interest at a variable rate based on LIBOR. Furthermore, we have entered into hedging instruments to manage our exposure to fluctuations in the LIBOR benchmark interest rate. We are evaluating the effect of the discontinuance of LIBOR on our outstanding debt and hedging instruments and the related effect of ASU 2020-04 on our consolidated financial statements.

ACQUISITION (Tables)

ACQUISITION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Business Combination and Asset Acquisition [Abstract]
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: Provisional Amounts at Acquisition Date Measurement-Period Adjustments Provisional Amounts at September 30, 2021 (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 67,374 $ — $ 67,374 Accounts receivable 1,033 (16) 1,017 Identifiable intangible assets 410,443 62,557 473,000 Property and equipment 3,634 (3,059) 575 Other assets 9,141 — 9,141 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (65,753) (496) (66,249) Deferred income tax liabilities (10,709) (1,451) (12,160) Other liabilities (8,268) — (8,268) Total identifiable net assets 406,895 57,535 464,430 Goodwill 525,929 (57,113) 468,816 Total purchase consideration $ 932,824 $ 422 $ 933,246
Schedule of Fair Values of Identified Intangible Assets Acquired and Respective Weighted-Average Estimated Amortization Periods	The following table reflects the provisional estimated fair values of the identified intangible assets of Zego and the respective weighted-average estimated amortization periods: Estimated Fair Value Weighted-Average Estimated Amortization Periods (in thousands) (years) Customer-related intangible assets $ 208,000 13 Contract-based intangible assets 119,000 20 Acquired technologies 124,000 6 Trademarks and trade names 22,000 15 Total estimated identifiable intangible assets $ 473,000 14

REVENUES (Tables)

REVENUES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue	The following tables present a disaggregation of our revenues from contracts with customers by geography for each of our reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Merchant Issuer Business and Intersegment Total (in thousands) Americas $ 1,245,805 $ 394,893 $ 204,584 $ (16,507) $ 1,828,775 Europe 189,282 120,383 3,086 — 312,751 Asia Pacific 60,811 6,890 — (6,890) 60,811 $ 1,495,898 $ 522,166 $ 207,670 $ (23,397) $ 2,202,337 Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 Merchant Issuer Business and Intersegment Total (in thousands) Americas $ 1,039,039 $ 370,938 $ 204,106 $ (15,097) $ 1,598,986 Europe 154,262 113,907 — — 268,169 Asia Pacific 50,660 2,564 — (2,564) 50,660 $ 1,243,961 $ 487,409 $ 204,106 $ (17,661) $ 1,917,815 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 Merchant Issuer Business and Intersegment Total (in thousands) Americas $ 3,529,245 $ 1,152,057 $ 669,747 $ (50,180) $ 5,300,869 Europe 488,860 358,769 8,864 — 856,493 Asia Pacific 172,419 17,523 — (17,523) 172,419 $ 4,190,524 $ 1,528,349 $ 678,611 $ (67,703) $ 6,329,781 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Merchant Issuer Business and Intersegment Total (in thousands) Americas $ 2,926,472 $ 1,127,832 $ 624,774 $ (47,558) $ 4,631,520 Europe 392,721 327,532 — — 720,253 Asia Pacific 141,592 5,832 — (5,832) 141,592 $ 3,460,785 $ 1,461,196 $ 624,774 $ (53,390) $ 5,493,365 The following table presents a disaggregation of our Merchant Solutions segment revenues by distribution channel for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 (in thousands) Relationship-led $ 799,948 $ 709,749 $ 2,245,839 $ 1,934,265 Technology-enabled 695,950 534,212 1,944,685 1,526,520 $ 1,495,898 $ 1,243,961 $ 4,190,524 $ 3,460,785
Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information	Supplemental balance sheet information related to contracts from customers as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was as follows: Balance Sheet Location September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Assets: Capitalized costs to obtain customer contracts, net Other noncurrent assets $ 278,565 $ 253,780 Capitalized costs to fulfill customer contracts, net Other noncurrent assets 106,236 81,371 Liabilities: Contract liabilities, net (current) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 218,585 217,938 Contract liabilities, net (noncurrent) Other noncurrent liabilities 46,290 52,944
Schedule of Expected Timing of Satisfaction of Remaining Performance Obligation	The following table includes estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied at September 30, 2021. However, as permitted, we have elected to exclude from this disclosure any contracts with an original duration of one year or less and any variable consideration that meets specified criteria. Accordingly, the total amount of unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied performance obligations related to processing services is significantly higher than the amounts disclosed in the table below (in thousands): Year Ending December 31, 2021 $ 256,447 2022 908,834 2023 694,952 2024 522,068 2025 410,883 2026 321,754 2027 and thereafter 518,598 Total $ 3,633,538

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_2

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets	As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, goodwill and other intangible assets consisted of the following: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Goodwill $ 24,344,275 $ 23,871,451 Other intangible assets: Customer-related intangible assets $ 9,475,914 $ 9,275,093 Acquired technologies 2,918,284 2,795,991 Contract-based intangible assets 2,108,556 1,981,260 Trademarks and trade names 1,261,241 1,239,925 15,763,995 15,292,269 Less accumulated amortization: Customer-related intangible assets 2,418,357 1,914,214 Acquired technologies 1,266,883 960,281 Contract-based intangible assets 165,837 120,631 Trademarks and trade names 383,092 281,260 4,234,169 3,276,386 $ 11,529,826 $ 12,015,883
Schedule of Carrying Amount of Goodwill	The following table sets forth the changes by reportable segment in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2021: Merchant Issuer Business and Total (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2020 $ 13,548,690 $ 7,957,616 $ 2,365,145 $ 23,871,451 Goodwill acquired 517,240 — — 517,240 Effect of foreign currency translation (33,565) (4,258) (1,251) (39,074) Measurement period adjustments (5,202) — (140) (5,342) Balance at September 30, 2021 $ 14,027,163 $ 7,953,358 $ 2,363,754 $ 24,344,275

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF C_2

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Outstanding Debt	As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, long-term debt consisted of the following: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (in thousands) 3.800% senior notes due April 1, 2021 $ — $ 752,199 3.750% senior notes due June 1, 2023 558,454 562,258 4.000% senior notes due June 1, 2023 560,986 565,930 2.650% senior notes due February 15, 2025 994,375 993,110 1.200% senior notes due March 1, 2026 1,091,536 — 4.800% senior notes due April 1, 2026 800,849 809,324 4.450% senior notes due June 1, 2028 479,293 482,588 3.200% senior notes due August 15, 2029 1,237,611 1,236,424 2.900% senior notes due May 15, 2030 989,903 989,025 4.150% senior notes due August 15, 2049 740,056 739,789 Unsecured term loan facility 1,988,789 1,985,776 Unsecured revolving credit facility 1,222,000 36,000 Finance lease liabilities 64,081 75,989 Other borrowings 21,006 65,352 Total long-term debt 10,748,939 9,293,764 Less current portion 39,148 827,357 Long-term debt, excluding current portion $ 10,709,791 $ 8,466,407
Schedule of Maturities of Long-Term Debt	At September 30, 2021, future maturities of long-term debt (excluding finance lease liabilities) are as follows by year (in thousands): Year Ending December 31, 2021 $ 12,602 2022 58,403 2023 1,300,000 2024 2,972,000 2025 1,000,000 2026 1,850,000 2027 and thereafter 3,450,000 Total $ 10,643,005
Schedule of Derivative Instruments	The table below presents information about our derivative financial instruments, designated as cash flow hedges, included in the consolidated balance sheets: Fair Values Derivative Financial Instruments Balance Sheet Location Weighted-Average Fixed Rate of Interest at September 30, 2021 Range of Maturity Dates at September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Interest rate swaps (Notional of $300 million at December 31, 2020) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities NA NA $ — $ 1,330 Interest rate swaps (Notional of $1,250 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020) Other noncurrent liabilities 2.73% December 31, 2022 $ 40,701 $ 65,490 NA = not applicable.
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 statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 (in thousands) Net unrealized (losses) gains recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) $ (646) $ 194 $ (62) $ (53,332) Net unrealized losses reclassified out of other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense $ 9,788 $ 11,133 $ 30,288 $ 25,786

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK _2

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK OPTIONS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Schedule of 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, 2021 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 (in thousands) (in thousands) Share-based compensation expense $ 65,611 $ 42,276 $ 146,097 $ 105,081 Income tax benefit $ 16,224 $ 9,123 $ 34,595 $ 23,338
Schedule of Changes in Non-Vested Restricted Stock Awards Activity	The following table summarizes the changes in unvested restricted stock and performance awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2021: Shares Weighted-Average (in thousands) Unvested at December 31, 2020 1,546 $176.71 Granted 1,437 193.59 Vested (1,162) 153.99 Forfeited (90) 180.76 Unvested at September 30, 2021 1,731 $183.74
Schedule of Stock Option Activity	The following table summarizes stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2021: Options Weighted-Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) (years) (in millions) Outstanding at December 31, 2020 1,253 $93.66 6.3 $152.6 Granted 112 196.06 Forfeited (1) 113.48 Exercised (181) 69.08 Outstanding at September 30, 2021 1,183 $106.98 6.0 $69.4 Options vested and exercisable at September 30, 2021 908 $86.45 5.3 $66.4
Schedule of Stock Option 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, 2021 September 30, 2020 Risk-free interest rate 0.59% 1.24% Expected volatility 40% 30% Dividend yield 0.44% 0.39% Expected term (years) 5 5

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding	The following table sets forth the computation of diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 (in thousands) Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding 291,502 299,255 294,262 299,261 Plus: Dilutive effect of stock options and other share-based awards 1,005 1,236 1,159 1,264 Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding 292,507 300,491 295,421 300,525

SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET IN_2

SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents	A reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the consolidated statements of cash flows as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 to the amounts in the consolidated balance sheets is as follows: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,347,732 $ 1,945,868 Restricted cash included in prepaid expenses and other current assets 120,882 143,903 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows $ 2,468,614 $ 2,089,771
Schedule of Reconciliation of Restricted Cash	A reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the consolidated statements of cash flows as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 to the amounts in the consolidated balance sheets is as follows: September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,347,732 $ 1,945,868 Restricted cash included in prepaid expenses and other current assets 120,882 143,903 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows $ 2,468,614 $ 2,089,771

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The changes in the accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Foreign Currency Translation Gains (Losses) Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Hedging Activities Other Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) Balance at June 30, 2021 $ (106,882) $ (65,548) $ (277) $ (172,707) Other comprehensive income (loss) (74,983) 6,934 (2,209) (70,258) Balance at September 30, 2021 $ (181,865) $ (58,614) $ (2,486) $ (242,965) Balance at June 30, 2020 $ (361,133) $ (98,903) $ 890 $ (459,146) Other comprehensive income (loss) 102,058 8,715 (3,531) 107,242 Balance at September 30, 2020 $ (259,075) $ (90,188) $ (2,641) $ (351,904) Foreign Currency Translation Losses Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Hedging Activities Other Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2020 $ (114,227) $ (81,543) $ (6,503) $ (202,273) Other comprehensive income (loss) (67,638) 22,929 4,017 (40,692) Balance at September 30, 2021 $ (181,865) $ (58,614) $ (2,486) $ (242,965) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ (241,899) $ (69,319) $ 647 $ (310,571) Other comprehensive loss (17,176) (20,869) (3,288) (41,333) Balance at September 30, 2020 $ (259,075) $ (90,188) $ (2,641) $ (351,904)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information	Information on segments and reconciliations to consolidated revenues, consolidated operating income and consolidated depreciation and amortization was as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020 (in thousands) Revenues : (1) Merchant Solutions $ 1,495,898 $ 1,243,961 $ 4,190,524 $ 3,460,785 Issuer Solutions 522,166 487,409 1,528,349 1,461,196 Business and Consumer Solutions 207,670 204,106 678,611 624,774 Intersegment eliminations (23,397) (17,661) (67,703) (53,390) Consolidated revenues $ 2,202,337 $ 1,917,815 $ 6,329,781 $ 5,493,365 Operating income (loss) (1)(2) : Merchant Solutions $ 488,407 $ 344,981 $ 1,265,689 $ 824,212 Issuer Solutions 77,692 70,800 220,954 188,131 Business and Consumer Solutions 35,233 31,052 139,439 110,358 Corporate (201,249) (156,414) (588,182) (480,730) Consolidated operating income $ 400,083 $ 290,419 $ 1,037,900 $ 641,971 Depreciation and amortization : (1) Merchant Solutions $ 244,055 $ 238,946 $ 743,154 $ 708,808 Issuer Solutions 145,530 137,965 435,831 410,955 Business and Consumer Solutions 21,209 23,957 65,066 71,712 Corporate 7,767 6,031 22,127 15,917 Consolidated depreciation and amortization $ 418,561 $ 406,899 $ 1,266,178 $ 1,207,392 (1) Revenues, operating income and depreciation and amortization reflect the effects of acquired businesses from the respective acquisition dates.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Payments for Purchase Obligations	Future minimum payments at September 30, 2021 for purchase obligations were as follows (in thousands): Year Ending December 31: 2021 $ 182,374 2022 261,049 2023 199,775 2024 133,911 2025 156,296 2026 188,874 2027 and thereafter 771,046 Total future minimum payments $ 1,893,325

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUM_3

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021segment
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	3

ACQUISITION - Narrative (Detail

ACQUISITION - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 10, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill acquired			$ 517,240
Zego
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration paid to acquire business	$ 933,000
Goodwill		$ (57,113)
Zego | Merchants Solutions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill acquired	$ 468,800

ACQUISITION - Schedule of Recog

ACQUISITION - Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	4 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 10, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 24,344,275		$ 23,871,451
Zego
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	67,374	$ 67,374
Accounts receivable	1,017	1,033
Identifiable intangible assets	473,000	410,443
Property and equipment	575	3,634
Other assets	9,141	9,141
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(66,249)	(65,753)
Deferred income tax liabilities	(12,160)	(10,709)
Other liabilities	(8,268)	(8,268)
Total identifiable net assets	464,430	406,895
Goodwill	468,816	525,929
Total purchase consideration	933,246	$ 932,824
Measurement-Period Adjustments
Cash and cash equivalents	0
Accounts receivable	(16)
Identifiable intangible assets	62,557
Property and equipment	(3,059)
Other assets	0
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(496)
Deferred income tax liabilities	(1,451)
Other liabilities	0
Total identifiable net assets	57,535
Goodwill	(57,113)
Total purchase consideration	$ 422

ACQUISITION - Fair Value of Int

ACQUISITION - Fair Value of Intangible Assets (Details) - Zego - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 10, 2021
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	$ 473,000	$ 410,443
Weighted-Average Estimated Amortization Periods	14 years
Customer-related intangible assets
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	$ 208,000
Weighted-Average Estimated Amortization Periods	13 years
Contract-based intangible assets
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	$ 119,000
Weighted-Average Estimated Amortization Periods	20 years
Acquired technologies
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	$ 124,000
Weighted-Average Estimated Amortization Periods	6 years
Trademarks and trade names
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	$ 22,000
Weighted-Average Estimated Amortization Periods	15 years

REVENUES - Disaggregation of Re

REVENUES - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 2,202,337	$ 1,917,815	$ 6,329,781	$ 5,493,365
Americas
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	1,828,775	1,598,986	5,300,869	4,631,520
Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	312,751	268,169	856,493	720,253
Asia Pacific
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	60,811	50,660	172,419	141,592
Operating Segments | Merchant Solutions
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	1,495,898	1,243,961	4,190,524	3,460,785
Operating Segments | Merchant Solutions | Relationship-led
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	799,948	709,749	2,245,839	1,934,265
Operating Segments | Merchant Solutions | Technology-enabled
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	695,950	534,212	1,944,685	1,526,520
Operating Segments | Merchant Solutions | Americas
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	1,245,805	1,039,039	3,529,245	2,926,472
Operating Segments | Merchant Solutions | Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	189,282	154,262	488,860	392,721
Operating Segments | Merchant Solutions | Asia Pacific
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	60,811	50,660	172,419	141,592
Operating Segments | Issuer Solutions
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	522,166	487,409	1,528,349	1,461,196
Operating Segments | Issuer Solutions | Americas
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	394,893	370,938	1,152,057	1,127,832
Operating Segments | Issuer Solutions | Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	120,383	113,907	358,769	327,532
Operating Segments | Issuer Solutions | Asia Pacific
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	6,890	2,564	17,523	5,832
Operating Segments | Business and Consumer Solutions
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	207,670	204,106	678,611	624,774
Operating Segments | Business and Consumer Solutions | Americas
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	204,584	204,106	669,747	624,774
Operating Segments | Business and Consumer Solutions | Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	3,086	0	8,864	0
Operating Segments | Business and Consumer Solutions | Asia Pacific
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	(23,397)	(17,661)	(67,703)	(53,390)
Intersegment Eliminations | Americas
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	(16,507)	(15,097)	(50,180)	(47,558)
Intersegment Eliminations | Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations | Asia Pacific
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ (6,890)	$ (2,564)	$ (17,523)	$ (5,832)

REVENUES - Supplemental Balance

REVENUES - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Liabilities:
Contract liabilities, net (current)	$ 218,585	$ 217,938
Contract liabilities, net (noncurrent)	46,290	52,944
Obtain Contract
Assets:
Capitalized costs, net	278,565	253,780
Fulfill Contract
Assets:
Capitalized costs, net	$ 106,236	$ 81,371

REVENUES - Narrative (Details)

REVENUES - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue recognized from contract liabilities balances at beginning of the period	$ 75.5	$ 69.7	$ 186	$ 195.3

REVENUES - Remaining Performanc

REVENUES - Remaining Performance Obligations (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 3,633,538
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-10-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 256,447
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	3 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 908,834
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2023-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 694,952
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2024-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 522,068
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2025-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 410,883
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2026-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 321,754
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2027-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 518,598
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_3

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 24,344,275	$ 23,871,451
Other intangible assets	15,763,995	15,292,269
Less accumulated amortization on intangible assets	4,234,169	3,276,386
Other intangible assets, net	11,529,826	12,015,883
Customer-related intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets	9,475,914	9,275,093
Less accumulated amortization on intangible assets	2,418,357	1,914,214
Acquired technologies
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets	2,918,284	2,795,991
Less accumulated amortization on intangible assets	1,266,883	960,281
Contract-based intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets	2,108,556	1,981,260
Less accumulated amortization on intangible assets	165,837	120,631
Trademarks and trade names
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets	1,261,241	1,239,925
Less accumulated amortization on intangible assets	$ 383,092	$ 281,260

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE_4

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Goodwill Roll-Forward (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 23,871,451,000
Goodwill acquired	517,240,000
Effect of foreign currency translation	(39,074,000)
Measurement period adjustments	(5,342,000)
Balance at end of period	24,344,275,000
Accumulated impairment losses for goodwill	0	$ 0
Merchant Solutions
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	13,548,690,000
Goodwill acquired	517,240,000
Effect of foreign currency translation	(33,565,000)
Measurement period adjustments	(5,202,000)
Balance at end of period	14,027,163,000
Issuer Solutions
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	7,957,616,000
Goodwill acquired	0
Effect of foreign currency translation	(4,258,000)
Measurement period adjustments	0
Balance at end of period	7,953,358,000
Business and Consumer Solutions
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	2,365,145,000
Goodwill acquired	0
Effect of foreign currency translation	(1,251,000)
Measurement period adjustments	(140,000)
Balance at end of period	$ 2,363,754,000

OTHER ASSETS - Narrative (Detai

OTHER ASSETS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 21, 2016
Interest And Other Income Member
Other Investment Not Readily Marketable [Line Items]
Realized gain on investment	$ 27,300,000	$ 27,300,000
Minimum
Other Investment Not Readily Marketable [Line Items]
Potential stock received upon conversion of investment (shares)			0
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Other Investment Not Readily Marketable [Line Items]
Assigned value of preferred shares			$ 0

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF C_3

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT - Schedule of Outstanding Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Feb. 26, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Finance lease liabilities	$ 64,081		$ 75,989
Total long-term debt	10,748,939		9,293,764
Less current portion	39,148		827,357
Long-term debt, excluding current portion	10,709,791		8,466,407
Unsecured term loan facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross long-term debt	1,988,789		1,985,776
Unsecured revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross long-term debt	1,222,000		36,000
Other borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross long-term debt	21,006		65,352
3.800% senior notes due April 1, 2021 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross long-term debt	$ 0		752,199
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	3.80%
3.750% senior notes due June 1, 2023 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross long-term debt	$ 558,454		562,258
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	3.75%
4.000% senior notes due June 1, 2023 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross long-term debt	$ 560,986		565,930
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	4.00%
2.650% senior notes due February 15, 2025 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross long-term debt	$ 994,375		993,110
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	2.65%
1.200% senior notes due March 1, 2026 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross long-term debt	$ 1,091,536		0
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	1.20%	1.20%
4.800% senior notes due April 1, 2026 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross long-term debt	$ 800,849		809,324
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	4.80%
4.450% senior notes due June 1, 2028 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross long-term debt	$ 479,293		482,588
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	4.45%
3.200% senior notes due August 15, 2029 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross long-term debt	$ 1,237,611		1,236,424
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	3.20%
2.900% senior notes due May 15, 2030 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross long-term debt	$ 989,903		989,025
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	2.90%
4.150% senior notes due August 15, 2049 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross long-term debt	$ 740,056		$ 739,789
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	4.15%

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF C_4

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Feb. 26, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 10,643,005		$ 10,643,005
Interest expense	82,300	$ 82,100	242,900	$ 244,300
Interest rate swap
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to interest rate	38,500		38,500
Senior notes and term loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs	49,000		49,000
Senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount	8,700		8,700			$ 8,500
Long-term debt	7,500,000		7,500,000
Fair value of debt instrument	$ 7,900,000		$ 7,900,000
Senior notes | 1.200% senior notes due March 1, 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of debt instrument					$ 1,100,000
Stated interest rate (as a percent)	1.20%		1.20%		1.20%
Debt issuance costs					$ 8,600
Term loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs						47,400
Unsecured debt | Unsecured revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs	$ 10,800		$ 10,800
Unsecured debt | Unsecured term loan facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Minimum leverage ratio	3.50		3.50
Minimum interest coverage ratio	3		3
Line of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs						$ 13,800

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF C_5

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT - Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2021	$ 12,602
2022	58,403
2023	1,300,000
2024	2,972,000
2025	1,000,000
2026	1,850,000
2027 and thereafter	3,450,000
Total	$ 10,643,005

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF C_6

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT - Derivative Instruments (Details) - Interest rate swap - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notional amount		$ 300,000
Interest rate swaps	$ 0	1,330
Other noncurrent liabilities
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notional amount	$ 1,250,000	1,250,000
Weighted-average fixed rate of interest (as a percent)	2.73%
Interest rate swaps	$ 40,701	$ 65,490

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF C_7

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LINES OF CREDIT - Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Net unrealized (losses) gains recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (646)	$ 194	$ (62)	$ (53,332)
Net unrealized losses reclassified out of other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense	$ 9,788	$ 11,133	$ 30,288	$ 25,786

INCOME TAX (Details)

INCOME TAX (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rate (as a percent)	(15.50%)	18.00%	(16.30%)	(14.10%)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) - USD ($)	Oct. 28, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Feb. 10, 2021
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchased and retired (shares)		4,232,232	0	9,689,181	2,094,731
Value of stock repurchased and retired		$ 740,757,000		$ 1,813,690,000	$ 403,962,000
Average cost per share (USD per share)		$ 175.03		$ 187.21	$ 192.85
Total stock delivered under accelerated share repurchase program to date (shares)		2,491,161		2,491,161
Average price per share of stock delivered under accelerated share repurchase program to date (USD per share)		$ 200.71		$ 200.71
Authorized amount of accelerated share repurchase program						$ 500,000,000
Remaining authorized repurchase amount (up to)		$ 949,200,000		$ 949,200,000
Subsequent Event
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Dividends declared (USD per share)	$ 0.25

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK _3

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK OPTIONS - Share-Based Compensation Expense and Income Tax Benefit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 65,611	$ 42,276	$ 146,097	$ 105,081
Income tax benefit	$ 16,224	$ 9,123	$ 34,595	$ 23,338

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK _4

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK OPTIONS - Share-Based Awards (Details) - Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Units shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021$ / sharesshares
Shares
Beginning balance (shares) | shares	1,546
Granted (shares) | shares	1,437
Vested (shares) | shares	(1,162)
Forfeited (shares) | shares	(90)
Ending balance (shares) | shares	1,731
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Beginning balance (USD per share) | $ / shares	$ 176.71
Granted (USD per share) | $ / shares	193.59
Vested (USD per share) | $ / shares	153.99
Forfeited (USD per share) | $ / shares	180.76
Ending balance (USD per share) | $ / shares	$ 183.74

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK _5

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK OPTIONS - Share-Based Awards - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 65,611	$ 42,276	$ 146,097	$ 105,081
Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value of share-based awards vested			178,900	77,900
Share-based compensation expense	62,200	$ 38,900	135,600	$ 94,900
Compensation not yet recognized	$ 204,900		$ 204,900
Weighted-average period of unrecognized compensation cost			2 years 1 month 6 days

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK _6

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK 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, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Options
Outstanding at beginning of period (shares)	1,253
Granted (shares)	112
Forfeited (shares)	(1)
Exercised (shares)	(181)
Outstanding at end of period (shares)	1,183	1,253
Options vested and exercisable (shares)	908
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of period (USD per share)	$ 93.66
Granted (USD per share)	196.06
Forfeited (USD per share)	113.48
Exercised (USD per share)	69.08
Outstanding at end of period (USD per share)	106.98	$ 93.66
Options vested and exercisable (USD per share)	$ 86.45
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term
Outstanding	6 years	6 years 3 months 18 days
Options vested and exercisable	5 years 3 months 18 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding	$ 69.4	$ 152.6
Options vested and exercisable	$ 66.4

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK _7

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK OPTIONS - Stock Options - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 65,611	$ 42,276	$ 146,097	$ 105,081
Employee stock option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	1,900	$ 2,400	6,000	6,500
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised			23,400	$ 69,800
Total unrecognized compensation cost	$ 10,100		$ 10,100
Weighted-average period of unrecognized compensation cost			1 year 10 months 24 days
Weighted average grant date fair value for each option granted (USD per share)	$ 65.99	$ 54.85	$ 65.99	$ 54.85

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK _8

SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND STOCK OPTIONS - Valuation Assumptions (Details) - Employee stock option	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	0.59%	1.24%
Expected volatility (as a percent)	40.00%	30.00%
Dividend yield (as a percent)	0.44%	0.39%
Expected term (years)	5 years	5 years

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Narrative

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Narrative (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (shares)	234,813	124,888	234,813	124,888

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Schedule o

EARNINGS PER SHARE - Schedule of Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding (shares)	291,502	299,255	294,262	299,261
Plus: Dilutive effect of stock options and other share-based awards (shares)	1,005	1,236	1,159	1,264
Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding (shares)	292,507	300,491	295,421	300,525

SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET IN_3

SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION - Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,347,732	$ 1,945,868
Restricted cash included in prepaid expenses and other current assets	120,882	143,903
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows	$ 2,468,614	$ 2,089,771	$ 2,220,822	$ 1,678,273

SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET IN_4

SUPPLEMENTAL BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Employee termination benefits obligations	$ 17.7		$ 17.7		$ 48.4
Charges for employee termination benefits	4.7	$ 8.1	43	$ 49.8
Share-based compensation expense associated with equity awards held by terminated employees		$ 1.9	1.2	$ 6.1
Cumulative charges for employee termination benefits	183.4		183.4
Cumulative charges for employee termination benefits related to share-based compensation expense	$ 25.2		$ 25.2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_3

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period			$ 27,332,370
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (70,258)	$ 107,242	(40,692)	$ (41,333)
Balance at end of period	26,147,027		26,147,027
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(172,707)	(459,146)	(202,273)	(310,571)
Balance at end of period	(242,965)	(351,904)	(242,965)	(351,904)
Foreign Currency Translation Gains (Losses)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(106,882)	(361,133)	(114,227)	(241,899)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(74,983)	102,058	(67,638)	(17,176)
Balance at end of period	(181,865)	(259,075)	(181,865)	(259,075)
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Hedging Activities
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(65,548)	(98,903)	(81,543)	(69,319)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	6,934	8,715	22,929	(20,869)
Balance at end of period	(58,614)	(90,188)	(58,614)	(90,188)
Other
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(277)	890	(6,503)	647
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,209)	(3,531)	4,017	(3,288)
Balance at end of period	$ (2,486)	$ (2,641)	$ (2,486)	$ (2,641)

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_4

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment, other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 4.1	$ 8.8	$ (7.4)	$ 7.5

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Schedule

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Schedule of Segment Reporting Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)segment	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | segment			3
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 2,202,337	$ 1,917,815	$ 6,329,781	$ 5,493,365
Operating income (loss)	400,083	290,419	1,037,900	641,971
Depreciation and amortization	418,561	406,899	1,266,178	1,207,392
Intersegment eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(23,397)	(17,661)	(67,703)	(53,390)
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	(201,249)	(156,414)	(588,182)	(480,730)
Depreciation and amortization	7,767	6,031	22,127	15,917
Acquisition-related costs	70,700	57,600	237,700	208,000
Merchant Solutions | Operating segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,495,898	1,243,961	4,190,524	3,460,785
Operating income (loss)	488,407	344,981	1,265,689	824,212
Depreciation and amortization	244,055	238,946	743,154	708,808
Issuer Solutions | Operating segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	522,166	487,409	1,528,349	1,461,196
Operating income (loss)	77,692	70,800	220,954	188,131
Depreciation and amortization	145,530	137,965	435,831	410,955
Business and Consumer Solutions | Operating segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	207,670	204,106	678,611	624,774
Operating income (loss)	35,233	31,052	139,439	110,358
Depreciation and amortization	$ 21,209	$ 23,957	$ 65,066	$ 71,712

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES -

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Future Minimum Payments for Purchase Obligations (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2021USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2021	$ 182,374
2022	261,049
2023	199,775
2024	133,911
2025	156,296
2026	188,874
2027 and thereafter	771,046
Total future minimum payments	$ 1,893,325

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES_2

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 23, 2019USD ($)
Frontline Case | Performance Guarantee
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Damages awarded	$ 135.2

Uncategorized Items - gpn-20210

Label	Element	Value
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible Enumeration]	us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList	Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 [Member]