Global Payments Inc vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? Global Payments Inc trades at $88.32 (market cap $22.72B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $226.5 (market cap $90.68B). The key difference: Waste Management, Inc. is far larger — about 4× Global Payments Inc's market cap, and Waste Management, Inc. pays the higher dividend (1.56%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| GPN | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $22.72B | $90.68B |
Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $90.01 | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $62.47 | $196.77 |
Enterprise Value | $40.87B | $113.47B |
Dividend Yield | 1.16% | 1.56% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Global Payments (GPN) trades at $88.65, up 2.93% today, with a bullish technical signal and consistent earnings beats. The stock shows strong profitability with a 63.91% gross margin but negative net income margin and ROE. Recent Q2 2026 EPS of $3.46 beat estimates, though revenue guidance was trimmed. Analyst consensus is a Buy with a $96.67 target.
GPN offers upside to analyst targets but faces risks from margin pressure and competitive fintech landscape. Debt-to-asset ratio rose to 41.57% in 2025, increasing financial leverage concerns. Investment appeal hinges on execution of the Genius platform strategy amid economic headwinds.
WM trades at $226.19, down 0.18% today, with a neutral technical signal and strong fundamentals. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat estimates at $2.02 per share, driven by pricing discipline and margin gains. Revenue growth is steady, with 2025 revenue at $25.20 billion, though net income margin dipped to 10.74%. The stock shows a bullish analyst consensus with a $263.43 price target, supported by 20 buy ratings and no sell recommendations. Institutional activity includes mixed trades, such as Bank of America reducing holdings by 6.1% in Q1 2026 (SEC filing, 2026-08-01).
Outlook remains positive due to consistent earnings beats and operational efficiency, but risks include high valuation ratios like a P/E of 59.74 and rising debt levels, with total liabilities at $36.31 billion in 2024. Investors should weigh growth potential against margin pressures and macroeconomic headwinds affecting waste volumes.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Global Payments is a leading provider of payment processing and software solutions and focuses on serving small and midsize merchants. The company operates in 30 countries and generates about one fourth of its revenue from outside North America, primarily in Europe and Asia. In 2019, Global Payments merged with Total System Services in an all-stock deal that gave Total System Services shareholders 48% of the combined company's shares.
Read more on GPN →Waste Management ranks as the largest integrated provider of traditional solid waste services in the United States, operating approximately 260 active landfills and about 340 transfer stations. The company serves residential, commercial, and industrial end markets and is also a leading recycler in North America.
Read more on WM →