Software - Infrastructure
Compare Stocks
2 / 10Stock Comparison
PAGS vs GPN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Specialty Business Services
PAGS vs GPN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Software - Infrastructure | Specialty Business Services |
| Market Cap | $1.78B | $16.48B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $19.82B | $8.83B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $2.13B | $-706M |
| Gross Margin | 50.8% | 48.1% |
| Operating Margin | 37.5% | 16.2% |
| Forward P/E | 1.2x | 5.1x |
| Total Debt | $34.86B | $21.81B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.86B | $8.34B |
PAGS vs GPN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| PagSeguro Digital L… (PAGS) | 100 | 32.8 | -67.2% |
| Global Payments Inc. (GPN) | 100 | 38.8 | -61.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: PAGS vs GPN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
PAGS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 1.70, yield 4.0%
- Rev growth 5.6%, EPS growth 5.1%, 3Y rev CAGR 8.5%
- PEG 0.10 vs GPN's 0.21
GPN is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 4.1% 10Y total return vs PAGS's -61.7%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.37, Low D/E 91.7%, current ratio 1.69x
- Beta 1.37, yield 1.4%, current ratio 1.69x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 5.6% revenue growth vs GPN's -23.7% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (1.2x vs 5.1x), PEG 0.10 vs 0.21 | |
| Quality / Margins | 10.7% margin vs GPN's -8.0% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.37 vs PAGS's 1.70, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 4.0% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs GPN's 1.4% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +15.0% vs GPN's -10.9% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 3.0% ROA vs GPN's -1.3%, ROIC 10.7% vs 3.0% |
PAGS vs GPN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
PAGS vs GPN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PAGS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PAGS is the larger business by revenue, generating $19.8B annually — 2.2x GPN's $8.8B. PAGS is the more profitable business, keeping 10.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to GPN's -8.0%. On growth, GPN holds the edge at +23.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $19.8B | $8.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $8.8B | $2.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $2.1B | -$706M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $708M | $1.1B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +50.8% | +48.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +37.5% | +16.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +10.7% | -8.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.6% | +12.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +6.0% | +23.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -8.4% | -6.3% |
Valuation Metrics
PAGS leads this category, winning 5 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 7.4x trailing earnings, PAGS trades at a 38% valuation discount to GPN's 11.9x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), GPN offers better value at 0.49x vs PAGS's 0.61x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.8B | $16.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $8.5B | $29.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 7.39x | 11.94x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 1.18x | 5.07x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.61x | 0.49x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 5.75x | 10.37x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.45x | 2.14x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.05x | 0.70x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 5.64x | 8.08x |
Profitability & Efficiency
PAGS leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PAGS delivers a 14.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $14 in annual profit, vs $-3 for GPN. GPN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.92x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to PAGS's 2.38x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PAGS scores 7/9 vs GPN's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +14.4% | -3.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.0% | -1.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +10.7% | +3.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +25.6% | +3.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 2.38x | 0.92x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $33.0B | $13.5B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.9B | $8.3B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $34.9B | $21.8B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.50x | 6.88x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
PAGS leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in GPN five years ago would be worth $3,712 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,658 for PAGS. Over the past 12 months, PAGS leads with a +15.0% total return vs GPN's -10.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors PAGS at -0.4% vs GPN's -11.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +11.6% | -7.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +15.0% | -10.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -1.3% | -30.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -73.4% | -62.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -61.7% | +4.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -0.4% | -11.5% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — PAGS and GPN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
GPN is the less volatile stock with a 1.37 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than PAGS's 1.70 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. PAGS currently trades 84.5% from its 52-week high vs GPN's 76.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.70x | 1.37x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $12.32 | $90.64 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $7.74 | $62.45 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +84.5% | +76.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 41.8 | 48.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 3.7M | 3.2M |
Analyst Outlook
PAGS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates PAGS as "Buy" and GPN as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 27.0% upside for GPN (target: $88) vs 17.0% for PAGS (target: $12). For income investors, PAGS offers the higher dividend yield at 3.95% vs GPN's 1.43%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $12.18 | $88.44 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 24 | 62 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +4.0% | +1.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.03 | $0.99 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +7.5% |
PAGS leads in 5 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 1 category is tied.
PAGS vs GPN: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PAGS or GPN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, PagSeguro Digital Ltd.
(PAGS) is the stronger pick with 5. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -23. 7% for Global Payments Inc. (GPN). PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS) offers the better valuation at 7. 4x trailing P/E (1. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS) a "Buy" — based on 24 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — PAGS or GPN?
On trailing P/E, PagSeguro Digital Ltd.
(PAGS) is the cheapest at 7. 4x versus Global Payments Inc. at 11. 9x. On forward P/E, PagSeguro Digital Ltd. is actually cheaper at 1. 2x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: PagSeguro Digital Ltd. wins at 0. 10x versus Global Payments Inc. 's 0. 21x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — PAGS or GPN?
Over the past 5 years, Global Payments Inc.
(GPN) delivered a total return of -62. 9%, compared to -73. 4% for PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GPN returned +4. 1% versus PAGS's -61. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — PAGS or GPN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Global Payments Inc.
(GPN) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 37β versus PagSeguro Digital Ltd. 's 1. 70β — meaning PAGS is approximately 23% more volatile than GPN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Global Payments Inc. (GPN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 92% versus 2% for PagSeguro Digital Ltd. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — PAGS or GPN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), PagSeguro Digital Ltd.
(PAGS) is pulling ahead at 5. 6% versus -23. 7% for Global Payments Inc. (GPN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: PagSeguro Digital Ltd. grew EPS 5. 1% year-over-year, compared to -5. 4% for Global Payments Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, PAGS leads at 8. 5% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — PAGS or GPN?
Global Payments Inc.
(GPN) is the more profitable company, earning 18. 2% net margin versus 10. 7% for PagSeguro Digital Ltd. — meaning it keeps 18. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PAGS leads at 37. 5% versus 19. 1% for GPN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GPN leads at 72. 6%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is PAGS or GPN more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.
By this metric, PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 10x versus Global Payments Inc. 's 0. 21x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS) trades at 1. 2x forward P/E versus 5. 1x for Global Payments Inc. — 3. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GPN: 27. 0% to $88. 44.
08Which pays a better dividend — PAGS or GPN?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS) offers the highest yield at 4. 0%, versus 1. 4% for Global Payments Inc. (GPN).
09Is PAGS or GPN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Global Payments Inc.
(GPN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (1. 4% yield). PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS) carries a higher beta of 1. 70 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (GPN: +4. 1%, PAGS: -61. 7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between PAGS and GPN?
These companies operate in different sectors (PAGS (Technology) and GPN (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform both.
You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.