Private equity firm CD&R is exploring a deal to take Global Payments private, Reuters reported on October 30, 2026, citing a source who said the talks were at an early stage and may not lead to a deal. The Financial Times reported that CD&R has teamed up with GTCR, the largest shareholder in Global Payments, on a joint bid, and the US payments processor’s shares rose more than 11% that afternoon.
Why it matters: Global Payments has a market value of about $23 billion and nearly $22 billion of net debt, which William Blair named as a possible obstacle in a rising rate environment, after it agreed in 2025 to buy Worldpay from FIS and GTCR in a deal valued at more than $24 billion. GTCR holds roughly 15% of the shares, according to William Blair, so the bidding group already owns the largest single stake.
Source: Reuters, October 30, 2026
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