Finance1 min read

Exclusive-CD&R, GTCR drop pursuit of Global Payments, sources say

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In short

Private equity firms CD&R and GTCR abandoned their pursuit of Global Payments after several weeks of exploring a potential take-private acquisition. The target firm has been contending with slower growth in key divisions, stiffer market competition, and shareholder demands to boost profitability. To reshape its corporate footprint, Global Payments had previously agreed in April 2025 to purchase Worldpay for more than $24 billion while divesting its issuer-solutions arm.

Key points

  • High financing costs, volatile markets, and strict lender scrutiny continue to derail meg…: High financing costs, volatile markets, and strict lender scrutiny continue to derail mega-sized leveraged buyouts.
  • A consortium featuring Stripe and Advent International similarly abandoned a $53 billion…: A consortium featuring Stripe and Advent International similarly abandoned a $53 billion takeover attempt for PayPal earlier this year.
  • Suitors may potentially resume discussions at a later date, or a different buyer could em…: Suitors may potentially resume discussions at a later date, or a different buyer could emerge to pursue Global Payments.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

NEW YORK/LONDON, Nov 12 : Private equity firms CD&R and GTCR have dropped their pursuit of Global Payments, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The buyout consortium walked away from talks to acquire the payments processor after exploring a potential deal over the past several weeks, the people said. The talks, which were in early stages, did not advance given the complexities of arranging a take-private of this scale, prompting the firms to put their efforts on hold, the people added.

The end of the discussions removes one of the largest potential leveraged buyouts in the payments sector, at a time when buyout firms are grappling with higher borrowing costs and tougher financing markets for mega-deals.

It is possible that CD&R and GTCR will resume the talks with Global Payments at a later date or another buyer for the company may emerge, the people said.

CD&R declined to comment. Global Payments and GTCR did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Atlanta-based Global Payments, which has a market value of about $26.4 billion, is one of the world's…

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