Edgar Filing: GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended November 30, 2010

¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number: 001-16111

LOGO

GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)


Georgia		58-2567903
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

10 Glenlake Parkway, North Tower, Atlanta, Georgia		30328-3473
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (770) 829-8000

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

The number of shares of the issuer’s common stock, no par value outstanding as of December 31, 2010 was 79,774,762.

GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended November 30, 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS


		Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009		3

	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income for the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009		4

	Consolidated Balance Sheets at November 30, 2010 (unaudited) and May 31, 2010		5

	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009		6

	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the six months ended November 30, 2010		7

	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the six months ended November 30, 2009		8

	Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements		9

ITEM 2.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS		27

ITEM 3.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK		38

ITEM 4.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES		38

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6.	EXHIBITS		39

SIGNATURES			40

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)


	Three Months Ended November 30,
	2010			2009
Revenues	$	443,526		$	408,951

Operating expenses:
Cost of service		154,205			144,881
Sales, general and administrative		206,178			175,368

		360,383			320,249

Operating income		83,143			88,702

Other income (expense):
Interest and other income		4,072			690
Interest and other expense		(4,299	)		(4,423	)

		(227	)		(3,733	)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes		82,916			84,969
Provision for income taxes		(24,546	)		(23,655	)

Income from continuing operations		58,370			61,314
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax		(487	)		4,868

Net income including noncontrolling interests		57,883			66,182
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income tax provision of $1,010 and $148, respectively		(4,378	)		(3,347	)

Net income attributable to Global Payments	$	53,505		$	62,835

Amounts attributable to Global Payments:
Income from continuing operations	$	53,992		$	57,967
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax		(487	)		4,868

Net income attributable to Global Payments	$	53,505		$	62,835

Basic earnings per share attributable to Global Payments:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.68		$	0.71
(Loss) income from discontinued operations		(0.01	)		0.06

Net income attributable to Global Payments	$	0.67		$	0.77

Diluted earnings per share attributable to Global Payments:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.67		$	0.71
Income from discontinued operations		—			0.05

Net income attributable to Global Payments	$	0.67		$	0.76

Dividends per share	$	0.02		$	0.02

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)


	Six Months Ended November 30,
	2010			2009
Revenues	$	883,665		$	818,882

Operating expenses:
Cost of service		305,246			286,084
Sales, general and administrative		413,168			354,853

		718,414			640,937

Operating income		165,251			177,945

Other income (expense):
Interest and other income		5,608			1,380
Interest and other expense		(9,140	)		(8,564	)

		(3,532	)		(7,184	)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes		161,719			170,761
Provision for income taxes		(49,527	)		(49,191	)

Income from continuing operations		112,192			121,570
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax		(515	)		7,056

Net income including noncontrolling interests		111,677			128,626
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income tax provision of $1,305 and $480, respectively		(8,804	)		(7,960	)

Net income attributable to Global Payments	$	102,873		$	120,666

Amounts attributable to Global Payments:
Income from continuing operations	$	103,388		$	113,610
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax		(515	)		7,056

Net income attributable to Global Payments	$	102,873		$	120,666

Basic earnings per share attributable to Global Payments:
Income from continuing operations	$	1.30		$	1.40
(Loss) income from discontinued operations		(0.01	)		0.09

Net income attributable to Global Payments	$	1.29		$	1.49

Diluted earnings per share attributable to Global Payments:
Income from continuing operations	$	1.29		$	1.39
(Loss) income from discontinued operations		(0.01	)		0.09

Net income attributable to Global Payments	$	1.28		$	1.48

Dividends per share	$	0.04		$	0.04

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)


	November 30, 2010			May 31, 2010
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	663,660		$	769,946
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $353 and $269, respectively		149,366			131,817
Claims receivable, net of allowances for losses of $4,308 and $4,208, respectively		909			664
Settlement processing assets		81,192			13,741
Inventory		7,737			9,740
Deferred income taxes		4,027			2,752
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		21,767			39,604

Total current assets		928,658			968,264
Goodwill		590,911			569,090
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $164,171 and $145,076, respectively		198,687			205,110
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $142,121 and $119,402, respectively		219,944			183,938
Deferred income taxes		96,080			90,470
Other		22,310			22,454

Total assets	$	2,056,590		$	2,039,326

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Lines of credit	$	180,881		$	79,187
Notes payable—current portion		143,094			148,169
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		177,879			173,575
Settlement processing obligations		94,887			265,110
Income taxes payable		9,244			6,430

Total current liabilities		605,985			672,471

Notes payable		202,610			272,965
Deferred income taxes		95,426			88,265
Other long-term liabilities		38,825			31,436

Total liabilities		942,846			1,065,137

Commitments and contingencies (See Note 12)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest		115,279			102,672
Equity:
Preferred stock, no par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized and none issued		—			—
Common stock, no par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 82,472,803 issued and 79,745,066 outstanding at November 30, 2010 and 82,028,945 issued and 79,646,055 outstanding at May 31, 2010		—			—
Paid-in capital		469,372			460,747
Retained earnings		636,594			544,772
Treasury stock; 2,727,737 and 2,382,890 shares at November 30, 2010 and May 31, 2010, respectively		(112,980	)		(100,000	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(4,457	)		(44,255	)

Total Global Payments shareholders’ equity		988,529			861,264
Noncontrolling interest		9,936			10,253

Total equity		998,465			871,517

Total liabilities and equity	$	2,056,590		$	2,039,326

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)


	Six Months Ended November 30,
	2010			2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$	111,677		$	128,626
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment		19,082			17,441
Amortization of acquired intangibles		15,646			16,264
Share-based compensation expense		7,690			7,433
Provision for operating losses and bad debts		10,146			13,152
Deferred income taxes		3,287			(18,091	)
Estimated loss on disposal of discontinued operations		—			15,850
Other, net		(3,556	)		(151	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable		(17,549	)		(7,869	)
Claims receivable		(8,095	)		(8,052	)
Settlement processing assets and obligations, net		(239,970	)		617,802
Inventory		1,954			(7,274	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(4,600	)		2,299
Payables to money transfer beneficiaries		—			(5,082	)
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities		18,990			13,642
Income taxes payable		24,382			(768	)

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(60,916	)		785,222

Cash flows from investing activities:
Business and intangible asset acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(3,488	)		(17,059	)
Capital expenditures		(51,709	)		(20,677	)
Preliminary settlement of working capital adjustments from disposition of business		(1,921	)		—
Net decrease (increase) in financing receivables		991			(501	)
Proceeds from sale of investment and contractual rights, net		—			253

Net cash used in investing activities		(56,127	)		(37,984	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings (payments) on lines of credit		101,694			(351	)
Proceeds from notes payable		4,410			302,487
Principal payments under notes payable		(83,331	)		(49,509	)
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest		—			(307,675	)
Proceeds from stock issued under share-based compensation plans		1,962			18,017
Repurchase of common stock		(14,900	)		—
Tax benefit from employee share-based compensation		118			4,037
Distributions to noncontrolling interest		(4,385	)		(16,258	)
Dividends paid		(3,180	)		(3,245	)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		2,388			(52,497	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		8,369			6,522

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(106,286	)		701,263
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period		769,946			426,935

Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	$	663,660		$	1,128,198

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(in thousands, except per share data)


	Number of Shares			Paid-in Capital			Treasury Stock			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss						Total Global Payments Shareholders’ Equity			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Equity
	Number of Shares			Paid-in Capital			Treasury Stock			Retained Earnings			Currency Translation Adjustments			Minimum Pension Liability			Total Global Payments Shareholders’ Equity			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Equity
Balance at May 31, 2010		79,646		$	460,747		$	(100,000	)	$	544,772		$	(41,306	)	$	(2,949	)	$	861,264		$	10,253		$	871,517
Comprehensive income:
Net income including noncontrolling interests											102,873									102,873			4,068			106,941
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(2,005)														39,798						39,798						39,798

Total comprehensive income																				142,671			4,068			146,739

Stock issued under employee stock plans, net		444			1,962															1,962						1,962
Tax deficiency from employee share-based compensation, net					(1,027	)														(1,027	)					(1,027	)
Share-based compensation expense					7,690															7,690						7,690
Distributions to noncontrolling interest																							(4,385	)		(4,385	)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest valuation adjustment											(7,871	)								(7,871	)					(7,871	)
Repurchase of common stock		(345	)					(12,980	)											(12,980	)					(12,980	)
Dividends paid ($0.04 per share)											(3,180	)								(3,180	)					(3,180	)

Balance at November 30, 2010		79,745		$	469,372		$	(112,980	)	$	636,594		$	(1,508	)	$	(2,949	)		988,529		$	9,936			998,465

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

GLOBAL PAYMENTS INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(in thousands, except per share data)


								Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
	Number of Shares		Paid-in Capital		Retained Earnings			Currency Translation Adjustments			Minimum Pension Liability			Total Global Payments Shareholders’ Equity			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Equity
Balance at May 31, 2009		80,445	$	405,241	$	273,090		$	(8,987	)	$	(1,914	)	$	667,430		$	10,813		$	678,243
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income including noncontrolling interests						120,666									120,666			4,154			124,820
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(92)									30,104						30,104						30,104

Total comprehensive income															150,770			4,154			154,924

Stock issued under employee stock plans		1,028		18,017											18,017						18,017
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options				4,037											4,037						4,037
Share-based compensation expense				7,433											7,433						7,433
Distributions to noncontrolling interest																		(4,363	)		(4,363	)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest valuation adjustment						(13,000	)								(13,000	)					(13,000	)
Deferred tax asset—arising from acquisition of noncontrolling interest						89,965									89,965						89,965
Dividends paid ($0.04 per share)						(3,245	)								(3,245	)					(3,245	)

Balance at November 30, 2009		81,473	$	434,728	$	467,476		$	21,117		$	(1,914	)	$	921,407		$	10,604		$	932,011

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business, consolidation and presentation—Global Payments Inc. is a high-volume processor of electronic transactions for merchants, multinational corporations, financial institutions, consumers, government agencies and other business and non-profit business enterprises to facilitate payments to purchase goods and services. Our role is to serve as an intermediary in the exchange of information and funds that must occur between parties so that a transaction can be completed. We were incorporated in Georgia as Global Payments Inc. in September 2000, and we spun-off from our former parent company on January 31, 2001. Including our time as part of our former parent company, we have been in business since 1967.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our majority-owned subsidiaries. These unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and present our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

As a result of our May 2010 disposition of the money transfer business, this segment has been accounted for as a discontinued operation. Please see Note 3 – Discontinued Operations for further information.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). However, 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 primarily of normal recurring accruals and estimates that impact the carrying value of assets and liabilities. Actual results may materially differ from these estimates. We suggest that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010.

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 from those estimates.

Revenue recognition—Our two merchant services segments primarily include processing solutions for credit cards, debit cards, and check-related services. Revenue is recognized as such services are performed. Revenue for processing services provided directly to merchants is recorded net of interchange fees charged by card issuing banks. We use two basic business models to market our merchant services offerings. One model, referred to as “direct” merchant services, features a salaried and commissioned sales force, independent sales organizations (“ISOs”), and independent sales representatives, all of whom sell our end-to-end services directly to merchants. The other model, referred to as “indirect” merchant services, provides similar basic products and services as our direct model, primarily to financial institutions and a limited number of ISOs on an unbundled basis, that in turn resell our products and services to their clients. The primary difference between the models is under the “indirect” model we do not provide bank partner sponsorship services for acquired transactions. Direct merchant services revenue is generated on services generally priced as a percentage of transaction value, whereas indirect merchant services revenue is generated on services primarily priced on a specified amount per transaction or per service rendered. In both merchant services models, we also charge other fees unrelated to the number of transactions or the transaction value.

Cash and cash equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and all liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less when purchased. These amounts also include cash that we hold as collateral to minimize contingent liabilities associated with any losses that may occur under the merchant agreement (“Merchant Reserves”). We record corresponding liabilities in Settlement processing assets and Settlement processing obligations in our consolidated balance sheet. While this cash is not restricted in its use, we believe that designating this cash to collateralize Merchant Reserves strengthens our fiduciary standing with our member sponsors and is in accordance with guidelines set by the card networks. As of November 30, 2010 and May 31, 2010, our cash and cash equivalents included $252.9 million and $199.4 million, respectively, related to Merchant Reserves.

Inventory—Inventory, which includes electronic point of sale terminals, automated teller machines, and related peripheral equipment, is stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by using the average cost method.

Settlement processing assets and obligations—We are designated as a Merchant Service Provider by MasterCard and an Independent Sales Organization by Visa. These designations are dependent upon member clearing banks of either organization (“Member”) sponsoring us and our adherence to the standards of the Visa and MasterCard networks. We have five primary financial institution sponsors in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Asia-Pacific region and the Russian Federation with whom we have sponsorship or depository and clearing agreements. These agreements allow us to route transactions under the member banks’ control and identification numbers to clear credit card transactions through Visa and MasterCard. Visa and MasterCard set the standards with which we must comply. Certain of the member financial institutions of Visa and MasterCard are our competitors.

We also provide credit card transaction processing for Discover Financial Services or Discover Card (“Discover”) and are designated as an acquirer by Discover. Our agreement with Discover allows us to acquire, process and fund transactions directly through Discover’s network without the need of a financial institution sponsor. Otherwise, we process Discover transactions similarly to how we process MasterCard and Visa transactions. Discover publishes acquirer operating regulations, with which we must comply. We use our Members to assist in funding merchants for Discover transactions.

Funds settlement refers to the process of transferring funds for sales and credits between card issuers and merchants. Depending on the type of transaction, either the credit card interchange system or the debit network is used to transfer the information and funds between the Member and card issuer to complete the link between merchants and card issuers.

For transactions processed on our systems, we use our internal network telecommunication infrastructure to provide funding instructions to the Members who in turn fund the merchants. In certain of our markets, merchant funding primarily occurs after the Member receives the funds from the card issuer through the card networks creating a net settlement obligation on our balance sheet. In our other markets, the Member funds the merchants before the Member receives the net settlement funds from the card networks, creating a net settlement asset on our balance sheet. In the United Kingdom and certain markets in the Asia-Pacific region, the Member provides the payment processing operations and related support services on our behalf under a transition services agreement. In such instances, we do not reflect the related settlement processing assets and obligations in our consolidated balance sheet. The Member will continue to provide these operations and services until the integration to our platform is completed. After our integration, the Member will continue to provide funds settlement services similar to the functions performed by our Members in the United States and Canada at which point the related settlement assets and obligations will be reflected in our consolidated balance sheet.

Timing differences, interchange expense, Merchant Reserves and exception items cause differences between the amount the Member receives from the card networks and the amount funded to the merchants. The standards of the card networks restrict us from performing funds settlement or accessing merchant settlement funds, and, instead, require that these funds be in the possession of the Member until the merchant is funded. However, in practice and in accordance with the terms of our sponsorship agreements with our Members, we generally follow a net settlement process whereby, if the incoming amount from the card networks precedes the Member’s funding obligation to the merchant, we temporarily hold the surplus on behalf of the Member in our account at the Member bank and record a corresponding liability. Conversely, if the Member’s funding obligation to the merchant precedes the incoming amount from the card networks, the amount of the Member’s net receivable position is either subsequently advanced to the Member by us or the Member satisfies this obligation with its own funds. If the Member uses its own funds, the Member assesses a funding cost, which is included in interest and other expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Each participant in the transaction process receives compensation for its services.

Settlement processing assets and obligations represent intermediary balances arising in our settlement process for direct merchants. Settlement processing assets consist primarily of (i) our receivable from merchants for the portion of the discount fee related to reimbursement of the interchange expense (“Interchange reimbursement”), (ii) our receivable from the Members for transactions we have funded merchants on behalf of the Members in advance of receipt of card association funding (“Receivable from Members”), and (iii) exception items, such as customer chargeback amounts receivable from merchants (“Exception items”), all of which are reported net of (iv) Merchant Reserves held to minimize contingent liabilities associated with charges properly reversed by a cardholder (“Merchant Reserves”). Settlement processing obligations consist primarily of (i) Interchange reimbursement, (ii) our liability to the Members transactions for which we have received funding from the Members but have not funded merchants on behalf of the Members (“Liability to Members”), (iii) Exception items, (iv) Merchant Reserves, (v) the fair value of our guarantees of customer chargebacks (see Reserve for operating losses below), and (vi) the reserve for sales allowances. In cases in which the Member uses its own funds to satisfy a funding obligation to merchants that precedes the incoming amount from the card network, we reflect the amount of this funding as a component of “Liability to Members.”

A summary of these amounts as of November 30, 2010 and May 31, 2010 is as follows:


	November 30, 2010			May 31, 2010
	(in thousands)
Settlement processing assets:
Interchange reimbursement	$	67,363		$	19
Receivable from Members, net		122,554			12,258
Exception items		4,567			1,748
Merchant reserves		(113,292	)		(284	)

Total	$	81,192		$	13,741

Settlement processing obligations:
Interchange reimbursement	$	139,651		$	194,341
Liability to Members, net		(94,336	)		(259,947	)
Exception items		3,768			6,254
Merchant reserves		(139,648	)		(199,077	)
Fair value of guarantees of customer chargebacks		(3,175	)		(5,810	)
Reserves for sales allowances		(1,147	)		(871	)

Total	$	(94,887	)	$	(265,110	)

Reserve for operating losses—As a part of our merchant credit and debit card processing and check guarantee services, we experience merchant losses and check guarantee losses, which are collectively referred to as “operating losses.”

Our credit card processing merchant customers are liable for any charges or losses that occur under the merchant agreement. In the event, however, that we are not able to collect such amount from the merchants, due to merchant fraud, insolvency, bankruptcy or any other merchant-related reason, we may be liable for any such losses based on our merchant agreement. We require cash deposits, guarantees, letters of credit, and other types of collateral by certain merchants to minimize any such contingent liability. We also utilize a number of systems and procedures to manage merchant risk. We have, however, historically experienced losses due to merchant defaults.

We account for our potential liability for the full amount of the operating losses discussed above as guarantees. We estimate the fair value of these guarantees by adding a fair value margin to our estimate of losses. This estimate of losses is comprised of known losses and a projection of future losses based on a percentage of direct merchant sales volumes processed. Historically, this estimation process has been materially accurate.

As of November 30, 2010 and May 31, 2010, $3.2 million and $5.8 million, respectively, have been recorded to reflect the fair value of guarantees associated with merchant card processing. These amounts are included in settlement processing obligations in the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets. The expense associated with the fair value of the guarantees of customer chargebacks is included in cost of service in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. For the three months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, we recorded such expenses in the amounts of $1.2 million and $2.0 million, respectively. For the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, we recorded such expenses in the amounts of $2.1 million and $3.8 million, respectively.

In our check guarantee service offering, we charge our merchants a percentage of the gross amount of the check and guarantee payment of the check to the merchant in the event the check is not honored by the checkwriter’s bank in accordance with the merchant’s agreement with us. The fair value of the check guarantee is equal to the fee charged for the guarantee service, and we defer this fee revenue until the guarantee is satisfied. We have the right to collect the full amount of the check from the checkwriter but have not historically recovered 100% of the guaranteed checks. Our check guarantee loss reserve is based on historical and projected loss experiences. As of November 30, 2010 and May 31, 2010, we have a check guarantee loss reserve of $4.3 million and $4.2 million, respectively, which is included in net claims receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. For the three months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, we recorded expenses of $3.7 million and $4.0 million, respectively. For the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, we recorded expenses of $7.9 million and $7.8 million, respectively. The estimated check returns and recovery amounts are subject to the risk that actual amounts returned and recovered in the future may differ significantly from estimates used in calculating the receivable valuation allowance.

As the potential for merchants’ failure to settle individual reversed charges from consumers in our merchant credit card processing offering and the timing of individual checks clearing the checkwriters’ banks in our check guarantee offering are not predictable, it is not practicable to calculate the maximum amounts for which we could be liable under the guarantees issued under the merchant card processing and check guarantee service offerings. It is not practicable to estimate the extent to which merchant collateral or subsequent collections of dishonored checks, respectively, would offset these exposures due to these same uncertainties.

Property and equipment—Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method, except for certain technology assets discussed below. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the remaining term of the lease or the useful life of the asset. We capitalize the costs related to computer software developed or obtained for internal use. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.

During fiscal 2010, we placed into service $54.9 million of hardware and software associated with our next generation technology processing platform, referred to as G2. This platform is planned to be a new front-end operating environment for our merchant processing in the United States, Asia-Pacific, the United Kingdom, and Canada, and is intended to replace a number of legacy platforms that have higher cost structures. Depreciation and amortization associated with these costs is calculated based on transactions expected to be processed over the life of the platform. We believe that this method is more representative of the platform’s use than the straight-line method. We are currently processing transactions on our G2 platform in seven markets in our Asia-Pacific region. As these markets represent a small percentage of our overall transactions, depreciation and amortization related to our G2 platform for the six months ended November 30, 2010 was not significant. Depreciation and amortization expense will increase as we complete migrations of other markets to the G2 platform. We did not place any hardware or software costs associated with G2 into service during the six months ended November 30, 2010.

Goodwill and other intangible assets—We completed our most recent annual goodwill impairment test as of January 1, 2010 and determined that no impairment charges were required as of that date. No events or changes in circumstances have occurred since the date of our most recent annual impairment test that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level and consists of two steps. In the first step the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, is compared to its fair value which is measured based upon, among other factors, a discounted cash flow analysis as well as market multiples for comparable companies. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit is greater than its fair value, step two must be performed. Step two measures the impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all the assets and liabilities of that unit (including unrecognized intangibles) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. The excess of fair value over the amounts allocated to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit is the implied fair value of goodwill. The excess of the carrying amount over the implied fair value of goodwill is the impairment loss.

Other intangible assets primarily represent customer-related intangible assets (such as customer lists and merchant contracts), contract-based intangible assets (such as non-compete agreements, referral agreements and processing rights), and trademarks associated with acquisitions. Customer-related intangible assets, contract-based intangible assets and certain trademarks are amortized over their estimated useful lives of up to 30 years. The useful lives for customer-related intangible assets are determined based primarily on forecasted cash flows, which include estimates for the revenues, expenses, and customer attrition associated with the assets. The useful lives of contract-based intangible assets are equal to the terms of the agreements. The useful lives of amortizable trademarks are based on our plans to phase out the trademarks in the applicable markets.

Amortization for most of our customer-related intangible assets is calculated using an accelerated method. In determining amortization expense under our accelerated method for any given period, we calculate the expected cash flows for that period that were used in determining the acquired value of the asset and divide that amount by the expected total cash flows over the estimated life of the asset. We multiply that percentage by the initial carrying value of the asset to arrive at the amortization expense for that period. In addition, if the cash flow patterns that we experience are less favorable than our initial estimates, we will adjust the amortization schedule accordingly. These cash flow patterns are derived using certain assumptions and cost allocations due to a significant amount of asset interdependencies that exist in our business.

Impairment of long-lived assets—We regularly evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the carrying amount of property and equipment and finite-life intangible assets may not be recoverable. When factors indicate that

these long-lived assets should be evaluated for possible impairment, we assess the potential impairment by determining whether the carrying value of such long-lived assets will be recovered through the future undiscounted cash flows expected from use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the carrying amount of the asset is determined not to be recoverable, a write-down to fair value is recorded. Fair values are determined based on quoted market values, discounted cash flows, or external appraisals, as applicable. We regularly evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the useful lives of property and equipment and finite-life intangible assets may warrant revision. In our opinion, the carrying values of our long-lived assets, including property and equipment and finite-life intangible assets, were not impaired at November 30, 2010 and May 31, 2010.

Income taxes—Deferred income taxes are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax laws and rates. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Please see Note 6 – Income Tax for further information.

Fair value of financial instruments—We consider that the carrying amounts of our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, receivables, lines of credit, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate their fair value given the short-term nature of these items. Our term loans include variable interest rates based on the prime rate or London Interbank Offered Rate plus a margin based on our leverage position. We estimate the fair value of our 2009 term loan was $196.2 million at November 30, 2010 ($193.5 million carrying value) and $247.0 million at May 31, 2010 ($246.1 million carrying value). We estimate the fair value of our 2008 term loan was $138.8 million at November 30, 2010 ($140.0 million carrying value) and $160.6 million at May 31, 2010 ($165.0 million carrying value). Our subsidiary in the Russian Federation has notes payable with interest rates ranging from 8.0% to 10.5% and maturity dates ranging from March 2011 through July 2015. At November 30, 2010, we believe the carrying amount of these notes approximates fair value. Please see Note 5 – Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities for further information.

Financing receivables—Our subsidiary in the Russian Federation purchases Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and leases those ATMs to certain of our customers. We have determined these arrangements to be direct financing leases. Accordingly, we have $21.6 million and $24.2 million of financing receivables included in prepaid and other current assets (current portion) and other assets (long-term portion) in our November 30, 2010 and May 31, 2010 consolidated balance sheets, respectively.

Foreign currencies—We have significant operations in a number of foreign subsidiaries whose functional currency is their local currency. Gains and losses on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies are included in determining net income for the period. For the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, our transaction gains and losses were insignificant.

The assets and liabilities of subsidiaries whose functional currency is a foreign currency are translated at the period-end rate of exchange. Income statement items are translated at the average rates prevailing during the period. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income and is included in equity. Translation gains and losses on intercompany balances of a long-term investment nature are also recorded as a component of other comprehensive income.

Earnings per share—Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing reported earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Earnings available to common shareholders are the same as reported net income attributable to Global Payments for all periods presented.

Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing reported earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period and the impact of securities that would have a dilutive effect on earnings per share. All options with an exercise price less than the average market share price for the period are assumed to have a dilutive effect on earnings per share. The diluted share base for the three months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009 excludes incremental shares of 1.0 million and 0.2 million, respectively, related to stock options. The diluted share base for the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009 excludes incremental shares of 1.0 million and 0.5 million, respectively, related to stock options. These shares were not considered in computing diluted earnings per share because including them would have had an antidilutive effect. No additional securities were outstanding that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share.

The following table sets forth the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the three and six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended November 30,				Six Months Ended November 30,
	2010		2009		2010		2009
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		79,701		81,236		79,642		80,890
Plus: dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock awards		643		952		668		896

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		80,344		82,188		80,310		81,786

New accounting pronouncements—In July 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2010-20, “Receivables – Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses” (ASU 2010-20). ASU 2010-20 amends Accounting Standards Codification Topic 310 to improve the disclosures that an entity provides about the credit quality of its financing receivables and the related allowance for credit losses. As a result of these amendments, an entity is required to disaggregate by portfolio segment or class certain existing disclosures and provide new disclosures about its financing receivables and related allowance for credit losses. These provisions are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. ASU 2010-20 concerns disclosures only and will not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In December 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-17, “Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities” (ASU 2009-17). ASU 2009-17 amends prior accounting for variable interests and requires a company to perform an analysis to determine whether its interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. A company must also assess whether it has the power to direct the activities of the variable interest entity and whether it has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity. ASU 2009-17 requires an ongoing reassessment of whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, eliminates the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and expands required disclosures. ASU 2009-17 was effective for our fiscal year beginning June 1, 2010 and did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2—BUSINESS AND INTANGIBLE ASSET ACQUISITIONS

Fiscal 2011

During the first half of fiscal year 2011, we acquired contract-based and customer related intangible assets in our United States merchant services channel for $3.5 million. These intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 5 to 7 years.

Fiscal 2010

HSBC Merchant Services LLP

On June 12, 2009, we purchased the remaining 49% of HSBC Merchant Services LLP (the “LLP”) from HSBC Bank plc (“HSBC UK”) for $307.7 million in cash. We acquired our initial 51% majority ownership interest in the LLP on June 30, 2008 for which we paid HSBC UK $438.6 million. We used existing lines of credit to complete the transaction of the remaining 49% of the LLP. In conjunction with the transaction, HSBC extended our current ten-year exclusive marketing alliance agreement whereby the bank provides merchant referrals and bank sponsorship to Global Payments through June 2019. The purchase of the remaining 49% of the LLP was recorded as a reduction of redeemable noncontrolling interest. Accordingly, no additional value was ascribed to the assets of the LLP and there was no purchase price allocation for this transaction. As a result, our tax basis in the LLP exceeds our book basis and we recorded a deferred tax asset on the purchase date in the amount of $90.0 million with a corresponding increase to retained earnings. Additionally, the purchase of our 49% interest in the LLP is reflected as a financing cash outflow in our statement of cash flows because it was treated as an equity transaction.

On July 10, 2009, we entered into a new term loan to pay down the credit facility used to purchase the remaining 49% interest in the LLP. Please see Note 5—Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities for further information.

Auctionpay, Inc.

On September 28, 2009, we completed the acquisition of Auctionpay, Inc., a provider of fully integrated payment processing and software solutions for fundraising activities for $22.0 million in cash. The purpose of this acquisition was to expand our direct acquiring business into a vertical market that, to date, is still heavily dependent on cash and check as the primary means of payment. The purchase price was determined by analyzing the historical and prospective financial statements. This business acquisition was not material to our consolidated financial statements and accordingly, we have not provided pro forma information relating to this acquisition.

The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation (in thousands):


Goodwill	$	11,827
Customer-related intangible assets		4,900
Contract-based intangible assets		1,200
Trademark		300
Property and equipment		4,815

Total assets acquired		23,042
Working capital, net		(201	)
Liabilities		(841	)

Net assets acquired	$	22,000

None of the goodwill associated with the acquisition is deductible for tax purposes. The customer-related intangible assets have estimated amortization periods of 14 years. The contract-based intangible assets have estimated amortization periods of 2 years. The trademark has an estimated amortization period of 8 years.

HealthCard Systems

On April 21, 2010, we completed an asset purchase agreement with HealthCard Systems and NationalCard Processing Systems. Under the terms of the agreement we paid a total of $11.7 million. The purpose of this acquisition was to expand our merchant services portfolio in North America. The purchase price was determined by analyzing the historical and prospective financial statements. This business acquisition was not material to our consolidated financial statements and accordingly, we have not provided pro forma information relating to this acquisition.

The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation (in thousands):


Goodwill	$	5,838
Customer-related intangible assets		5,710
Contract-based intangible assets		120

Net assets acquired	$	11,668

None of the goodwill associated with the acquisition is deductible for tax purposes. The customer-related intangible assets have estimated amortization periods of 7 years.

Other

On March 31, 2010, we acquired a contract-based intangible asset in our United States merchant services channel for $0.8 million. This intangible asset is being amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of 5 years.

NOTE 3—DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On May 26, 2010, we completed the disposition of our DolEx and Europhil-branded money transfer businesses to an affiliate of Palladium Equity Partners, LLC for $85.0 million. Under the terms of the sale and purchase agreement, we received net proceeds of $60.2 million ($85.0 million less $24.8 million cash remaining in the business at closing), subject to final working capital adjustments.

The operating results of the money transfer segment for the three and six months ended November 30, 2009 have been reported as discontinued operations as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended November 30, 2009			Six Months Ended November 30, 2009
Net revenues	$	30,216		$	61,594
Operating income	$	2,936		$	6,339
Estimated loss on disposal		(15,850	)		(15,850	)
Other income		114			125

Loss before income taxes	$	(12,800	)	$	(9,386	)
Income tax benefit		17,668			16,442

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	4,868		$	7,056

During the three months ended November 30, 2010 we paid Palladium $1.9 million in a preliminary settlement of working capital adjustments.

NOTE 4—GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

As of November 30, 2010 and May 31, 2010, goodwill and intangible assets consisted of the following:


	November 30, 2010		May 31, 2010
	(in thousands)
Goodwill	$	590,911	$	569,090
Customer-related intangible assets		337,666		322,053
Contract-based intangible assets		17,072		20,087
Trademarks, finite life		8,120		8,046

		953,769		919,276

Less accumulated amortization on:
Customer-related intangible assets		152,472		136,333
Contract-based intangible assets		8,341		6,052
Trademarks		3,358		2,691

		164,171		145,076

	$	789,598	$	774,200

The following table discloses the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the six months ended November 30, 2010 (in thousands):


	North America merchant services			International merchant services		Total
Balance at May 31, 2010	$	210,065		$	359,025	$	569,090
Purchase price allocation adjustments		(30	)		—		(30	)
Effect of foreign currency translation		1,664			20,187		21,851

Balance at November 30, 2010	$	211,699		$	379,212	$	590,911

NOTE 5—LONG-TERM DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES

Outstanding debt consisted of the following:


	November 30, 2010		May 31, 2010
	(in thousands)
Lines of credit:
United States Credit Facility	$	—	$	—
Canada Credit Facility		—		—
National Bank of Canada Credit Facility		—		—
Macau Credit Facility		2,608		1,454
Sri Lanka Credit Facility		2,596		2,382
Philippines Credit Facility		7,599		9,064
Maldives Credit Facility		1,539		2,501
Singapore Credit Facility		11,275		—
Malaysia Credit Facility		17,634		—
Hong Kong Credit Facility		137,630		63,786

Total credit facilities		180,881		79,187
Notes Payable		12,222		10,064
Term loans		333,482		411,070

Total debt	$	526,585	$	500,321

Current portion	$	323,975	$	227,356
Long-term debt		202,610		272,965

Total debt	$	526,585	$	500,321

Lines of Credit

Our line of credit facilities are used to provide a source of working capital and for general corporate purposes, while the United States Credit Facility is additionally available to fund future strategic acquisitions. Certain of our line of credit facilities allow us to fund merchants for credit and debit card transactions prior to receipt of corresponding settlement funds from credit and debit card networks.

On December 7, 2010, we entered into a new, unsecured five-year, $600 million revolving credit facility (the “Corporate Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of financial institutions. The facility expires in December 2015 and has a variable interest rate based on a market short-term interest rate plus a leverage based margin. In addition, the Corporate Credit Facility allows us to expand the facility size to $750 million by requesting additional commitments from new or existing lenders. The Corporate Credit Facility contains certain financial and non-financial covenants and events of default customary for financings of this nature.

We plan to use the Corporate Credit Facility to support strategic growth initiatives and for general corporate purposes, and we used approximately $150 million of the new facility to pay down existing term loan debt.

In conjunction with our entry into the Corporate Credit Facility on December 7, 2010, we terminated our United States credit facility which was due to expire in November 2011.

Term Loans

On June 23, 2008, we entered into a five year unsecured $200.0 million term loan agreement with a syndicate of banks in the United States to partially fund the purchase of our initial 51% interest in the LLP. The term loan bears interest, at our election, at the prime rate or London Interbank Offered Rate plus a leverage based margin. As of November 30, 2010, the interest rate on the term loan was 1.4%. The term loan requires quarterly principal payments of $5.0 million beginning with the quarter ended August 31, 2008 and increasing to $10.0 million beginning with the quarter ending August 31, 2010 and $15.0 million beginning with the quarter ending August 31, 2011. As of November 30, 2010, the outstanding balance of this term loan was $140.0 million.

On July 10, 2009, we entered into a $300.0 million term loan agreement ($230.0 million and £43.5 million) with a syndicate of financial institutions. We used the proceeds of this term loan to pay down our then existing credit facility which had been used to initially fund the purchase of the remaining 49% interest in the LLP. This term loan expires in 2012 and has a variable interest rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate plus a leverage based margin. As of November 30, 2010, the interest rate on the term loan was 5.3% for the United States dollar borrowing facility and 3.6% for the British Pound Sterling borrowing facility. The term loan requires quarterly principal payments of $11.5 million and £2.2 million beginning with the quarter ended August 31, 2009 and increasing to $17.3 million and £3.3 million beginning with the quarter ending August 31, 2010. As of November 30, 2010, the outstanding balance of this term loan was $149.5 million and £28.3 million ($44.0 million equivalent).

Notes Payable

UCS, our subsidiary in the Russian Federation has notes payable with a total outstanding balance of approximately $12.2 million at November 30, 2010. These notes have fixed interest rates ranging from 8.0% to 10.5% with maturity dates ranging from March 2011 through July 2013.

Compliance with Covenants

There are certain financial and non-financial covenants contained in our credit facilities and term loans. We are in compliance with these covenants as of November 30, 2010.

NOTE 6—INCOME TAXES

During fiscal 2010, we recorded a deferred tax asset of $90.0 million associated with the purchase of the remaining 49% interest in HSBC Merchant Services LLP. Please see Note 2 – Business and Intangible Asset Acquisitions for further information.

Our effective tax rates, reflected as the provision for income taxes divided by income from continuing operations before income tax, including the effect of noncontrolling interest, were 29.6% and 27.9% for the three months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and were 30.6% and 28.9% for the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Our effective tax rates were lower than the United States statutory rate due to earnings in foreign jurisdictions that are taxed at a lower rate than United States earnings.

As of November 30, 2010, other long-term liabilities included liabilities for unrecognized income tax benefits of $28.7 million. Accrued interest and penalties were insignificant.

During the three and six months ended November 30, 2010, we recognized additional liabilities of $3.7 million and $7.9 million, respectively, for unrecognized income tax benefits. During both the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, amounts recorded for accrued interest and penalty expense related to the unrecognized income tax benefits was insignificant.

We conduct business globally and file income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. In the normal course of business, we are subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world, including such major jurisdictions as the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to income tax examinations for years ended May 31, 2004 and prior.

NOTE 7—SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

On April 23, 2010, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program that authorized the purchase of up to $100 million of Global Payments’ stock in the open market or as otherwise may be determined by us, subject to market conditions, business opportunities and other factors. Under this authorization, we repurchased 2,382,890 shares of our common stock at a cost of $100 million, or an average of $41.97 per share, including commissions during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010. Repurchased shares are held as treasury stock.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, we also used the $13.0 million remaining under the authorization from our original share repurchase program initiated during fiscal 2007 to repurchase 344,847 shares of our common stock a cost of $13.0 million, or an average of $37.64 per share, including commissions. These repurchased shares are also held as treasury stock. The remaining shares repurchased under this authorization were retired and are available for future issuance.

NOTE 8—SHARE-BASED AWARDS AND OPTIONS

As of November 30, 2010, we have four share-based employee compensation plans: the Global Payments Inc. 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the “2000 Plan”), the Global Payments Inc. Amended and Restated 2005 Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”), an Amended and Restated 2000 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the “Director Plan”), and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. For all share-based awards granted after June 1, 2006, compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis. The fair value of share-based awards granted prior to June 1, 2006 is amortized as compensation expense on an accelerated basis from the date of the grant.

Non-qualified stock options and restricted stock have been granted to officers, key employees and directors under the 2000 Plan, the 2005 Plan, and the Director Plan (collectively, the “Plans”). Effective with the adoption of the 2005 Plan, there are no future grants under the 2000 Plan. Shares available for future grant as of November 30, 2010 are 1.5 million for the 2005 Plan and 0.3 million for the Director Plan.

The following table summarizes the share-based compensation cost charged to income for (i) the continued vesting of all stock options that remained unvested as of June 1, 2006, (ii) all stock options granted, modified or cancelled after our adoption of FASB guidance, (iii) our employee stock purchase plan and (iv) our restricted stock program. The total income tax benefit recognized for share-based compensation in the accompanying unaudited statements of income is also presented.


	Three Months Ended November 30,				Six Months Ended November 30,
	2010		2009		2010		2009
Share-based compensation cost	$	4.2	$	4.4	$	7.7	$	7.4
Income tax benefit		1.5		1.6		2.7		2.6

Stock Options

Stock options are granted at 100% of fair market value on the date of grant and have 10-year terms. Stock options granted vest one year after the date of grant with respect to 25% of the shares granted, an additional 25% after two years, an additional 25% after three years, and the remaining 25% after four years. The Plans provide for accelerated vesting under certain conditions. We have historically issued new shares to satisfy the exercise of options.

The following is a summary of our stock option plans as of and for the six months ended November 30, 2010:


	Options (in thousands)			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)
Outstanding at May 31, 2010		3,042		$	31
Granted		325			38
Forfeited		(142	)		39
Exercised		(126	)		27

Outstanding at November 30, 2010		3,099			32		5	$	30

Options vested and exercisable at November 30, 2010		2,399		$	30		4	$	29

The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009 was $1.5 million and $3.2 million, respectively. As of November 30, 2010, we had $5.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options which we expect to recognize over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.

The weighted average grant-date fair values of each option granted during the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009 were $12 and $14 respectively. The fair value of each option granted during the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009 was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following weighted average assumptions for grants during the respective period:


	Six Months Ended November 30,
	2010			2009
2005 Plan
Risk-free interest rates		1.74	%		2.72	%
Expected volatility		31.96	%		32.31	%
Dividend yields		0.21	%		0.21	%
Expected lives		5 years			5 years
Directors Plan
Risk-free interest rates		1.31	%		2.24	%
Expected volatility		31.96	%		32.31	%
Dividend yields		0.21	%		0.21	%
Expected lives		5 years			5 years

The risk-free interest rate is 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 is based on our historical volatility. The dividend yield assumption is calculated using our average stock price over the preceding year and the annualized amount of our current quarterly dividend. We based our assumptions on the expected lives of the options on our analysis of the historical exercise patterns of the options and our assumption on the future exercise pattern of options.

Restricted Stock

Shares awarded under the restricted stock program of the 2000 Plan and 2005 Plan are held in escrow and released to the grantee upon the grantee’s satisfaction of conditions of the grantee’s restricted stock agreement. The grant date fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the quoted fair market value of our common stock at the award date.

Grants of restricted shares are subject to forfeiture if a grantee, among other conditions, leaves our employment prior to

expiration of the restricted period. New grants of restricted shares generally vest one year after the date of grant with respect to 25% of the shares granted, an additional 25% after two years, an additional 25% after three years, and the remaining 25% after four years.

The following table summarizes the changes in non-vested restricted stock awards for the six months ended November 30, 2010.


	Share Awards			Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Non-vested at May 31, 2010		713		$	42
Granted		453			38
Vested		(253	)		42
Forfeited		(21	)		41

Non-vested at November 30, 2010		892			40

The total fair value of shares vested during the six months ended November 30, 2010 was $10.6 million. During the six months ended November 30, 2009, the weighted average grant-date fair value of shares vested was $41 and the total fair value of shares vested was $8.9 million.

We recognized compensation expenses for restricted stock of $3.3 million and $3.2 million in the three months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. We recognized compensation expenses for restricted stock of $6.0 million and $5.0 million in the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. As of November 30, 2010, there was $31.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.9 years.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

We have an Employee Stock Purchase Plan under which the sale of 2.4 million shares of our common stock has been authorized. Employees may designate up to the lesser of $25,000 or 20% of their annual compensation for the purchase of stock. The price for shares purchased under the plan is 85% of the market value on the last day of the quarterly purchase period. As of November 30, 2010, 0.9 million shares had been issued under this plan, with 1.5 million shares reserved for future issuance.

The weighted average grant-date fair value of each designated share purchased under this plan during both the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009 was $6, which represents the fair value of the 15% discount.

NOTE 9—SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Supplemental cash flow disclosures are as follows:


	Six Months Ended November 30,
	2010			2009
	(in thousands)
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$	14,489		$	38,960
Interest paid		9,082			4,827
Financing receivables:
Investment in equipment for financing leases	$	(54	)	$	(1,335	)
Principal collections from customers—financing leases		1,045			834

Net decrease (increase) in financing receivables	$	991		$	(501	)

NOTE 10—NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

The following table details the components of redeemable noncontrolling interest for the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009:


	Six Months Ended November 30,
	2010		2009
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance	$	102,672	$	399,377
Acquisition of redeemable noncontrolling interest		—		(307,675	)
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		4,736		3,806
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest		—		(11,895	)
Increase in the maximum redemption amount of redeemable noncontrolling interest		7,871		13,000

Ending balance	$	115,279	$	96,613

For the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, net income included in the consolidated statements of changes in equity is reconciled to net income presented in the consolidated statements of income as follows:


	Six Months Ended November 30,
	2010		2009
	(in thousands)
Net income attributable to Global Payments	$	102,873	$	120,666
Net income attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest		4,068		4,154
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest		4,736		3,806

Net income including noncontrolling interest	$	111,677	$	128,626

NOTE 11—SEGMENT INFORMATION

General information

We historically operated in three reportable segments, which were defined as North America Merchant Services, International Merchant Services, and Money Transfer. Beginning with the three months ended November 30, 2009, our Money Transfer segment has been reported as discontinued operations. We completed the disposition of our Money Transfer segment on May 26, 2010. The following tables reflect our segments included in continuing operations. The merchant services segments primarily offer processing solutions for credit cards, debit cards, and check-related services.

Information about profit and assets

We evaluate performance and allocate resources based on the operating income of each segment. The operating income of each segment includes the revenues of the segment less those expenses that are directly related to those revenues. Operating overhead, shared costs, and certain compensation costs are included in corporate in the following table. Interest expense or income and income tax expense are not allocated to the individual segments. Lastly, we do not evaluate performance or allocate resources using segment asset data. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1.

Information on segments, including revenues by geographic distribution within segments, and reconciliations to consolidated revenues and consolidated operating income are as follows for the three and six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009:


	Three Months Ended November 30,						Six Months Ended November 30,
	2010			2009			2010			2009
	(in thousands)
Revenues:
United States	$	245,671		$	220,934		$	501,302		$	443,699
Canada		81,453			78,236			162,666			159,461

North America merchant services		327,124			299,170			663,968			603,160
Europe		79,881			84,143			153,677			164,610
Asia-Pacific		36,521			25,638			66,020			51,112

International merchant services		116,402			109,781			219,697			215,722

Consolidated revenues	$	443,526		$	408,951		$	883,665		$	818,882

Operating income for segments:
North America merchant services	$	67,131		$	73,643		$	135,499		$	149,564
International merchant services		35,349			30,750			66,742			59,499
Corporate		(19,337	)		(15,691	)		(36,990	)		(31,118	)

Consolidated operating income	$	83,143		$	88,702			165,251		$	177,945

Depreciation and amortization:
North America merchant services	$	8,249		$	7,787		$	15,913		$	14,879
International merchant services		9,371			8,326			18,290			17,195
Discontinued operations		—			543			—			1,362
Corporate		404			128			525			269

Consolidated depreciation and amortization	$	18,024		$	16,784		$	34,728		$	33,705

Our results of operations and our financial condition are not significantly reliant upon any single customer or referral partner.

NOTE 12—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have a redeemable noncontrolling interest associated with our Asia-Pacific merchant services business channel. Global Payments Asia-Pacific Limited, or GPAP, is the entity through which we conduct our merchant acquiring business in the Asia-Pacific region. We own 56% of GPAP and HSBC Asia Pacific owns the remaining 44%. The GPAP shareholders agreement includes provisions pursuant to which HSBC Asia Pacific may compel us to purchase, at the lesser of fair value or a net revenue multiple, additional GPAP shares from HSBC Asia Pacific (the “Put Option”). HSBC Asia Pacific may exercise the Put Option on the fifth anniversary of the closing of the acquisition (July 2011) and on each anniversary thereafter. By exercising the Put Option, HSBC Asia Pacific can require us to purchase, on an annual basis, up to 15% of the total issued shares of GPAP. We estimate the maximum total redemption amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interest under the Put Option would be $115.3 million as of November 30, 2010. We have adjusted our redeemable noncontrolling interest to reflect the maximum redemption amount as of November 30, 2010 in our consolidated balance sheet.

During fiscal 2009, we sold a 20% interest in Global Payments Credit Services (“GPCS”), a leading credit information company in Russia, to Equifax Decision Systems, BV (“Equifax”) for $3.0 million in cash (the “GPCS sale”). Due to capital contribution requirements included in the GPCS shareholders agreement, we initially deferred the gain on the sale of the interest. The capital contributions requirement expired on September 1, 2010. Accordingly, the total deferred gain of $2.6 million was recognized during the second quarter of fiscal year 2011 and is included in interest and other income in our consolidated statements of income.

NOTE 13—SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On December 20, 2010 we formed a limited partnership with “la Caixa” to provide direct merchant acquiring and payment processing services to merchants in Spain. We paid €125 million in cash to acquire a 51% majority ownership in the limited partnership. We will manage the day-to-day operations of the partnership, will control all major decisions and, accordingly, will consolidate the partnership’s financial results for accounting purposes effective with the closing date. “la Caixa” retained the remaining 49% and contributed its existing merchant acquiring business to the limited partnership. In addition, “la Caixa” has agreed to a twenty year marketing alliance in which “la Caixa” will refer customers to the limited partnership for payment processing services in Spain and provide sponsorship into the card networks. We funded the purchase with a combination of existing cash resources in Europe and our credit facilities.

The purchase price totaled €125 million ($164.1 million as of the closing date). This transaction will be recorded as a business combination and the purchase price will be allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. Due to the timing of this transaction, the allocation of purchase price has not been finalized pending valuation of intangible assets acquired.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

For an understanding of the significant factors that influenced our results, the following discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this report. This management’s discussion and analysis should also be read in conjunction with the management’s discussion and analysis and consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010.

General

We are a leading payment processing company. As a high-volume processor of electronic transactions, we enable merchants, multinational corporations, financial institutions, consumers, government agencies and other profit and non-profit business enterprises to facilitate electronic payments to purchase goods and services. Our role is to serve as an intermediary in the exchange of information and funds that must occur between parties so that a payment transaction can be completed. We were incorporated in Georgia as Global Payments Inc. in September 2000 and we spun-off from our former parent company in January 2001. Including our time as part of our former parent company, we have been in business since 1967.

Our North America Merchant Services and International Merchant Services segments target customers in many vertical industries including financial institutions, gaming, government, health care, professional services, restaurants, retail, universities, nonprofit organizations and utilities.

Our offerings provide merchants, independent sales organizations (“ISOs”) and financial institutions with credit and debit card transaction processing and check-related services. We use two basic business models to market our merchant services offerings. One model, referred to as “direct,” features a salaried and commissioned sales force, ISOs and independent sales representatives, all of whom sell our end-to-end services directly to merchants. Our other model, referred to as “indirect,” provides similar basic products and services to financial institutions and a limited number of ISOs on an unbundled basis, who in turn resell our products and services to clients. Both our North America and International merchant services segments utilize a combination of the direct and indirect models.

Direct merchant services revenue is generated on services generally priced as a percentage of transaction value, whereas indirect merchant services revenue is generated on services primarily priced on a specified amount per transaction or per service rendered. In both merchant services models, we also charge other fees unrelated to the number of transactions or the transaction value.

Our products and services are marketed through a variety of sales channels that include a dedicated direct sales force, ISOs, an internal telesales group, retail outlets, trade associations, alliance bank relationships and financial institutions. We seek to leverage the rapid adoption of, and transition to, card based payments by expanding market share in our existing markets through our distribution channels or through acquisitions in North America, the Asia-Pacific region and Europe, and investing in and leveraging technology and people, thereby maximizing shareholder value. We may also seek to enter new markets through acquisitions in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and South America.

Our business does not have pronounced seasonality in which more than 30% of our revenues occur in one quarter. However, each geographic channel has somewhat higher and lower quarters given the nature of the portfolio. For example, in our North American channels, the first and fourth quarters are generally the strongest, and the third quarter tends to be the slowest due to lower volumes in the months of January and February. In contrast, Asia-Pacific typically has a stronger third quarter, and the first quarter in Asia-Pacific and the United Kingdom, tends to be slower.

Executive Overview

agreed to a twenty year marketing alliance in which “la Caixa” will refer customers to the limited partnership for payment processing services in Spain and provide sponsorship into the card networks. We funded the purchase with a combination of existing cash resources in Europe and our credit facilities.

On May 26, 2010, we completed the disposition of our DolEx and Europhil-branded money transfer businesses to an affiliate of Palladium Equity Partners, LLC for $85.0 million. We recognized an estimated pre-tax loss on disposal of $24.6 million. We also recognized $15.7 million of tax benefits associated with the disposition. As a result of our May 2010 disposition of the money transfer businesses, this segment has been accounted for as a discontinued operation. Amounts related to our discontinued operations in our prior fiscal years’ statements of income have been reclassified to conform with the presentation in the current fiscal year. Please see Note 3—Discontinued Operations in the notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for further information.

Revenues increased $64.8 million during the six months ended November 30, 2010 compared to the prior year’s comparable period. Revenue growth was driven by our North America merchant services segment as a result of our direct ISO channel which continues to gain market share in the United States as evidenced by our 18% transaction growth compared to the prior year’s comparable period. Revenues also increased by 2% in our International merchant services segment compared to the prior year’s comparable period. This increase is due to the solid business performance in the United Kingdom, Russia and particularly in the Asia Pacific region where growth was driven in part by the roll-out of new products by a major retailer with both physical and e-commerce transactions in several markets in the region.

Operating income decreased $12.7 million during the six months ended November 30, 2010 compared to the prior year’s comparable period. Operating margins for the six months ended November 30, 2010 declined to 18.7% compared to 21.7% during the six months ended November 30, 2009. The consolidated operating income decline was primarily driven by our North America business, specifically Canada which has recently become a more competitive market recently. The overall decline in operating margins is due to the dilutive impact of ISO transactions, Canada pricing compression and increased corporate costs, offset by further margin expansion in International. Sales, general and administrative costs increased $58 million, or 16% due to employee termination benefits, relocation benefits and expenses related to a new Global Service Center in Manila, Philippines, and proportional increases in commission payments to ISOs as a percentage of ISO revenues.

For the six months ended November 30, 2010 currency exchange rate fluctuations increased our revenues by $2.2 million and our earnings by $0.02 per diluted share. To calculate this impact, we converted our fiscal 2011 actual revenues and expenses from continuing operations at fiscal 2010 currency exchange rates. Further fluctuations in currency exchange rates could cause our results to differ from our current expectations.

Results of Operations

The following table shows key selected financial data for the three months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, this data as a percentage of total revenue, and the changes between three months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, in dollars and as a percentage of the prior year’s comparable period.


	Three Months Ended November 30, 2010			% of Revenue⁽¹⁾			Three Months Ended November 30, 2009			% of Revenue⁽¹⁾			Change			% Change
	(dollar amounts in thousands)
Revenues:
United States	$	245,671			55	%	$	220,934			54	%	$	24,737			11	%
Canada		81,453			18			78,236			19			3,217			4

North America merchant services		327,124			74			299,170			73			27,954			9

Europe		79,881			18			84,143			21			(4,262	)		(5	)
Asia-Pacific		36,521			8			25,638			6			10,883			42

International merchant services		116,402			26			109,781			27			6,621			6

Total revenues	$	443,526			100	%	$	408,951			100	%	$	34,575			8


Consolidated operating expenses:
Cost of service	$	154,205			34.8	%	$	144,881			35.4	%	$	9,324			6
Sales, general and administrative		206,178			46.5			175,368			42.9			30,810			18

Operating income	$	83,143			18.7	%	$	88,702			21.7	%	$	(5,559	)		(6	)%


Operating income for segments:
North America merchant services	$	67,131					$	73,643					$	(6,512	)		(9	)%
International merchant services		35,349						30,750						4,599			15
Corporate		(19,337	)					(15,691	)					(3,646	)		(23	)

Operating income	$	83,143					$	88,702					$	(5,559	)		(6	)%


Operating margin for segments:
North America merchant services		20.5	%					24.6	%					(4.1	)%
International merchant services		30.4	%					28.0	%					2.4	%

⁽¹⁾	Percentage amounts may not sum to the total due to rounding.

The following table shows key selected financial data for the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, this data as a percentage of total revenue, and the changes between six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, in dollars and as a percentage of the prior year’s comparable period.


	Six Months Ended November 30, 2010			% of Revenue⁽¹⁾			Six Months Ended November 30, 2009			% of Revenue⁽¹⁾			Change			% Change
	(dollar amounts in thousands)
Revenues:
United States	$	501,302			57	%	$	443,699			54	%	$	57,603			13	%
Canada		162,666			18			159,461			19			3,205			2

North America merchant services		663,968			75			603,160			74			60,808			10

Europe		153,677			17			164,610			20			(10,933	)		(7	)
Asia-Pacific		66,020			7			51,112			6			14,908			29

International merchant services		219,697			25			215,722			26			3,975			2

Total revenues	$	883,665			100	%	$	818,882			100	%	$	64,783			8	%


Consolidated operating expenses:
Cost of service	$	305,246			34.5	%	$	286,084			34.9	%	$	19,162			7	%
Sales, general and administrative		413,168			46.8			354,853			43.3			58,315			16

Operating income	$	165,251			18.7	%	$	177,945			21.7	%	$	(12,694	)		(7	)%


Operating income for segments:
North America merchant services	$	135,499					$	149,564					$	(14,065	)		(9	)%
International merchant services		66,742						59,499						7,243			12
Corporate		(36,990	)					(31,118	)					(5,872	)		(19	)

Operating income	$	165,251					$	177,945					$	(12,694	)		(7	)%


Operating margin for segments:
North America merchant services		20.4	%					24.8	%					(4.4	)%
International merchant services		30.4	%					27.6	%					2.8	%

⁽¹⁾	Percentage amounts may not sum to the total due to rounding.

Revenues

We derive our revenues from three primary sources: charges based on volumes and fees for services, charges based on transaction quantity, and equipment sales, leases and service fees. Revenues generated by these areas depend upon a number of factors, such as demand for and price of our services, the technological competitiveness of our product offerings, our reputation for providing timely and reliable service, competition within our industry and general economic conditions.

For the three months ended November 30, 2010, revenues increased 8% to $443.5 million compared to the prior year’s comparable period. For the six months ended November 30, 2010, revenues increased 8% to $883.7 million compared to the prior year’s comparable period.

Our revenues have been affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. For the three months ended November 30, 2010, currency exchange rate fluctuations increased our revenues by $1.2 million. For the six months ended November 30, 2010, currency exchange rate fluctuations increased our revenues by $2.2 million.

North America Merchant Services Segment

For the three months ended November 30, 2010, revenue from our North America merchant services segment increased 9% to $327.1 million compared to the prior year’s comparable period. For the six months ended November 30, 2010, revenue from our North America merchant services segment increased 10% to $664.0 million compared to the prior year’s comparable period.

We grow our United States revenue by adding small and mid-market merchants in diversified vertical markets, primarily through our ISO channel. For the three months ended November 30, 2010, our United States revenue grew 11%. Transaction growth of 18% was offset by a 5% decrease in average ticket. For the six months ended November 30, 2010, United States revenue grew 13% as transaction growth of 18% was offset by a 4% decrease in average ticket. We believe this decline in average ticket is due to a combination of the industry shift to increasing debit transactions, as well as a shift toward smaller merchants added through our ISO channel. Smaller merchants tend to have lower average tickets when compared to larger merchants. The effect of consumers replacing cash-based payments with debit card transactions also lowers our overall United States average ticket amounts. Based on our mix of merchants, slightly more than half of our United States transactions are comprised of a combination of signature- and PIN-based debit, with PIN-based debit representing less than 10% of our total transactions. Aside from the impact of changes in our average ticket, the remaining differences between our transaction growth and revenue growth are due to our service fees, equipment fees, check-related services, and our domestic indirect revenue.

For the three months ended November 30, 2010 our Canadian revenue increased 4% compared to the prior year period. For the six months ended November 30, 2010, our Canadian revenue increased 2% compared to the prior year period. The increases in revenue were due to favorable foreign currency trends in Canada, which were offset by reduced spreads due to market-driven pricing pressure as compared to the prior year’s comparable period.

International Merchant Services Segment

For the three months ended November 30, 2010 International merchant services revenue increased 6% to $116.4 million compared to the prior year period. For the six months ended November 30, 2010, International merchant services revenue increased 2% to $219.7 million compared to the prior year period.

Our Europe merchant services revenue for the three months ended November 30, 2010 decreased 5% to $79.9 million compared to the prior year period. Our Europe merchant services revenue for the six months ended November 30, 2010 decreased 7% to $153.7 million compared to the prior year period. These decreases were due to unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and reduced revenue from one product line in the United Kingdom as we exited some high risk, lower margin merchant acquiring business.

Asia-Pacific merchant services revenue for the three months ended November 30, 2010 increased 42% to $36.5 million compared to the prior year period. Asia-Pacific merchant services revenue for the six months ended November 30, 2010 increased 29% to $66.0 million compared to the prior year period. The growth was due to solid business performance in the

Asia-Pacific region helped by the roll-out of new products by a major retailer with both physical and e-commerce transactions in several markets in the region and continued growth of our dynamic currency conversion.

Consolidated Operating Expenses

Cost of service consists primarily of the following costs: operations-related personnel, including those who monitor our transaction processing systems and settlement functions; assessment fees paid to card networks; transaction processing systems, including third-party services such as the costs for transition services paid to HSBC in the Asia-Pacific market and the United Kingdom; network telecommunications capability; depreciation and occupancy costs associated with the facilities performing these functions; amortization of intangible assets; and provisions for operating losses.

Cost of service increased 6% to $154.2 million for the three months ended November 30, 2010 compared to the prior year’s comparable period. As a percentage of revenue, cost of service decreased to 34.8% of revenue for the three months ended November 30, 2010 from 35.4% for the prior year’s comparable period. Cost of service increased 7% to $305.2 million for the six months ended November 30, 2010 compared to the prior year’s comparable period. As a percentage of revenue, cost of service decreased to 34.5% of revenue for the six months ended November 30, 2010 from 34.9% for the prior year’s comparable period.

Sales, general and administrative expenses consists primarily of salaries, wages and related expenses paid to sales personnel; non-revenue producing customer support functions and administrative employees and management; commissions to independent contractors, ISOs and other third parties, advertising costs; other selling expenses, share-based compensation expenses and occupancy of leased space directly related to these functions.

Sales, general and administrative expenses increased 18% to $206.2 million for the three months ended November 30, 2010 compared to the prior year’s comparable period. As a percentage of revenue, these expenses increased to 46.5% for the three months ended November 30, 2010 compared to 42.9% in the prior year’s comparable period. Sales, general and administrative expenses increased 16% to $413.2 million for the six months ended November 30, 2010 compared to the prior year’s comparable period. As a percentage of revenue, these expenses increased to 46.8% for the six months ended November 30, 2010 compared to 43.3% in the prior year’s comparable period. This increase was primarily due to employee termination benefits, relocation benefits and expenses related to a new Global Service Center in Manila, Philippines, and proportional increases in commission payments to ISOs as a percentage of ISO revenues.

Operating Income and Operating Margin for Segments

For the purpose of discussing segment operations, we refer to operating income as calculated by subtracting segment direct expenses from segment revenue. Overhead and shared expenses, including share-based compensation costs, are not allocated to segment operations; they are reported in the caption “Corporate.” Similarly, references to operating margin regarding segment operations mean segment operating income divided by segment revenue.

North America Merchant Services Segment

Operating income in the North America merchant services segment decreased 9% to $67.1 million for the three months ended November 30, 2010 compared to the prior year’s comparable period. The operating margin was 20.5% and 24.6% for the three months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Operating income in the North America merchant services segment decreased 9% to $135.5 million for the six months ended November 30, 2010 compared to the prior year’s comparable period. The operating margin was 20.4% and 24.8% for the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Growth in the U.S. ISO channel reduced margins for the three and six months ended November 30, 2010. The ISO channel generally has a dilutive effect on our operating margin compared to our other channels due to the ongoing commission payments to the ISOs. North America margins were also unfavorably affected by competitive pricing pressure in Canada.

International Merchant Services Segment

Operating income in the International merchant services segment increased 15% to $35.3 million for the three months ended November 30, 2010 compared to the prior year’s comparable period. The operating margin was 30.4% and 28.0% for the three months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Operating income in International merchant services increased 12% to $66.7 million for the six months ended November 30, 2010 compared to the prior year’s comparable period. The operating margin was 30.4% and 27.6% for the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in operating margin is due to higher operating margins in the United Kingdom and in Asia-Pacific. The improvement in margin is driven by improving economies of scale, exiting certain high risk, lower margin merchant acquiring business in the United Kingdom and growth in the Asia-Pacific region. We intend to complete the migration of merchants in the United Kingdom to our back-end processing platform by the end of February 2011. This migration is expected to result in the opportunity for further margin expansion in the United Kingdom.

Corporate

Our corporate expenses include costs associated with our Atlanta headquarters, insurance, employee incentive programs, and certain corporate staffing areas, including finance, accounting, legal, human resources, marketing, and executive. Corporate also includes expenses associated with our share-based compensation programs.

Our corporate costs increased 23% to $19.3 million for the three months ended November 30, 2010 compared to the prior year’s comparable period. Our corporate costs increased 19% to $37.0 million for the six months ended November 30, 2010 compared to the prior year’s comparable period. These increases are primarily due to start up expenses related to a new Global Service Center in Manila, Philippines and the costs incurred to relocate operations.

Consolidated Operating Income

During the three months ended November 30, 2010, our consolidated operating income decreased $5.6 million to $83.1 million compared to the prior year’s comparable period. During the six months ended November 30, 2010, our consolidated operating income decreased $12.7 million to $165.3 million compared to the prior year’s comparable period. The decrease in our consolidated operating income is due to the decline in our North America merchant services segment, offset by our International merchant services segment and our increased sales, general and administrative expenses as discussed above.

Consolidated Other Income/Expense, Net

Other income and expense consists primarily of interest income and expense, gains and losses on foreign currency transactions and other non-operating income/expense. Other expense, net, decreased to $0.2 million for the three months ended November 30, 2010 compared to expense of $3.7 million in the prior year’s comparable period. Other expense, net, decreased to $3.5 million for the six months ended November 30, 2010 compared to expense of $7.2 million in the prior year’s comparable period. The decrease in our other expense is primarily due to recognition of a previously deferred gain of $2.6 million, which was recognized during the three months ended November 30, 2010 for the sale of our 20% interest in Global Payments Credit Services (“GPCS”) to Equifax Decision Systems, BV. See Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies in the notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for further information.

Provision for Income Taxes

Our effective tax rates, reflected as the provision for income taxes divided by income from continuing operations before income tax, including the effect of noncontrolling interest, were 29.6% and 27.9% for the three months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Our effective tax rates were 30.6% and 28.9% for the six months ended November 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Our effective tax rates were lower than the United States statutory rate due to earnings in foreign jurisdictions that are taxed at a lower rate than United States earnings.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

A significant portion of our liquidity comes from operating cash flows, which are generally sufficient to fund operations, planned capital expenditures, debt service and various strategic investments in our business. Cash flow from operations is used to make planned capital investments in our business, to pursue acquisitions that meet our corporate objectives, to pay dividends, and to pay off debt and repurchase our shares at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Accumulated cash balances are invested in high quality and marketable short term instruments.

Our capital plan objectives are to support our operational needs and strategic plan for long-term growth while maintaining a low cost of capital. Lines of credit are used in certain of our markets to fund settlement and as a source of working capital and, along with other bank financing, to fund acquisitions. We regularly evaluate our liquidity and capital position relative to cash requirements, and we may elect to raise additional funds in the future, either through the issuance of debt, equity or otherwise. To meet our current capital plan objectives, we entered into a new, unsecured five-year, $600 million revolving credit facility on December 7, 2010. Please see Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities below for further information regarding this facility.

At November 30, 2010, we had cash and cash equivalents totaling $663.7 million. Of this amount, we consider $285.5 million to be available cash, which generally excludes settlement related and merchant reserve cash balances. Settlement related cash balances represent surplus funds that we hold on behalf of our member sponsors when the incoming amount from the card networks precedes the member sponsors’ funding obligation to the merchant. Settlement related cash balances are not restricted; however, these funds are generally paid out in satisfaction of settlement processing obligations the following business day. Merchant reserve cash balances represent funds collected from our merchants that serve as collateral to minimize contingent liabilities associated with any losses that may occur under the merchant agreement. At November 30, 2010, our cash and cash equivalents included $252.9 million related to Merchant reserves. While this cash is not restricted in its use, we believe that designating this cash to collateralize Merchant reserves strengthens our fiduciary standing with our member sponsors and is in accordance with the guidelines set by the card networks. See Cash and cash equivalents and Settlement processing assets and obligations under Note 1 in the notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for additional details.

Operating activities used net cash of $60.9 million during the six months ended November 30, 2010 compared to providing net cash of $785.2 million during the prior year’s comparable period. The decrease in cash flow from operating activities was primarily due to the change in net settlement processing assets and obligations of $857.8 million. Net settlement processing assets and obligations were unusually high at November 30, 2009 due to the timing of month end cut-off. See Settlement processing assets and obligations under Note 1 in the notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements for additional details.

Net cash used in investing activities increased $18.1 million to $56.1 million for the six months ended November 30, 2010 from the prior year’s comparable period, primarily due to our capital expenditures of $51.7 million for investments in software and infrastructure during the six months ended November 30, 2010.

For the six months ended November 30, 2010, we generated $2.4 million in cash provided by financing activities compared to $52.5 million cash used in financing activities in the prior year’s comparable period. The increase in cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to increased line of credit borrowings in the Asia Pacific region to fund settlement, offset by higher debt repayment. See Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities below for a more detailed discussion of our borrowing activities. Additionally, in the six months ended November 30, 2010 we paid $14.9 million in cash for share repurchases, $1.9 million of which represents the cash settlement of purchases executed during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010. We repurchased an additional 344,847 shares of our common stock using the remaining $13.0 million of our fiscal 2007 $100 million authorization at an average share price of $37.64.

We believe that our current level of cash and borrowing capacity under our lines of credit described below, together with future cash flows from operations, are sufficient to meet the needs of our existing operations and planned requirements for the foreseeable future. During fiscal year 2011, we expect capital expenditures to approximate $85 million.

Contractual Obligations

The operating lease commitments disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2010 have not changed significantly. Our remaining current contractual and other obligations are as follows:

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

We have a redeemable noncontrolling interest associated with our Asia-Pacific merchant services channel. Global Payments Asia-Pacific Limited, or GPAP, is the entity through which we conduct our merchant acquiring business in the Asia-Pacific region. We own 56% of GPAP and HSBC Asia Pacific owns the remaining 44%. The GPAP shareholders agreement includes provisions pursuant to which HSBC Asia Pacific may compel us to purchase, at the lesser of fair value or a net revenue multiple, additional GPAP shares from HSBC Asia Pacific (the “Put Option”). HSBC Asia Pacific may exercise the Put Option on the fifth anniversary of the closing of the acquisition (July 2011) and on each anniversary thereafter. By exercising the Put Option, HSBC Asia Pacific can require us to purchase, on an annual basis, up to 15% of the total issued shares of GPAP. We estimate the maximum total redemption amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interest under the Put Option would be $115.3 million as of November 30, 2010. We have adjusted our redeemable noncontrolling interest to reflect the maximum redemption amount as of November 30, 2010 in our consolidated balance sheet.

Long-Term Debt and Credit Facilities

Outstanding debt consisted of the following:


	November 30, 2010		May 31, 2010
	(in thousands)
Lines of credit:
United States Credit Facility	$	—	$	—
Canada Credit Facility		—		—
National Bank of Canada Credit Facility		—		—
Macau Credit Facility		2,608		1,454
Sri Lanka Credit Facility		2,596		2,382
Philippines Credit Facility		7,599		9,064
Maldives Credit Facility		1,539		2,501
Singapore Credit Facility		11,275		—
Malaysia Credit Facility		17,634		—
Hong Kong Credit Facility		137,630		63,786

Total credit facilities		180,881		79,187
Notes Payable		12,222		10,064
Term loans		333,482		411,070

Total debt	$	526,585	$	500,321

Current portion	$	323,975	$	227,356
Long-term debt		202,610		272,965

Total debt	$	526,585	$	500,321

Lines of Credit

In conjunction with our entry into the Corporate Credit Facility on December 7, 2010, we terminated our former United States credit facility which was due to expire in November 2011.

Term Loans

Notes Payable

Compliance with Covenants

There are certain financial and non-financial covenants contained in our credit facilities and term loans. We are in compliance with these covenants as of November 30, 2010.

Critical Accounting Estimates

In applying the accounting policies that we use to prepare our consolidated financial statements, we necessarily make accounting estimates that affect our reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Some of these accounting estimates require us to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time we make the accounting estimates. We base these assumptions and the resulting estimates on historical information and other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, and we evaluate these assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis; however, in many instances we reasonably could have used different accounting estimates, and in other instances changes in our accounting estimates are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, with the result in each case being a material change in the financial statement presentation of our financial condition or results of operations. We refer to accounting estimates of this type as “critical accounting estimates.”

Accounting estimates necessarily require subjective determinations about future events and conditions. During the six months ended November 30, 2010, we have not adopted any new critical accounting policies, have not changed any critical accounting policies and have not changed the application of any critical accounting policies from the year ended May 31, 2010. You should read the Critical Accounting Estimates in Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Item 1A—Risk Factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2010 and our summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 of our notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-Q.

Special Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

We believe that it is important to communicate our plans and expectations about the future to our shareholders and to the public. Investors are cautioned that some of the statements we use in this report, and in some of the documents we incorporate by reference in this report, contain forward-looking statements and are made pursuant to the “safe-harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, are predictive in nature, and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions. You can sometimes identify forward-looking statements by our use of the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans” and similar expressions. Actual events or results might differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements.

Although we believe that the plans and expectations reflected in or suggested by our forward-looking statements are reasonable, those statements are based on a number of assumptions, estimates, projections or plans that are inherently subject to significant risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that are subject to change. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee you that our plans and expectations will be achieved. Our actual revenues, revenue growth and margins, other results of operations and shareholder values could differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements as a result of many known and unknown factors. We advise you to review the risk factors presented in Item 1A—Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010 for information on some of the matters which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing our plans and expectations as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update or revise forward-looking statements at some time in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to our forward-looking statements. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in our press releases.

Where to Find More Information

We file annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and print materials that we have filed with the SEC from their website at www.sec.gov. In addition, certain of our SEC filings, including our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K and amendments thereto can be viewed and printed from the investor information section of our website at www.globalpaymentsinc.com free of charge. Certain materials relating to our corporate governance, including our senior financial officers’ code of ethics, are also available in the investor information section of our website. Copies of our filings and specified exhibits and these corporate governance materials are also available, free of charge, by writing or calling us using the address or phone number on the cover of this Form 10-Q. You may also telephone our investor relations office directly at (770) 829-8234. We are not including the information on our website as a part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this report.

Our SEC filings may also be viewed and copied at the following SEC public reference room, and at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, where our common stock is quoted under the symbol “GPN.”

SEC Public Reference Room

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, DC 20549

(You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room.)

NYSE Euronext

20 Broad Street

New York, NY 10005

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates on our debt and cash investments. Our long-term debt has the option of variable interest rates based on the prime rate or London Interbank Offered Rate plus a margin based on our leverage position. We invest our excess cash in securities that we believe are highly liquid and marketable in the short term. These investments are not held for trading or other speculative purposes. Interest rates on our lines of credit are based on market rates and fluctuate accordingly. Under our current policies, we do not use interest rate derivative instruments to manage exposure to interest rate changes and believe the market risk arising from investment instruments and debt to be minimal.

Although the majority of our operations are conducted in U.S. dollars, some of our operations are conducted in foreign currencies. Consequently, a portion of our revenues and expenses may be affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We are also affected by fluctuations in exchange rates on assets and liabilities related to our foreign operations. We have not hedged our translation risk on foreign currency exposure. For the six months ended November 30, 2010, currency rate fluctuations increased our revenues by $2.2 million and our diluted earnings per share by $0.02. To calculate this we converted our fiscal 2011 actual revenues and expenses from continuing operations at fiscal 2010 currency exchange rates.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010 contains additional information regarding our exposure to market risk.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of November 30, 2010, management carried out, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of November 30, 2010, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in those reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

We have and plan to continue to rely on HSBC Bank plc to provide financial data, such as revenue billed to merchants, to assist us with compiling our accounting records until we can fully integrate the LLP’s financial reporting functions into our own. Accordingly, our internal controls over financial reporting could be materially affected, or are reasonably likely to be materially affected, by HSBC’s internal controls and procedures. In order to mitigate this risk, we have implemented internal controls over financial reporting which monitor the accuracy of the financial data being provided by HSBC.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended November 30, 2010, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits

List of Exhibits



3.1		Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Global Payments Inc., filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 31, 2001, File No. 001-16111, and incorporated herein by reference.

3.2		Fourth Amended and Restated By-laws of Global Payments Inc., filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 31, 2003, File No. 001-16111, and incorporated herein by reference.

10.1		Key Position Agreement for Paul R. Garcia, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated January 6, 2010, File No. 001-16111, and incorporated herein by reference.

10.2		Employment Agreement for Morgan Schuessler, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 31, 2010, File No. 001-16111, and incorporated herein by reference.

10.3		Amendment to Employment Agreement for Morgan Schuessler (Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code), filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 31, 2010, File No. 001-16111, and incorporated herein by reference.

10.4		Second Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated 2000 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-Q dated August 31, 2010, File No. 001-16111, and incorporated herein by reference.

10.5		Third Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated 2000 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-Q dated August 31, 2010, File No. 001-16111, and incorporated herein by reference.

10.6		Form of Global Payments Inc. 2010 Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan (Director Subplan), filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated August 31, 2010, File No. 001-16111, and incorporated herein by reference.

31.1		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of CEO

31.2		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of CFO

32.1		CEO and CFO Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101		The following financial information from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2010, formatted in XBRL (“Extensible Business Reporting Language”) and furnished electronically herewith: (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income; (ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity; and (v) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


				Global Payments Inc.
				(Registrant)

Date: January 10, 2011				/s/ David E. Mangum
				David E. Mangum
				Chief Financial Officer

Date: January 10, 2011				/s/ Daniel C. O’Keefe
				Daniel C. O’Keefe
				Chief Accounting Officer

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company