Global Payments Inc.: 10-K Risk Factor Changes

Our future growth and profitability also depend on our ability to deepen our presence in our existing markets, benefit from the further development of these markets, and capitalize on the emergence of new markets for payment technology and software solutions. As part of our strategy, we look for acquisition and joint venture opportunities, investments and alliance relationships with other businesses, including referral partners, ISOs and other financial institutions, that will allow us to increase our market penetration, technological capabilities, service offerings and distribution capabilities. We may not be able to successfully identify suitable acquisition, joint venture, investment and alliance candidates in the future; and if we do, they may not provide us with the value and benefits we anticipate, which may inhibit our growth prospects and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our expansion into new markets is also dependent upon our ability to apply our existing technology or to develop new applications to meet the particular service needs of each new market. We may not have the financial or technological resources necessary to develop effective and secure services and distribution channels that will satisfy the demands of these new markets. If we fail to expand into new and existing markets for payment technology and software solutions, we may not be able to continue to grow our revenues and earnings. Our ability to acquire other businesses or technologies, make strategic investments or integrate acquired businesses effectively may also be impaired by a variety of factors, including adverse financial conditions, trade tensions and increased global scrutiny of foreign investments. A number of countries, including countries in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, have implemented or are considering restrictions on foreign investments. Governments may continue to tighten or expand economic sanctions, tariffs or trade restrictions of this nature, and such restrictions could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to integrate and manage our expanded business, which could pose substantial challenges for our management team, including managing and monitoring new operations and the associated costs and complexity.

Our future growth and profitability depend upon our continued expansion within the markets in which we currently operate, the further expansion of these markets, the emergence of other markets for payment technology and software solutions and our ability to penetrate these markets. As part of our strategy to achieve this expansion, we look for acquisition and joint venture opportunities, investments and alliance relationships with other businesses, including referral partners, ISOs and other financial institutions, that will allow us to increase our market penetration, technological capabilities, service offerings and distribution capabilities. We may not be able to successfully identify suitable acquisition, joint venture, investment and alliance candidates in the future, and if we do, they may not provide us with the value and benefits we anticipate, which may inhibit our growth prospects and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our expansion into new markets is also dependent upon our ability to apply our existing technology or to develop new applications to meet the particular service needs of each new market. We may not have adequate financial or technological resources to develop effective and secure services and distribution channels that will satisfy the demands of these new markets. If we fail to expand into new and existing markets for payment technology and software solutions, we may not be able to continue to grow our revenues and earnings. 23 23 23 Table of Contents Table of Contents Our ability to acquire other businesses or technologies, make strategic investments or integrate acquired businesses effectively may also be impaired by a variety of factors including adverse financial conditions, trade tensions and increased global scrutiny of foreign investments. A number of countries, including the U.S. and countries in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, are considering or have adopted restrictions on foreign investments. Governments may continue to adopt or tighten economic sanctions, tariffs or trade restrictions of this nature, and such restrictions could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to integrate and manage our expanded business, which could pose substantial challenges for our management team, including challenges related to the management and monitoring of new operations and associated costs and complexity. We may also face increased scrutiny from governmental authorities if we become a larger business.

If consumers do not continue to use credit, debit or other digital payment methods of the type we process as a payment mechanism for their transactions, or if there is a change in the mix of payments between cash, checks, credit cards and debit cards that is adverse to us, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Consumer credit risk may make it more difficult or expensive for consumers to access credit facilities such as credit cards. In addition, regulatory changes may lead financial institutions to impose additional fees on the use of credit or debit cards, which could reduce card usage. In each case, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.

If consumers do not continue to use credit, debit or other digital payment methods of the type we process as a payment mechanism for their transactions or if there is a change in the mix of payments between cash, checks, credit cards and debit cards that is adverse to us, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Consumer credit risk may make it more difficult or expensive for consumers to gain access to credit facilities such as credit cards. Regulatory changes may result in financial institutions seeking to charge their customers additional fees for use of credit or debit cards. Such fees may result in decreased use of credit or debit cards by cardholders. In each case, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.

Changes in tax laws or their interpretations could result in changes to enacted tax rates and may require complex computations to be performed that were not previously required, significant judgments to be made in interpretation of the new or revised tax regulations and significant estimates in calculations, as well as the preparation and analysis of information not previously relevant or regularly produced. Future changes in enacted tax rates could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”) was enacted in the U.S. The OBBBA includes provisions, such as the permanent extension of certain expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, modifications to the international tax framework, and the restoration of favorable tax treatment for certain business provisions. The legislation has multiple effective dates beginning in 2025. Various foreign taxing jurisdictions enacted local legislation formally adopting the Global Anti-Base Erosion Model Rules ("Pillar Two"), which generally provides for a minimum effective tax rate of 15%, as established by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development ("OECD") Pillar Two Framework. The Group of Seven (G7) countries have agreed that U.S. Multi-National Entities (“MNEs”) should be excluded from certain aspects of the Pillar Two global minimum tax rules in exchange for the U.S. not imposing retaliatory taxes. On January 5, 2026, the OECD released additional guidance and announced the Side-by-Side package which introduces simplifications and new safe harbors for U.S. MNEs. The OBBBA and Pillar Two did not have a material effect on our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, and we are continuing to evaluate the potential effect on future periods. Our tax returns and positions are subject to review and audit by federal, state, local and international taxing authorities. An unfavorable outcome to a tax audit could result in higher tax expense, thereby adversely affecting our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We exercise significant judgment and make estimates that we believe to be reasonable in calculating our worldwide provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities. However, relevant tax authorities may disagree with our estimates, interpretations or tax treatment of certain material items. Failure to sustain our position in these matters could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Changes in tax laws or their interpretations could result in changes to enacted tax rates and may require complex computations to be performed that were not previously required, significant judgments to be made in interpretation of the new or revised tax regulations and significant estimates in calculations, as well as the preparation and analysis of information not previously relevant or regularly produced. Future changes in enacted tax rates could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In 2024, additional jurisdictions globally enacted local legislation formally adopting the Global Anti-Base Erosion Model Rules ("Pillar Two"), which generally provides for a minimum effective tax rate of 15%, as established by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development ("OECD") Pillar Two Framework. The effective dates are generally January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, for different aspects of the rules and vary by jurisdiction. Additional jurisdictions are expected to implement the model rules under local law in the future, with varying effective dates. We are continuing to evaluate the potential effect on future periods of the Pillar Two implementation, pending legislative adoption by additional individual countries and the ongoing issuance of additional administrative guidance by the OECD. Our tax returns and positions are subject to review and audit by federal, state, local and international taxing authorities. An unfavorable outcome to a tax audit could result in higher tax expense, thereby adversely affecting our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We exercise significant judgment and make estimates that we believe to be reasonable in calculating our worldwide provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities. However, relevant tax authorities may disagree with our estimates, interpretations or tax treatment of certain material items. Failure to sustain our position in these matters could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

•We may not be able to successfully manage our intellectual property and may be subject to infringement claims. 18 18 18 Table of Contents Table of Contents

•We are subject to changes to the macroeconomic and geopolitical environment, health and social events or conditions, the business cycles and credit risk of our customers and the overall level of consumer, business and government spending, which we cannot control and could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. •Investor and other stakeholder interest in our sustainability practices, and our disclosed performance and aspirations for these practices, may, from time to time, result in additional considerations or expectations and expose us to risks.

•We are subject to economic and geopolitical risk, health and social events or conditions, the business cycles and credit risk of our customers and the overall level of consumer, business and government spending, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. •Investor and other stakeholder scrutiny related to our sustainability practices, and our disclosed performance and aspirations for these practices, may increase costs and expose us to numerous risks.

Our development and use of AI technology is ongoing. While we intend to develop and use AI responsibly and attempt to mitigate ethical and legal issues presented by its use, we may ultimately be unsuccessful in identifying or resolving these issues before they arise. AI technologies are complex and rapidly evolving, and the technologies that we develop or use may ultimately be flawed. For example, any direct or indirect use of AI and machine learning is subject to risks that algorithms and datasets are flawed or may be insufficient or contain biased information. In addition, the models and processes relating to AI and machine learning are not always transparent, which could increase the risk of unintended deficiencies. These deficiencies could result in inaccurate and ineffective decisions, predictions or analysis, which could subject us to competitive harm, legal liability, increased regulatory scrutiny, reputational harm or other consequences that we may not be able to predict, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, AI technology is subject to rapidly evolving domestic and international laws and regulations, which could impose significant costs and obligations on us. See "—Legal, Regulatory Compliance and Tax Risks—Our business is subject to government regulation and oversight. Any new implementation of or changes made to laws, regulations or other industry standards affecting our business in any of the geographic regions in which we operate may require significant development and compliance efforts or have an unfavorable effect on our ability to continue to offer certain services, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows" for further information about the government regulation and oversight of AI technologies. As a result, our ability to leverage AI could be restricted by significant costs and costly legal requirements, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our development and use of AI technology in our operations remains in the early phases. While we intend to develop and use AI responsibly and attempt to mitigate ethical and legal issues presented by its use, we may ultimately be unsuccessful in identifying or resolving these issues before they arise. AI technologies are complex and rapidly evolving, and the technologies that we develop or use may ultimately be flawed. Moreover, AI technology is subject to rapidly evolving domestic and international laws and regulations, which could impose significant costs and obligations on us. As a result, our ability to leverage AI could be restricted by significant costs and costly legal requirements, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our shareholders, customers and other stakeholders may periodically consider how corporations are addressing sustainability matters, which include environmental and corporate responsibility issues. Government regulators, investors, customers and the general public have shown varying degrees of focus on sustainability practices and disclosures, and views on these topics are diverse and subject to change. Developing and acting on initiatives to address sustainability matters may be costly, difficult and time consuming, and are subject to evolving reporting standards and/or contractual obligations. We could also face potential negative publicity or receive feedback or proposals from shareholders, customers, partners, government entities or other stakeholders regarding our sustainability and governance matters. We have been the recipient of proposals from shareholders to promote their corporate responsibility positions, and we may receive other such proposals in the future. Such proposals may not be in our long-term interests or the interests of our shareholders and may divert management’s and our employees' attention away from operational or other strategic matters or create the impression that our practices are inadequate.

Climate-related events, including extreme weather events and natural disasters and their effects on critical infrastructure in the U.S. or internationally, could have adverse effects on our operations, customers or third-party suppliers. Furthermore, our shareholders, customers and other stakeholders have begun to consider how corporations are addressing sustainability matters, which include environmental and corporate responsibility issues. Government regulators, investors, customers and the general public are increasingly focused on sustainability practices and disclosures, and views on this topic are diverse and rapidly changing. Furthermore, developing and acting on these initiatives, and collecting, measuring and reporting related information and metrics can be costly, difficult and time consuming, and are subject to evolving reporting standards and/or contractual obligations. The standards and laws by which sustainability efforts are tracked and measured are in many cases new, have not been harmonized, and continue to evolve. 32 32 32 Table of Contents Table of Contents We could also face potential negative publicity if shareholders, customers, partners, government entities or other stakeholders determine that we have not adequately considered or addressed sustainability and governance matters or to the extent we are perceived to have not responded appropriately to their concerns or take positions that are contrary to their views or expectations. We have been the recipient of proposals from shareholders to promote their corporate responsibility positions, and we may receive other such proposals in the future. Such proposals may not be in our long-term interests or the interests of our shareholders and may divert management’s and our employees' attention away from operational or other strategic matters or create the impression that our practices are inadequate.