Akamai Technologies (AKAM) vs Global Payments (GPN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Akamai Technologies (AKAM) has outperformed Global Payments (GPN) over the past year, gaining 36.6% versus a loss of 6.5%. Over five years, AKAM leads with a -1.6% price change compared with -48.5% for GPN. Global Payments is the larger company by market cap ($21.90 billion vs $14.50 billion), about 1.5 times the size, while Akamai Technologies is growing revenue faster (+5.4% vs -0.4%).
On valuation, Global Payments trades at a lower forward P/E (5.2x vs 14.7x for Akamai Technologies). Global Payments pays a dividend yielding 1.21%, while Akamai Technologies does not currently pay one. Global Payments converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 18.2% versus 10.7%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AKAM | GPN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $100.90 | $82.77 |
| Market cap | $14.50B | $21.90B |
| 1-day change | -3.55% | +2.08% |
| YTD return | +19.90% | +6.94% |
| 1-year return | +36.57% | -6.51% |
| 5-year return | -1.61% | -48.46% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 36.56 | 38.86 |
| Forward P/E | 14.73 | 5.17 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.76 | $2.13 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.21% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.21B | $7.71B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.44% | -0.39% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $452.03M | $1.40B |
| Gross margin | 58.95% | 72.57% |
| Operating margin | 13.47% | 22.77% |
| Net margin | 10.74% | 18.17% |
| 52-week high | $165.45 | $95.88 |
| 52-week low | $70.82 | $61.16 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -39.01% | -13.67% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +57.45% | +26.86% |
| Average volume | 4.15M | 2.79M |
| Shares outstanding | 143.72M | 264.62M |
| Employees | 11,000 | 26,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Business Services | Business Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- AKAM has outperformed GPN by 43.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Global Payments offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.21% vs 0.00%).
- Global Payments is more profitable, keeping 18.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 10.7 cents for Akamai Technologies.
- Akamai Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+5.44% vs -0.39%).
About Akamai Technologies
AKAM stock →Akamai Technologies, Inc. engages in the provision of security, delivery, and cloud computing solutions in the United States and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Business Services · 11,000 employees
About Global Payments
GPN stock →Global Payments Inc. provides payment technology and software solutions for card, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific.
Consumer Discretionary · Business Services · 26,000 employees
AKAM vs GPN FAQ
Which is bigger, Akamai Technologies or Global Payments?
Global Payments (GPN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $21.90B compared with $14.50B for Akamai Technologies (AKAM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AKAM or GPN?
AKAM returned +36.57% over the past 12 months, compared with -6.51% for GPN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AKAM or GPN?
AKAM has the lower trailing P/E at 36.6, versus 38.9 for GPN. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Akamai Technologies or Global Payments?
Global Payments pays a dividend yielding 1.21%, while Akamai Technologies does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Akamai Technologies and Global Payments in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Business Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.