Feb 13 (Reuters) -

Payment technology company Global Payments ( GPN ) reported

a rise in fourth-quarter profit on Thursday, as customers ramped

up spending during the holiday season.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

A strong labor market, marked by low layoffs and strong

wage growth, has fueled consumer spending on range of goods and

services.

Payment technology companies' earnings are linked to

consumer spending levels, and often offer insight on the

financial health of U.S. consumers.

Last month, Visa, the world's largest payments

processor, posted first-quarter profit that sailed past

analysts' estimates, as customers splurged on everything from

travel to dining out during the holiday season.

CONTEXT

Global Payments ( GPN ), has been streamlining its operations and

divesting from non-core assets as it looks to focus as a

pure-player in an intensely competitive space.

Last October, Global Payments ( GPN ) sold its medical software

company AdvancedMD to Francisco Partners.

KEY QUOTES

"2024 was a pivotal year for Global Payments ( GPN ) as we launched

our broad transformation agenda to set the future course for our

business" said CEO Cameron Bready.

BY THE NUMBERS

For the fourth-quarter, revenue grew 3.4% to $2.52 billion.

Merchant solutions, Global Payments' ( GPN ) biggest segment, saw

revenue rise 3.6% higher than a year earlier.

On an adjusted basis, net profit attributable to the company

rose to $742.3 million, or $2.95 per share, in the three months

ended December 31, compared with $692.2 million, or $2.65 per

share, a year earlier.

Global Payments ( GPN ) forecast its 2025 adjusted EPS growth to be

in a range of 10% to 11%, while the company expects adjusted net

revenue growth between 5% to 6%.