Comparing Global Payments (NYSE:GPN) & Agritek (OTCMKTS:AGTK)

Global Payments (NYSE:GPN) and Agritek (OTCMKTS:AGTK) are both business services companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends and valuation.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Global Payments and Agritek”s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Global Payments	$7.71 billion	2.75	$1.40 billion	($2.04)	-38.01
Agritek	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Global Payments has higher revenue and earnings than Agritek.

Profitability

This table compares Global Payments and Agritek’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Global Payments	-7.99%	13.11%	5.79%
Agritek	N/A	N/A	N/A

Volatility & Risk

Global Payments has a beta of 0.76, suggesting that its stock price is 24% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Agritek has a beta of -0.24, suggesting that its stock price is 124% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Global Payments and Agritek, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Global Payments	3	18	5	0	2.08
Agritek	0	0	0	0	0.00

Global Payments presently has a consensus price target of $83.87, suggesting a potential upside of 8.15%. Given Global Payments’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Global Payments is more favorable than Agritek.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

89.8% of Global Payments shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.6% of Global Payments shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 9.9% of Agritek shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Global Payments beats Agritek on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Global Payments

Global Payments Inc. provides payment technology and software solutions for card, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through two segments, Merchant Solutions and Issuer Solutions. The Merchant Solutions segment offers authorization, settlement and funding, customer support, chargeback resolution, terminal rental, sales and deployment, payment security, and consolidated billing and reporting services. This segment also provides an array of enterprise software solutions that streamline business operations of its customers in various vertical markets; and value-added solutions and services, such as point-of-sale software, analytics and customer engagement, payroll and reporting, and human capital management. The Issuer Solutions segment offers solutions that enable financial institutions and retailers to manage their card portfolios through a platform; and commercial payments, account payables, and electronic payment alternatives solutions for businesses and governments. It markets its products and services through direct sales force, trade associations, agent and enterprise software providers, referral arrangements with value-added resellers, and independent sales organizations. The company was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

About Agritek

Agritek Holdings, Inc. distributes hemp and cannabis products under the Hemp Pops, MD Vapes, Rehab Rx, Higher Society, and California Premiums brands in the United States. Its products include human ingestible, such as tinctures, capsules, and gummies; CBD edibles; topicals; and pet products. The company also offers business services, including operational and compliance consulting, funding and financing, dispensary and retail, commercial production and equipment build out, multichannel supply chain, and consumer product, as well as branding, marketing, and sales solutions. In addition, it is involved in the acquisition and leasing of real estate properties, such as cultivation space and related facilities to licensed marijuana growers and dispensary owners. Agritek Holdings, Inc. distributes its products through e-commerce websites comprising RehabRx.com and Hemppops.com; third-party e-commerce websites; and various brick and mortar retailers. The company was formerly known as MediSwipe Inc. and changed its name to Agritek Holdings, Inc. in April 2014. Agritek Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida.