Q4 2024 EPS Estimates for The Western Union Company Increased by Analyst (NYSE:WU)

The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) – Stock analysts at Northland Capmk lifted their Q4 2024 earnings estimates for shares of Western Union in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, April 25th. Northland Capmk analyst M. Grondahl now expects that the credit services provider will post earnings per share of $0.42 for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $0.39. The consensus estimate for Western Union’s current full-year earnings is $1.75 per share.

Several other analysts also recently commented on WU. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Western Union from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 12th. Evercore ISI upped their target price on shares of Western Union from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a report on Thursday. Wolfe Research reissued an “underperform” rating on shares of Western Union in a report on Thursday, January 4th. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on shares of Western Union from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Finally, Monness Crespi & Hardt initiated coverage on shares of Western Union in a research report on Wednesday, March 20th. They issued a “neutral” rating on the stock. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and nine have given a hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $13.45.

Western Union Stock Performance

Shares of WU opened at $13.47 on Monday. Western Union has a one year low of $10.37 and a one year high of $14.19. The company has a 50-day moving average of $13.43 and a two-hundred day moving average of $12.61. The stock has a market cap of $4.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.97, a PEG ratio of 4.76 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.38, a current ratio of 1.01 and a quick ratio of 1.03.

Western Union (NYSE:WU) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 24th. The credit services provider reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $1.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.01 billion. Western Union had a net margin of 14.12% and a return on equity of 120.76%. Western Union’s quarterly revenue was up 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.43 EPS.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Western Union

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC purchased a new position in Western Union during the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. MCF Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Western Union during the 1st quarter worth $30,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Western Union by 500.5% during the 1st quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,312 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 1,927 shares during the period. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new stake in Western Union during the 1st quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Western Union during the 1st quarter worth about $41,000. 91.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Western Union

In other Western Union news, Director Timothy P. Murphy purchased 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 26th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $12.85 per share, for a total transaction of $128,500.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 56,205 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $722,234.25. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.85% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Western Union Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 15th were given a $0.235 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.98%. Western Union’s dividend payout ratio is currently 55.62%.

Western Union Company Profile

The Western Union Company provides money movement and payment services worldwide. The company operates through Consumer Money Transfer and Consumer Services segments. The Consumer Money Transfer segment facilitates money transfers for international cross-border and intra-country transfers, primarily through a network of retail agent locations, as well as through websites and mobile devices.