The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) Receives $8.55 Consensus PT from Brokerages

Shares of The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of “Reduce” from the thirteen analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have given a hold rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $8.5455.

WU has been the subject of several analyst reports. Weiss Ratings downgraded Western Union from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a report on Friday, June 5th. Barclays initiated coverage on Western Union in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. They issued an “underweight” rating and a $7.00 price target on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Western Union from $9.00 to $8.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday.

Insider Activity at Western Union

In related news, insider Giovanni Angelini sold 6,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.47, for a total value of $56,820.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 311,292 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,947,935.24. This trade represents a 1.89% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The sale was made to cover tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of equity awards. Also, insider Benjamin Carlton Adams sold 19,924 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.23, for a total transaction of $183,898.52. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 234,689 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,166,179.47. This trade represents a 7.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 3.29% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Western Union

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB increased its holdings in shares of Western Union by 606.7% during the 3rd quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 3,265 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 2,803 shares during the last quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC lifted its holdings in Western Union by 1,546.5% in the 4th quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 3,326 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 3,124 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its holdings in Western Union by 67.0% during the fourth quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 3,331 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,336 shares during the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its holdings in Western Union by 179.6% during the fourth quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 3,341 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 2,146 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ascentis Independent Advisors bought a new position in shares of Western Union in the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. 91.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Western Union Trading Up 3.8%

Western Union stock opened at $8.35 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $2.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 0.46. Western Union has a 1 year low of $6.91 and a 1 year high of $10.35. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $7.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $8.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.88, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.11.

Western Union (NYSE:WU) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 24th. The credit services provider reported $0.25 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.40 by ($0.15). The company had revenue of $963.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.06 billion. Western Union had a net margin of 10.88% and a return on equity of 55.94%. Western Union’s revenue was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.41 EPS. Western Union has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.750-1.850 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Western Union will post 1.75 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Western Union Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 16th were issued a dividend of $0.235 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, June 16th. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 11.3%. Western Union’s payout ratio is currently 69.12%.

Western Union Company Profile

Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments. The company enables individuals and businesses to send and receive money through a variety of channels, including its vast agent network, online platforms, and mobile applications. Core services include person-to-person money transfers, business-to-business cross-border payments, bill payment services and prepaid card programs.

Through its digital offerings, Western Union provides customers with the ability to initiate transfers via its website and mobile app, as well as track transactions in real time.