The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Strong Sell” by Brokerages

Shares of The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) have been given a consensus rating of “Strong Sell” by the thirteen ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and six have issued a hold recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $7.5455.

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Wolfe Research reiterated an “underperform” rating and set a $8.00 price objective on shares of Western Union in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Susquehanna dropped their target price on Western Union from $10.00 to $8.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Citigroup cut their price target on Western Union from $8.50 to $7.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Cantor Fitzgerald reduced their price target on shares of Western Union from $8.00 to $7.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Finally, Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Western Union from $7.00 to $6.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 31st.

Western Union Trading Down 0.9%

NYSE:WU opened at $7.09 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $2.21 billion, a PE ratio of 5.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a current ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.95. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $7.68 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $8.66. Western Union has a 12 month low of $6.27 and a 12 month high of $10.35.

Western Union (NYSE:WU) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The credit services provider reported $0.31 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.42 by ($0.11). The firm had revenue of $1.01 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.02 billion. Western Union had a net margin of 9.79% and a return on equity of 50.89%. Western Union’s quarterly revenue was down 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.37 earnings per share. Western Union has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.250-1.350 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Western Union will post 1.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Western Union Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 16th will be given a $0.235 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 16th. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a yield of 13.2%. Western Union’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 76.42%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Western Union

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

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.