Western Union (NYSE:WU) Updates FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Western Union (NYSE:WU) issued an update on its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Friday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 1.750-1.850 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 1.780. The company issued revenue guidance of $4.2 billion-$4.4 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $4.2 billion.

Western Union Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE WU opened at $8.93 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $9.27 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.17. Western Union has a 1 year low of $7.85 and a 1 year high of $10.36. The company has a market capitalization of $2.80 billion, a PE ratio of 5.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.00, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.19.

Western Union (NYSE:WU) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 24th. The credit services provider reported $0.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.40 by ($0.15). Western Union had a return on equity of 62.01% and a net margin of 12.33%.The firm had revenue of $963.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.06 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.41 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. Western Union has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.750-1.850 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Western Union will post 1.79 earnings per share for the current year.

Western Union Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 17th were issued a dividend of $0.235 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 10.5%. Western Union’s dividend payout ratio is 61.84%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

WU has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Western Union in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Western Union to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on shares of Western Union from $9.00 to $10.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 2nd. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $8.82.

Western Union News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Western Union this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Management announced a push into Travel Money with a $150M revenue target and plans to launch a USD-pegged token (USDPT) next month — potential new revenue streams and digital expansion that could help growth over time. Western Union reaffirms 2026 EPS of $1.75-$1.85 while targeting $150M Travel Money revenue and launching USDPT next month
• Positive Sentiment: Insider buying was reported (company executive purchased shares), which some investors view as a signal of management confidence. Western Union slides as Q1 earnings fall sharply despite flat revenue and reaffirmed outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: The company reaffirmed FY2026 guidance of $1.75–$1.85 adjusted EPS and revenue guidance in the ~$4.2B–$4.4B range — guidance in line with street expectations but dependent on the expected Intermex acquisition closing. Western Union reaffirms 2026 EPS of $1.75-$1.85 while targeting $150M Travel Money revenue and launching USDPT next month
• Neutral Sentiment: Q1 GAAP revenue was essentially flat year‑over‑year (roughly $980–983M reported), with growth in Consumer Services and Branded Digital offset by weakness in Americas retail. Western Union Reports First Quarter 2026 Results
• Negative Sentiment: Q1 EPS missed expectations — reported $0.25 vs. consensus ~ $0.40–$0.45 — and adjusted EPS declined materially from last year, prompting investor concern about near-term profitability. Western Union Stock Slides After Q1 EPS Miss Despite Revenue Beat
• Negative Sentiment: Operating margin compressed (to roughly mid‑teens vs. high‑teens prior year) due to weaker fixed‑cost coverage at owned locations, timing of vendor incentives, higher commissions for new agents and FX impacts — margin pressure is the main driver of the earnings shortfall. Western Union slides as Q1 earnings fall sharply despite flat revenue and reaffirmed outlook

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Union

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. New York State Common Retirement Fund raised its position in Western Union by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 183,199 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,706,000 after acquiring an additional 2,000 shares during the period. Prelude Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Western Union by 13.6% in the third quarter. Prelude Capital Management LLC now owns 20,480 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $164,000 after buying an additional 2,456 shares during the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC raised its position in shares of Western Union by 9.9% in the third quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 28,798 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $230,000 after buying an additional 2,591 shares during the last quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co raised its position in shares of Western Union by 0.9% in the third quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 295,248 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $2,362,000 after buying an additional 2,707 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB raised its position in shares of Western Union by 606.7% in 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 buying an additional 2,803 shares during the last quarter. 91.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.