Northland Capmk Lowers Earnings Estimates for Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) – Analysts at Northland Capmk cut their Q1 2025 earnings estimates for Western Union in a note issued to investors on Monday, March 31st. Northland Capmk analyst M. Grondahl now expects that the credit services provider will post earnings of $0.37 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $0.43. The consensus estimate for Western Union’s current full-year earnings is $1.79 per share. Northland Capmk also issued estimates for Western Union’s Q2 2025 earnings at $0.42 EPS and Q4 2025 earnings at $0.49 EPS.

A number of other brokerages also recently commented on WU. JMP Securities reissued a “market perform” rating on shares of Western Union in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Susquehanna cut their price target on Western Union from $13.00 to $12.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 5th. Barclays lowered their price objective on Western Union from $11.00 to $10.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Western Union from $10.00 to $9.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their target price on Western Union from $13.00 to $12.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have issued a hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Western Union presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $12.11.

Western Union Stock Up 0.8 %

WU stock opened at $10.63 on Wednesday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $10.64 and its 200 day moving average price is $10.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.89, a PEG ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.79. Western Union has a fifty-two week low of $10.04 and a fifty-two week high of $13.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.04, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.20.

Western Union (NYSE:WU) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The credit services provider reported $0.40 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.42 by ($0.02). Western Union had a return on equity of 96.90% and a net margin of 22.19%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Union

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its stake in Western Union by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 22,298 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $236,000 after purchasing an additional 982 shares during the period. Pacer Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Western Union by 2.2% during the fourth quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 50,387 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $534,000 after buying an additional 1,072 shares during the period. Tidal Investments LLC grew its holdings in shares of Western Union by 1.4% during the third quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 88,410 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,055,000 after buying an additional 1,230 shares during the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth increased its position in Western Union by 11.7% in the 4th quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 14,233 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $151,000 after acquiring an additional 1,493 shares during the period. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC raised its stake in Western Union by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 61,606 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $653,000 after acquiring an additional 1,560 shares during the last quarter. 91.81% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Western Union Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 17th were paid a $0.235 dividend. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 17th. Western Union’s dividend payout ratio is currently 34.43%.

Western Union declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Friday, December 13th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the credit services provider to purchase up to 27.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

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.