Q1 EPS Estimates for Western Union Lowered by William Blair

The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) – Equities researchers at William Blair cut their Q1 2025 earnings per share estimates for Western Union in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, February 5th. William Blair analyst C. Kennedy now anticipates that the credit services provider will post earnings per share of $0.43 for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $0.47. The consensus estimate for Western Union’s current full-year earnings is $1.77 per share. William Blair also issued estimates for Western Union’s Q3 2025 earnings at $0.45 EPS and Q4 2025 earnings at $0.47 EPS.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently commented on the company. UBS Group decreased their target price on Western Union from $13.50 to $12.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 24th. StockNews.com upgraded Western Union from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Susquehanna reduced their price target on Western Union from $13.00 to $12.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on Western Union from $10.00 to $9.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target 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. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eleven have assigned a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $12.20.

Western Union Trading Up 1.8 %

Western Union stock opened at $11.21 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.96. Western Union has a 52 week low of $10.04 and a 52 week high of $14.19. The company has a market capitalization of $3.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.85. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $10.61 and a 200 day moving average price of $11.27.

Western Union (NYSE:WU) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The credit services provider reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.42 by ($0.02). Western Union had a net margin of 16.07% and a return on equity of 120.39%.

Institutional Trading of Western Union

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Western Union in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Western Union during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky purchased a new stake in shares of Western Union during the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its position in shares of Western Union by 89.3% during the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 3,226 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 1,522 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB increased its position in shares of Western Union by 1,734.7% during the fourth quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 4,862 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 4,597 shares in the last quarter. 91.81% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Western Union announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback program on Friday, December 13th that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the credit services provider to purchase up to 27.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Western Union Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 17th will be given a $0.235 dividend. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.39%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 17th. Western Union’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.21%.

About Western Union

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.