Western Union (NYSE:WU) Sets New 12-Month Low – Time to Sell?

Shares of The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $7.44 and last traded at $7.4150, with a volume of 3828122 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $7.71.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Western Union in a research report on Friday, May 22nd. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Western Union currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $8.82.

Western Union Stock Down 3.3%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.88, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.11. The company has a market cap of $2.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 0.46. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $8.76 and its two-hundred day moving average is $9.15.

Western Union (NYSE:WU) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 24th. The credit services provider reported $0.25 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.40 by ($0.15). The firm had revenue of $963.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.06 billion. Western Union had a net margin of 10.88% and a return on equity of 55.94%. The company’s quarterly revenue was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.41 EPS. Western Union has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.750-1.850 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that The Western Union Company will post 1.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Western Union Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 16th will be paid a $0.235 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 16th. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a yield of 12.6%. Western Union’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 69.12%.

Insider Activity

In other Western Union news, insider Giovanni Angelini sold 6,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.47, for a total value of $56,820.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 311,292 shares in the company, valued at $2,947,935.24. The trade was a 1.89% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 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 Western Union stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.23, for a total transaction of $183,898.52. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 234,689 shares in the company, valued at $2,166,179.47. This trade represents a 7.83% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 3.29% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB grew its stake in Western Union by 606.7% in 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 buying an additional 2,803 shares in the last quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC grew its stake 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 valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 3,124 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its stake in Western Union by 67.0% in the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 3,331 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 1,336 shares in the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its stake in Western Union by 179.6% in the 4th quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 3,341 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 2,146 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ascentis Independent Advisors purchased a new position in Western Union in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $30,000. 91.81% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Western Union

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.