Q2 2024 EPS Estimates for The Western Union Company Reduced by Analyst (NYSE:WU)

The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) – Equities research analysts at Northland Capmk decreased their Q2 2024 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Western Union in a note issued to investors on Thursday, April 25th. Northland Capmk analyst M. Grondahl now forecasts that the credit services provider will post earnings per share of $0.45 for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $0.47. The consensus estimate for Western Union’s current full-year earnings is $1.68 per share. Northland Capmk also issued estimates for Western Union’s Q3 2024 earnings at $0.44 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $1.75 EPS.

Several other analysts also recently issued reports on WU. Barclays raised their price target on Western Union from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 12th. Monness Crespi & Hardt initiated coverage on shares of Western Union in a report on Wednesday, March 20th. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Western Union from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a report on Thursday. Wolfe Research reiterated an “underperform” rating on shares of Western Union in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Finally, William Blair restated a “market perform” rating on shares of Western Union in a research report on Wednesday, February 7th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and nine have assigned a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Western Union has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $13.45.

Western Union Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE WU opened at $13.47 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.97, a P/E/G ratio of 5.00 and a beta of 0.85. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $13.43 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $12.62. Western Union has a 52-week low of $10.37 and a 52-week high of $14.19. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.23.

Western Union (NYSE:WU) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 24th. The credit services provider reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.40 by $0.05. Western Union had a net margin of 14.12% and a return on equity of 111.53%. The company had revenue of $1.05 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.01 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.43 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis.

Western Union Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 29th. Investors of record on Friday, March 15th were paid a dividend of $0.235 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 14th. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.98%. Western Union’s dividend payout ratio is presently 55.62%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Timothy P. Murphy acquired 10,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 26th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $12.85 per share, for a total transaction of $128,500.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 56,205 shares in the company, valued at approximately $722,234.25. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.85% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Union

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Western Union by 134.8% in the 3rd quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,956 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 1,123 shares during the last quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC purchased a new position in Western Union in the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. MCF Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Western Union during the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Western Union by 92.2% during the 3rd quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 2,366 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 1,135 shares during the period. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Western Union by 500.5% during the first quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,312 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 1,927 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.81% of the company’s stock.

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.