Western Union (NYSE:WU) Shares Down 5.5% – What’s Next?

Shares of The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) fell 5.5% on Friday . The company traded as low as $8.90 and last traded at $8.9170. 5,680,265 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 32% from the average session volume of 8,394,221 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.44.

Trending Headlines about Western Union

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 adjusted EPS beat estimates — WU reported $0.45 EPS vs. consensus $0.43, helped by lower costs and margin improvements. This supports near-term earnings resilience. Western Union (WU) Surpasses Q4 Earnings Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Company raised FY‑26 revenue target — Western Union provided revenue guidance of $4.2–$4.4B, above some Street estimates, signalling management expects recovery in some businesses. Western Union Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results
• Positive Sentiment: High dividend/income thesis highlighted — Commentary pieces point to an attractive ~10% yield and a strategic push toward digital, which may appeal to income-focused investors if the transition continues. Western Union: Attractive 10% Yield From A Remittance Giant Going Digital
• Neutral Sentiment: Full Q4 call / transcript available — Management discussed drivers (digital growth, cost controls) and regional dynamics; read the full transcript for commentary that could change near‑term sentiment. The Western Union Company (WU) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Company filings and slide deck posted — Official press release and slides provide detail on one‑time items (GAAP vs adjusted) that explain the gap between adjusted EPS and GAAP figures. View Press Release / Slide Deck
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue missed estimates — Q4 revenue was ~$1.008B vs. Street ~$1.045B and declined roughly 4.7–5% YoY, a primary reason the stock sold off despite the EPS beat. What’s Going On With Western Union Stock Today?
• Negative Sentiment: Core Consumer Money Transfer business weakening — The legacy retail remittance segment fell (reported ~7% decline), underscoring competitive pressure from digital rivals and raising questions about sustainability of revenue. Does Western Union’s Earnings Beat Mean Its Transition Is Working?
• Negative Sentiment: Stock sold off on mixed print — Multiple market reports note shares fell on the quarter because the revenue miss and segment weakness outweighed the EPS beat and yield story for many investors. Western Union Stock Drops Amid Q4 Results

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have weighed in on WU shares. Cantor Fitzgerald raised Western Union to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on shares of Western Union from $9.00 to $10.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 2nd. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Western Union from $8.50 to $9.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Susquehanna upped their target price on shares of Western Union from $9.00 to $10.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Western Union in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and five have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $8.82.

Western Union Trading Down 2.0%

The company has a current ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.08, a PEG ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.52. The business has a 50 day moving average of $9.51 and a 200-day moving average of $8.89.

Western Union (NYSE:WU) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 20th. The credit services provider reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.02. Western Union had a net margin of 18.80% and a return on equity of 60.85%. The company had revenue of $1 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.04 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.40 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was down 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Western Union has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.750-1.850 EPS. Analysts anticipate that The Western Union Company will post 1.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Western Union Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.235 per share. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 10.2%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. Western Union’s dividend payout ratio is 41.05%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of WU. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB lifted 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 acquiring an additional 2,803 shares in the last quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC raised its holdings in shares of Western Union by 1,546.5% in the fourth quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 3,326 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 3,124 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its position in shares of Western Union by 67.0% in the fourth quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 3,331 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,336 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in Western Union by 164.9% during the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,581 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 2,229 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. grew its position in Western Union by 260.7% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 3,593 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 2,597 shares in the last quarter. 91.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.