Western Union (NYSE:WU) Issues FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Western Union (NYSE:WU) issued an update on its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Friday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 1.750-1.850 for the period, compared to the consensus earnings per share estimate of 1.780. The company issued revenue guidance of $4.2 billion-$4.4 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $4.2 billion.

Western Union Stock Down 4.3%

WU opened at $8.93 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $9.27 and a 200-day moving average of $9.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.87, a P/E/G ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a current ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.00. Western Union has a 1-year low of $7.85 and a 1-year high of $10.36.

Western Union (NYSE:WU) last announced its earnings results on Friday, April 24th. The credit services provider reported $0.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.40 by ($0.15). The company had revenue of $963.50 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.06 billion. Western Union had a return on equity of 62.01% and a net margin of 12.33%.The company’s revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.41 EPS. Western Union has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.750-1.850 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Western Union will post 1.79 earnings per share for the current year.

Western Union Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th were issued a dividend of $0.235 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 10.5%. Western Union’s payout ratio is presently 61.84%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently weighed in on WU. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Western Union to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Western Union in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on Western Union from $9.00 to $10.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Friday, January 2nd. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and five have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $8.82.

Key Western Union News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Management announced a push into Travel Money with a $150M revenue target and plans to launch a USD-pegged token (USDPT) next month — potential new revenue streams and digital expansion that could help growth over time. Western Union reaffirms 2026 EPS of $1.75-$1.85 while targeting $150M Travel Money revenue and launching USDPT next month
• Positive Sentiment: Insider buying was reported (company executive purchased shares), which some investors view as a signal of management confidence. Western Union slides as Q1 earnings fall sharply despite flat revenue and reaffirmed outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: The company reaffirmed FY2026 guidance of $1.75–$1.85 adjusted EPS and revenue guidance in the ~$4.2B–$4.4B range — guidance in line with street expectations but dependent on the expected Intermex acquisition closing. Western Union reaffirms 2026 EPS of $1.75-$1.85 while targeting $150M Travel Money revenue and launching USDPT next month
• Neutral Sentiment: Q1 GAAP revenue was essentially flat year‑over‑year (roughly $980–983M reported), with growth in Consumer Services and Branded Digital offset by weakness in Americas retail. Western Union Reports First Quarter 2026 Results
• Negative Sentiment: Q1 EPS missed expectations — reported $0.25 vs. consensus ~ $0.40–$0.45 — and adjusted EPS declined materially from last year, prompting investor concern about near-term profitability. Western Union Stock Slides After Q1 EPS Miss Despite Revenue Beat
• Negative Sentiment: Operating margin compressed (to roughly mid‑teens vs. high‑teens prior year) due to weaker fixed‑cost coverage at owned locations, timing of vendor incentives, higher commissions for new agents and FX impacts — margin pressure is the main driver of the earnings shortfall. Western Union slides as Q1 earnings fall sharply despite flat revenue and reaffirmed outlook

Institutional Trading of Western Union

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC raised its position in Western Union by 15.5% in the first quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 39,859 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $422,000 after purchasing an additional 5,351 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Western Union by 27.4% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,964,972 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $20,789,000 after purchasing an additional 422,715 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its stake in shares of Western Union by 9.0% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 1,861,908 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $19,699,000 after purchasing an additional 154,110 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth raised its holdings in shares of Western Union by 93.5% in the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 27,535 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $291,000 after buying an additional 13,302 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Prudential Financial Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Western Union by 24.7% in the 2nd quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 36,874 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $310,000 after buying an additional 7,314 shares in the last quarter. 91.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.