Zacks Research Lifts Earnings Estimates for Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) – Analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q3 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of Western Union in a research report issued on Monday, October 5th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the credit services provider will earn $0.35 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $0.34. Zacks Research has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Western Union’s current full-year earnings is $1.29 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Western Union’s Q1 2027 earnings at $0.34 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.37 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $1.54 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $0.41 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $1.64 EPS.

Western Union (NYSE:WU) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The credit services provider reported $0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.42 by ($0.11). The business had revenue of $1.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.02 billion. Western Union had a net margin of 9.79% and a return on equity of 50.89%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.37 EPS. Western Union has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.250-1.350 EPS.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently commented on the company. Susquehanna decreased their price objective on Western Union from $10.00 to $8.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Western Union from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Wolfe Research reiterated an “underperform” rating and issued a $8.00 price objective on shares of Western Union in a report on Friday, July 31st. Barclays lowered their price target on Western Union from $7.00 to $6.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Finally, Monness Crespi & Hardt reduced their price target on Western Union from $6.00 to $5.00 and set a “sell” rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 25th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and seven have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Western Union presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $7.36.

Western Union Stock Down 0.4%

NYSE:WU opened at $6.11 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $1.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.97 and a beta of 0.51. Western Union has a 52-week low of $5.87 and a 52-week high of $10.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.95, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.12. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $6.83 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $7.82.

Western Union Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 16th were issued a dividend of $0.2350 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, September 16th. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 15.4%. Western Union’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 76.42%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of WU. Ascentis Independent Advisors acquired a new position in shares of Western Union in the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Western Union by 179.6% during the fourth quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 3,341 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 2,146 shares in the last quarter. Nykredit A S bought a new position in shares of Western Union in the second quarter valued at $51,000. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Western Union by 197.3% during the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 6,516 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 4,324 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Wyoming bought a new position in shares of Western Union during the second quarter valued at about $58,000. 91.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Western Union News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Publix partnership renewed: Western Union and Publix extended their more than two-decade relationship, preserving access to money transfers, money orders and bill-payment services at Publix locations across the Southeast. The agreement supports WU’s retail distribution network and customer reach. Western Union and Publix Extend Relationship to Serve Growing Communities Across the Southeast
• Positive Sentiment: Higher earnings forecasts: Zacks Research raised its estimates for Western Union’s third-quarter 2026 EPS to $0.35 from $0.34, first- and second-quarter 2027 EPS to $0.34 and $0.37, respectively, and full-year 2027 EPS to $1.54 from $1.53. Its full-year 2028 forecast also increased to $1.64 from $1.63. The revisions suggest slightly improved expectations, although the changes are small.
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks maintained a “Hold” rating on WU. Its current-year consensus EPS estimate remains $1.29, indicating analysts see limited near-term catalysts despite the incremental forecast increases.
• Negative Sentiment: Dividend sustainability concerns: A 247WallSt. report examining companies whose dividends may exceed their earnings could weigh on income-focused investors’ sentiment toward Western Union. Such concerns are particularly relevant given WU’s high payout expectations and weaker recent earnings performance. When Dividends Cost More Than Earnings: 6 Stocks in Danger

About Western Union

Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a global provider of money movement and payment services. The company enables consumers and businesses to send and receive money through digital platforms, retail locations and account-based services. Its offerings include domestic and international money transfers, bill payments, money orders and related payment solutions.

Western Union serves customers across a broad international network spanning more than 200 countries and territories. Consumers can access its services through the Western Union website and mobile application, as well as through a network of agent locations and other retail partners.