Western Union (NYSE:WU) Upgraded to Hold at StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of Western Union (NYSE:WU) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Thursday.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Citigroup reissued a neutral rating and issued a $13.00 price objective on shares of Western Union in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of Western Union from $16.00 to $14.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Western Union from $14.00 to $12.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 20th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have assigned a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $13.14.

Western Union Price Performance

Shares of WU stock opened at $12.20 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.98. Western Union has a 12-month low of $10.92 and a 12-month high of $14.19. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $12.12 and a 200-day moving average of $12.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.85.

Western Union (NYSE:WU) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 30th. The credit services provider reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.45 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $1.07 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.06 billion. Western Union had a net margin of 13.64% and a return on equity of 123.71%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.51 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Western Union will post 1.77 earnings per share for the current year.

Western Union Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 16th will be given a dividend of $0.235 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 16th. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.70%. Western Union’s dividend payout ratio is currently 55.62%.

Institutional Trading of Western Union

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of WU. MCF Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Western Union during the first quarter worth $30,000. Riverview Trust Co acquired a new position in Western Union in the 1st quarter worth about $32,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Western Union by 500.5% in the first quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,312 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 1,927 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP raised its holdings in Western Union by 52.9% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 2,588 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 895 shares during the last quarter. Finally, LRI Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Western Union during the first quarter valued at $37,000. 91.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.