The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) Shares Sold by AXQ Capital LP

AXQ Capital LP trimmed its stake in shares of The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) by 19.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 89,545 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after selling 21,509 shares during the period. AXQ Capital LP’s holdings in Western Union were worth $949,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of WU. CIBC Asset Management Inc acquired a new stake in Western Union during the third quarter worth about $120,000. Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in Western Union by 52.2% during the third quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 15,433 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $184,000 after acquiring an additional 5,292 shares during the period. Quest Partners LLC boosted its position in Western Union by 74.7% during the third quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 58,838 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $702,000 after purchasing an additional 25,159 shares in the last quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC boosted its position in Western Union by 90.8% during the third quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC now owns 162,403 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $1,937,000 after purchasing an additional 77,290 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Moran Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Western Union during the third quarter worth approximately $2,536,000. 91.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Western Union Price Performance

NYSE:WU opened at $10.64 on Friday. The Western Union Company has a one year low of $10.04 and a one year high of $14.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.04, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.20. The stock has a market cap of $3.59 billion, a PE ratio of 3.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.79. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $10.62 and a 200 day moving average price of $11.00.

Western Union (NYSE:WU) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The credit services provider reported $0.40 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.42 by ($0.02). Western Union had a net margin of 22.19% and a return on equity of 96.90%. Equities research analysts expect that The Western Union Company will post 1.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Western Union announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase program on Friday, December 13th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the credit services provider to buy up to 27.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Western Union Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Monday, March 17th will be issued a $0.235 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 17th. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.84%. Western Union’s dividend payout ratio is presently 34.43%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have issued reports on WU. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price target on Western Union from $13.00 to $12.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Barclays lowered their price target on Western Union from $11.00 to $10.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 13th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Western Union from $10.00 to $9.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. JMP Securities reiterated a “market perform” rating on shares of Western Union in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Susquehanna decreased their target price on Western Union from $13.00 to $12.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have assigned a hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $12.11.

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.