Lazard Asset Management LLC Sells 128,286 Shares of The Western Union Company $WU

Lazard Asset Management LLC lowered its stake in shares of The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) by 30.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 288,771 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after selling 128,286 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC owned 0.09% of Western Union worth $2,521,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in WU. Weiss Asset Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Western Union during the 1st quarter valued at $437,000. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund bought a new position in Western Union in the 1st quarter worth about $11,698,000. Compound Planning Inc. boosted its stake in Western Union by 31.3% in the 1st quarter. Compound Planning Inc. now owns 22,680 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $198,000 after purchasing an additional 5,408 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. grew its holdings in Western Union by 5.4% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 915,992 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $7,996,000 after buying an additional 46,720 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Wyoming bought a new stake in shares of Western Union during the first quarter valued at about $64,000. 91.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Western Union Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of NYSE WU opened at $6.36 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.95, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 1.12. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $7.80 and a 200 day moving average of $8.74. The Western Union Company has a 1 year low of $6.27 and a 1 year high of $10.35. The stock has a market cap of $1.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 0.48.

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

Western Union Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 16th were given a dividend of $0.235 per share. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 14.8%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, June 16th. Western Union’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 76.42%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently weighed in on WU. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of Western Union from $9.50 to $8.50 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 17th. Cantor Fitzgerald reduced their price target on shares of Western Union from $9.00 to $8.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Barclays decreased their target price on Western Union from $7.00 to $6.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Western Union from $7.00 to $6.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday. Finally, Weiss Ratings cut shares of Western Union from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a research report on Friday, June 5th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and seven have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Strong Sell” and a consensus target price of $7.77.

Western Union News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Management is targeting $50 million in annualized cost reductions by year-end, while continued growth in digital services and artificial intelligence initiatives could support profitability. Consumer Services revenue increased 4% and Branded Digital revenue rose 7%, with digital transactions up 25%. Western Union targets $50 million cost reduction and guides 2026 adjusted EPS
• Neutral Sentiment: Unusually heavy options activity saw investors acquire 37,963 call options, about 764% above average volume. The activity may signal speculative interest or expectations of a rebound, but it does not necessarily indicate sustained buying demand for the stock.
• Neutral Sentiment: Western Union continues working with regulators on its planned Intermex acquisition. However, the transaction’s delay has postponed expected synergies and leaves the deal’s timing uncertain. Western Union pursues AI savings as falling migration hits revenue
• Negative Sentiment: Second-quarter adjusted EPS was $0.31, below the $0.43 analyst consensus, while revenue of approximately $1.01 billion also fell short of estimates. Revenue declined about 1% year over year, net income dropped 37%, and operating margin narrowed to 13% from 19%. Consumer Money Transfer revenue fell 2%, reflecting weakness in the Americas retail business. Western Union reports second quarter 2026 results
• Negative Sentiment: Western Union lowered its full-year 2026 adjusted EPS outlook to $1.25–$1.35, well below the roughly $1.75 consensus estimate. Revenue guidance of $4.2–$4.3 billion also indicates limited growth, increasing concerns about the company’s recovery prospects.
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts cut their price targets: Susquehanna reduced its target from $10 to $8 and RBC lowered its target from $9 to $8. Both firms retained neutral or sector-perform ratings, signaling limited conviction despite the targets remaining above the current trading level.

Western Union 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.