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Western Union (WU)
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Western Union (WU) AI Stock Analysis

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WU

Western Union

(NYSE:WU)

Rating:65Neutral
Price Target:
$8.50
▲(6.25% Upside)
Western Union's overall score is driven by its solid financial management and attractive valuation. The elimination of debt and effective cost control are significant strengths. However, technical indicators show bearish momentum, and challenges highlighted in the earnings call, such as revenue decline and macroeconomic headwinds, need to be monitored.
Positive Factors
Dividend Support
The 11% dividend yield and the low P/E multiple will likely support shares.
Free Cash Flow Improvement
Western Union's free cash flow should improve and support the dividend after finalizing $800 million of payments related to the 2017 Tax Act.
Geographic Diversification
Western Union's geographic diversification limits total risk from the proposed tax.
Negative Factors
Competitive Pressures
Worsening North America outbound trends impacted by increasingly negative macro/political environment, intensifying competitive pressures.
Macroeconomic Headwinds
Macroeconomic headwinds and geopolitical uncertainty are pressuring results, especially in the U.S. to Latin America corridor.
Revenue Weakness
Revenue came in below consensus with weakness in North America CMT, more acutely in retail than digital.

Western Union (WU) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Western Union Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionThe Western Union Company provides money movement and payment services worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Consumer-to-Consumer and Business Solutions. The Consumer-to-Consumer segment facilitates money transfers between two consumers, primarily through a network of third-party agents and sub-agents; and offers international cross-border transfers and intra-country transfers, as well as money transfer transactions through websites and mobile devices. The Business Solutions segment provides payment and foreign exchange solutions, primarily cross-border and cross-currency transactions for small and medium size enterprises, other organizations, and individuals; and foreign currency forward and option contracts. It also offers bill payment services that facilitates payments from consumers to businesses and other organizations, as well as offers money order and other services. The company was founded in 1851 and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.
How the Company Makes MoneyWestern Union makes money primarily through transaction fees and foreign exchange margins on money transfers. When a customer sends money through Western Union, the company charges a fee based on the amount sent and the destination country. Additionally, Western Union earns revenue from the difference between the exchange rate offered to customers and the actual rate at which it converts currencies, known as the foreign exchange margin. The company also generates income from its business solutions segment, which provides payment and foreign exchange services to businesses, and from partnerships with financial institutions and retailers that expand its distribution and accessibility. Significant factors contributing to its earnings include its extensive global network, brand recognition, and the growing demand for remittance services in emerging markets.

Western Union Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 28, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: -5.21%|
Next Earnings Date:Nov 04, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mixed outlook. While there are significant positive developments in digital and consumer services growth, AI integration, and stablecoin opportunities, the company faces challenges such as revenue decline, decreased transaction volumes, and macroeconomic headwinds in the U.S. market.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Consumer Services Revenue Growth
Consumer Services adjusted revenue growth was up 40% in the quarter, driven by the acquisition of Euro Change and strong European travel, enhancing the Travel Money business.
Branded Digital Business Growth
Branded digital business increased transactions by 9% and adjusted revenue by 6% in the quarter, marking seven straight quarters of mid-single-digit or better revenue growth.
AI Integration Success
AI integration into core business processes has led to tangible results, including over 50% reduction in customer service handle times and enhanced QA functions.
Successful Cost Management
Operational efficiency programs saved $40 million year-to-date, completing the $150 million savings target two years ahead of schedule.
Stablecoin Opportunities
Exploration of stablecoin applications could enhance treasury operations, reduce friction, and improve global liquidity management.
Negative Updates
Revenue Decline
Second quarter revenue was $1.026 billion, a decline of 1% year-over-year, excluding impacts from Iraq.
Decrease in Money Transfer Transactions
Overall consumer money transfer transaction growth was down 3% in the quarter.
Challenges in U.S. Market
Increased immigration enforcement in the U.S. has negatively impacted transaction volumes, particularly in the U.S. to Mexico corridor.
Adjusted EPS Decline
Adjusted earnings per share was $0.42 compared to $0.44 in the same quarter last year.
Fraud Losses Impact
Higher consumer fraud losses negatively impacted operating margins in the current period.
Company Guidance
In the second quarter of 2025, Western Union reported adjusted revenue of $1.026 billion, marking a 1% decline year-over-year when excluding impacts from Iraq. Consumer money transfer transactions decreased by 3%, while cross-border principal growth rose by mid-single digits on a constant currency and ex-Iraq basis. The branded digital business saw a 9% increase in transactions and a 6% rise in adjusted revenue. The Consumer Services segment experienced a significant 40% growth in adjusted revenue, driven by the acquisition of Euro Change and strong performance in the Travel Money business. Despite geopolitical challenges affecting the retail business in the Americas, the European retail business demonstrated mid-single-digit growth in transactions and revenue. Adjusted earnings per share for the quarter were $0.42, compared to $0.44 in the previous year. The company is addressing a 1% remittance tax set to take effect in 2026, which is expected to impact less than 20% of total revenues tied to U.S. retail cash transactions. Western Union remains committed to enhancing customer experiences and compliance, as well as exploring opportunities with stablecoins and AI to improve operational efficiency and drive future growth.

Western Union Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Western Union demonstrates sound financial management with robust profitability and effective cost control. The elimination of debt significantly enhances balance sheet strength. Despite a declining revenue trend, the company maintains strong margins and cash flow management. However, the low equity ratio and slight profitability margin decline pose potential risks.
Income Statement
70
Positive
Western Union's income statement shows a declining revenue trend over recent years with a slight revenue decrease in TTM. Gross profit margin is strong at approximately 36.1% TTM, indicating effective cost management. However, net profit margin has slightly decreased to 22.1% TTM from 22.2% last year, reflecting challenges in maximizing profitability. Despite these challenges, EBIT and EBITDA margins remain robust at 17.2% and 20.4% TTM, respectively.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The balance sheet indicates a healthy reduction in total debt to zero TTM, significantly improving financial stability. Stockholders' equity has improved, leading to a better debt-to-equity ratio. However, the equity ratio at 11.3% TTM remains relatively low, indicating potential vulnerability to financial fluctuations. Return on equity is strong at 97.4% TTM, showcasing high profitability relative to equity.
Cash Flow
75
Positive
Cash flow statements highlight solid operating cash flow, though it has decreased from the previous year. The free cash flow to net income ratio is favorable, showing efficient conversion of profits to cash. The company has also managed a positive free cash flow growth rate of -1.97% from the previous year, indicating stable cash management practices.
BreakdownDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue4.21B4.36B4.48B5.07B4.83B
Gross Profit1.59B1.69B1.85B2.17B2.01B
EBITDA905.10M1.03B1.11B1.32B1.22B
Net Income934.20M626.00M910.60M805.80M744.30M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets8.37B8.20B8.50B8.82B9.50B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.47B1.27B1.29B1.21B1.43B
Total Debt3.13B2.67B2.80B3.01B3.07B
Total Liabilities7.40B7.72B8.02B8.47B9.31B
Stockholders Equity968.90M479.00M477.80M355.60M186.60M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow368.90M635.30M373.40M830.70M720.70M
Operating Cash Flow406.30M783.10M581.60M1.05B877.50M
Investing Cash Flow-16.30M-140.80M525.50M192.00M-113.40M
Financing Cash Flow-69.30M-896.80M-1.18B-1.27B-773.50M

Western Union Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price8.00
Price Trends
50DMA
8.54
Negative
100DMA
9.14
Negative
200DMA
9.63
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.16
Positive
RSI
38.99
Neutral
STOCH
16.26
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For WU, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 8 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 8.23, below the 50-day MA of 8.54, and below the 200-day MA of 9.63, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.16 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 38.99 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 16.26 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for WU.

Western Union Risk Analysis

Western Union disclosed 30 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Western Union reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Western Union Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (67)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
$511.71B38.18177.90%0.52%14.55%13.25%
78
Outperform
$50.34B10.6928.29%1.40%9.42%128.55%
78
Outperform
$66.32B14.6122.92%4.05%13.85%
77
Outperform
$650.09B33.3151.18%0.69%11.38%7.43%
68
Neutral
$25.53B43.508.80%22.60%
67
Neutral
$17.02B11.609.79%3.95%10.61%2.06%
65
Neutral
$2.59B3.03135.32%11.75%-3.83%62.05%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WU
Western Union
8.00
-2.60
-24.53%
DFS
Discover Financial Services
200.05
76.54
61.97%
MA
Mastercard
561.22
108.25
23.90%
V
Visa
332.09
74.14
28.74%
PYPL
PayPal Holdings
68.22
3.94
6.13%
SOFI
SoFi
22.08
15.44
232.53%

Western Union Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesFinancial Disclosures
Western Union Appoints Ben Hawksworth as COO
Neutral
Jul 28, 2025

Western Union announced the appointment of Ben Hawksworth as Chief Operating Officer, effective August 1, 2025. Hawksworth, who previously served as Chief Technology Officer, will receive a base salary of $550,000 with additional incentive opportunities. In its second quarter 2025 financial results, Western Union reported a 4% decrease in GAAP revenue to $1.03 billion, largely due to a slowdown in North America and lower revenue from Iraq. However, the company saw growth in its Branded Digital and Consumer Services segments. Despite challenges, Western Union’s diversified business model and operational efficiencies helped mitigate some impacts, with a slight increase in GAAP operating margin to 19%.

The most recent analyst rating on (WU) stock is a Sell with a $12.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Western Union stock, see the WU Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Western Union Appoints New Chief Accounting Officer
Neutral
Jun 30, 2025

On June 27, 2025, Western Union appointed Barry Cooper as Chief Accounting Officer, effective July 1, 2025. Cooper brings extensive experience from previous roles at Envestnet, Echostar Corporation, and First Data Corporation, and his compensation includes a base salary, incentive awards, and a sign-on grant. His appointment is expected to enhance the company’s financial leadership without any conflicts of interest or related-party transactions.

The most recent analyst rating on (WU) stock is a Sell with a $12.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Western Union stock, see the WU Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Western Union COO Andrew Walker Resigns
Neutral
May 22, 2025

Andrew Walker, the Chief Operations Officer of Western Union, announced his resignation effective June 13, 2025, citing personal reasons. His departure is amicable and unrelated to any operational or policy issues within the company.

The most recent analyst rating on (WU) stock is a Sell with a $12.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Western Union stock, see the WU Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Western Union Stockholders Meeting Highlights Key Decisions
Neutral
May 16, 2025

On May 15, 2025, Western Union held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where stockholders elected directors for a one-year term and ratified Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for 2025. However, the stockholders did not approve the compensation of the company’s named executive officers, as outlined in the proxy statement.

The most recent analyst rating on (WU) stock is a Sell with a $12.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Western Union stock, see the WU Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jul 30, 2025