Brokerages Set The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) Target Price at $12.11

The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) has been given a consensus recommendation of “Reduce” by the ten analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have assigned a hold rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $12.11.

Several research firms have recently commented on WU. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on shares of Western Union from $13.00 to $12.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Western Union from $10.00 to $9.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. Susquehanna cut their price objective on Western Union from $13.00 to $12.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. Barclays decreased their target price on Western Union from $11.00 to $10.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 13th. Finally, JMP Securities reiterated a “market perform” rating on shares of Western Union in a report on Thursday, February 6th.

Western Union Stock Up 1.2 %

Shares of WU stock opened at $10.61 on Tuesday. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $10.63 and its 200 day moving average price is $10.93. Western Union has a 1-year low of $10.04 and a 1-year high of $13.95. The company has a market cap of $3.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.04, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.10.

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

Western Union Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Monday, March 17th were issued a dividend of $0.235 per share. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.86%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 17th. Western Union’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 34.43%.

Western Union declared that its board has authorized a share repurchase plan on Friday, December 13th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the credit services provider to buy up to 27.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Western Union

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in shares of Western Union during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Western Union during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky acquired a new stake in shares of Western Union in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC increased its stake in shares of Western Union by 1,487.6% during the fourth quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 3,080 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 2,886 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Huntington National Bank raised its position in shares of Western Union by 662.7% during the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 3,722 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 3,234 shares during the last quarter. 91.81% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Western Union Company Profile

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.