The Western Union Company (WU) AI Stock Analysis
WU AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchThe Western Union Company (WU) provides global money movement and payment services through its Consumer-to-Consumer and Business Solutions segments. The company generated $4.04B in trailing twelve month revenue, down 1.3% year-over-year in the latest quarter ending June 30, 2026. Western Union carries a forward dividend yield of 15.24% and trades at a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 5.0x.
- Market cap
- $1.92B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $4.04B
- P/E
- 5.0x fwd 3.9x
- 1Y return
- -14.2% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $6.66 8.0% vs last close
Bull case
- The company trades at an EV to EBITDA multiple of 2.2x, significantly below the US-listed Financial Services peer median of 11.7x.
- Western Union offers a forward dividend yield of 15.24% supported by 21 consecutive years of dividend payments.
- Share buybacks of $234.6M in FY2025 contributed to a 21.9% reduction in total share count over five years.
Bear case
- Western Union posted a 5-year revenue CAGR of -3.5%, with annual revenue sliding from $5.07B in FY2021 to $4.04B in FY2025.
- In the latest quarter ending June 30, 2026, quarterly earnings fell 35.1% year-over-year.
- Analysts expect current fiscal year EPS to drop 27.3% to $1.27, with 5 analysts issuing Strong Sell ratings.
What Western Union does
The Western Union Company is a global provider of money movement and payment services, operating through Consumer-to-Consumer and Business Solutions segments. The Consumer-to-Consumer segment supports cross-border transfers and intra-country transactions through third-party agents, sub-agents, and digital platforms. The Business Solutions segment offers payment and foreign exchange solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises, organizations, and individuals, including foreign currency forward and option contracts. The company also provides bill payment services to support transactions between consumers and businesses worldwide.
Growth and profitability
Western Union's revenue contracted from $5.07B in FY2021 to $4.48B in FY2022, $4.36B in FY2023, $4.21B in FY2024, and $4.04B in FY2025, reflecting a 5-year revenue CAGR of -3.5%. Gross margin narrowed from 42.9% in FY2021 to 28.7% in FY2025, while operating margin shifted from 22.1% to 19.4%. Annual net income was $805.8M in FY2021 and $499.6M in FY2025, with EPS holding at $1.75 in FY2025. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue was $4.04B with an operating margin of 13.0%. For the latest quarter ending June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue fell 1.3% year-over-year while quarterly earnings fell 35.1%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, Western Union held $2.79B in cash and short-term investments alongside $2.70B in total debt, yielding net cash of $95.9M. The current ratio stood at 3.75, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.95 against shareholders' equity of $914.7M. In FY2025, operating cash flow reached $543.7M and free cash flow was $392.9M. Cash deployment during FY2025 included $150.8M for capital expenditures, $234.6M for share buybacks, and $309.0M in dividends paid.
Valuation and performance
Western Union trades at a trailing P/E of 5.0x and a forward P/E of 3.9x, both below the median of its US-listed Financial Services peers of 12.1x and 10.8x, respectively. Its enterprise value to EBITDA ratio of 2.2x and price-to-sales ratio of 0.5x also sit below the peer medians of 11.7x and 3.2x. Over the past year, Western Union shares declined 14.2%, compared to a 16.8% return for the S&P 500 (SPY). Over 5 years, the stock returned -55.5% versus 83.0% for the S&P 500.
WU dividend
Western Union pays a quarterly dividend with an annualized forward payout of $0.94 per share, translating to a dividend yield of 15.24%. The dividend payout ratio is 63.5%, and the company has paid dividends for 21 consecutive years. Its 5-year annualized dividend growth rate stands at 0.9%, with the last ex-dividend date on September 16, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street analysts track Western Union with 0 Strong Buy, 1 Buy, 10 Hold, 2 Sell, and 5 Strong Sell ratings. The mean price target of $6.66 indicates an 8.0% potential upside from the last close of $6.17. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project revenue of $4.06B and an EPS of $1.27, representing an EPS decline of 27.3%. Western Union beat EPS estimates in 2 of the last 4 quarters, and its next earnings date is November 4, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Short interest stands elevated at 21.5% of float as the stock trades 20.5% below its 200-day moving average.
- Gross margin contracted substantially from 42.9% in FY2021 to 28.7% in FY2025.
- Total debt of $2.70B leaves the company with a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.95.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this WU AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of The Western Union Company (WU). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: WU income statement, WU balance sheet, WU key metrics, WU analyst forecast, WU chart. See the WU stock overview for the latest quote and news.
WU AI stock analysis FAQ
What is Western Union's dividend yield and payout schedule?
Western Union pays a quarterly dividend totaling $0.94 annually, which equates to a 15.24% dividend yield. The company maintains a payout ratio of 63.5% and has distributed dividends for 21 consecutive years.
What are analysts' targets for Western Union stock?
The consensus mean price target is $6.66, representing an 8.0% upside compared to the October 16, 2026 closing price of $6.17. Analyst ratings consist of 0 Strong Buy, 1 Buy, 10 Hold, 2 Sell, and 5 Strong Sell.
How has Western Union performed relative to the S&P 500?
Western Union returned -14.2% over the trailing one-year period and -55.5% over five years. In comparison, the S&P 500 generated returns of 16.8% and 83.0% over the same respective periods.
What is Western Union's net financial position?
As of June 30, 2026, Western Union held $2.79B in cash and short-term investments against $2.70B in total debt, resulting in net cash of $95.9M.