Western Union (NYSE:WU) Reaches New 52-Week Low - Here's Why

The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $8.32 and last traded at $8.37, with a volume of 5500000 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.46.

Analyst Ratings Changes

WU has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their target price on shares of Western Union from $14.00 to $13.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $10.50 price target (down previously from $11.00) on shares of Western Union in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. JMP Securities restated a "market perform" rating on shares of Western Union in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Monness Crespi & Hardt downgraded Western Union from a "neutral" rating to a "sell" rating and set a $7.50 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Susquehanna lowered their target price on shares of Western Union from $12.00 to $11.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have given a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $10.78.

Western Union Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.97. The firm has a market cap of $2.79 billion, a PE ratio of 3.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 0.68. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $9.37 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $10.09.

Western Union (NYSE:WU - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The credit services provider reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.01. Western Union had a net margin of 22.08% and a return on equity of 77.19%. The company had revenue of $983.60 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.01 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.45 earnings per share. Western Union's revenue was down 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that The Western Union Company will post 1.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Western Union Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.235 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 16th. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 11.14%. Western Union's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 35.07%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Integrated Advisors Network LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Western Union in the first quarter worth about $149,000. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in Western Union in the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,018,000. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC boosted its position in Western Union by 10.9% in the 4th quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 68,237 shares of the credit services provider's stock worth $723,000 after purchasing an additional 6,727 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Western Union during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $705,000. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Western Union by 145.1% during the 4th quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 72,795 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $786,000 after purchasing an additional 43,095 shares in the last quarter. 91.81% of the stock is currently 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.