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Western Union (WU) Competitors

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$6.92 +0.04 (+0.51%)
Closing price 03:58 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$6.94 +0.02 (+0.29%)
As of 04:04 PM Eastern
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WU vs. PYPL, WEX, RELY, KLAR, and PAY

Should you buy Western Union stock or one of its competitors? Western Union's main competitors and comparable companies include PayPal (PYPL), WEX (WEX), Remitly Global (RELY), Klarna Group (KLAR), and Paymentus (PAY). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "transaction & payment processing services" industry.

How does Western Union compare to PayPal?

PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) and Western Union (NYSE:WU) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, profitability, media sentiment, risk and dividends.

In the previous week, PayPal had 45 more articles in the media than Western Union. MarketBeat recorded 50 mentions for PayPal and 5 mentions for Western Union. Western Union's average media sentiment score of 1.08 beat PayPal's score of 0.48 indicating that Western Union is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
PayPal
23 Very Positive mention(s)
8 Positive mention(s)
10 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
2 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Western Union
4 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

PayPal pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. Western Union pays an annual dividend of $0.94 per share and has a dividend yield of 13.6%. PayPal pays out 10.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Western Union pays out 76.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

PayPal has a beta of 1.28, meaning that its stock price is 28% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Western Union has a beta of 0.5, meaning that its stock price is 50% less volatile than the broader market.

PayPal presently has a consensus price target of $56.03, indicating a potential upside of 4.31%. Western Union has a consensus price target of $7.55, indicating a potential upside of 8.96%. Given Western Union's higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Western Union is more favorable than PayPal.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
PayPal
4 Sell rating(s)
34 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.11
Western Union
8 Sell rating(s)
6 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.43

PayPal has higher revenue and earnings than Western Union. Western Union is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than PayPal, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
PayPal$33.17B1.39$5.23B$5.2910.15
Western Union$4.05B0.53$499.60M$1.235.63

PayPal has a net margin of 14.36% compared to Western Union's net margin of 9.79%. Western Union's return on equity of 50.89% beat PayPal's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
PayPal14.36% 24.39% 6.06%
Western Union 9.79%50.89%5.87%

68.3% of PayPal shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 91.8% of Western Union shares are held by institutional investors. 0.6% of PayPal shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.3% of Western Union shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

PayPal beats Western Union on 12 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Western Union compare to WEX?

WEX (NYSE:WEX) and Western Union (NYSE:WU) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, media sentiment, risk and valuation.

97.5% of WEX shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 91.8% of Western Union shares are held by institutional investors. 1.4% of WEX shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.3% of Western Union shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

WEX has a net margin of 12.56% compared to Western Union's net margin of 9.79%. Western Union's return on equity of 50.89% beat WEX's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
WEX12.56% 43.19% 3.53%
Western Union 9.79%50.89%5.87%

WEX has a beta of 0.83, indicating that its stock price is 17% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Western Union has a beta of 0.5, indicating that its stock price is 50% less volatile than the broader market.

WEX presently has a consensus target price of $185.64, indicating a potential downside of 2.92%. Western Union has a consensus target price of $7.55, indicating a potential upside of 8.96%. Given Western Union's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Western Union is more favorable than WEX.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
WEX
0 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.40
Western Union
8 Sell rating(s)
6 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.43

Western Union has higher revenue and earnings than WEX. Western Union is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than WEX, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
WEX$2.66B2.45$304.10M$10.0419.05
Western Union$4.05B0.53$499.60M$1.235.63

In the previous week, WEX had 3 more articles in the media than Western Union. MarketBeat recorded 8 mentions for WEX and 5 mentions for Western Union. WEX's average media sentiment score of 1.16 beat Western Union's score of 1.08 indicating that WEX is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
WEX
5 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Western Union
4 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

WEX beats Western Union on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Western Union compare to Remitly Global?

Western Union (NYSE:WU) and Remitly Global (NASDAQ:RELY) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, valuation and media sentiment.

91.8% of Western Union shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 74.3% of Remitly Global shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.3% of Western Union shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 6.5% of Remitly Global shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

In the previous week, Remitly Global had 10 more articles in the media than Western Union. MarketBeat recorded 15 mentions for Remitly Global and 5 mentions for Western Union. Western Union's average media sentiment score of 1.08 beat Remitly Global's score of 0.97 indicating that Western Union is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Western Union
4 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Remitly Global
7 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
5 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Western Union has higher revenue and earnings than Remitly Global. Western Union is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Remitly Global, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Western Union$4.05B0.53$499.60M$1.235.63
Remitly Global$1.64B2.84$67.93M$1.3915.81

Western Union currently has a consensus target price of $7.55, indicating a potential upside of 8.96%. Remitly Global has a consensus target price of $27.78, indicating a potential upside of 26.41%. Given Remitly Global's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Remitly Global is more favorable than Western Union.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Western Union
8 Sell rating(s)
6 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.43
Remitly Global
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
10 Buy rating(s)
2 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.08

Remitly Global has a net margin of 16.85% compared to Western Union's net margin of 9.79%. Western Union's return on equity of 50.89% beat Remitly Global's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Western Union9.79% 50.89% 5.87%
Remitly Global 16.85%33.33%21.92%

Western Union has a beta of 0.5, indicating that its stock price is 50% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Remitly Global has a beta of 0.36, indicating that its stock price is 64% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Remitly Global beats Western Union on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Western Union compare to Klarna Group?

Klarna Group (NYSE:KLAR) and Western Union (NYSE:WU) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, earnings and dividends.

91.8% of Western Union shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.3% of Western Union shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Klarna Group presently has a consensus price target of $29.05, suggesting a potential upside of 110.52%. Western Union has a consensus price target of $7.55, suggesting a potential upside of 8.96%. Given Klarna Group's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Klarna Group is more favorable than Western Union.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Klarna Group
1 Sell rating(s)
15 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.36
Western Union
8 Sell rating(s)
6 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.43

Western Union has a net margin of 9.79% compared to Klarna Group's net margin of -3.54%. Western Union's return on equity of 50.89% beat Klarna Group's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Klarna Group-3.54% -5.39% -0.76%
Western Union 9.79%50.89%5.87%

In the previous week, Klarna Group had 7 more articles in the media than Western Union. MarketBeat recorded 12 mentions for Klarna Group and 5 mentions for Western Union. Western Union's average media sentiment score of 1.08 beat Klarna Group's score of 0.60 indicating that Western Union is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Klarna Group
4 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Western Union
4 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Western Union has higher revenue and earnings than Klarna Group. Klarna Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Western Union, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Klarna Group$3.51B1.48-$294M-$0.37N/A
Western Union$4.05B0.53$499.60M$1.235.63

Summary

Western Union beats Klarna Group on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Western Union compare to Paymentus?

Paymentus (NYSE:PAY) and Western Union (NYSE:WU) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation and risk.

In the previous week, Western Union had 1 more articles in the media than Paymentus. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for Western Union and 4 mentions for Paymentus. Western Union's average media sentiment score of 1.08 beat Paymentus' score of -0.10 indicating that Western Union is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Paymentus
0 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Western Union
4 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Paymentus has a beta of 1.31, suggesting that its share price is 31% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Western Union has a beta of 0.5, suggesting that its share price is 50% less volatile than the broader market.

78.4% of Paymentus shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 91.8% of Western Union shares are owned by institutional investors. 55.8% of Paymentus shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 3.3% of Western Union shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Paymentus currently has a consensus price target of $38.67, suggesting a potential upside of 6.15%. Western Union has a consensus price target of $7.55, suggesting a potential upside of 8.96%. Given Western Union's higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Western Union is more favorable than Paymentus.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Paymentus
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43
Western Union
8 Sell rating(s)
6 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.43

Western Union has higher revenue and earnings than Paymentus. Western Union is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Paymentus, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Paymentus$1.20B3.83$66.94M$0.6655.19
Western Union$4.05B0.53$499.60M$1.235.63

Western Union has a net margin of 9.79% compared to Paymentus' net margin of 6.24%. Western Union's return on equity of 50.89% beat Paymentus' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Paymentus6.24% 15.26% 12.80%
Western Union 9.79%50.89%5.87%

Summary

Western Union beats Paymentus on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding WU and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NYSE and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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WU vs. The Competition

MetricWestern UnionFinancial Services IndustryFinance SectorNYSE Exchange
Market Cap$2.16B$27.21B$14.02B$23.32B
Dividend Yield13.55%6.10%5.92%3.53%
P/E Ratio5.6319.6425.7228.70
Price / Sales0.53452.68501.2821.10
Price / Cash2.98183.6740.7534.42
Price / Book2.303.242.754.74
Net Income$499.60M$1.11B$1.32B$1.07B
7 Day Performance-3.69%-0.62%-1.16%-1.99%
1 Month Performance-1.84%12.65%0.51%-2.53%
1 Year Performance-18.34%-1.42%10.08%9.41%

Western Union Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
WU
Western Union
3.4003 of 5 stars
$6.93
+0.5%
$7.55
+9.0%
-18.7%$2.16B$4.05B5.639,600
PYPL
PayPal
3.7908 of 5 stars
$52.67
-1.8%
$56.03
+6.4%
-18.8%$45.90B$33.17B9.9623,800
WEX
WEX
2.8925 of 5 stars
$190.82
-3.3%
$183.30
-3.9%
+12.0%$6.72B$2.66B19.016,600
RELY
Remitly Global
4.2875 of 5 stars
$26.74
+0.7%
$27.78
+3.9%
+16.2%$5.62B$1.64B19.243,200
KLAR
Klarna Group
3.7484 of 5 stars
$14.67
+3.3%
$30.39
+107.1%
N/A$5.36B$3.51BN/A2,831

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This page (NYSE:WU) was last updated on 9/11/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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