Western Union (NYSE:WU) Reaches New 12-Month Low – Time to Sell?

Shares of The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $10.19 and last traded at $10.31, with a volume of 633224 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $10.28.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Western Union from $11.00 to $10.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 13th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Western Union from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their target price 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. Finally, UBS Group dropped their price objective on shares of Western Union from $13.50 to $12.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and nine have given a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Western Union presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $12.63.

Western Union Stock Down 0.1 %

The business’s fifty day moving average is $10.67 and its two-hundred day moving average is $11.35. The company has a market cap of $3.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.96, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.10.

Western Union Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 23rd were issued a $0.235 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 23rd. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.16%. Western Union’s dividend payout ratio is currently 48.21%.

Western Union announced that its board has approved a stock repurchase plan on Friday, December 13th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the credit services provider to buy up to 27.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Western Union

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in Western Union during the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Western Union in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Quarry LP increased its stake in shares of Western Union by 52.9% in the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 2,588 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 895 shares during the period. Independence Bank of Kentucky acquired a new stake in shares of Western Union in the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its position in Western Union by 89.3% during the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 3,226 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 1,522 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.81% of the company’s stock.

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.