Western Union (NYSE:WU) Given New $5.00 Price Target at Monness Crespi & Hardt

Western Union (NYSE:WU) had its price target cut by equities research analysts at Monness Crespi & Hardt from $6.00 to $5.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday, Briefing.com reports. The firm presently has a “sell” rating on the credit services provider’s stock. Monness Crespi & Hardt’s price objective suggests a potential downside of 16.87% from the company’s previous close.

Several other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the company. Barclays dropped their price objective on Western Union from $7.00 to $6.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Cantor Fitzgerald decreased their target price on Western Union from $8.00 to $7.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on Western Union from $9.00 to $8.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 31st. Wolfe Research reiterated an “underperform” rating and set a $8.00 price target on shares of Western Union in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Finally, Susquehanna cut their price objective on Western Union from $10.00 to $8.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 31st. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and eight have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Western Union presently has a consensus rating of “Strong Sell” and a consensus target price of $7.45.

Western Union Stock Performance

Western Union stock opened at $6.01 on Friday. Western Union has a 1-year low of $5.94 and a 1-year high of $10.35. The company has a current ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.88 billion, a PE ratio of 4.89 and a beta of 0.50. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $7.25 and its 200 day simple moving average is $8.03.

Western Union (NYSE:WU) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The credit services provider reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.42 by ($0.11). The firm had revenue of $1.01 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.02 billion. Western Union had a net margin of 9.79% and a return on equity of 50.89%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.37 earnings per share. Western Union has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.250-1.350 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Western Union will post 1.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Union

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Ascentis Independent Advisors bought a new position in shares of Western Union during the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd lifted its position in Western Union by 179.6% in the 4th quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 3,341 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 2,146 shares during the last quarter. Nykredit A S bought a new stake in Western Union in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $51,000. Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Western Union by 197.3% in the first quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 6,516 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $57,000 after buying an additional 4,324 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Wyoming bought a new position in Western Union during the second quarter valued at approximately $58,000. 91.81% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Western Union

Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) is a global provider of money movement and payment services. The company enables consumers and businesses to send and receive money across borders and within individual markets through digital platforms, mobile applications and a network of retail agent locations.

Its services include consumer money transfers, international remittances, bill payments and money orders. Customers can typically initiate transfers online, through the Western Union app or at participating retail locations, with recipients able to collect funds in cash or receive them through eligible bank accounts, digital wallets or other payment methods, depending on the destination market.

Western Union traces its origins to 1851, when it was established as a telegraph company in the United States.