Huntington National Bank Raises Stock Holdings in The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU)

Huntington National Bank raised its holdings in The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) by 662.7% in the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 3,722 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,234 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank’s holdings in Western Union were worth $39,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Western Union in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky purchased a new position in Western Union in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB grew its position in shares of Western Union by 1,734.7% during the 4th quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 4,862 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 4,597 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Western Union during the 4th quarter worth approximately $53,000. Finally, AlphaMark Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Western Union by 329.4% in the 4th quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC now owns 5,153 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $55,000 after purchasing an additional 3,953 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 91.81% of the company’s stock.

Western Union Stock Down 4.5 %

Shares of NYSE WU opened at $9.68 on Tuesday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $10.63 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $10.87. The Western Union Company has a 12 month low of $9.62 and a 12 month high of $13.93. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.24 billion, a PE ratio of 3.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.69.

Western Union (NYSE:WU) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The credit services provider reported $0.40 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.42 by ($0.02). Western Union had a net margin of 22.19% and a return on equity of 96.90%. Equities analysts expect that The Western Union Company will post 1.79 earnings per share for the current year.

Western Union announced that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program on Friday, December 13th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the credit services provider to reacquire up to 27.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often a sign that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Western Union Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 17th were paid a dividend of $0.235 per share. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.72%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 17th. Western Union’s dividend payout ratio is 34.43%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating and set a $14.00 price objective on shares of Western Union in a report on Thursday, April 3rd. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Western Union from $10.00 to $9.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price objective on shares of Western Union from $13.00 to $12.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, December 9th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Western Union from $11.00 to $10.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Finally, JMP Securities restated a “market perform” rating on shares of Western Union in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have given a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Western Union currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $12.11.

Western Union 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.