The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) Shares Sold by Los Angeles Capital Management LLC

Los Angeles Capital Management LLC decreased its position in shares of The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) by 4.3% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 386,962 shares of the credit services provider’s stock after selling 17,461 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Western Union were worth $4,102,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in shares of Western Union in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in Western Union in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky bought a new position in Western Union during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB grew its holdings in 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 worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 4,597 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sound Income Strategies LLC acquired a new position in Western Union during the 4th quarter worth $53,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.81% of the company’s stock.

Western Union Price Performance

Shares of NYSE WU opened at $10.76 on Friday. The Western Union Company has a 1-year low of $10.04 and a 1-year high of $14.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.63 billion, a PE ratio of 3.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.04, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.10. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $10.52 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $11.12.

Western Union (NYSE:WU) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The credit services provider reported $0.40 earnings per share 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%. On average, research analysts expect that The Western Union Company will post 1.79 EPS for the current year.

Western Union announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Friday, December 13th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the credit services provider to buy up to 27.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Western Union Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Monday, March 17th will be issued a $0.235 dividend. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.74%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 17th. Western Union’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 34.43%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Western Union from $11.00 to $10.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 13th. JMP Securities reaffirmed a “market perform” rating on shares of Western Union in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Western Union from $10.00 to $9.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. Susquehanna dropped their price target on Western Union from $13.00 to $12.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on shares of Western Union from $13.00 to $12.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 9th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and nine have issued a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Western Union presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $12.11.

About Western Union

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.