Clark Estates Inc. NY Sells 25,622 Shares of The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU)

Clark Estates Inc. NY cut its holdings in shares of The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU - Free Report) by 10.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 211,453 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 25,622 shares during the quarter. Clark Estates Inc. NY owned about 0.06% of Western Union worth $2,241,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in shares of Western Union during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Western Union during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky acquired a new position in shares of Western Union during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB grew its holdings in Western Union by 1,734.7% in 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 buying an additional 4,597 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tompkins Financial Corp acquired a new position in Western Union in the 3rd quarter valued at $60,000. 91.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Western Union Price Performance

Shares of WU traded up $0.56 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $11.62. 7,919,578 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,630,993. The company has a market cap of $3.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.25, a P/E/G ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.79. The Western Union Company has a fifty-two week low of $10.04 and a fifty-two week high of $14.19. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.04. The firm's fifty day moving average is $10.56 and its 200 day moving average is $11.08.

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Western Union (NYSE:WU - Get Free Report) last announced 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 return on equity of 96.90% and a net margin of 22.19%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that The Western Union Company will post 1.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Western Union announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program on Friday, December 13th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the credit services provider to purchase up to 27.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often an indication that the company's leadership 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 given a dividend of $0.235 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 17th. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.09%. Western Union's dividend payout ratio is currently 34.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

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.