The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) Stock Position Lifted by Lecap Asset Management Ltd.

Lecap Asset Management Ltd. boosted its holdings in The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU - Free Report) by 129.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 71,855 shares of the credit services provider's stock after buying an additional 40,548 shares during the period. Lecap Asset Management Ltd.'s holdings in Western Union were worth $762,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Western Union in the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Western Union during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky acquired a new position in shares of Western Union in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its stake in shares of Western Union by 89.3% during the 2nd 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. Finally, Sound Income Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Western Union during the 4th quarter worth $53,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.81% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Western Union from $10.00 to $9.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. Susquehanna reduced their price objective on Western Union from $13.00 to $12.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, February 5th. Barclays dropped 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 report on Friday, December 13th. StockNews.com raised shares of Western Union from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, JMP Securities reissued a "market perform" rating on shares of Western Union in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and nine have assigned a hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Western Union currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $12.11.

Western Union Stock Down 1.6 %

Western Union stock traded down $0.17 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $10.28. 5,873,885 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,866,962. 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 company has a 50 day moving average price of $10.59 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $11.22. The firm has a market cap of $3.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.76, a P/E/G ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.85. The Western Union Company has a 1 year low of $10.04 and a 1 year high of $14.19.

Western Union (NYSE:WU - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The credit services provider reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates 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, sell-side analysts predict that The Western Union Company will post 1.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Western Union Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 17th will be given a dividend of $0.235 per share. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.15%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 17th. Western Union's payout ratio is currently 34.43%.

Western Union declared that its board has approved a share buyback plan on Friday, December 13th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the credit services provider to purchase up to 27.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often a sign that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

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.