Geode Capital Management LLC Has $75.32 Million Stock Holdings in The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU)

Geode Capital Management LLC cut its holdings in shares of The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU - Free Report) by 1.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 7,103,683 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 76,015 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC owned 2.10% of Western Union worth $75,317,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in Western Union during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky acquired a new stake in shares of Western Union in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB boosted its stake 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 during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC acquired a new position in Western Union during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Finally, AlphaMark Advisors LLC increased its stake in Western Union by 329.4% in the fourth quarter. AlphaMark Advisors LLC now owns 5,153 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 3,953 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.81% of the company's stock.

Western Union Stock Up 1.3 %

Western Union stock traded up $0.13 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $9.88. The company's stock had a trading volume of 750,320 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,646,215. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $10.47 and its 200 day simple moving average is $10.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.04, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.20. The Western Union Company has a 12 month low of $9.00 and a 12 month high of $13.93. The company has a market capitalization of $3.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.69.

Western Union (NYSE:WU - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that The Western Union Company will post 1.79 earnings per share for the current year.

Western Union Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 17th were paid a $0.235 dividend. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.52%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 17th. Western Union's dividend payout ratio is currently 34.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on WU shares. Susquehanna reduced their price target on shares of Western Union from $13.00 to $12.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. 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. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a "sector perform" rating and set a $14.00 price objective on shares of Western Union in a report on Thursday, April 3rd. Finally, JMP Securities reiterated a "market perform" rating on shares of Western Union in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have issued a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus 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.