The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) Shares Sold by Victory Capital Management Inc.

Victory Capital Management Inc. lowered its holdings in shares of The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU - Free Report) by 54.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 470,116 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 555,552 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. owned about 0.14% of Western Union worth $4,983,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in Western Union in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Western Union in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky purchased a new position in shares of Western Union during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB boosted its position in Western Union by 1,734.7% during the fourth 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. Finally, Sound Income Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in Western Union in the 4th quarter worth approximately $53,000. 91.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Western Union Stock Up 0.2 %

Western Union stock traded up $0.02 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $10.78. 3,156,438 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,738,432. The company has a market cap of $3.64 billion, a PE ratio of 3.95, a price-to-earnings-growth 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 $14.00. The company's fifty day moving average price is $10.60 and its 200-day moving average price is $11.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.04, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.10.

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Western Union (NYSE:WU - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The credit services provider reported $0.40 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, research analysts predict that The Western Union Company will post 1.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Western Union declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan on Friday, December 13th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the credit services provider to reacquire up to 27.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually a sign that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

Western Union Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.235 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 17th. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.72%. Western Union's dividend payout ratio is presently 34.43%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays reduced their price target on Western Union from $11.00 to $10.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 13th. Susquehanna dropped their price target on shares of Western Union from $13.00 to $12.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price objective on Western Union from $13.00 to $12.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 9th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on Western Union from $10.00 to $9.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. 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 given a hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently 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.