Fact based stock research
Western Union (NYSE:WU)

US9598021098

How to read the free ranks

For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:
Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".

Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".

Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.

Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.

(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).

(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.

Western Union stock research in summary

corporate.westernunion.com

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 18 (worse than 82% compared with investment alternatives), Western Union (Data Processing & Outsourcing, USA) shares have lower financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Western Union are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 89 (better than 89% of alternatives) but show below-average growth (Growth Rank of 27), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 11), which means above-average debt burdens. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 18, is a sell recommendation based on Western Union's financial characteristics. As the company Western Union's key financial metrics exhibit good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 89) but low growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 27) and risky financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 11), it may be a risky investment, because debt in times of crises can make things worse. The good value, better than 89% of comparable companies, may indicate the company's future is challenging. If you believe that low growth is temporary or just due to a specific current event, you may conclude that the good value of the stock provides an attractive investment opportunity. Obermatt Premium subscribers can further check the stock’s Sentiment Ranks, which also flow into the Obermatt 360° View for investors. ...read more

Latest Obermatt Ranks


360° View^new
Sentiment Rank^new
Value Rank	89
Growth Rank	27
Safety Rank	11
Combined Rank	18

Country	USA
Industry	Data Processing & Outsourcing
Index	Dividends USA, Employee Focus US, Diversity USA, S&P 500
Size class	X-Large

This stock has achievements: Top 10 Stock.

19-Dec-2024. Stock data may be delayed. Log in or sign up to get the most recent research.

Further information

Multiple opinions. One number.

Analysts rarely agree on a stock’s future. So, who do you believe? Obermatt translates those collective views into a single Sentiment Rank. That plus the financial ranks give you the ultimate 360° View. Sign up to access them.

Why popular stocks have low ratings

It’s easier said than done. When your stock drops, it’s easy to want to sell it and find a better performer. Think twice, or even three times, before trading. Those fees (especially the hidden ones) can eat up your gains.

Review the performance ranks of the individual metrics that form each investment strategy.

Research History: Western Union

RESEARCH HISTORY	2021	2022	2023	2024
VALUE
VALUE	44	99	98	89
GROWTH
GROWTH	22	5	9	27
SAFETY
SAFETY	59	11	11	11
SENTIMENT
SENTIMENT	n/a	39	48	^new
360° VIEW
360° VIEW	n/a	45	40	^new

Most recent update of the stock research: 19-Dec-2024. Financial reporting date used for calculating ranks: 30-Sep-2024. Stock research history is based on the Obermatt Method. The higher the rank, the better Western Union is in the corresponding investment strategy.
Upgrade to a Premium Account to access the latest ranks.

Combined financial peformance in Detail

RESEARCH HISTORY	2021	2022	2023	2024
VALUE
VALUE	44	99	98	89
GROWTH
GROWTH	22	5	9	27
SAFETY
SAFETY	59	11	11	11
COMBINED
COMBINED	29	18	18	18

Last update of combined financial performance: 10-Nov-2022. Stock analysis on combined financial performance: The higher the rank of Western Union the better the performance.

Value Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 89 (better than 89% compared with alternatives) for 2022, Western Union shares are significantly less expensive than comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators above average for Western Union. Price-to-Sales (P/S) is 79, which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future sales is lower than for 79% of comparable companies, indicating a good value concerning Western Union's revenue size. The same is valid for expected Price-to-Profits (or Price / Earnings, P/E), more favorable than for 95% of alternatives. It is also positive for expected dividend yields with a Dividend Yield rank of 99 (dividends are expected to be higher than 99% of other stocks). But, compared with other companies in the same industry, the Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) is higher than average, making the stock more expensive. Only 66% of all competitors have an even higher price compared with book capital which puts the Price-to-Capital Rank for Western Union to 34. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 89, is a buy recommendation based on Western Union's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. A low level of book capital means that the company has a business that is leaner in assets than its competitors. For instance, the company could be leasing its production facilities or be more focussed on intellectual property, such as its brand and software, which is less visible in its book capital. If that is the case, the three good value ranks for Sales, Profits, and Dividends are reliable indicators for the stock price value. We recommend further analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks, including the 360° View, before making an investment decision. ...read more

VALUE METRICS	2021	2022	2023	2024
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)	59	85	81	79
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)	56	100	94	95
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)	3	11	23	34
DIVIDEND YIELD
DIVIDEND YIELD	82	100	100	99
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE	44	99	98	89

Last update of Value Rank: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on value ratios: The higher the rank, the lower the value ratio of Western Union; except for dividend yield where the rank is higher, the higher the yield.

Growth Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 27 (better than 27% compared with alternatives), Western Union shows a below-average growth dynamic in its industry. There is limited momentum in this company. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for Western Union. Only Capital Growth has a good rank of 78, which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital more than 17% of its competitors. The other three indicators are pointing South: Sales Growth has a rank of 8 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow less than 92% of its competitors. Profit Growth with a rank of 17 and Stock Returns with a rank of 37 are also low (below 63% of alternative investments). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 27, is a hold recommendation for growth and momentum investors. The good news from the invested capital side is surprising. A company with disappointing revenues, profits, and disappointed shareholders typically doesn't invest above average. Overall, the growth momentum for Western Union is thus negative. As it is intriguing to see that company executives are optimistic about their investment policy, it is worthwhile looking into the details of the capital investment projects. They may indicate future growth and profits and thus if accompanied by a good value, a sign of good timing to invest in the stock. While momentum is a popular investment factor, the value aspect might be the more important one, in the longer term. We recommend analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks to arrive at a 360° View of the stock purchase case, especially since the growth performance is limited here. ...read more

GROWTH METRICS	2021	2022	2023	2024
REVENUE GROWTH
REVENUE GROWTH	39	4	4	8
PROFIT GROWTH
PROFIT GROWTH	28	25	27	17
CAPITAL GROWTH
CAPITAL GROWTH	n/a	18	37	78
STOCK RETURNS
STOCK RETURNS	16	47	29	37
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH	22	5	9	27

Last update of Growth Rank: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on growth metrics: The higher the rank, the higher the growth and returns of Western Union.

Safety Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 11 (better than 11% compared with alternatives), the company Western Union has much riskier financing practices than comparable other companies, which means that their overall debt burden is significantly above the industry average. This doesn't mean that the business of Western Union is also risky, it only means that the company is on the riskier side in respect to bankruptcy in case things turn sour, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, with just one indicator above average for Western Union. Liquidity is at 76, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 76% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is safer when it comes to debt service. But Refinancing is riskier at a rank of 8, which means that the portion of the debt that is about to be refinanced is above average. It has more debt in the refinancing stage than 92% of its competitors. Leverage is also high at a rank of 6, which means that the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 94% of its competitors. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 11 (worse than 89% compared with alternatives), Western Union has a financing structure that is significantly riskier than that of its competitors. High Leverage (a low Obermatt Leverage Rank) is good in good times, because it usually indicates that shareholders get higher returns. The good Liquidity performance of the company is an indicator that this is the case. However, if you expect an economic downturn, you may stay clear of this stock because they have an above-average debt level that needs refinancing soon. If the company is sailing with good winds, as may be visible from the Growth and Sentiment performance, the refinancing risk may be lower than the low Refinancing rank suggests. ...read more

SAFETY METRICS	2021	2022	2023	2024
LEVERAGE
LEVERAGE	73	8	12	6
REFINANCING
REFINANCING	16	8	8	8
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY	72	78	79	76
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY	59	11	11	11

Last update of Safety Rank: 10-Nov-2022. Stock analysis on safety metrics: The higher the rank, the lower the leverage of Western Union and the more cash is available to service its debt.

Sentiment Metrics in Detail

SENTIMENT	2021	2022	2023	2024
ANALYST OPINIONS
ANALYST OPINIONS	n/a	15	3	^new
OPINIONS CHANGE
OPINIONS CHANGE	n/a	34	50	^new
PRO HOLDINGS
PRO HOLDINGS	n/a	94	71	^new
MARKET PULSE
MARKET PULSE	n/a	40	62	^new
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT	n/a	39	48	^new

Last update of Sentiment Rank: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on sentiment metrics: The higher the rank, the more positive the sentiment for Western Union.
Upgrade to a Premium Account to access the latest ranks.