WU
Financial ServicesThe Western Union Company · Financial - Credit Services · $2B
What is The Western Union Company?
Western Union is one of the world's most recognized money transfer and payment services companies, connecting consumers and businesses across borders in over 200 countries and territories.
Western Union generates revenue by facilitating consumer money transfers — primarily through a vast global agent network and digital channels — and by providing cross-border payment and foreign exchange solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. The company earns fees on each transaction and spreads on currency conversions.
Originally founded in 1851, Western Union is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.
- Consumer-to-consumer international money transfers
- Digital and mobile money transfer services
- Business cross-border payment and foreign exchange solutions
- Bill payment and money order services
Is WU a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates WU as Good overall.
Western Union's Quality and Risk pillars both score Good, reflecting a business that generates consistent cash flows and carries a manageable risk profile relative to sector peers. The Valuation pillar is rated Attractive, suggesting the market may not be fully pricing in the company's underlying fundamentals.
The Moat and Growth pillars are both rated Weak, pointing to intensifying competitive pressure and limited near-term expansion momentum.
See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does WU pay dividends?
Yes — The Western Union Company pays a dividend.
Western Union pays a regular dividend, making it a consideration for income-oriented investors. The company's consistent cash generation from its global transaction network supports ongoing dividend payments. Investors should verify the current yield and payout schedule on Western Union's investor relations page.
When does WU report earnings?
Western Union reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed equities.
The company's results have reflected ongoing pressure from digital competitors alongside efforts to grow its own online transfer capabilities. Revenue trends have been mixed as the business navigates a shifting payments landscape.
For the most recent quarter's results, see Western Union's investor relations page.
WU Price History
-48.3% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in The Western Union Company?
Based on The Western Union Company's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Western Union do?
Western Union provides money transfer and payment services globally. It operates through a large agent network and digital platforms, allowing consumers to send funds internationally and helping businesses manage cross-border payments and foreign exchange transactions.
Does WU pay dividends?
Yes, Western Union pays a regular dividend. The company's cash-generative business model has supported consistent dividend distributions. For current yield and payment schedule details, check Western Union's investor relations page.
When does WU report earnings?
Western Union reports on a quarterly basis, in line with standard US-listed company practice. For confirmed upcoming earnings dates, refer to Western Union's official investor relations page.
Is WU a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates WU as Good overall. The Valuation pillar is Attractive and both Quality and Risk are Good, but Moat and Growth are rated Weak. Whether it fits your portfolio depends on your own goals and risk tolerance — view the full breakdown on UQS Score.
Is WU overvalued?
Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, WU is rated Attractive, meaning the current price appears favorable relative to the company's fundamentals. Pro members can view the detailed valuation metrics behind this rating.
What is WU's market cap bracket?
Western Union is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a tier that typically offers more stability than small-caps while still carrying meaningful exposure to competitive and market risks.
Who founded Western Union?
Western Union was originally founded in 1851, making it one of the oldest financial services companies in the United States. Its long operating history is a notable part of its brand identity, though the modern public company structure dates to more recent decades.
Is WU a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, WU's Good overall UQS Score reflects stable cash flows and a manageable risk profile, but the Weak Moat and Growth ratings suggest challenges in sustaining competitive advantages over time. The full pillar analysis is available to Pro members.
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Pro Analysis
WU — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 8, 2026 | 49.7 | 71.9 | 37.0 | 29.9 | 9.6 | 100.0 | -9.7 |
| May 11, 2026 | 59.4 | 71.9 | 37.0 | 29.9 | 74.8 | 100.0 | -0.7 |
| May 4, 2026 | 60.1 | 74.2 | 37.0 | 29.9 | 75.1 | 100.0 | -0.1 |
| Apr 28, 2026 | 60.2 | 74.2 | 37.0 | 30.6 | 75.1 | 100.0 | 0.0 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 60.2 | 74.2 | 37.0 | 30.5 | 75.1 | 100.0 | +0.1 |
| Apr 10, 2026 | 60.1 | 74.2 | 37.0 | 30.2 | 75.1 | 100.0 | — |
WU — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 71.9/100 (25%)The Western Union Company shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 29.9/100 (20%)The Western Union Company faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 9.6/100 (15%)The Western Union Company presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 100.0/100 (15%)The Western Union Company appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 37/100 (25%)The Western Union Company possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for WU.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the WU UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for The Western Union Company is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses The Western Union Company's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether The Western Union Company is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.