While I've recently written in some detail about Western Union ( WU ) and Euronet ( EEFT ), some of the more mature players in the remittance industry, I have not yet had theI am an international analyst with a Buffett and Munger inspired approach to investing. My emphasis is on identifying high quality, shareholder-oriented companies which have been unfairly discounted by the market due to short term factors or irrational investor psychology. At the moment, I am particularly interested in legacy businesses ...

Core Insights - The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.45, an increase from $0.40 in the same quarter last year, indicating a potential stabilization in its retail business despite ongoing geopolitical challenges [1][34] - Consumer money transfer transactions decreased by 2.5% in the quarter, but cross-border principal growth showed resilience, suggesting a strong customer base adapting to macroeconomic conditions [2][37] - The company aims to build a digital-first, retail-enabled consumer services model, leveraging its global brand and payment capabilities to moderate fluctuations in its core remittance business [3][4] Financial Performance - For the fourth quarter, the company reported revenue of $1 billion, reflecting a 5% decline year-over-year on an adjusted basis [3][32] - The full year GAAP revenue was $4.1 billion, with adjusted revenue growth excluding Iraq down by 2% due to challenges in the Americas retail business [32][34] - Adjusted operating margin for the full year was 20%, up from 19% in the previous year, benefiting from cost discipline [34] Consumer Services and Digital Growth - Consumer services adjusted revenue grew by 26% in the fourth quarter and nearly 30% for the full year, driven by travel money and bill payments [35][36] - The branded digital business saw a 13% increase in transactions and a 6% rise in adjusted revenue, marking nine consecutive quarters of revenue growth [38][39] - The digital business now accounts for over 40% of the principal sent globally, with significant growth opportunities in the Middle East and other regions [21][22] Market Dynamics and Strategy - The company is focusing on operational efficiencies and expanding its payment capabilities to drive productivity and market competitiveness [4][6] - Recent geopolitical changes in regions like Chile and Venezuela are impacting migration and mobility, creating a dynamic environment for the business [8][62] - The implementation of a U.S. remittance tax has not materially impacted the business so far, but the company is closely monitoring its effects [9][15] Partnerships and Expansion - The company has secured several new exclusive partnerships, including with Canada Post and Deutsche Post, expected to generate at least $100 million in incremental retail revenue annually [27][29] - The company is expanding its wallet capabilities in various countries, including Australia, Mexico, Singapore, and the Philippines, to enhance customer retention and monetization [12][13][25] - The company is also developing a digital asset strategy, including the launch of a U.S. Dollar payment token and partnerships for stablecoin transactions [24][25][73] Outlook - The adjusted revenue outlook for 2026 is projected to grow by 6% to 9%, with adjusted EPS expected to be between $1.75 and $1.85 [44][45] - The company anticipates that the integration of Intermex will contribute positively to its financial performance, with expected synergies enhancing overall profitability [70][71] - The company is adapting its customer acquisition strategies to remain competitive in a changing market landscape, particularly in response to aggressive offers from lower-scale players [76][77]

The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 20, 2026 08:30 AM ET Company ParticipantsBryan Keane - Head of North America Payments Processors and IT Services ResearchDarrin Peller - Managing DirectorDevin McGranahan - CEOJames Faucette - Managing DirectorMatt Cagwin - CFORayna Kumar - Managing Director of Fintech Equity ResearchTimothy Chiodo - Managing DirectorTom Hadley - VP of Investor RelationsWill Nance - VPConference Call ParticipantsTien-tsin Huang - Senior AnalystOperatorGood d ...

The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 20, 2026 08:30 AM ET Company ParticipantsBryan Keane - Head of North America Payments Processors and IT Services ResearchDarrin Peller - Managing DirectorDevin McGranahan - CEOJames Faucette - Managing DirectorMatt Cagwin - CFORayna Kumar - Managing Director of Fintech Equity ResearchTimothy Chiodo - Managing DirectorTom Hadley - VP of Investor RelationsWill Nance - VPConference Call ParticipantsTien-tsin Huang - Senior AnalystOperatorGood d ...

The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 20, 2026 08:30 AM ET Speaker5Good day, and welcome to the Western Union fourth quarter 2025 results conference call. All participants will be in listen-only mode. After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Please note, this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Tom Hadley, Vice President of Investor Relations. Tom, please go ahead.Speaker9Thank you. On today's call, we will d ...

Core Insights - Western Union reported quarterly earnings of $0.45 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.43 per share, and showing an increase from $0.40 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of +4.34% [1] - The company posted revenues of $1.01 billion for the quarter ended December 2025, which was below the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.65% and a decrease from $1.06 billion year-over-year [2] - Western Union's stock has increased by approximately 1.4% since the beginning of the year, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.2% [3] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.41, with expected revenues of $980.76 million, and for the current fiscal year, the EPS estimate is $1.80 on revenues of $4.1 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Western Union was mixed prior to the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market [6] Industry Context - The Financial Transaction Services industry, to which Western Union belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 46% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting potential challenges ahead [8] - Paymentus, another company in the same industry, is expected to report quarterly earnings of $0.18 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +38.5%, with revenues anticipated to be $310.34 million, up 20.3% from the previous year [9][10]

Core Insights - Western Union reported adjusted EPS of $0.45, beating the consensus estimate of $0.43, but its core Consumer Money Transfer business declined 7% year-over-year to $871.5 million, indicating deeper structural challenges [1][2] - The company's fourth-quarter revenue fell 5% year-over-year to $1.01 billion, contributing to a full-year revenue decline of 4% to $4.05 billion [1][2] - Operating cash flow dropped 48% from $1.05 billion in 2021 to $406.3 million in 2024, raising concerns about the sustainability of its 9.9% dividend yield [1][2] Financial Performance - The net income collapsed 70% to $114.4 million due to restructuring charges and asset impairments related to winding down Russian operations [1] - Adjusted operating margins improved to 20% from 17% a year earlier through aggressive cost-cutting measures [1] - The company returned $529 million to shareholders in 2025, with $304 million in dividends and $225 million in buybacks [1][2] Digital Transformation Efforts - Western Union launched a US Dollar Payment Token (USDPT) on the Solana blockchain to compete in the $900 billion global remittance market [1] - The Branded Digital segment now accounts for 30% of Consumer Money Transfer revenues, showing growth of 7% in revenue and 13% in transaction volume [1] - The company is also building a Digital Asset Network for on-chain cross-border payments and opening a Global Capability Center in India focused on AI-led innovation [1] Strategic Acquisitions - Western Union is acquiring Intermex, expected to close in Q2 2026, which raises questions about the strategy of consolidating physical retail while transaction volumes migrate online [1][2] - Consumer Services revenue surged 15% in Q4 to $136.9 million, driven by the Eurochange Limited acquisition, indicating successful M&A targeting adjacent markets [1] Future Outlook - Management issued 2026 guidance for 5% to 8% GAAP revenue growth and adjusted EPS of $1.75 to $1.85, contingent on the successful closure of the Intermex acquisition [2] - Analyst consensus is largely negative, with a majority rating the stock as "Reduce" and a 12-month price target averaging $9.96, indicating skepticism about future earnings stabilization [2] - The company faces a critical period over the next 18 to 24 months, where the success of its digital initiatives and the integration of Intermex will be pivotal for its stock value and dividend sustainability [2]

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results February 20, 2026 Western Union 2 Tom Hadley Vice President of Investor Relations Western Union Forward-Looking Statements This presentation contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ mate ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Western Union Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results DENVER, February 20, 2026 – The Western Union Company (the "Company" or "Western Union") (NYSE: WU) today reported fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results. The Company's fourth-quarter revenue of $1.0 billion decreased 5% on both a reported and an adjusted basis. The change in revenue was largely driven by growth in our Consumer Services and Branded Digital businesses offset by a slowdown in the Americas retail ...

Core Viewpoint - Western Union is positioned as a significant player in the global money movement and payment services industry, with a focus on enhancing its Consumer Services segment and maintaining a strong market presence [1][3]. Group 1: Financial Performance and Expectations - Analysts' consensus price target for Western Union's stock has remained stable, increasing slightly from $8.94 to $9.00, indicating confidence in the company's business model [2]. - Analyst Andrew Jeffrey from Truist Financial has set a more optimistic price target of $18, suggesting potential for significant growth [2][5]. - The company is expected to report strong growth in its Consumer Services segment for the fourth quarter, which may lead to an earnings beat [3][6]. Group 2: Operational Insights - Despite challenges such as the suspension of U.S. immigrant visa processing, Western Union's global operations are robust, with 62% of its remittance revenue generated outside North America [4]. - The company is trading at a forward earnings multiple of just 5x, with robust margins of 18% and a well-covered dividend yield of 10% [4]. Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - Western Union's stablecoin initiative, USDPT, is a significant development aimed at enhancing its financial strategy by generating interest on float and reducing banking fees [5]. - A $150 million cost-saving program has been completed ahead of schedule, reflecting the company's focus on efficiency and margin expansion [5][6].