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. The Consumer Services segments offers bill payment services, which facilitate payments for consumers, businesses, and other organizations, as well as money order services, retail foreign exchange services, prepaid cards, lending partnerships, and digital wallets. The company was founded in 1851 and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

Компания Western Union демонстрирует смешанную финансовую картину. С одной стороны, её P/E и P/S коэффициенты значительно ниже медианы отрасли, что может свидетельствовать о недооцененности акций. С другой стороны, высокий уровень долговой нагрузки, отражаемый коэффициентом debt/equity, и низкий текущий коэффициент указывают на потенциальные риски ликвидности и финансовой устойчивости. Также наблюдается снижение дивидендной доходности, что может уменьшить привлекательность для инвесторов, ориентированных на доход. Однако компания демонстрирует высокие показатели рентабельности (ROE, ROA) и значительный рост чистой прибыли, что свидетельствует о её способности генерировать доход. Важно отметить, что выручка компании значительно превышает медиану, что является позитивным знаком. Тем не менее, снижение операционной и валовой маржи указывает на возможные проблемы с контролем затрат. Эти факторы создают неопределенность в отношении будущего роста и оценки компании, что требует осторожности при инвестировании.

Western Union Company (The)

Key Points
Western Union pays an astronomical 9.66% dividend yield.
HP pays a dividend with a yield of 6.39%.
Both of these stocks are positioned to maintain their strong dividends.
One of the challenges for income investors is finding high-yield dividend stocks that are a safe bet to keep growing and paying out a high dividend.
Many real estate investment trusts (REITs) and business development companies (BDCs) are mandated to pay out big dividends, but because of the specialty nature of these stocks and how sensitive they are to macroeconomic forces, the dividends can be unreliable for many of them, particularly those with double-digit yields, though certainly not all.
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In addition, stocks with high-yield dividends, either in the double-digits or high single digits, could be artificially high because the stock price tanked and the dividend is not sustainable.
So, the trick is to find high-yield dividends that aren't yield traps and are sustainable. Here are a couple of great options.
1. Western Union
Western Union (NYSE: WU) is the venerable money transfer business that's been around since 1851.
It started off sending telegraphs and eventually morphed into a leading money transfer business. However, it is shifting again, as the money transfer revenue has been dwindling in this era with fintechs and blockchains offering new ways to send money.
While money transfer remains its major revenue generator, Western Union has been investing in its "digital first" strategy where it is focusing on digital money transfer services and away from the in-person retail locations. This has been the revenue growth driver as its consumer services segment, which includes its digital services, saw revenue climb 15% and operating income jump 72% last quarter.
The company increased its cash flow from operations last year to $544 million from $406 million the previous year and boosted its free cash flow. In addition, Western Union expects modest revenue and earnings growth in 2026.
This should bode well for Western Union to continue to deliver on its high-yield dividend. In February, it declared a $0.235 dividend at a super-high yield of 9.66%. That is one of the highest yields you can get for a non-REIT or BDC.
As for the stability of the dividend, Western Union has not raised its dividend in five years -- but it has not lowered it, either. It has stayed at $0.235 since 2021. But before that it had seven straight years of raises.
Considering that the company seems to be successfully pivoting toward digital money services, that high-yield dividend looks pretty safe and it could be ready to move up.
2. HP Inc.
HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ), the computer and printer manufacturer, is another great high-yield dividend stock.
The stock pays out a dividend of $0.30 per share at an extremely high dividend yield of 6.39%. That's not as high as Western Union, but it is certainly a safer yield with more growth potential.
HP has raised its dividend for 15 years in a row, so there is a commitment to boosting its annual payout. Further, the payout ratio is just 36%, which is pretty much right in the sweet spot as it means that a very comfortable 36% of its earnings are going toward the dividend, making it easily sustainable. In fiscal 2026, HP anticipates $2.8 billion to $3 billion in free cash flow, which is very strong and about the same as last year.
Also, while HP stock has struggled due to high costs for PC memory and a decline in printer sales, it has some catalysts that could boost earnings. First, it is planning to reduce expenses by $1 billion through 2028 including $250 million in 2026. It is also coming up on a five-year buying cycle for PCs after a boom in 2020. Further, its new artificial intelligence (AI) computers have seen robust sales growth at higher margins.
In addition, the stock is dirt cheap trading at 7 times earnings, so it is well positioned to move higher.
These are two strong options if you are looking for super-high yields as well as some comfort that they will continue to deliver great dividends.
Should you buy stock in Western Union right now?
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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Key Points
Western Union has demonstrated a lot of staying power.
It's embracing the new "fintech" world of payments.
It's facing some headwinds, though.
Western Union (NYSE: WU) had a good thing going for a long time. When people needed to send money to loved ones or others far away, it was one of the best options, if not the only one. But times have changed. Enter fintech (financial technology) companies, which let people send money easily via apps on their smartphones, among other innovations.
Times have been tough for Western Union lately, and the stock has averaged annual losses of 10% over the past five years. Ouch.
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Still, it's worth considering the stock for your long-term portfolio -- for at least one key reason.
A heavenly dividend
The key attraction for me with Western Union is its dividend. It recently sported a fat dividend yield of 10%.
Better still, its payout ratio, the portion of its earnings paid out in dividends, was recently just 41%. That's good, because when a payout ratio is close to or exceeds 100%, it's cause for concern, as that's not sustainable and suggests that a dividend cut may occur. The company is profitable, too.
To be fair, a cut could still occur with Western Union, as business is not exactly booming at this point. But even a 50% cut would still leave investors with a 5% dividend yield at current rates. (You should be suspecting at this point, correctly, that this isn't a buy-it-and-forget-it kind of investment.)
Where Western Union impresses
There's more to like than just the dividend. Check out how the company describes itself: "Our leading cross-border, cross-currency money movement, payments and digital financial services empower consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments -- across more than 200 countries and territories and nearly 130 currencies -- to connect with billions of bank accounts, millions of digital wallets and cards, and a global footprint of hundreds of thousands of retail locations."
It has proven that it has staying power, having launched as a telegraph business before the Civil War, back in 1851. Can it stay current even now? It's certainly trying, with its own fintech operations.
Its fourth quarter was mixed, with revenue down 5% year over year, but CEO Devin McGranahan noted, "We strengthened our Consumer Services offerings, expanded our owned retail footprint, and accelerated our transition to a more digital-first operating model. Looking ahead to 2026, we are confident in our ability to execute against our Beyond strategy as we expand our capabilities, drive operating efficiencies, and position the company for sustainable long-term growth."
The company's struggles have left its stock price looking attractive -- though some might argue that it's a value trap: Its forward-looking price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, for example, recently 5.3, is well below its five-year average of 7.3.
Everything isn't rosy, though
Western Union is not a no-brainer investment. Your brain is required. Because it's still facing headwinds, such as the current economic environment that's not so friendly to immigrants, many of whom send money home to their families. Another issue is competition on the fintech front, with frequent innovations that may hurt Western Union's future even more.
Consider Western Union for its currently fat dividend, but dig deeper before you invest.
Should you buy stock in Western Union right now?
Before you buy stock in Western Union, consider this:
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Selena Maranjian has positions in Western Union. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Overlooked and Undervalued: Why Western Union Deserves Attention

The Western Union Company WU reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 45 cents, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.3%. The bottom line grew 12.5% year over year.
Total revenues were $1 billion, which fell 5% on a reported basis. The top line missed the consensus mark by 2.7%.
The quarterly earnings benefited on the back of a declining expense level. The Branded Digital business posted transaction growth. However, the upside was partly offset by a revenue drop in the Consumer Money Transfer (CMT) segment, impacted by weaker transactions.
The Western Union Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Q4 Performance of WU
The adjusted operating margin of 20% improved 300 basis points (bps) year over year on the back of cost efficiencies achieved.
Total expenses came in at $823.1 million, which declined 6% year over year in the quarter under review and came lower than our estimate of $859.2 million. This resulted from a fall in the cost of services and selling, general and administrative expenses.
Operating income advanced 4% year over year to $185.3 million, which beat our estimate of $184.5 million.
Segment Analysis of WU
The CMT segment recorded revenues of $871.5 million in the fourth quarter, which slipped 7% year over year. The metric fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $889.5 million and our estimate of $893.6 million.
Operating income improved 3% year over year to $175.4 million. The metric beat the consensus mark of $159.1 million and our estimate of $158 million. The operating income margin improved 200 bps year over year to 20%.
Transactions within the CMT segment on an adjusted basis, excluding Iraq, dipped 2% year over year. However, there was 13% transaction growth in the Branded Digital business. Branded Digital revenues, which accounted for 30% of CMT’s fourth-quarter revenues, rose 7% on a reported basis and 6% on an adjusted basis.
The CS segment’s revenues climbed 15% year over year on a reported basis and 26% on an adjusted basis to $136.9 million in the quarter under review. However, the metric missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $147.6 million and our estimate of $150.1 million.
Operating income totaled $23.2 million, which increased from the year-ago figure of $13.4 million. The metric missed the consensus mark of $35.3 million and our estimate of $34.8 million. The operating income margin improved 600 bps year over year to 17%.
WU’s Financial Position (As of Dec. 31, 2025)
Western Union exited the fourth quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1.2 billion, which plunged 16.3% from the 2024-end level. Total assets of $8.3 billion declined 0.8% from the figure at 2024-end.
Borrowings were $2.9 billion, down 2.1% from the figure as of Dec. 31, 2024.
Total stockholders' equity of $957.8 million slid 1.1% from the 2024-end level.
WU generated net cash from operations of $543.7 million in 2025, which soared 33.8% from the prior-year comparable period.
Western Union’s Capital Deployment
Western Union rewarded its shareholders with $305 million in the form of dividends and $225 million in share buybacks in 2025.
WU’s 2026 View
Management anticipates adjusted revenue growth to be between 6% and 9%.
Adjusted EPS is forecasted to be in the range of $1.75-$1.85, the mid-point of which indicates a 2.9% improvement from the 2025 reported figure of $1.75.
GAAP EPS is currently forecasted within the band of $1.50-$1.60, the mid-point of which implies 2% growth from the 2025 figure of $1.52.
WU’s Zacks Rank
WU currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
How Did Peers Perform?
Several companies in the business services space, including Mastercard Incorporated MA, Visa Inc. V and Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. MRSH, have also reported their financial results for the December quarter of 2025. Here’s how they had performed:
Mastercard reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $4.76 per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 13.3%. The bottom line improved 25% year over year. The quarterly results were aided by growing cross-border volumes, an increase in switched transactions and solid growth in value-added services revenues. However, the upside was partly offset by MA’s elevated operating expenses due to acquisitions and administrative costs.
Visa reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings per share (EPS) of $3.17, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.14. The bottom line increased 15% year over year. The quarterly results benefited from higher payments and cross-border volumes. Resilient consumer spending remains a tailwind. However, the upside was partly offset by V’s increased operating expenses and lower-than-expected processed transactions.
Marsh reported fourth-quarter 2025 adjusted EPS of $2.12, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7.6%. The bottom line advanced 10% year over year. The quarterly results benefited from solid growth in the Risk and Insurance Services and Consulting unit, particularly from the Guy Carpenter, Mercer and Marsh Management Consulting businesses. However, the upside was partially offset by MRSH’s elevated operating expenses, primarily due to increased compensation and benefits.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Western Union's Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates on Lower Costs

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Western Union (WU) Q4 2025 Earnings Transcript

(RTTNews) - Western Union Co (WU) will host a conference call at 8:30 AM ET on February 20, 2026, to discuss Q4 25 earnings results.
To access the live webcast, log on to https://ir.westernunion.com/investor-relations/events-and-presentations/events-calendar/default.aspx
To listen to the call, dial + 1 719 359 4580 or 955 3122 8825, Conference ID 948891.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Western Union Co Q4 25 Earnings Conference Call At 8:30 AM ET

The following companies are expected to report earnings prior to market open on 02/20/2026. Visit our Earnings Calendar for a full list of expected earnings releases.
AngloGold Ashanti PLC (AU)is reporting for the quarter ending December 31, 2025. The gold mining company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 1 analyst that follows the stock is $1.90. This value represents a 113.48% increase compared to the same quarter last year. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2025 Price to Earnings ratio for AU is 19.28 vs. an industry ratio of -14.00, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
PPL Corporation (PPL)is reporting for the quarter ending December 31, 2025. The electric power utilities company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 4 analysts that follow the stock is $0.41. This value represents a 20.59% increase compared to the same quarter last year. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2025 Price to Earnings ratio for PPL is 20.23 vs. an industry ratio of 27.10.
Lamar Advertising Company (LAMR)is reporting for the quarter ending December 31, 2025. The reit company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 2 analysts that follow the stock is $2.12. This value represents a 4.07% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year LAMR has beat the expectations every quarter. The highest one was in the 3rd calendar quarter where they beat the consensus by 6.28%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2025 Price to Earnings ratio for LAMR is 16.95 vs. an industry ratio of 13.70, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
Hudbay Minerals Inc. (HBM)is reporting for the quarter ending December 31, 2025. The mining company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 14 analysts that follow the stock is $0.40. This value represents a 122.22% increase compared to the same quarter last year. HBM missed the consensus earnings per share in the 3rd calendar quarter of 2025 by -50%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2025 Price to Earnings ratio for HBM is 29.68 vs. an industry ratio of -60.70, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
Balchem Corporation (BCPC)is reporting for the quarter ending December 31, 2025. The chemical company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 2 analysts that follow the stock is $1.28. This value represents a 24.27% increase compared to the same quarter last year. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2025 Price to Earnings ratio for BCPC is 34.60 vs. an industry ratio of 9.20, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS)is reporting for the quarter ending December 31, 2025. The wire line (national) company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 2 analysts that follow the stock is $0.09. This value represents a 200.00% increase compared to the same quarter last year. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2025 Price to Earnings ratio for TDS is 903.60 vs. an industry ratio of 307.60, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
Western Union Company (WU)is reporting for the quarter ending December 31, 2025. The financial transactions company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 6 analysts that follow the stock is $0.43. This value represents a 7.50% increase compared to the same quarter last year. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2025 Price to Earnings ratio for WU is 5.58 vs. an industry ratio of 11.30.
DNOW Inc. (DNOW)is reporting for the quarter ending December 31, 2025. The machinery company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 2 analysts that follow the stock is $0.12. This value represents a 52.00% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year DNOW has beat the expectations every quarter. The highest one was in the 3rd calendar quarter where they beat the consensus by 8.33%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2025 Price to Earnings ratio for DNOW is 19.72 vs. an industry ratio of 22.50.
Array Digital Infrastructure, Inc. (AD)is reporting for the quarter ending December 31, 2025. The wireless (national) company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 2 analysts that follow the stock is $0.32. This value represents a 540.00% increase compared to the same quarter last year. AD missed the consensus earnings per share in the 1st calendar quarter of 2025 by -43.24%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2025 Price to Earnings ratio for AD is 27.13 vs. an industry ratio of -13.70, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. (CCOI)is reporting for the quarter ending December 31, 2025. The wireless (national) company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 5 analysts that follow the stock is $-1.09. This value represents a 19.78% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2025 Price to Earnings ratio for CCOI is -6.48 vs. an industry ratio of -13.70, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
Oil States International, Inc. (OIS)is reporting for the quarter ending December 31, 2025. The oil field machinery & equipment company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 2 analysts that follow the stock is $0.11. This value represents a 22.22% increase compared to the same quarter last year. OIS missed the consensus earnings per share in the 3rd calendar quarter of 2025 by -20%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2025 Price to Earnings ratio for OIS is 27.74 vs. an industry ratio of 24.30, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Pre-Market Earnings Report for February 20, 2026 : AU, PPL, LAMR, HBM, BCPC, TDS, WU, DNOW, AD, CCOI, OIS

The Western Union Company WU is set to report its fourth-quarter 2025 results on Feb. 20, 2026, before the opening bell. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the to-be-reported quarter’s earnings is currently pegged at 43 cents per share on revenues of $1.04 billion.
The fourth-quarter earnings estimate witnessed no upward revisions against one downward movement over the past month. The bottom-line projection indicates a year-over-year jump of 7.5%. However, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues suggests a year-over-year decrease of 2.1%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
For 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Western Union’s revenues is pegged at $4.08 billion, implying a fall of 3.1% year over year. The consensus mark for 2025 EPS is pegged at $1.73, implying a year-over-year decrease of 0.6%.
Western Union beat the consensus estimate in two of the last four quarters and missed twice, with the average surprise being 0.6%. This is depicted in the figure below.
The Western Union Company Price and EPS Surprise
Q4 Earnings Whispers for Western Union
Our proven model predicts a likely earnings beat for the company this time around as well. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. That is precisely the case here.
WU has an Earnings ESP of +1.51% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
What’s Shaping WU’s Q4 Results?
The Zacks Consensus Estimate and our model estimate for Consumer Money Transfer revenues indicate 5.2% and 4.8% year-over-year decrease, respectively. The consensus mark for C2C transactions indicates a 2.5% year-over-year decrease, while we expect a nearly 2% fall.
Geographically, revenues are expected to decline year over year in North America, the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, East Asia and Oceania. This is likely to have led to lower revenues. Furthermore, the consensus mark for operating income from the Consumer Money Transfer segment signals a 6.4% year-over-year decline, whereas our model predicts a 7% fall.
However, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Consumer Services revenues indicates 23.6% year-over-year growth, while our model estimate predicts a 25.7% increase. The consensus mark for operating income from the segment predicts a 163.4% year-over-year surge, while our model indicates 159.5% jump.
Moreover, our model estimate for total operating expenses indicates a 2.4% year-over-year decrease due to lower cost of services and SG&A costs. These are likely to have led to bottom-line growth, positioning the company for an earnings beat.
How Did Peers Perform?
Companies in the broader Finance space, like PayPal Holdings PYPL and American Express Company AXP, have already reported their results for the December quarter. Here’s how they have performed:
PayPal reported fourth-quarter 2025 non-GAAP EPS of $1.23, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.29. However, the metric jumped 3.4% year over year. Net revenues of $8.68 billion increased 3.7% year over year but missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.77 billion. PayPal witnessed an uptick in TPV and transaction margin dollars in the quarter.
American Express reported fourth-quarter 2025 EPS of $3.53, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.3%. However, the bottom line climbed 16% year over year. Total revenues, net of interest expense, amounted to $19 billion, which improved 10% year over year. Elevated customer engagement and operating cost levels affected the bottom line. Nevertheless, the downside was partly offset by rising Card Member spending. Higher revolving loan balances and continued strong card fee growth aided AXP’s performance.
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Can Western Union Beat Q4 Earnings on Consumer Services Strength?

Western Union (WU) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on lower revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended December 2025. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on February 20. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on theearnings call it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus Estimate
This money transfer company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.43 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +7.5%.
Revenues are expected to be $1.04 billion, down 2.1% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions Trend
The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.33% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings Whisper
Estimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Western Union?
For Western Union, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +1.51%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination indicates that Western Union will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?
Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Western Union would post earnings of $0.43 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.47, delivering a surprise of +9.30%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates two times.
Bottom Line
An earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Western Union appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
An Industry Player's Expected Results
Global Payments (GPN), another stock in the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry, is expected to report earnings per share of $3.18 for the quarter ended December 2025. This estimate points to a year-over-year change of +7.8%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $2.32 billion, up 1.4% from the year-ago quarter.
Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Global Payments has been revised 0.3% up to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of -1.26%, reflecting a lower Most Accurate Estimate.
This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Global Payments will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Should You Invest in The Western Union Company (WU)?
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Zacks Investment Research has been committed to providing investors with tools and independent research since 1978. For more than a quarter century, the Zacks Rank stock-rating system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +24.08% per year. (These returns cover a period from January 1, 1988 through May 6, 2024.)
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Western Union (WU) Reports Next Week: Wall Street Expects Earnings Growth

PayPal Holdings PYPL reported fourth-quarter 2025 non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of $1.23, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.29. However, the metric jumped 3.4% year over year.
Following the results, PayPal shares were down roughly 18% on the NYSE at the time of posting this article. Results reflected lower-than-expected growth in revenues. Its payment transactions per active account declined in the reported quarter. However, PayPal witnessed an uptick in both total payment volume (TPV) and revenues year over year, along with another quarter of single-digit growth in transaction margin dollars.
Net revenues of $8.68 billion increased 3.7% year over year on a reported basis and 3% on a forex-neutral basis. The reported figure missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $8.77 billion.
PayPal Holdings, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
PYPL’s Revenue Details
TPV was $475.14 billion for the fourth quarter, up 8.5% year over year on a reported basis and 6% on a forex-neutral basis.
The transaction margin in dollar terms was $4.03 billion, which grew 2.5% on a reported basis. Excluding interest on customer balances, transaction margin dollars increased 3.8% to $3.74 billion.
Transaction revenues were $7.82 billion (90.1% of net revenues), up 3% year over year. Value Added Services revenues were $857 million (9.9% of net revenues), which rose 10.2% year over year.
Net revenues from the United States totaled $4.94 billion (57% of net revenues), up 4.5% on a year-over-year basis. International net revenues were $3.73 billion (43% of net revenues), up 2.7% year over year on a reported basis and 1% on a forex-neutral basis.
PayPal witnessed year-over-year growth of 1.2% in total active accounts to 439 million in the reported quarter. The total number of payment transactions was 6.75 billion, up 2% on a year-over-year basis. However, PYPL’s payment transactions per active account were 57.7, which dropped 4.8% year over year.
PYPL’s Operating Details
PayPal’s operating expenses were $7.17 billion in the fourth quarter, up 3.5% year over year.
The transaction expense rate was 0.89% in the fourth quarter compared with 0.91% reported in the year-ago quarter.
The transaction margin shrank 50 basis points to 46.5%.
PYPL’s Balance Sheet Remains Strong
As of Dec. 31, 2025, cash, cash equivalents and investments were $14.8 billion, up from $14.4 billion reported as of Sept. 30, 2025. The long-term debt balance was $10 billion.
PYPL generated $2.4 billion in cash from operations, while adjusted free cash flow was $2.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The company returned $1.5 billion to shareholders through share repurchases in the quarter.
PayPal Issues Q1 & 2026 Guidance
For 2026, PayPal anticipates non-GAAP EPS to range from a decline of low-single digits to slightly positive.
The transaction margin dollar is expected to decline slightly.
Non-GAAP non-transaction operating expenses are expected to grow approximately 3%.
Adjusted free cash flow is expected to be more than $6 billion. Share repurchase is expected to be roughly $6 billion.
For the first quarter of 2026, PayPal expects non-GAAP EPS to decline in the mid-single digits.
Transaction margin dollars are expected to decline slightly.
PYPL’s Zacks Rank & Upcoming Earnings Releases
Currently, PayPal carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
We now look forward to the earnings release of other stocks in the Financial Transaction Services industry — Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. FIS and Western Union WU. While Fidelity National Information Services is scheduled to report on Feb. 10, Western Union is slated to report on Feb. 20.
The consensus mark for Fidelity National Information Services’ fourth-quarter EPS is pegged at $1.69, implying a 20.7% increase year over year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Western Union’s fourth-quarter 2025 EPS stands at 43 cents, indicating a 7.5% increase year over year.
FIS and WU carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) each at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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PayPal Shares Fall as Q4 Earnings & Revenues Miss Estimates

Jacobs Solutions, Inc. J is slated to report first-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Feb. 3, after market close.
In the last reported quarter, the company’s adjusted earnings and revenues topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.8% and 0.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, on a year-over-year basis, both metrics increased 27.7% and 6.6%.
The leading provider of professional, technical and construction services’ earnings have topped the consensus mark in each of the last four quarters, the average surprise being 3.3%.
How Are Estimates Placed for Jacobs Stock?
For the quarter to be reported, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share has remained unchanged at $1.52 over the past 60 days. The estimated figure indicates a 14.3% year-over-year increase from $1.33.
Jacobs Solutions Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
The consensus mark for revenues is pegged at $3.18 billion, indicating an increase of 8.5% from the year-ago figure of $2.93 billion.
Factors to Note Ahead of Jacobs' Q1 Results
Jacobs’ fiscal first-quarter performance is likely to reflect steady year-over-year growth, supported by healthy demand across water, life sciences, data centers, transportation and energy-related infrastructure. A record backlog exiting fiscal 2025 and improving pipeline conversion are expected to have provided visibility, though the fiscal first quarter was typically seasonally slower due to holiday timing.
For the to-be-reported quarter, the company expects 5.5% to 7.5% net revenue growth and a low to mid-15% margin, indicating normal seasonal patterns in the fiscal first quarter.
Segment-wise, the Infrastructure & Advanced Facilities segment (accounting for 89.5% of fiscal 2025 total revenues) is expected to have been supported by continued strength in Water & Environmental, Life Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing and Critical Infrastructure. Water remains one of the most resilient areas, with strong global pipelines driven by infrastructure modernization, resilience needs and regulatory requirements. Environmental services might have remained softer early in the year, reflecting cautious spending by some public and private clients, though management expects conditions to gradually improve.
Life Sciences & Advanced Manufacturing is likely to have benefited from sustained demand in life sciences and accelerating data-center activity. Semiconductor programs have been also beginning to ramp after a period of slower comparisons, positioning this submarket for improving momentum as fiscal 2026 progresses. Expanding use of digital tools, including digital twins and AI-enabled platforms, supports more complex project scopes and higher-value engagements.
Critical Infrastructure demand is expected to have remained broad-based, led by transportation programs, energy and power projects and urban infrastructure initiatives. Ongoing transportation modernization in the United States and internationally, along with energy-transition and power-related investments, continues to support revenue visibility for the quarter.
PA Consulting segment (accounting for 10.5% of fiscal 2025 total revenues) is expected to have contributed steadily in the fiscal first quarter. Demand remains supported by public-sector, national security and private-sector advisory work, with momentum in the United Kingdom and Europe helping keep growth broadly in line with the overall company trajectory.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal first-quarter revenues in the Infrastructure & Advanced Facilities segment is pegged at $2.83 billion, up from $2.63 billion reported in the prior-year quarter. Revenues for PA Consulting are estimated at $335 million, up from $307 million reported in the prior-year quarter.
Jacobs’ bottom line is also likely to have increased year over year, supported by a more favorable mix, increased use of global delivery centers and evolving commercial models that enhance profitability. These factors are expected to have supported margin performance as operational efficiencies continue to scale.
What the Zacks Model Says for Jacobs
Our proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Jacobs this time around. A combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat. Unfortunately, this is not the case here.
Earnings ESP of Jacobs: The company has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
J’s Zacks Rank: Jacobs currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
Stocks With Favorable Combination
Here are some companies in the Zacks Business Services sector, which, according to our model, have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings in their respective quarters to be reported.
The Western Union Company WU has an Earnings ESP of +1.51% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Western Union reported better-than-expected earnings in two of the last four quarters and missed on the other two occasions, the average surprise being 0.6%. The company is expected to register a 7.5% increase in earnings for the to-be-reported quarter.
Visa Inc. V currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.41% and a Zacks Rank of 3.
The company is expected to register an 11.2% increase in earnings for the to-be-reported quarter. Visa reported better-than-expected earnings in each of the last four quarters, the average surprise being 2.1%.
Mastercard Incorporated MA presently has an Earnings ESP of +1.01% and a Zacks Rank of 3.
The company is expected to register a 15.3% increase in earnings for the to-be-reported quarter. Mastercard reported better-than-expected earnings in each of the last four quarters, the average surprise being 5.5%.
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