The Western Union Company (WU) Financial Ratios
25 years of historical data (2001–2025) · Financial Services · Financial - Credit Services
EV/EBITDA
↓
1.05
↓-80% vs avg
5yr avg: 5.36
30Y Low1.9·High16.9
P/FCF
↓
5.68
↓-40% vs avg
5yr avg: 9.53
30Y Low7.0·High20.6
P/B Ratio
↓
2.44
↓-75% vs avg
5yr avg: 9.58
30Y Low3.2·High48.8
ROE
↓
51.9%
↑-69% vs avg
5yr avg: 165.5%
30Y Low-25%·High491%
Debt/EBITDA
↑
N/A
—
5yr avg: 2.75
30Y Low0.1·High4.1
Percentile shows where the current value sits in 30-year historical distribution. Sparklines show 5-year trend.
WU Valuation Multiples
Price-based multiples — how expensive the stock is relative to earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow
The Western Union Company trades at 4.7x earnings, 27% below its 5-year average of 6.4x, sitting at the 5th percentile of its historical range. Compared to the Financial Services sector median P/E of 13.6x, the stock trades at a discount of 66%. On a free-cash-flow basis, the stock trades at 5.7x P/FCF, 40% below the 5-year average of 9.5x.
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Cap | $2.2B | $3.0B | $3.6B | $4.4B | $5.3B | $7.3B | $9.1B | $11.5B | $7.8B | $8.9B | $10.7B |
| Enterprise Value | $999M | $1.8B | $5.3B | $5.8B | $6.8B | $9.1B | $10.3B | $13.2B | $10.2B | $11.1B | $12.6B |
| P/E Ratio → | 4.66 | 6.08 | 3.87 | 7.10 | 5.88 | 9.06 | 12.26 | 10.89 | 9.12 | — | 42.59 |
| P/S Ratio | 0.55 | 0.75 | 0.86 | 1.02 | 1.20 | 1.44 | 1.88 | 2.18 | 1.39 | 1.61 | 1.98 |
| P/B Ratio | 2.44 | 3.18 | 3.73 | 9.25 | 11.19 | 20.51 | 48.82 | — | 3.60 | 5.22 | 3.81 |
| P/FCF | 5.68 | 7.76 | 9.80 | 6.98 | 14.32 | 8.78 | 12.64 | 14.66 | 16.07 | 15.75 | 13.20 |
| P/OCF | 4.11 | 5.61 | 8.90 | 5.66 | 9.20 | 6.98 | 10.38 | 12.62 | 9.44 | 11.99 | 10.29 |
P/E links to full P/E history page with 30-year chart
WU EV Ratios
Enterprise-value multiples — capital-structure-neutral measures of total business value
The Western Union Company's enterprise value stands at 1.1x EBITDA, 80% below its 5-year average of 5.4x. The Financial Services sector median is 11.4x, placing the stock at a 91% discount on an enterprise-value basis.
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV / Revenue | — | 0.45 | 1.25 | 1.34 | 1.53 | 1.79 | 2.13 | 2.49 | 1.83 | 2.01 | 2.33 |
| EV / EBITDA | 1.05 | 1.91 | 5.83 | 5.82 | 6.40 | 6.83 | 8.62 | 11.07 | 7.36 | 15.06 | 16.91 |
| EV / EBIT | 1.27 | 2.36 | 7.14 | 6.85 | 6.16 | 8.74 | 10.57 | 8.95 | 8.95 | 22.65 | 25.55 |
| EV / FCF | — | 4.62 | 14.30 | 9.18 | 18.32 | 10.95 | 14.27 | 16.77 | 21.17 | 19.63 | 15.55 |
WU Profitability
Margins and return-on-capital ratios measuring operating efficiency
The Western Union Company earns an operating margin of 19.4%, roughly in line with the Financial Services sector average. Return on equity of 51.9% is exceptionally high — well above the sector median of 9.0%. ROIC of 23.3% represents excellent returns on invested capital versus a sector median of 5.5%.
Margins
Full margin charts and quarterly trend are on the Earnings History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Margin | 28.7% | 28.7% | 37.8% | 38.7% | 41.3% | 42.9% | 41.5% | 41.7% | 41.0% | 39.3% | 39.8% |
| Operating Margin | 19.4% | 19.4% | 17.2% | 18.8% | 19.8% | 22.1% | 20.0% | 17.6% | 20.1% | 8.6% | 8.9% |
| Net Profit Margin | 12.4% | 12.4% | 22.2% | 14.4% | 20.3% | 15.9% | 15.4% | 20.0% | 15.2% | -10.1% | 4.7% |
Return on Capital
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE | 51.9% | 51.9% | 129.0% | 130.9% | 218.5% | 297.2% | 1012.0% | 100.3% | 44.2% | -24.7% | 12.0% |
| ROA | 6.0% | 6.0% | 11.3% | 7.5% | 10.5% | 8.8% | 8.2% | 11.9% | 9.3% | -6.0% | 2.7% |
| ROIC | 23.3% | 23.3% | 15.0% | 19.2% | 20.1% | 24.6% | 21.0% | 15.5% | 16.3% | 6.9% | 7.1% |
| ROCE | 12.5% | 12.5% | 19.9% | 16.9% | 17.4% | 31.5% | 29.0% | 17.9% | 15.3% | 6.3% | 5.9% |
WU Leverage & Debt
Solvency and debt-coverage ratios — lower is generally safer
The company holds a net cash position — cash of $1.2B exceeds total debt of $0, providing substantial financial flexibility for buybacks, acquisitions, or weathering downturns. Interest coverage of 5.4x is adequate, though a cyclical earnings downturn could tighten the margin of safety.
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt / Equity | — | — | 3.23 | 5.57 | 5.81 | 8.46 | 17.70 | — | 1.60 | 1.78 | 0.99 |
| Debt / EBITDA | — | — | 3.46 | 2.66 | 2.60 | 2.26 | 2.77 | 2.91 | 2.48 | 4.12 | 3.73 |
| Net Debt / Equity | — | -1.29 | 1.71 | 2.92 | 3.12 | 5.06 | 6.31 | — | 1.14 | 1.29 | 0.68 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -1.30 | -1.30 | 1.83 | 1.40 | 1.40 | 1.35 | 0.99 | 1.39 | 1.77 | 2.98 | 2.56 |
| Debt / FCF | — | -3.14 | 4.49 | 2.20 | 4.00 | 2.17 | 1.63 | 2.10 | 5.10 | 3.89 | 2.35 |
| Interest Coverage | 5.37 | 5.37 | 6.16 | 8.08 | 10.99 | 9.87 | 8.22 | 9.69 | 7.63 | 3.45 | 3.24 |
Net cash position: cash ($1.2B) exceeds total debt ($0)
WU Liquidity & Efficiency
Short-term solvency ratios and asset-utilisation metrics
The Western Union Company's current ratio of 16.52x is well above the 1.0 safety threshold, indicating strong short-term liquidity with ample room to cover current liabilities. The current ratio has improved from 0.30x to 16.52x over the past 3 years.
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 16.52 | 16.52 | 1.27 | 0.30 | 0.84 | 0.50 | 0.93 | 0.87 | 0.60 | 0.43 | 0.57 |
| Quick Ratio | 16.52 | 16.52 | 1.27 | 0.30 | 0.84 | 0.50 | 0.93 | 0.87 | 0.60 | 0.43 | 0.57 |
| Cash Ratio | 16.52 | 16.52 | 0.36 | 0.24 | 0.69 | 0.23 | 0.36 | 0.32 | 0.60 | 0.43 | 0.57 |
| Asset Turnover | — | 0.49 | 0.50 | 0.53 | 0.53 | 0.57 | 0.51 | 0.60 | 0.62 | 0.60 | 0.58 |
| Inventory Turnover | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Days Sales Outstanding | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
WU Shareholder Yields
Earnings, FCF, buyback, and dividend yields — total returns to shareholders
The Western Union Company returns 23.7% to shareholders annually — split between a 13.2% dividend yield and 10.5% buyback yield. A payout ratio of 61.8% is moderate and appears sustainable, balancing shareholder returns with reinvestment capacity. The earnings yield of 21.5% (inverse of P/E) provides a useful comparison to bond yields when assessing the stock's relative attractiveness to fixed income.
Dividends
Full dividend history and growth charts are on the Dividend History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 13.2% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Payout Ratio | 61.8% | 61.8% | 34.4% | 55.8% | 40.0% | 47.4% | 49.8% | 32.2% | 40.1% | — | 123.3% |
Total Shareholder Return Metrics
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Yield | 21.5% | 16.4% | 25.8% | 14.1% | 17.0% | 11.0% | 8.2% | 9.2% | 11.0% | — | 2.3% |
| FCF Yield | 17.6% | 12.9% | 10.2% | 14.3% | 7.0% | 11.4% | 7.9% | 6.8% | 6.2% | 6.4% | 7.6% |
| Buyback Yield | 10.5% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Total Shareholder Yield | 23.7% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Shares Outstanding | — | $328M | $341M | $372M | $388M | $409M | $415M | $431M | $454M | $468M | $494M |
Peer Comparison
Compare WU with 10 similar companies in its peer group
| Company | Market Cap | P/E | EV/EBITDA | P/FCF | Gross Margin | Op Margin | ROE | ROIC | Debt/EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 WUYou | $2B | 4.7 | 1.1 | 5.7 | 28.7% | 19.4% | 51.9% | 23.3% | — |
 IMXI | $431M | 13.3 | 5.6 | 27.3 | 36.0% | 11.2% | 22.1% | 25.8% | 2.5 |
 PYPL | $37B | 7.9 | 5.6 | 6.7 | 46.6% | 18.3% | 25.7% | 15.0% | 1.4 |
 V | $628B | 32.1 | 25.1 | 29.1 | 80.4% | 60.0% | 52.1% | 29.2% | 1.0 |
 MA | $434B | 29.6 | 21.5 | 25.6 | 83.4% | 59.2% | 209.9% | 56.5% | 0.9 |
 FIS | $20B | 50.9 | 6.4 | 7.0 | 36.9% | 16.5% | 2.6% | 6.0% | 1.1 |
 FISV | $26B | 7.5 | 6.1 | 5.9 | 59.4% | 26.9% | 13.0% | 8.1% | 3.3 |
 WEX | $4B | 15.1 | 8.3 | 14.1 | 54.9% | 25.4% | 22.3% | 9.6% | 4.8 |
 EEFT | $2B | 9.6 | 4.4 | 6.1 | 41.3% | 12.5% | 24.3% | 25.0% | 3.3 |
 GPN | $16B | 11.5 | 10.1 | 7.8 | 72.6% | 19.1% | 6.0% | 3.0% | 7.6 |
 JKHY | $9B | 20.2 | 11.7 | 15.5 | 42.7% | 23.9% | 21.4% | 21.0% | — |
| Financial Services Median | — | 13.6 | 11.4 | 11.1 | 64.1% | 20.3% | 9.0% | 5.5% | 4.3 |
Peer selection based on competitive and market overlap. Compare multiple stocks →
Download Financial Ratios Data
Includes 30+ ratios · 23 years · Updated daily
Consensus-Based Analysis Tools
Intrinsic Valuation
DCF models, multiple analysis, and analyst estimates.
Check Valuation
Historical Returns
10-year return with dividends reinvested.
Calculate
DCA Calculator
See how regular investing compounds over time.
Run Numbers
Peer Comparison
Compare growth, multiples, and margins vs sector.
Compare
WU — Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying WU stock.
What is The Western Union Company's P/E ratio?
The Western Union Company's current P/E ratio is 4.7x. The historical average is 12.7x. This places it at the 5th percentile of its historical range.
What is The Western Union Company's EV/EBITDA?
The Western Union Company's current EV/EBITDA is 1.1x. This enterprise value multiple compares the company's total value (equity + debt - cash) to its EBITDA. The historical average is 9.0x.
What is The Western Union Company's ROE?
The Western Union Company's return on equity (ROE) is 51.9%. This is above the typical threshold of 15-20% considered good for most companies. The historical average is 115.4%.
Is WU stock overvalued?
Based on historical data, The Western Union Company is trading at a P/E of 4.7x. This is at the 5th percentile of its historical P/E range. Compare with industry peers and growth rates for a complete picture.
What is The Western Union Company's dividend yield?
The Western Union Company's current dividend yield is 13.24% with a payout ratio of 61.8%.
What are The Western Union Company's profit margins?
The Western Union Company has 28.7% gross margin and 19.4% operating margin. Operating margin between 10-20% is typical for established companies.