About WU Dividend Returns
The Western Union Company (WU) is a dividend-paying stock. When dividends are reinvested through a DRIP (Dividend Reinvestment Plan), they purchase additional shares, which then generate their own dividends—creating a compounding effect that can significantly boost long-term returns.
How We Calculate Total Return
Our total return calculator simulates dividend reinvestment (DRIP) by assuming each dividend payment is used to purchase additional shares at the closing price on the ex-dividend date. This methodology provides an accurate representation of how a dividend reinvestment plan would perform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is the total return of WU over the past year?
The Western Union Company (WU) delivered a total return of -2.40% over the past year when dividends are reinvested. The price-only return was -11.08%, meaning dividends contributed an additional 8.68 percentage points to total returns.
Q2How much would $10,000 invested in WU be worth today?
A $10,000 investment in The Western Union Company one year ago would be worth $9,760 today with dividends reinvested (DRIP). Without reinvesting dividends, the same investment would be worth $8,892. Dividend reinvestment added $868 to the portfolio value.
Q3Does WU pay dividends?
Yes, The Western Union Company (WU) pays dividends. In the last year, WU paid approximately $0.94 per share in dividends (9.79% yield). Reinvesting these dividends through a DRIP can significantly boost long-term returns — over 20+ years, dividend compounding can account for 30–50% of total returns for dividend-paying stocks.
Q4Did WU beat the S&P 500?
No, The Western Union Company (WU) underperformed the S&P 500 by 17.85 percentage points over the past year. WU delivered a total return of -2.40%, compared to the S&P 500's 15.45%. This means a passive S&P 500 index fund outperformed WU by 17.85pp during this period.
Q5What is WU's worst drawdown?
The Western Union Company (WU) experienced a maximum drawdown of -32.19% over the past year, declining from its peak on 2025-03-07 to its trough on 2025-09-25. The stock has not yet fully recovered to its prior peak. Maximum drawdown measures the worst peak-to-trough decline and is an important risk metric for investors.
Q6What is WU's long-term total return over 10, 20, or 30 years?
The Western Union Company (WU) has delivered strong long-term returns with dividends reinvested. Over 10 years, the total return is -0.7% (-0.1% CAGR) — $10,000 would have grown to $9,929. Over 20 years: 14.1% total return (0.7% CAGR) — $10,000 → $11,413. Over 30 years: 14.1% total return (0.4% CAGR) — $10,000 → $11,413. Long-term investors benefit from compounding: dividends buy additional shares, which generate their own dividends, creating an exponential growth effect.
Q7What was WU's best and worst year?
The Western Union Company's best calendar year was 2019 with a total return of 60.9%. Its worst year was 2008 with a total return of -37.7%. This range shows the volatility investors should expect — the difference between the best and worst year is 98.6 percentage points.
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