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Western Union Co.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 20 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 8 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth-quarter revenue fell 5%: Q4 revenue was $1.0 billion, down 5% on both reported and adjusted bases, against $1,058.2 million a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose to $0.45: Q4 GAAP diluted EPS was $0.36, down from $1.13, which included a $0.75 tax benefit in the prior year. Adjusted EPS was $0.45, up from $0.40. Source
  • Consumer Services grew 15%: Consumer Services revenue rose 15% on a reported basis and 26% on an adjusted basis in Q4; full-year revenue grew 32%. Source
  • Consumer Money Transfer revenue fell 7%: Consumer Money Transfer revenue fell 7% on a reported basis and 9% on an adjusted basis; full-year revenue declined 8%. Source
  • Americas retail slowdown weighed: Management attributed the Q4 revenue change largely to a slowdown in the Americas retail business, with North America CMT revenue down 13%. Source
  • Operating cash flow of $544 million: Cash flow from operating activities was $544 million for 2025, up from $406 million in 2024. Source

“Despite a challenging operating environment in 2025, we delivered meaningful progress across the business,”

Devin McGranahan, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue growth, GAAP SourceFull year 20265% to 8%New
Revenue growth, adjusted SourceFull year 20266% to 9%New
Diluted EPS, GAAP SourceFull year 2026$1.50 to $1.60New
EPS, adjusted SourceFull year 2026$1.75 to $1.85New
Effective tax rate, GAAP SourceFull year 202620% to 22%New
Effective tax rate, adjusted SourceFull year 202613% to 15%New
Foreign currency impact on revenue SourceFull year 20261%New
Severance costs excluded from EPS SourceFull year 2026$0.08New

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Full-year 2026 guidance was issued: GAAP revenue growth of 5% to 8% and GAAP EPS of $1.50 to $1.60. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Fourth-quarter revenue fell 5%: Q4 revenue was $1.0 billion, down 5% on both reported and adjusted bases, against $1,058.2 million a year earlier. Source
  • Full-year revenue down 4%: Full-year 2025 revenue was $4.1 billion, down 4% on a reported basis and 2% on an adjusted basis excluding Iraq. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose to $0.45: Q4 GAAP diluted EPS was $0.36, down from $1.13, which included a $0.75 tax benefit in the prior year. Adjusted EPS was $0.45, up from $0.40. Source
  • Full-year adjusted EPS $1.75: Full-year adjusted EPS was $1.75, against $1.74. GAAP EPS was $1.52, against $2.74 in 2024. Source
  • Operating income rose 4%: Operating income was $185.3 million in Q4, up 4%, and $757.3 million for the year, also up 4%. Source

Segments and regions

  • Consumer Services grew 15%: Consumer Services revenue rose 15% on a reported basis and 26% on an adjusted basis in Q4; full-year revenue grew 32%. Source
  • Consumer Money Transfer revenue fell 7%: Consumer Money Transfer revenue fell 7% on a reported basis and 9% on an adjusted basis; full-year revenue declined 8%. Source
  • Americas retail slowdown weighed: Management attributed the Q4 revenue change largely to a slowdown in the Americas retail business, with North America CMT revenue down 13%. Source
  • Regional CMT revenue diverged: Q4 CMT revenue: MEASA down 14%, LACA down 11%, APAC flat, and EU & CIS up 6%, all on a reported basis. Source
  • Iraq revenue declined sharply: Iraq revenue was $2.3 million in Q4 2025 versus $6.6 million in Q4 2024, and $15.8 million for the year against $115.3 million. Source

“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.”

Devin McGranahan, President and Chief Executive Officer

Products and customers

  • Branded Digital revenue up 7%: Branded Digital revenue rose 7% on a reported basis and 6% on an adjusted basis in Q4. Source
  • Branded Digital share of CMT: Branded Digital was 30% of Consumer Money Transfer revenue and 39% of its transactions in Q4. Source
  • Consumer Services profit rose: Consumer Services segment operating income was $23.2 million in Q4, up 72%, with margin of 17% against 11%. Full-year operating income was $115.9 million. Source

Costs, margins and tax

  • Operating margin higher on efficiencies: Q4 GAAP operating margin was 18%, up from 17%. Adjusted operating margin was 20%, up from 17%. Management credited improved cost efficiencies. Source
  • SG&A fell 19% in Q4: Selling, general and administrative expense was $177.7 million, down 19%. Cost of services was $645.4 million, down 2%. Source
  • GAAP tax rate turned to provision: The GAAP effective tax rate was a 24% provision, against a 161% benefit a year earlier. The adjusted rate was 12% in both years. Source
  • Severance costs rose: Severance costs were $6.3 million in Q4 and $15.8 million for 2025, both excluded from adjusted results. Source

Demand and transactions

  • CMT transaction growth turned negative: CMT transaction growth was 3% in 1Q25 and negative in each later quarter, at 2% lower in Q4 and 1% lower for the year. Source
  • Cross-border principal up 4%: Cross-border principal rose 4% as reported in Q4 and 2% at constant currency. Source
  • Regional transactions diverged: Q4 transactions: North America down 6%, LACA down 8%, APAC up 8%, EU & CIS up 1%, and MEASA up 2%. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Operating cash flow of $544 million: Cash flow from operating activities was $544 million for 2025, up from $406 million in 2024. Source
  • Capital expenditures increased: Capital expenditures were $150.8 million in 2025, against $130.6 million in 2024. Source
  • $529 million returned to shareholders: Returns totaled about $529 million in 2025: $305 million of dividends and $225 million of share repurchases. Source
  • Borrowings reduced in 2025: Borrowings were $2,877.8 million at year-end, down from $2,940.8 million, after $500.0 million of principal payments. Source
  • Balance sheet cash declined: Cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet were $1,234.4 million at year-end, down from $1,474.0 million. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Digital-first operating model: Management said it strengthened Consumer Services offerings, expanded its owned retail footprint, and moved faster toward a digital-first operating model. Source
  • Russian asset sale pending approvals: A definitive sale agreement for the Russian assets was signed in 2025 and remains subject to regulatory approvals. Source
  • Travel Money expanded via acquisition: Travel Money growth included the acquisition of Eurochange Limited, which management named as a driver of Consumer Services revenue. Source

Guidance assumptions for 2026

  • Macro and currency assumptions: The 2026 guidance assumes no material change in macroeconomic conditions, including immigration policy, currencies or Argentina inflation. Source
  • Adjusted revenue method for hyperinflation: Adjusted revenue growth in 2026 excludes currency and Argentina inflation effects in quarters where inflation exceeds 50%. Source
  • Items excluded from adjusted EPS: Adjusted 2026 EPS excludes severance, acquisition and integration costs, amortization, and a non-cash tax impact of the international reorganization. Source

Coming up, as management said on 20 February 2026

  • Intermex acquisition expected to close: Management expects to close the International Money Express acquisition in the second quarter of 2026, subject to customary conditions and remaining regulatory approvals. Source
  • First-quarter dividend payable March 31: The $0.235 per share dividend is payable March 31, 2026, to holders of record at the close of business on March 17, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
CMT transactions, Q4 2025 (millions) Source73.1
CMT transactions, FY2025 (millions) Source285.9
Cross-border principal, Q4 2025 ($ billions) Source27.7
Branded Digital transactions growth, Q4 2025 Source13%

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Management cited significant volatility in Iraq-originated revenue and disruptions in offering services there, and excludes Iraq from some comparisons. Source
  • Financial: One unagreed adjustment on the 2017 and 2018 federal tax returns is being contested in U.S. Tax Court, and the company has fully reserved for it. Source
  • Regulatory: The Russian asset sale remains subject to regulatory approvals. Source
  • External: Management described the 2025 operating environment as challenging. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said it is confident in executing the Beyond strategy in 2026. Source
  • Not stated: In 2024 the company decided to liquidate or sell its Russian assets; a definitive sale agreement was signed in 2025. Source
  • Not stated: The 2026 guidance assumes the Intermex deal closes in the second quarter of 2026. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.