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Western Union Co.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 4 lowered, 3 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue down 2%, adjusted down 1%: The company reported third-quarter revenue of $1,009.3 million, down 2% from $1,032.6 million. Adjusted revenue declined 1%. Source
  • GAAP EPS fell to $0.25: GAAP diluted EPS was $0.25, against $0.43. Management cited lower revenue, higher one-time Beyond costs and a higher GAAP tax rate, partly offset by fewer shares. Source
  • North America revenue fell 7%: North America CMT revenue declined 7% on a GAAP basis, against a 9% decline in the prior quarter. North America transactions fell 4%. Source
  • Branded Digital revenue up 8%: Branded Digital revenue rose 8% on both GAAP and adjusted bases. Transactions rose 21% against the prior year quarter. Source
  • Total expenses up 6%: Total expenses rose 6% to $878.5 million. Cost of services rose 4% and selling, general and administrative expense rose 13%. Source
  • Beyond program added $37.3 million: One-time Beyond efficiency program costs of $37.3 million were recorded, covering a United States voluntary retirement program, a regional center relocation and other workforce reductions. Source
  • Operating margin 13% GAAP, 18% adjusted: GAAP operating margin was 13%, against 20%. Adjusted operating margin was 18%, against 20%, with lower CMT retail revenue and higher operating expenses cited. Source
  • Buybacks and dividends lower: Year to date, the company repurchased $65.7 million of common stock, against $208.5 million, and paid $226.5 million in dividends, against $234.6 million. Source
  • Growth investments in digital and AI: Named investments include digital capabilities, AI across key operational processes, and stablecoin and next-generation money movement initiatives. Source

“As we move through the second half of the year, we continue to make progress against our Beyond strategy,”

Devin McGranahan, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue, GAAP growth Sourcefull year 2026, including Intermex0% to 1%Lowered from 3% to 5%
Revenue, adjusted growth Sourcefull year 2026, including Intermex0% to 1%Lowered from 4% to 6%
Revenue, GAAP growth Sourcefull year 2026, excluding Intermex(2)% to (1)%New
Revenue, adjusted growth Sourcefull year 2026, excluding Intermex(2)% to (1)%New
Adjusted EPS Sourcefull year 2026, including Intermex$1.28 to $1.38Raised from $1.25 to $1.35
Adjusted EPS Sourcefull year 2026, excluding Intermex$1.28 to $1.38New
GAAP effective tax rate Sourcefull year 202620% to 22%Kept
Adjusted effective tax rate Sourcefull year 202610% to 12%Lowered from 13% to 15%
Foreign currency translation impact on revenue Sourcefull year 20260% to 0%Lowered from 1% to 1%

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Full-year 2026 revenue growth guidance, including Intermex, was lowered to 0% to 1% on both GAAP and adjusted bases, from 3% to 5% GAAP and 4% to 6% adjusted. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance was raised to $1.28 to $1.38, from $1.25 to $1.35. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year 2026 adjusted effective tax rate guidance was lowered to 10% to 12%, from 13% to 15%. Source
  • New: Intermex and the company are in discussions with the California DFPI about reinstating its approval of the Merger. The prior quarter referred to the New York State Department of Financial Services. Source
  • New: Final regulatory approval for the Russian asset sale was received in October 2026. The prior quarter described the sale as subject to regulatory approvals. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue down 2%, adjusted down 1%: The company reported third-quarter revenue of $1,009.3 million, down 2% from $1,032.6 million. Adjusted revenue declined 1%. Source
  • North America retail drove the decline: Management attributed the adjusted revenue decline mainly to a North America retail slowdown, partly offset by Branded Digital and Consumer Services growth. Source
  • GAAP EPS fell to $0.25: GAAP diluted EPS was $0.25, against $0.43. Management cited lower revenue, higher one-time Beyond costs and a higher GAAP tax rate, partly offset by fewer shares. Source
  • Adjusted EPS fell to $0.42: Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.42, against $0.47 a year earlier. Management cited lower revenue and higher CMT retail expenses, partly offset by a lower adjusted tax rate. Source
  • Net income fell 44%: Net income was $78.0 million, down 44% from $139.6 million. Operating income was $130.8 million, down 35% from $201.9 million. Source

Segments and regions

  • CMT revenue down 2%, transactions up 2%: CMT revenue was $857.2 million, down 2% on both GAAP and adjusted bases. CMT transactions rose 2% against the prior year quarter. Source
  • CMT segment profit fell 15%: CMT segment operating income was $146.8 million, down 15% from $172.2 million. Segment margin was 17%, against 20%. Source
  • North America revenue fell 7%: North America CMT revenue declined 7% on a GAAP basis, against a 9% decline in the prior quarter. North America transactions fell 4%. Source
  • MEASA up, LACA and APAC down: MEASA CMT revenue rose 6% on a GAAP basis. LACA revenue fell 5% and APAC revenue fell 4%. Source
  • Iraq-originated revenue increased: Revenue from transactions originated in Iraq was $11.9 million, against $2.2 million a year earlier. Source

“Importantly, the initiatives we launched in the second quarter are streamlining our cost structure and have begun to materialize in our financial results.”

Devin McGranahan, President and Chief Executive Officer

Branded Digital and Consumer Services

  • Branded Digital revenue up 8%: Branded Digital revenue rose 8% on both GAAP and adjusted bases. Transactions rose 21% against the prior year quarter. Source
  • Branded Digital share of CMT volume: Branded Digital was 32% of CMT revenue and 45% of CMT transactions in the quarter. Source
  • Bill payment and check cashing grew: Consumer Services revenue fell 2% on a GAAP basis and rose 5% on an adjusted basis. Money order and media network businesses slowed. Source
  • Consumer Services segment profit down 7%: Consumer Services segment operating income was $31.6 million, down 7% from $34.0 million. Segment margin was 21%, against 22%. Source

Costs and margins

  • Total expenses up 6%: Total expenses rose 6% to $878.5 million. Cost of services rose 4% and selling, general and administrative expense rose 13%. Source
  • Beyond program added $37.3 million: One-time Beyond efficiency program costs of $37.3 million were recorded, covering a United States voluntary retirement program, a regional center relocation and other workforce reductions. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA $234.3 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $234.3 million, against $257.4 million in the prior year quarter. Source
  • Operating margin 13% GAAP, 18% adjusted: GAAP operating margin was 13%, against 20%. Adjusted operating margin was 18%, against 20%, with lower CMT retail revenue and higher operating expenses cited. Source

“We are beginning to see the impact of all of these efforts and remain confident in our ability to improve performance and create long-term shareholder value.”

Devin McGranahan, President and Chief Executive Officer

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Nine-month operating cash flow lower: Nine-month operating cash flow was $321.2 million, against $408.3 million. Capital expenditures were $130.3 million, against $100.7 million. Source
  • Buybacks and dividends lower: Year to date, the company repurchased $65.7 million of common stock, against $208.5 million, and paid $226.5 million in dividends, against $234.6 million. Source
  • Share count reduced: Shares outstanding were 312.0 million at September 30, 2026, against 315.7 million at December 31, 2025. Source
  • New borrowings matched repayments: The company issued $607.7 million of borrowings and made $600.0 million of principal payments in the nine months. Total borrowings were $2,888.1 million. Source
  • Cash balance lower at quarter end: Cash and cash equivalents were $1,098.0 million at September 30, 2026, against $1,234.4 million at December 31, 2025. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Beyond strategy progress continues: Management said the company continues to make progress against its Beyond strategy in the second half of the year. Source
  • Growth investments in digital and AI: Named investments include digital capabilities, AI across key operational processes, and stablecoin and next-generation money movement initiatives. Source
  • Dual-track strategy since second quarter: The prior quarter described a dual-track strategy: reducing operating expenses while investing in digital products and consumer services.

Coming up, as management said on 4 November 2026

  • Intermex termination date November 10: Either party may terminate the Merger Agreement if the Merger is not completed by November 10, 2026. Source
  • Russia sale closing expected: Management anticipates closing the Russian asset sale as soon as reasonably practicable, once remaining closing conditions are met. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
CMT transactions (millions), third quarter Source72.1 million
Branded Digital transactions, YoY growth Source21%
Cross-border principal, as reported Source$27.3 billion

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management's forecast assumptions exclude material changes in macroeconomic conditions, including immigration policies, currencies, Argentina inflation and Middle East conflict. Source
  • Financial: The GAAP tax rate rose to 19% from 17%, due to changes in forecast full-year pre-tax income and the expected geographic mix of income. Source
  • Demand: Management cited volatility in Iraq-originated revenue and disruptions in offering services there, and excludes Iraq revenue from some comparisons. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The Beyond efficiency program was described as previously announced in July 2026. Its one-time costs were recorded this quarter. Source
  • Not stated: The prior quarter said cost reductions would be accelerated in the second half of the year.
  • Delayed: The prior quarter described the delayed close of Intermex as pushing out expected synergies.

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.