Western Union Reports First Quarter 2022 Results

First quarter GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of $0.74, adjusted EPS of $0.51, 20.5% GAAP operating margin, 21.8% adjusted operating margin excluding Business Solutions

Proceeds received from Business Solutions sale

2022 financial outlook revised due to suspension of services in Russia, Belarus, and related impacts

DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments, today reported first quarter 2022 financial results and updated its full year financial outlook.

The Company’s first quarter revenue of $1.2 billion declined 4% on a reported basis, or 1% on a constant currency basis excluding the contribution from Business Solutions, compared to the prior year period. Argentina inflation benefited revenue growth by approximately 1 percentage point. First quarter revenue was impacted by a decline in retail money transfer, as well as the suspension of services in Russia and Belarus.

GAAP EPS in the first quarter was $0.74, compared to $0.44 in the prior year period. The year-over-year increase in GAAP EPS was primarily due to partial recognition of the gain on the sale of Business Solutions.

Adjusted EPS in the first quarter was $0.51, compared to $0.44 in the prior year period. Year-over-year growth in adjusted EPS was driven by higher operating margin and share repurchases, partially offset by a higher effective tax rate. For a full reconciliation between GAAP and Adjusted EPS, please see the “Adjustment Items” section of this press release.

“As I continue my assessment of Western Union’s business and its unique assets, I remain optimistic about the potential of the brand, the platform, and the market opportunity,” said Devin McGranahan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Western Union. “Our long-term strategy development process is continuing, and I look forward to sharing in greater detail our plans for the future at our Investor Day which we will host in New York City in the fall.”

“In late-March, we suspended Western Union operations in Russia and Belarus due to the conflict in Ukraine. We are saddened by the current situation and recognize the harm to our colleagues, customers, agents, and partners who have been impacted. As a result of suspending business in those countries, we have revised our 2022 financial outlook downward.”

CFO Raj Agrawal stated, “Our business continues to deliver strong operating cash flows and our financial position was further strengthened from the Business Solutions sale proceeds. As we consider strategic options to deploy the proceeds, we strengthened our balance sheet, and returned over $240 million to shareholders through a combination of dividends and share repurchases.”

Q1 Business Highlights

• Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C) revenues declined 5% on a reported basis or 3% on a constant currency basis, while transactions declined 4% compared to the prior year period. Regionally, transaction declines in North America, Europe and CIS, and APAC were partially offset by transaction growth in MEASA and LACA.
• Digital money transfer revenues increased 5% on a reported basis, or 6% constant currency, and represented 25% and 37% of total C2C revenues and transactions, respectively. Westernunion.com revenue grew 4% on a reported basis, or 5% on a constant currency basis, including cross-border revenue growth of 7%. As expected, digital growth moderated, given the significant demand the Company experienced in 2020 and the first half of 2021.
• The Company completed the first closing of its divestiture of Business Solutions on March 1, 2022, concurrently receiving the entire proceeds for the transaction. The second closing is expected to be completed in the second half of 2022, subject to regulatory approvals. Until the second closing, the Company will recognize revenue, operating profit, and contractual profit payments to the buyers for the business in the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Q1 Financial Highlights

• GAAP operating margin in the quarter was 20.5%, compared to 19.2% in the prior year period. The adjusted operating margin was 21.8% compared to 19.3% in the prior year period, with the prior year negatively impacted by 30 basis points from the inclusion of Business Solutions. The increase in adjusted operating margin was primarily due to the timing of investments, product and channel mix, and changes in foreign currency. For a detailed reconciliation between GAAP and Adjusted operating margin, please see the “Adjustment Items” section of this press release.
• The GAAP effective tax rate in the quarter was 19.0%, compared to 10.4% in the prior year period, and the adjusted effective tax rate was 13.0% in the quarter, compared to 10.5% in the prior year period. The increase in the Company’s GAAP effective tax rate was primarily due to the sale of the Company’s Business Solutions business, discrete benefits in the prior period not recurring in the current period, and the Company’s decision to suspend its operations in Russia and Belarus.
• Cash flow from operating activities for the quarter was $200 million. The Company returned $242 million to shareholders in the first quarter, consisting of $92 million in dividends and $150 million of share repurchases.

2022 Outlook

Today, the Company updated its full year 2022 financial outlook due to suspension of operations in Russia and Belarus and other related impacts.

GAAP figures reflect an expected partial year of Business Solutions ownership including contractual payments to the buyers, representing profits between the first and second closings, associated divestiture and acquisition costs, exit costs, and an estimated pre-tax gain of approximately $270 million for the full year, of which $151 million was recognized in the first quarter and the remainder is expected to occur in the second half of 2022, subject to regulatory and working capital adjustments.

Adjusted revenue growth and operating margin exclude contributions from Business Solutions. In addition, adjusted operating margin excludes associated divestiture and acquisition costs, Business Solutions exit costs, as well as costs related to the exit from Russia and Belarus. The adjusted effective tax rate and EPS exclude the expected gain on sale, divestiture and acquisition costs, Business Solutions exit costs, and exit costs from Russia and Belarus.

Adjustment Items

Adjusted constant currency revenue growth metrics for 2022 exclude contributions from Business Solutions as the Company entered into an agreement to sell the business in 2021 and the first of two closings occurred on March 1, 2022. Adjusted operating profit metrics for 2022 exclude contributions from Business Solutions, acquisition and divestitures costs, Russia and Belarus exit costs, and Business Solutions exit costs. Adjusted tax rate and earnings per share metrics for 2022 periods exclude the following items and the related taxes, as applicable: acquisition and divestiture costs, Russia and Belarus exit costs, Business Solutions exit costs, and gain on the sale of Business Solutions.

Adjusted constant currency revenue growth metrics for 2021 exclude contributions from Business Solutions. Adjusted operating profit metrics for 2021 periods exclude acquisition and divestiture costs. Adjusted tax rate and earnings per share metrics for 2021 periods exclude the following items and the related taxes, as applicable: acquisition and divestiture costs (all quarters), the impact from the gain on an investment sale (second quarter), debt retirement expenses (second quarter), Business Solutions change in permanent reinvestment tax assertion (third quarter), and non-cash expenses associated with the termination of the Company’s pension plan (fourth quarter).

Additional Statistics

Additional key statistics for the quarter and historical trends can be found in the supplemental tables included with this press release.

All amounts included in the supplemental tables to this press release are rounded to the nearest tenth of a million, except as otherwise noted. As a result, the percentage changes and margins disclosed herein may not recalculate precisely using the rounded amounts provided.

Non-GAAP Measures

Western Union presents a number of non-GAAP financial measures because management believes that these metrics provide meaningful supplemental information in addition to the GAAP metrics and provide comparability and consistency to prior periods. Constant currency results assume foreign revenues are translated from foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar, net of the effect of foreign currency hedges, at rates consistent with those in the prior year.

Reconciliations of non-GAAP to comparable GAAP measures are available in the accompanying schedules and in the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s website at https://ir.westernunion.com.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)

Western Union is committed to making a positive impact. For more details on how Western Union is addressing some of the most pressing issues facing society, our shared environment, and our Company, please view our latest ESG report: https://corporate.westernunion.com/esg.

Investor and Analyst Conference Call and Slide Presentation

The Company will host a conference call and webcast, including slides, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time today. To listen to the conference call via telephone, dial +1 (669) 900-6833 or +1 (253) 215-8782 fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call, followed by the meeting ID, which is 979 6440 0760 and the passcode, which is 455210. Alternatively, you can join by clicking the link here.

The conference call and accompanying slides will be available via webcast at https://ir.westernunion.com. Registration for the event is required, so please register at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

A webcast replay will be available at https://ir.westernunion.com.

Please note: All statements made by Western Union officers on this call are the property of Western Union and subject to copyright protection. Other than the replay, Western Union has not authorized, and disclaims responsibility for, any recording, replay or distribution of any transcription of this call.

Safe Harbor Compliance Statement for Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, our forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “targets,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “guides,” “provides guidance,” “provides outlook,” and other similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” and “might” are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Readers of this press release of The Western Union Company (the “Company,” “Western Union,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) should not rely solely on the forward-looking statements and should consider all uncertainties and risks discussed in the Risk Factors section and throughout the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. The statements are only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

Possible events or factors that could cause results or performance to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include the following: (i) events related to our Business and industry, such as: changes in general economic conditions and economic conditions in the regions and industries in which we operate, including global economic downturns and trade disruptions, or significantly slower growth or declines in the money transfer, payment service, and other markets in which we operate, including downturns or declines related to interruptions in migration patterns or other events, such as public health emergencies, epidemics, or pandemics, such as COVID-19, civil unrest, war, terrorism, natural disasters, or non-performance by our banks, lenders, insurers, or other financial services providers; failure to compete effectively in the money transfer and payment service industry, including among other things, with respect to price, with global and niche or corridor money transfer providers, banks and other money transfer and payment service providers, including digital, mobile and internet-based services, card associations, and card-based payment providers, and with digital currencies and related exchanges and protocols, and other innovations in technology and business models; geopolitical tensions, political conditions and related actions, including trade restrictions and government sanctions, which may adversely affect our business and economic conditions as a whole, including interruptions of United States or other government relations with countries in which we have or are implementing significant business relationships with agents, clients, or other partners; deterioration in customer confidence in our business, or in money transfer and payment service providers generally; failure to maintain our agent network and business relationships under terms consistent with or more advantageous to us than those currently in place; our ability to adopt new technology and develop and gain market acceptance of new and enhanced services in response to changing industry and consumer needs or trends; mergers, acquisitions, and the integration of acquired businesses and technologies into our Company, divestitures, and the failure to realize anticipated financial benefits from these transactions, and events requiring us to write down our goodwill; decisions to change our business mix; changes in, and failure to manage effectively, exposure to foreign exchange rates, including the impact of the regulation of foreign exchange spreads on money transfers and payment transactions; changes in tax laws, or their interpretation, any subsequent regulation, and potential related state income tax impacts, and unfavorable resolution of tax contingencies; any material breach of security, including cybersecurity, or safeguards of or interruptions in any of our systems or those of our vendors or other third parties; cessation of or defects in various services provided to us by third-party vendors; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits from restructuring-related initiatives, which may include decisions to downsize or to transition operating activities from one location to another, and to minimize any disruptions in our workforce that may result from those initiatives; failure to manage credit and fraud risks presented by our agents, clients, and consumers; adverse rating actions by credit rating agencies; our ability to protect our trademarks, patents, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights, and to defend ourselves against potential intellectual property infringement claims; our ability to attract and retain qualified key employees and to manage our workforce successfully; material changes in the market value or liquidity of securities that we hold; restrictions imposed by our debt obligations; (ii) events related to our regulatory and litigation environment, such as: liabilities or loss of business resulting from a failure by us, our agents, or their subagents to comply with laws and regulations and regulatory or judicial interpretations thereof, including laws and regulations designed to protect consumers, or detect and prevent money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud, and other illicit activity; increased costs or loss of business due to regulatory initiatives and changes in laws, regulations and industry practices and standards, including changes in interpretations, in the United States and abroad, affecting us, our agents or their subagents, or the banks with which we or our agents maintain bank accounts needed to provide our services, including related to anti-money laundering regulations, anti-fraud measures, our licensing arrangements, customer due diligence, agent and subagent due diligence, registration and monitoring requirements, consumer protection requirements, remittances, and immigration; liabilities, increased costs or loss of business and unanticipated developments resulting from governmental investigations and consent agreements with or enforcement actions by regulators; liabilities resulting from litigation, including class-action lawsuits and similar matters, and regulatory enforcement actions, including costs, expenses, settlements, and judgments; failure to comply with regulations and evolving industry standards regarding consumer privacy, data use, the transfer of personal data between jurisdictions, and information security, including with respect to the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) in the European Union (“EU”) and the California Consumer Privacy Act; failure to comply with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), as well as regulations issued pursuant to it and the actions of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) and similar legislation and regulations enacted by other governmental authorities in the United States and abroad related to consumer protection and derivative transactions; effects of unclaimed property laws or their interpretation or the enforcement thereof; failure to maintain sufficient amounts or types of regulatory capital or other restrictions on the use of our working capital to meet the changing requirements of our regulators worldwide; changes in accounting standards, rules and interpretations, or industry standards affecting our business; (iii) other events, such as catastrophic events; and management’s ability to identify and manage these and other risks.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments. Western Union’s platform provides seamless cross-border flows and its leading global financial network bridges more than 200 countries and territories and over 130 currencies. We connect consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments through one of the world’s widest reaching networks, accessing billions of bank accounts, millions of digital wallets and cards, and a substantial global network of retail locations. Western Union connects the world to bring boundless possibilities within reach. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

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Contacts

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[email protected]

Investor Relations:
Tom Hadley

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