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Stockchase Opinions

David BurrowsWestern Union Co.WUDON'T BUYJan 08, 2007

A relatively new spin-off. Trades at about 15 X cash flow, relatively inexpensive compared to its competitors. In the last 2-3 months, we have had a strong market and this company has not participated. In a weakening market, the under performers are the first to get hit.
$21.96

Stock price when the opinion was issued

$7.14

As of Jun 18, 2026. Market Open.

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DON'T BUY

He would avoid this. It is a stock that always looks cheap and attractive from a near term financial point of view, but his concern is on longer-term risks on money transfers. A very difficult, long term business with all of the new technology.

COMMENT

Generates a lot of free cash flow. A growing dividend and a low PE. This is a money transfer business, and Wal-Mart (WMT-N) is offering money transfers in their stores, but there is really no comparison. Very attractive, but not his favourite idea.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick March 27/13. Up 14.34%.) A global leader in the money transfer business. Sold his holdings in October. A good business still going forward and a little bit undervalued at these levels. Raised their dividend this year by 20%.

COMMENT

Always has cheap valuations because people compare it to a buggy whip manufacturer and that it will be obliterated by new forms of technology. Their clients are a great number of people who do not have banking services so there will always be a need for this company. Feels there is some value in this one.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick March 27/13. Up 4.76%.)

DON'T BUY

A global franchise which allows you to send money. Typically it is often used by new citizens in a country where they want to mail money back home. An intriguing story because it has a relatively low multiple and a high free cash flow but has proven to be a difficult place to be as a stock. He is concerned with the sustainability of its margins. When they lowered their earnings guidance last fall, and missed their earnings by a small amount, the stock dropped 30%. That risk profile is too high for him.

TOP PICK

Massive free cash flow generator and a global leader in money transfer services. Had a big earnings miss in November and the stock dropped. Inexpensive at only 9X earnings. Dividend yield of 3.4% that should be increased every year. Buying back stock.

COMMENT

Taking a hard look at this. On his radar screens. Took a sickening fall a few months ago when they said they were charging way too much for the money transfers and were losing market share. Now they are right in line with the competitors. A lot of competition, which is the big risk. Valuation is cheap. Nice dividend. Wouldn’t be too concerned about the balance sheet because they don’t need a lot of cash to run the business.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Sept 7/11. Down 17.48%.) A great way to move money around globally. Had a disappointing quarter. Still happy with their current operations and he is adding to their position.

COMMENT
Hadn't looked at this one in detail before but on the surface, it looks very, very interesting. Trading at its lowest multiple since it was spun out 5 years ago at 11X this year's and10X next year's.
TOP PICK
If you don't have a strong 19 relationship and you need to move money in small sums, this is the way you do it. Extremely well managed.
BUY
Great little company, spin off from EDP. Simple story. People need to send out wires. They deal with a large immigrant population. He likes the business model. They generate a lot of returns and it is a growing industry.
TOP PICK
Rapidly growing business. They are all about transfer of money. Well positioned to capitalized upon the core of eCommerce. Less repatriation of money. Much of business involves people working abroad and sending money back.
DON'T BUY
No mis-pricing here. His model price is $8.43. A negative 59% differential. Basically have no equity and the business requires little to no capital. There is no balance sheet there to really protect them.
BUY
Banks offer the same services, so there is a lot of competition. If they can open up faster than the Banks, this will allow them to compete.