Western Union Reports Solid First Quarter Results

25/04/2007 - 11:23

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) today reported financial
results for the first quarter.

Highlights for the first quarter include:

-- Revenue of $1.1 billion, up 8%

-- Earnings per share of $0.25

-- Cash provided by operating activities, strong at $287 million

-- Operating income margin of 27%

-- Opened 300,000th agent location, finished quarter with more
than 305,000 agent locations

Commenting on the quarter, President and CEO Christina Gold said,
"We are pleased to have delivered solid EPS with strong cash flow this
quarter. Our international consumer-to-consumer business, which
accounts for more than 60% of total revenue, continued its strong
performance. Our consumer-to-business segment posted solid 13% revenue
growth, with an operating income margin exceeding 30%. Also during the
quarter, we added key agents in both send and receive markets,
implemented new pricing and foreign exchange strategies, and we
connected with our consumers through media campaigns, sponsorships,
and grassroots marketing initiatives."

Revenue growth in the first quarter was slightly slower than
expected as a result of the ongoing challenges within the U.S.
domestic, Mexico and U.S. outbound markets as well as lower revenue
from westernunion.com, the company's Internet service, in the U.S.,
where Western Union and card issuing banks implemented additional
controls to help protect themselves and consumers from credit and
debit card fraud.

Gold noted, "We are confident that we understand the market
dynamics and we believe that we are taking the appropriate steps to
improve growth within these markets. We have a talented new leadership
team in our Americas businesses, and I am pleased with the direction
and decisions these leaders have taken in the past few weeks."

In the first quarter, total consumer-to-consumer revenue grew 8%
to $926 million on transaction growth of 14%. Within this segment, the
international business continued to deliver strong results including
transaction growth of 21% and revenue growth of 15%. Two key markets,
India and China, continue their robust growth. China posted
transaction growth in excess of 25%, while India transactions
increased approximately 95% from a year ago.

The Mexico transaction growth rates, which continue to be impacted
by the immigration debate in the U.S., increased 2%, showing signs of
stabilization particularly within the Vigo and Orlandi Valuta brands.
The stabilization is the result of the strategy to add distribution,
increase advertising, engage in community outreach as well as tighten
foreign exchange spreads.

Domestic transactions, which also continue to be impacted by
general market softness as well as concerns about U.S. immigration,
declined 6% from a year ago. This is a slight improvement from the
fourth quarter of last year.

The impact of the immigration situation in the U.S. began in the
second quarter of 2006 and therefore, year-over-year comparables for
the Domestic and Mexico businesses begin to ease going forward.

A cornerstone of Western Union's strategy is to attract and retain
key agents. The company ended the quarter with over 305,000 agent
locations. Banamex, a key agent in Mexico, signed Farmacias
Guadalajara with 450 locations. Also in Mexico, Orlandi Valuta and
Vigo launched services in over 200 Soriana supermarkets. Angelo Costa,
an agent in Italy, signed Capitalia Group, Italy's third largest
banking group. In Spain, Caixa Galicia, a bank with more than 750
locations, became an agent. Also in the first quarter, the Tunisia
Post, which represents 1,000 locations, renewed its agreement.

The consumer-to-business segment grew revenue 13% to $182 million,
including $15 million of revenue from the December 2006 Servicio
Electronico De Pago S.A. (SEPSA) acquisition. Operating profit grew 4%
and operating income margin was 33%. The SEPSA acquisition is on track
to achieve its 2007 goals.

First quarter operating income of $305 million and the 27%
operating income margin included $15 million of incremental
independent public company expenses compared to the first quarter of
2006. Net income of $193 million included $48 million in incremental
pre-tax interest expense compared to the first quarter of 2006. The
effective tax rate for the quarter was approximately 31.5%.

During the first quarter, Western Union repurchased 5.2 million
shares for $113 million at an average cost of $21.70 per share. Under
Western Union's stock buyback program, $867 million is available to
repurchase stock through 2008. Capital expenditures were $38 million.

Outlook

Management continues to expect 2007 GAAP EPS to be in the range of
$1.07 to $1.11. Management now believes that full-year GAAP revenue
growth will be in the range of 10% to 11%, down from the previously
provided guidance of 11% to 13%. Impacting the revenue growth in 2007
are several factors. As noted above, the company has appointed new
management to run its businesses in the Americas. The new team has
strategies and plans in place aimed at improving growth and business
trends. The company will continue to implement pricing actions in
support of the Americas strategy and as part of the day-to-day
management of the business. Investments in foreign exchange rates and
fee reductions are expected to be about 3.5% of total revenue in 2007,
an increase from 2006. Further, while westernunion.com continues to
grow, the company's and card issuing banks' implementation of
fraud-prevention measures in the United States has resulted in a loss
of transactions and a $20 million to $30 million reduction in the 2007
revenue projection for westernunion.com. These factors will also
impact operating income growth. Management now estimates that
operating income growth on a GAAP basis will be at the low end of the
previously stated range. Operating income growth excluding incremental
independent public company expenses is expected to be at the low end
of the previously stated range. As investments made in the first half
of 2007, particularly within the Americas businesses, take hold,
management anticipates revenue and operating income growth to
accelerate in the second half of the year.

The EPS range includes incremental independent public company
expenses of less than $60 million, an improvement from the previous
range of $60 million to $65 million. The EPS range also includes
approximately $100 million net expense from interest expense, interest
income and other income, an improvement of $10 million from the
previous guidance. The 2007 full-year tax rate is expected to be
closer to 31%, down from 32%, as a result of increased foreign-derived
operating income. Cash provided by operating activities is still
expected to be approximately $900 million.

Gold added, "Western Union is well-positioned for future growth.
We have an unparalleled distribution network, recognized brands,
world-class talent, and a compelling market opportunity. With a strong
focus on our consumers and our markets and newly energized leadership
in key markets, we are confident that we are taking the right actions
to generate value for our shareholders. The investments that we are
making are designed to address the challenges we face in the U.S. and
Mexico businesses as well as the opportunities ahead of us in the
consumer-to-consumer and consumer-to-business international markets.
The strength of our international business combined with the
investments we are making to improve our U.S. businesses and the
easier comparisons beginning in the second quarter, provide me with
confidence in our ability to improve growth in the second half of this
year."

Investor and Analyst Conference

Western Union President and CEO Christina Gold will host a
conference call and webcast at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time today. Joining
Christina on the conference call will be Scott Scheirman, Executive
Vice President and CFO.

To listen to the conference call live via telephone, dial
866-356-3093(U.S.) or +1-617-597-5381 (outside the U.S.) ten minutes
prior to the start of the call. The pass code is 86309562.

The conference call will also be available via webcast at
www.westernunion.com. Registration for the event is required, so
please allow at least five minutes to register prior to the scheduled
start time.

A replay of the call will be available one hour after the call
ends through May 1, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time at 888-286-8010
(U.S.) or +1-617-801-6888 (outside the U.S.). The pass code is
85008539. A webcast replay will be available at www.westernunion.com
for the same time period.

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.

Definition of Incremental Independent Public Company Expenses

Incremental independent public company expenses relate to staffing
additions and related costs to replace First Data support, corporate
governance, information technology, corporate branding and global
public affairs, benefits and payroll administration, procurement,
workforce reorganization, stock compensation, and other expenses
related to being a stand-alone public company as well as recruiting
and relocation expenses associated with hiring key management
positions new to Western Union, other employee compensation expenses
and temporary labor used to develop ongoing processes. These expenses
are those in excess of amounts allocated to the company by First Data
prior to September 29, 2006 or beyond amounts that the company
presumes First Data would have allocated subsequently thereto. The
company expects most of these expenses will continue to be incurred in
future periods.

Safe Harbor Compliance Statement for Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding
projected future results. Forward-looking statements include all
statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts,
and generally can be identified by the use of words such as "may,"
"believe," "will," "expect," "project," "estimate," "anticipate,"
"plan," "could," "would," "likely," "intend" or "continue". All
forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based
on various expectations and assumptions concerning future events and
they are subject to numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties
which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from
those projected. These factors include, but are not limited to: the
impact of our spin-off from First Data Corporation; changes in
immigration laws, patterns and other factors related to immigrants;
the integration of significant businesses and technologies we acquire
and realization of anticipated synergies from these acquisitions;
technological changes, particularly with respect to e-commerce; our
ability to attract and retain qualified key employees; changes in
laws, regulations or industry standards affecting our businesses;
changes in foreign exchange rates or spreads, including those
applicable to money transfer transactions; changes in the political or
economic climate in countries in which we operate; continued growth in
the consumer money transfer market and other markets in which we
operate at rates approximating recent levels; our ability to compete
effectively in the money transfer industry with respect to global and
niche or corridor money transfer providers, United States and
international banks, card associations, card-based payments providers
and a number of other types of competitive service providers; our
ability to maintain our agent network; implementation of Western Union
agent agreements according to schedule; no interruption of government
relations with countries in which Western Union has or is implementing
material agent agreements; successfully managing the potential both
for patent protection and patent liability in the context of rapidly
developing legal framework for expansive software patent protection;
successfully managing credit and fraud risks from our agents and from
consumers; unanticipated developments relating to lawsuits,
investigations or similar matters; catastrophic events; and any
material breach of security of any of our systems.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global money
transfer services. Together with its affiliates, Orlandi Valuta and
Vigo, Western Union provides consumers with fast, reliable and
convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, as well as
send payments and purchase money orders. It operates through a network
of more than 305,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and
territories. Famous for its pioneering telegraph services, the
original Western Union dates back to 1851. For more information, visit
www.westernunion.com.

WU-F

WU-G

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THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in millions, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

Three Months
Ended March 31,
------------------------
2007 2006 Change
-------- -------- ------
Revenues:
Transaction fees $930.1 $869.9 7%
Foreign exchange revenue 166.6 144.5 15%
Commission and other revenues 34.3 28.6 20%
-------- --------
Total revenues 1,131.0 1,043.0 8%

Expenses:
Cost of services 645.6 557.8 16%
Selling, general and administrative 180.8 172.5 5%
-------- --------
Total expenses (b) 826.4 730.3 13%

Operating income 304.6 312.7 -3%

Interest expense (b) (48.0) (0.4) (a)
Interest income 19.5 5.5 (a)
Interest income from First Data, net - 11.5 (a)
Derivative gains/(losses), net 1.7 (5.6) (a)
Foreign exchange effect on notes
receivable from First Data, net - (0.8) (a)
Other income, net 4.3 2.0 (a)
-------- --------
Total other (expense) / income (22.5) 12.2 (a)
-------- --------

Income before income taxes 282.1 324.9 -13%
Provision for income taxes 88.9 105.1 -15%
-------- --------

Net income $193.2 $219.8 -12%
======== ========

Earnings per share:
Basic $0.25 $0.29 -14%
Diluted $0.25 $0.29 -14%

Weighted-average shares outstanding: (c)
Basic 768.2 763.9
Diluted 783.3 763.9

(a) Calculation not meaningful

(b) During first quarter 2007, Western Union incurred higher corporate
overhead and interest costs, many of which are recurring, as a result
of its separation from First Data. Prior to September 29, 2006, the
businesses that comprise Western Union were wholly-owned subsidiaries
of First Data.

(c) For all periods prior to September 29, 2006 (date of spin-off from
First Data), basic and diluted earnings per share are computed
utilizing the shares outstanding at September 29, 2006.
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THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)

March 31, December 31,
2007 2006
---------- ------------
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $1,561.0 $1,421.7
Settlement assets 1,203.3 1,284.2
Property and equipment, net of accumulated
depreciation
of $223.2 and $213.1, respectively 187.9 176.1
Goodwill 1,647.1 1,648.0
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated
amortization
of $228.8 and $211.4, respectively 280.6 287.7
Other assets 474.0 503.4
---------- ------------
Total assets $5,353.9 $5,321.1
========== ============

Liabilities and Stockholders' (Deficiency)
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $583.7 $554.8
Settlement obligations 1,201.5 1,282.5
Pension obligations 52.8 52.9
Deferred tax liability, net 267.1 274.8
Borrowings 3,278.8 3,323.5
Other liabilities 142.4 147.4
---------- ------------
Total liabilities 5,526.3 5,635.9

Stockholders' (Deficiency):
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; 10 shares
authorized; no shares issued - -
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 2,000 shares
authorized; 772.7 shares and 772.0 shares
issued, respectively 7.7 7.7
Capital deficiency (418.3) (437.1)
Retained earnings 385.2 208.0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (68.1) (73.5)
Less: Treasury Stock at cost, 3.8 shares and
0.9 shares, respectively (78.9) (19.9)
---------- ------------
Total Stockholders' (Deficiency) (172.4) (314.8)
---------- ------------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders'
(Deficiency) $5,353.9 $5,321.1
========== ============
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THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
(unaudited)

Three Months
Ended March 31,
-----------------
2007 2006
--------- -------

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $193.2 $219.8
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation 11.1 8.4
Amortization 19.3 16.2
Deferred income tax provision - 4.1
Realized gain on derivative instruments - (7.6)
Other non-cash items, net 12.5 8.2
Increase (decrease) in cash, excluding the
effects of acquisitions and dispositions,
resulting from changes in:
Other assets 27.9 (13.7)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 29.6 (28.6)
Other liabilities (6.5) (1.3)
--------- -------
Net cash provided by operating activities 287.1 205.5

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capitalization of contract costs (4.4) (69.0)
Capitalization of purchased and developed software (7.6) (0.8)
Purchases of property and equipment (25.9) (20.2)
Notes receivable issued to agents (5.6) (140.0)
Repayments of notes receivable issued to agents 4.8 -
Cash received on maturity of foreign currency
forwards - 7.6
--------- -------
Net cash used in investing activities (38.7) (222.4)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net repayments of commercial paper (42.7) -
Repayments of net borrowings under credit facilities (2.0) -
Proceeds from exercise of options 48.2 -
Purchase of treasury shares (112.6) -
Advances from affiliates of First Data - 107.5
Repayments of notes payable to First Data - (98.8)
Additions to notes receivable from First Data - (7.5)
--------- -------
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities (109.1) 1.2

Net change in cash and cash equivalents 139.3 (15.7)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 1,421.7 510.2
--------- -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $1,561.0 $494.5
========= =======
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THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY
SUMMARY SEGMENT DATA
(in millions)
(unaudited)

Three Months
Ended March 31,
----------------------------
2007 2006 Change
--------- --------- -------
Revenues:
Consumer-to-Consumer:
External revenue
Transaction fees $751.2 $705.5 6%
Foreign exchange revenue 166.3 144.3 15%
Other revenues 8.8 7.0 26%
--------- ---------
Total Consumer-to-Consumer: 926.3 856.8 8%

Consumer-to-Business:
External revenue
Transaction fees 168.8 151.3 12%
Other revenues 13.4 10.5 28%
--------- ---------
Total Consumer-to-Business: 182.2 161.8 13%

Other:
External revenue 22.5 24.4 -8%
Internal revenue - 0.9 (a)
--------- ---------
Total Other: 22.5 25.3 -11%

Eliminations - (0.9) (a)
--------- ---------
Total revenues $1,131.0 $1,043.0 8%
========= =========

Operating income:
Consumer-to-Consumer $238.7 $247.1 -3%
Consumer-to-Business 60.9 58.7 4%
Other 5.0 6.9 (a)
--------- ---------
Total operating income $304.6 $312.7 -3%
========= =========

Operating profit margin:
Consumer-to-Consumer 25.8% 28.8% -3 pts
Consumer-to-Business 33.4% 36.3% -3 pts
Other 22.2% 27.3% (a)
Total operating profit margin 26.9% 30.0% -3 pts

Depreciation and Amortization:
Consumer-to-Consumer $23.4 $18.8 24%
Consumer-to-Business 6.2 4.6 35%
Other 0.8 1.2 -33%
--------- ---------
Total depreciation and amortization $30.4 $24.6 24%
========= =========

(a) Calculation not meaningful
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THE WESTERN UNION COMPANY
KEY INDICATORS
(in millions)
(Unaudited)

Three Months
Ended March 31,
----------------------------
2007 2006 Change
----------------------------

Transactions
Consumer-to-Consumer 37.8 33.3 14%
Consumer-to-Business 100.4 61.2 64%

Revenue
Consumer-to-Consumer 926.3 856.8 8%
Consumer-to-Business 182.2 161.8 13%

Three Months
Ended March 31, 2007
----------------------------
Consumer-to-Consumer Transaction Growth
International (a) 21%
Domestic (b) -6%
Mexico (c) 2%
Consumer-to-Consumer 14%

Consumer-to-Consumer Revenue Growth
International (a) 15%
Domestic (b) -11%
Mexico (c) -7%
Consumer-to-Consumer 8%

Three Months
Ended March 31, 2007
----------------------------
Including Excluding
SEPSA SEPSA
----------------------------
Consumer-to-Business Transaction Growth 64% 2%

Consumer-to-Business Revenue Growth 13% 4%

(a) Represents transactions between and within foreign countries
(excluding Canada and Mexico), transactions originated in the United
States or Canada destined for foreign countries and foreign country
transactions destined for the United States or Canada. Excludes all
transactions between or within the United States and Canada and all
transactions to and from Mexico as reflected in (b) and (c) below.

(b) Represents all transactions between and within the United States
and Canada.