Western Union has reported a net loss of $1.12bn for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to a net loss of $355m in the year ago quarter.

The company said that results were impacted by the overhaul of the US tax rule and a $464m goodwill impairment charge.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

The company also noted that it booked a $571m expense for settlement agreements with federal and state governments.

The company posted an operating loss of $253m for the quarter, compared to a loss of $314m a year ago.

The company’s operating margin for the fourth quarter stood at 17.6% as against 22.9% a year earlier.

The company generated revenue of $1.44bn during the quarter, up 5% from $1.37bn in the fourth quarter of 2016.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The company’s Consumer -to-Consumer (C2C) unit revenues rose 5% on a reported basis, or 4% on a constant currency basis. Transactions increased 3%, driven by growth in westernunion.com.

Westernunion.com C2C revenues surged 22% on both a reported and constant currency basis, on transaction growth of 22%.

Western Union Business Solutions revenues dropped 4%, or 8% on a constant currency basis, mainly owing to declines in Europe.

Other revenues, which primarily consist of the U.S. and Argentina bill payments businesses, soared 11%, or 14% on a constant currency basis. The company attributed the growth to the Speedpay US electronic and Pago Facil Argentina walk-in bill payments businesses.

Western Union president and CEO Hikmet Ersek said: “Our consumer money transfer revenue growth accelerated in the fourth quarter, and our business continued to demonstrate resilience.

“Solid business performance was again led by our digital channel, as westernunion.com money transfer delivered a 22% revenue increase and represented 10% of our total consumer-to-consumer business in the quarter.”