Also, transaction specialist Western Union Co. (WU) returned –6.85% due to disappointing guidance. Its quarterly earnings report was solid, with earnings and revenues both above consensus. At the same time, however, the company signaled that costs for regulatory and compliance investments would be higher than expected. As a result, management expects operating profit to be flat next year, and share buybacks will be minimal. Management had been returning capital to shareowners at a steady clip: Through the first three quarters of 2013, the company returned nearly $550 million to shareholders through dividends and buybacks. Admittedly Western Union has had a difficult couple of years, but we think its economic moati is firmly in place, even though most analysts seem to be looking right past it.
From John Rogers (Trades, Portfolio)' Ariel Investments fourth quarter 2013 commentary.
