Diageo plc vs Western Union Co — how do they compare? Diageo plc trades at $82.75 (market cap $45.41B), while Western Union Co trades at $7.98 (market cap $2.46B). The key difference: Diageo plc is far larger — about 18.5× Western Union Co's market cap, and Western Union Co pays the higher dividend (11.93%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| DEO | WU | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $45.41B | $2.46B |
Sector | Technology | Technology |
52-Week High | $115.33 | $10.28 |
52-Week Low | $72.47 | $7.04 |
Enterprise Value | $66.23B | $2.16B |
Dividend Yield | 4.02% | 11.93% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Diageo (DEO) trades at $82.50, up 0.57% today, with a bullish technical trend and strong profitability metrics including a 12.19% net margin and 22.29% ROE. Recent earnings show mixed results with a Q4 2025 beat but a Q2 2025 miss, while analyst sentiment is positive with 49% buy ratings. The stock faces headwinds from weak U.S. spirits demand and promotional pressures, as noted in recent Deutsche Bank and UBS reports from July 2026.
The outlook hinges on management's strategy reset in August 2026 to address U.S. volume declines and margin pressures. Investment appeal lies in its discounted valuation relative to historical multiples and dividend yield, but risks include sustained consumer moderation trends and execution challenges in key markets.
Western Union (WU) trades at $7.87, up 0.38% with a bullish technical signal. The stock shows attractive valuation with P/E of 5.79 and P/S of 0.63, supported by strong profitability metrics including 47.66% ROE. Recent earnings show mixed performance with Q1 2026 miss but Q3 and Q4 2025 beats. The company maintains strategic partnerships with Total Wireless and digital expansion initiatives, though revenue has declined from $4.5B in 2022 to $4.05B in 2025.
WU presents a value opportunity with deep valuation discounts but faces revenue headwinds and competitive pressures. The 11.5% dividend yield provides income support, though high debt levels and declining net income margins warrant caution. Analyst consensus remains mixed with 58% hold ratings, reflecting balanced risk-reward amid digital transformation efforts.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Guinness. It operates a vast portfolio of spirits and beers across more than 180 countries.
Read more on DEO →Western Union provides domestic and international money transfers through its global network of about 500,000 outside agents. It is the largest money transfer company in the world and one of only a few companies with a truly global agent network.
Read more on WU →