Marqeta Inc vs Western Union Co — how do they compare? Marqeta Inc trades at $17.21 (market cap $1.85B), while Western Union Co trades at $8.9 (market cap $2.71B). The key difference: Western Union Co is the larger of the two by market cap, and Western Union Co pays a 10.85% dividend while Marqeta Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| MQ | WU | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $1.85B | $2.71B |
Sector | Technology | Technology |
52-Week High | $27.32 | $10.28 |
52-Week Low | $15.04 | $7.04 |
Enterprise Value | $1.15B | $2.40B |
Dividend Yield | — | 10.85% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
MQ trades at $17.44, down slightly by 0.29% today. The stock shows a bullish technical trend with strong moving average signals, though RSI levels suggest potential overbought conditions. Recent financials reveal revenue growth to $624.88M in 2025, but profitability remains weak with a net margin of -2.23%. The company's expansion into Europe with Expensify and a recent 4:1 reverse stock split are key developments. Analyst consensus is a 'Buy' with a $19.00 price target, indicating modest upside potential.
MQ presents a cautious opportunity with growth initiatives offset by profitability challenges. The stock's high P/E of 439 reflects investor optimism on future earnings, but thin margins and inconsistent quarterly results pose risks. Upside depends on successful execution of European expansion and sustained revenue growth, while downside risks include competitive pressures and failure to achieve profitability. Institutional sentiment is mixed, with 59% of analysts recommending 'Hold'.
Western Union (WU) trades at $8.46, down 4.73% on the day, with a bullish technical signal but mixed sentiment. The stock shows attractive valuation metrics with a P/E of 6.37 and P/S of 0.69, supported by strong profitability including a 10.88% net margin and 47.66% ROE. Recent developments include a partnership with Total Wireless and pending acquisition of Intermex, while Q1 2026 earnings missed expectations. Cash flow trends show volatility, with 2025 net cash flow negative $469.2 million.
Outlook remains cautious due to declining revenue trends and mixed analyst ratings, with 58% hold recommendations. The 11% dividend yield offers income appeal, but competitive pressures and execution risks on digital transformation pose challenges. Near-term catalyst is Q2 2026 results on July 30, 2026, with consensus EPS estimate of $0.43.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Headquartered in Oakland, California, and founded in 2010, Marqeta provides its clients with a card-issuing platform that offers the infrastructure and tools necessary to offer digital, physical, and tokenized payment options without the need for a traditional bank. The company's open APIs are designed to allow third parties like DoorDash, Klarna, and Block to rapidly develop and deploy innovative card-based products and payment services without the need to develop the underlying technology. The company generates revenue primarily through processing and ATM fees for cards issued on its platform.
Read more on MQ →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 →