Acquisition Overview - Western Union Company (WU) has agreed to acquire International Money Express, Inc. (Intermex) for $16 per share, representing a 50% premium, with a total deal value of $500 million [1][9] - The acquisition is aimed at strengthening WU's position in high-growth remittance corridors, particularly in Latin America, where demand for cross-border transfers is strong [2] Strategic Importance - Intermex specializes in cross-border money transfers, especially between the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean, making it a strategic fit for WU's expansion plans [2] - The deal is expected to close in the middle of next year and will allow WU to serve Intermex's 6 million customers, generating meaningful synergies [3] Financial Impact - WU anticipates the acquisition will be immediately accretive to adjusted earnings, boosting EPS by more than 10 cents in the first full fiscal year [4] - The company expects to generate $30 million in annual run-rate cost synergies within the first two years following the deal's closure [3][9] Market Context - The premium price reflects WU's confidence in long-term value creation and its strategy to stay ahead of peers in the growing remittance industry [5] - The U.S. Remittance Market is projected to witness a CAGR of 12.07% from 2025 to 2034, indicating strong growth potential in the sector [5] Peer Comparison - WU's peers include Euronet Worldwide, Inc. and Remitly Global, Inc., both of which are also expanding their services in the global money transfer market [6] - Euronet's Money Transfer unit reported a 4% increase in total transactions year-over-year, while Remitly Global saw a 24% increase in active customers and a 40% increase in send volume [7][8]