Citi Says Buy Western Union (WU)

Citi Investment Research has a Buy rating and a $22 price target on shares of The Western Union Company

, after the company pre-announced earnings yesterday. In the research report, Citi writes, "WU provided preliminary 3Q revenue metrics that are slightly above consensus expectations ahead of its 2010 Investor Day in NYC on Thursday. Revenue trends appear to be improving slowly, which is consistent with our multi-year thesis on modest growth improvements as global economies recover. We continue to like WU ahead of tomorrow's Investor Day, where we expect management to focus on emerging products (mobile, prepaid, etc.) and margin potential for the business." Shares of Western Union gained 4 cents yesterday to close at $17.40.