Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.
Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.
UBS is sticking with a 'Sell' rating on WPP PLC (LSE:WPP) despite Tuesday's better-than-expected first-quarter update, with the Swiss bank arguing that the advertising group's near-term recovery story still lacks a catalyst. The broker left its 12-month price target unchanged at 210p, versus a share price of 259p in the note, implying 18.8% forecast price downside before dividends.
WPP plc (WPP) Q1 2026 Sales/Trading Call Transcript
WPP PLC (LSE:WPP) shares were searching for direction after the advertising group reported a decline in first-quarter revenue but said performance was in line with expectations as it reiterated full-year guidance. Revenue came in at £3 billion, down 6.6% on a reported basis and 4.0% on a like-for-like basis.
WPP PLC faces further earnings pressure in 2026 despite a new medium-term growth plan, according to Deutsche Bank, which has cut its price target to 425p from 510p while retaining a 'buy' rating. Following the group's full year 2025 results and strategy update last week, analyst Steve Liechti said new chief executive Cindy Rose's 'Elevate28' plan offers a clearer path to mid-term growth, which is positive for a “lowly rated stock with market sentiment at a low”.
WPP plc is a speculative turnaround play with a Buy rating and a £4/share price target, reflecting deep undervaluation. WPP faces ongoing structural challenges, client losses, and slow AI adoption, but manageable debt and cost-cutting support a potential recovery. Even under conservative assumptions — negative AEPS growth, margin pressure, and a halved dividend — WPP could deliver triple-digit returns over two years.
WPP PLC shares fell 4.5% to 260p after the advertising group unveiled a sweeping overhaul and cost-cutting plan as new chief executive Cindy Rose acknowledged recent underperformance and set out a three-year path back to growth. The group, which dropped out of the FTSE 100 in December, said it will move from a holding company structure to a single integrated company, streamlined into four operating units – WPP Media, WPP Creative, WPP Production and WPP Enterprise Solutions – across four regions.
New boss Cindy Rose outlined her plan to lift the advertising group out of the doldrums as the board cut its final dividend to 7.5 pence a share from 24.4 pence a year before.
WPP faces a crisis as it loses major clients and endures a 70% drop. AI disruption risk is overstated for WPP's core market. A recovery in FY2026 could re-rate the stock.
WPP plc is deeply undervalued, trading at a 4.4x P/E, despite recent operational setbacks and sector-wide headwinds. WPP faces execution risk, client losses, and a likely 50% dividend cut, but remains a fundamentally sound, IG-rated business with turnaround potential. My price target for WPP stock is lowered, reflecting a more conservative outlook, but I reiterate a Buy rating for risk-tolerant investors.
WPP PLC (LSE:WPP) shares were up 4.5% at 301.3p in the first half hour of trading on Monday, a sharp rebound that comes just as predators are reported to be sizing up the battered advertising group. The Sunday Times revealed that France's Havas has held high-level discussions about a possible move, while private equity houses Apollo and KKR have also examined parts of the business.