WPP plc (NYSE:WPP) Shares Purchased by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in shares of WPP plc (NYSE:WPP - Free Report) by 7.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 484,996 shares of the business services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 35,412 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned 0.22% of WPP worth $24,928,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Assetmark Inc. raised its position in WPP by 52,800.0% in the 4th quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 529 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 528 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its position in WPP by 453.5% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,179 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 966 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in WPP by 92.4% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,247 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $64,000 after purchasing an additional 599 shares during the period. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in WPP in the 3rd quarter worth about $84,000. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its stake in WPP by 57.0% in the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 2,168 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $111,000 after buying an additional 787 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 4.34% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently commented on WPP shares. Kepler Capital Markets raised shares of WPP from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Barclays downgraded shares of WPP from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of WPP in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. They set a "neutral" rating on the stock. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy".

WPP Trading Up 1.8%

NYSE:WPP traded up $0.71 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $40.08. 34,953 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 205,935. The stock's 50-day moving average is $37.81 and its 200-day moving average is $45.88. The firm has a market cap of $8.65 billion, a PE ratio of 6.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.06 and a beta of 1.04. WPP plc has a twelve month low of $31.52 and a twelve month high of $57.37.

WPP Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 7th. Investors of record on Friday, June 6th will be given a dividend of $0.9728 per share. This is a boost from WPP's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.95. This represents a yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 6th. WPP's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 8.04%.

About WPP

WPP plc, a creative transformation company, provides communications, experience, commerce, and technology services in North America, the United Kingdom, Western Continental Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe. The company operates through three segments: Global Integrated Agencies, Public Relations, and Specialist Agencies.