Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Trims Position in Wpp Plc $WPP

Key Points

• Dimensional Fund Advisors reduced its WPP stake by 14.8% in the first quarter, selling 115,860 shares and retaining 667,869 shares valued at approximately $10.4 million.
• WPP shares opened at $27.57, near their 12-month high of $27.78. Analysts remain cautious, with a consensus “Hold” rating based on two Buys, three Holds, and two Sells.
• WPP announced a $0.5052 per-share dividend payable November 2, although the reported 390% yield appears inconsistent with the payment amount and should be independently verified.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP decreased its holdings in Wpp Plc (NYSE:WPP - Free Report) by 14.8% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 667,869 shares of the business services provider's stock after selling 115,860 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned about 0.31% of WPP worth $10,383,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Assetmark Inc. raised its position in shares of WPP by 75.0% in the 1st quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 17,340 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $270,000 after acquiring an additional 7,433 shares in the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC raised its holdings in WPP by 39.4% in the first quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 16,139 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $251,000 after purchasing an additional 4,562 shares in the last quarter. Range Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of WPP during the 1st quarter valued at $1,147,000. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. grew its position in shares of WPP by 455.9% in the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 2,318 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 1,901 shares during the period. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd lifted its position in WPP by 397.1% during the 4th quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 5,637 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $127,000 after acquiring an additional 4,503 shares during the period. 4.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

WPP Stock Performance

Shares of WPP opened at $27.57 on Monday. Wpp Plc has a twelve month low of $14.81 and a twelve month high of $27.78. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $18.70 and a 200 day moving average of $18.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.89.

WPP Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 9th will be issued a $0.5052 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 9th. This represents a dividend yield of 390.0%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have weighed in on WPP. Weiss Ratings restated a "sell (d)" rating on shares of WPP in a report on Tuesday, June 16th. Rothschild & Co Redburn assumed coverage on WPP in a research report on Thursday, May 28th. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. Citigroup restated a "neutral" rating on shares of WPP in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on WPP in a research note on Wednesday, June 3rd. They set a "sell" rating for the company. Finally, Berenberg Bank began coverage on WPP in a report on Tuesday, June 9th. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold".

More WPP News

Here are the key news stories impacting WPP this week:

• Positive Sentiment: WPP said its revenue decline eased, with first-half revenue less pass-through costs down 4.7% on a like-for-like basis—better than the previously expected mid-to-high single-digit decline. Improving media-buying performance provided early evidence that the turnaround plan is working. WPP revenue decline eases as turnaround gains traction
• Positive Sentiment: Second-quarter results beat revenue expectations, reporting $4.22 billion versus a $3.23 billion consensus estimate. The better-than-expected top-line performance appears to have driven the strong investor reaction and lifted the stock toward its 52-week high. WPP quarterly earnings results
• Positive Sentiment: WPP announced a dividend of $0.5052 per share, payable November 2 to shareholders of record October 9. The reported 390% yield appears inconsistent with the quoted payment and should be independently verified before being used in valuation.
• Neutral Sentiment: WPP Media appointed Bhushan Bagkar as vice president of strategy, a personnel change that may support execution but is unlikely to materially affect near-term earnings. Bhushan Bagkar appointed vice president of strategy
• Negative Sentiment: Adjusted earnings of $0.50 per share missed the $0.81 consensus estimate by $0.31, indicating that profitability and margins remain under pressure despite the revenue improvement.
• Negative Sentiment: UBS maintained its “sell” rating, saying it is too early to call the turnaround successful. Although it raised its price target to 250 pence from 210 pence, the target remains well below the current London-listed share price, creating a significant valuation warning after the rally. UBS keeps sell rating on WPP

WPP Company Profile

WPP plc NYSE: WPP is a British multinational advertising and public relations company headquartered in London, England. Recognized as one of the world's largest communications services groups, WPP provides a wide array of marketing, advertising, media investment management and data consultancy services. Through its integrated network of agencies—among them Ogilvy, Grey, GroupM and Wavemaker—the company delivers creative content, brand strategy, digital transformation and media planning solutions to clients across virtually every industry.

Established in 1971 by Martin Sorrell as Wire and Plastic Products, the firm underwent a strategic transformation in the 1980s, focusing on acquisitions that expanded its capabilities into advertising and communications.

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