Graham Capital Management L.P. Makes New Investment in WPP plc (NYSE:WPP)

Graham Capital Management L.P. bought a new position in WPP plc (NYSE:WPP - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 16,967 shares of the business services provider's stock, valued at approximately $872,000.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in WPP. Assetmark Inc. grew 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 grew 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. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its position 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 purchasing an additional 787 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in WPP by 160.7% in the 4th quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 3,368 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $173,000 after purchasing an additional 2,076 shares during the period. Finally, Wealthfront Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of WPP during the 4th quarter valued at $194,000. Institutional investors own 4.34% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on WPP. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of WPP in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set a "neutral" rating for the company. Barclays downgraded shares of WPP from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets raised shares of WPP from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 24th. Three 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. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy".

WPP Price Performance

Shares of WPP stock opened at $40.49 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $8.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.78, a PEG ratio of 7.06 and a beta of 1.04. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $37.82 and a 200-day moving average price of $45.76. WPP plc has a 1 year low of $31.52 and a 1 year high of $57.37.

WPP Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 7th. Investors of record on Friday, June 6th will be issued a $0.9728 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 6th. This represents a yield of 6.2%. This is an increase from WPP's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.95. WPP's dividend payout ratio is currently 8.04%.

WPP Company Profile

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.

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