LPL Financial LLC Has $1.76 Million Holdings in WPP plc (NYSE:WPP)

LPL Financial LLC reduced its holdings in shares of WPP plc (NYSE:WPP - Free Report) by 26.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 34,325 shares of the business services provider's stock after selling 12,097 shares during the quarter. LPL Financial LLC's holdings in WPP were worth $1,764,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. raised its stake in shares of WPP by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. now owns 17,402 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $894,000 after purchasing an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. M&T Bank Corp grew its position in shares of WPP by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 12,506 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $642,000 after acquiring an additional 228 shares during the period. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its position in shares of WPP by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 10,231 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $526,000 after acquiring an additional 249 shares during the period. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of WPP by 5.2% during the 4th quarter. Aaron Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,105 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $262,000 after purchasing an additional 251 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HF Advisory Group LLC grew its holdings in WPP by 3.9% during the fourth quarter. HF Advisory Group LLC now owns 6,928 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $356,000 after purchasing an additional 260 shares during the period. 4.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on WPP shares. Kepler Capital Markets upgraded WPP from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Barclays cut 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 assumed coverage on shares of WPP in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued a "neutral" rating on the stock. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy".

WPP Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:WPP traded up $0.92 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $36.10. 280,822 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 200,708. WPP plc has a twelve month low of $31.52 and a twelve month high of $57.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.05, a PEG ratio of 7.06 and a beta of 1.06. The business's fifty day moving average price is $39.76 and its 200-day moving average price is $47.04.

WPP Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 7th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 6th will be paid a $0.9728 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 6th. This represents a dividend yield of 6.2%. This is a positive change from WPP's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.95. WPP's 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.