WPP (NYSE:WPP) Sets New 1-Year Low - Time to Sell?

Key Points

• WPP shares have hit a new 52-week low at $24.52, reflecting a downturn as analysts express mixed ratings on the stock.
• Analysts have varied views, with Kepler Capital Markets downgrading to "hold," while Deutsche Bank maintains a "buy" rating, leading to a consensus rating of "Hold."
• Institutional investors have shown activity, with several firms, including Assetmark Inc., significantly increasing their stakes in WPP during recent quarters.

Shares of Wpp Plc (NYSE:WPP - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $24.52 and last traded at $24.55, with a volume of 186452 shares. The stock had previously closed at $24.75.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Kepler Capital Markets downgraded WPP from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of WPP in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of WPP from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Saturday. Finally, Barclays reissued an "underweight" rating on shares of WPP in a report on Friday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, WPP currently has a consensus rating of "Hold".

WPP Stock Down 0.4%

The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $32.46 and its 200 day simple moving average is $37.97. The company has a market capitalization of $5.32 billion, a PE ratio of 4.13 and a beta of 1.01.

Institutional Trading of WPP

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Stifel Financial Corp increased its holdings in shares of WPP by 0.4% in the fourth quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 56,210 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $2,889,000 after acquiring an additional 247 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of WPP by 4.1% during the 2nd quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 10,660 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $373,000 after buying an additional 420 shares during the period. Vident Advisory LLC grew its stake in WPP by 8.0% in the 1st quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 6,194 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $235,000 after buying an additional 459 shares during the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. raised its stake in WPP by 88.3% in the 1st quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 996 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 467 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in WPP by 1.5% during the first quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 34,710 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $1,318,000 after buying an additional 498 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 4.34% of the company's stock.

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.

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