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WH Smith (SMWH) Competitors

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GBX 369 -2.20 (-0.59%)
As of 10/2/2026 12:00 PM Eastern

SMWH vs. GNS, CPG, ALLG, IGG, and CVSG

Should you buy WH Smith stock or one of its competitors? WH Smith's main competitors and comparable companies include Genus (GNS), Compass Group (CPG), ALLG.L (ALLG), IG Group (IGG), and CVS Group (CVSG). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "diversified consumer services" industry.

How does WH Smith compare to Genus?

Genus (LON:GNS) and WH Smith (LON:SMWH) are both small-cap consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, valuation and dividends.

Genus currently has a consensus target price of GBX 3,216.67, suggesting a potential upside of 49.42%. WH Smith has a consensus target price of GBX 566.43, suggesting a potential upside of 53.50%. Given WH Smith's higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe WH Smith is more favorable than Genus.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Genus
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00
WH Smith
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43

Genus pays an annual dividend of GBX 32 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.5%. WH Smith pays an annual dividend of GBX 17.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.7%. Genus pays out 45.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. WH Smith pays out -17.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. WH Smith is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

54.8% of Genus shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.9% of WH Smith shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.7% of Genus shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.0% of WH Smith shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

In the previous week, Genus had 2 more articles in the media than WH Smith. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for Genus and 2 mentions for WH Smith. Genus' average media sentiment score of 1.17 beat WH Smith's score of 0.51 indicating that Genus is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Genus
2 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
WH Smith
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Genus has a net margin of 43.35% compared to WH Smith's net margin of -9.48%. Genus' return on equity of 44.90% beat WH Smith's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Genus43.35% 44.90% 3.31%
WH Smith -9.48%-90.46%6.62%

Genus has a beta of 0.902, meaning that its stock price is 10% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, WH Smith has a beta of 0.929, meaning that its stock price is 7% less volatile than the broader market.

WH Smith has higher revenue and earnings than Genus. WH Smith is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Genus, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Genus£658.10M2.17£7.87M£71.0030.32
WH Smith£1.59B0.35£63.01M-£96.70N/A

Summary

WH Smith beats Genus on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WH Smith compare to Compass Group?

WH Smith (LON:SMWH) and Compass Group (LON:CPG) are both small-cap consumer discretionary companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their media sentiment, dividends, earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, risk, profitability and analyst recommendations.

In the previous week, WH Smith had 2 more articles in the media than Compass Group. MarketBeat recorded 2 mentions for WH Smith and 0 mentions for Compass Group. Compass Group's average media sentiment score of 0.76 beat WH Smith's score of 0.51 indicating that Compass Group is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Overall Sentiment
WH Smith Positive
Compass Group Positive

WH Smith currently has a consensus target price of GBX 566.43, indicating a potential upside of 53.50%. Compass Group has a consensus target price of GBX 2,937.14, indicating a potential upside of 9,779.39%. Given Compass Group's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Compass Group is more favorable than WH Smith.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
WH Smith
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43
Compass Group
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00

Compass Group has a net margin of 4.20% compared to WH Smith's net margin of -9.48%. Compass Group's return on equity of 26.12% beat WH Smith's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
WH Smith-9.48% -90.46% 6.62%
Compass Group 4.20%26.12%7.52%

WH Smith pays an annual dividend of GBX 17.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.7%. Compass Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 66.38 per share and has a dividend yield of 223.3%. WH Smith pays out -17.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Compass Group pays out 55.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

WH Smith has a beta of 0.929, suggesting that its stock price is 7% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Compass Group has a beta of 0.649, suggesting that its stock price is 35% less volatile than the broader market.

Compass Group has higher revenue and earnings than WH Smith. WH Smith is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Compass Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
WH Smith£1.59B0.35£63.01M-£96.70N/A
Compass Group£48.49B0.01£1.35B£118.700.25

71.9% of WH Smith shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 68.2% of Compass Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.0% of WH Smith shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.5% of Compass Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Compass Group beats WH Smith on 12 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WH Smith compare to ALLG.L?

ALLG.L (LON:ALLG) and WH Smith (LON:SMWH) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, media sentiment, profitability, institutional ownership, risk, dividends and earnings.

WH Smith has higher revenue and earnings than ALLG.L.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
ALLG.LN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
WH Smith£1.59B0.35£63.01M-£96.70N/A

WH Smith has a consensus target price of GBX 566.43, suggesting a potential upside of 53.50%. Given WH Smith's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe WH Smith is more favorable than ALLG.L.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
ALLG.L
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
0.00
WH Smith
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43

In the previous week, WH Smith had 1 more articles in the media than ALLG.L. MarketBeat recorded 2 mentions for WH Smith and 1 mentions for ALLG.L. WH Smith's average media sentiment score of 0.51 beat ALLG.L's score of 0.00 indicating that WH Smith is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
ALLG.L
0 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
WH Smith
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

71.9% of WH Smith shares are held by institutional investors. 1.0% of WH Smith shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

ALLG.L has a net margin of 0.00% compared to WH Smith's net margin of -9.48%. ALLG.L's return on equity of 0.00% beat WH Smith's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
ALLG.LN/A N/A N/A
WH Smith -9.48%-90.46%6.62%

Summary

WH Smith beats ALLG.L on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WH Smith compare to IG Group?

IG Group (LON:IGG) and WH Smith (LON:SMWH) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their media sentiment, risk, valuation, earnings, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability and analyst recommendations.

In the previous week, IG Group had 7 more articles in the media than WH Smith. MarketBeat recorded 9 mentions for IG Group and 2 mentions for WH Smith. WH Smith's average media sentiment score of 0.51 beat IG Group's score of 0.00 indicating that WH Smith is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
IG Group
0 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
2 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
WH Smith
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

IG Group has a beta of 0.498, meaning that its stock price is 50% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, WH Smith has a beta of 0.929, meaning that its stock price is 7% less volatile than the broader market.

IG Group currently has a consensus target price of GBX 1,550, suggesting a potential upside of 56.57%. WH Smith has a consensus target price of GBX 566.43, suggesting a potential upside of 53.50%. Given IG Group's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe IG Group is more favorable than WH Smith.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
IG Group
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75
WH Smith
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43

IG Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 46.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.7%. WH Smith pays an annual dividend of GBX 17.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.7%. IG Group pays out 44.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. WH Smith pays out -17.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

IG Group has a net margin of 30.26% compared to WH Smith's net margin of -9.48%. IG Group's return on equity of 19.99% beat WH Smith's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
IG Group30.26% 19.99% 10.37%
WH Smith -9.48%-90.46%6.62%

IG Group has higher earnings, but lower revenue than WH Smith. WH Smith is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than IG Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
IG Group£949.10M3.44£533.35M£105.109.42
WH Smith£1.59B0.35£63.01M-£96.70N/A

74.0% of IG Group shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.9% of WH Smith shares are held by institutional investors. 1.2% of IG Group shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.0% of WH Smith shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

IG Group beats WH Smith on 13 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WH Smith compare to CVS Group?

CVS Group (LON:CVSG) and WH Smith (LON:SMWH) are both small-cap consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, risk, analyst recommendations, media sentiment, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings and valuation.

In the previous week, CVS Group had 2 more articles in the media than WH Smith. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for CVS Group and 2 mentions for WH Smith. WH Smith's average media sentiment score of 0.51 beat CVS Group's score of 0.24 indicating that WH Smith is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
CVS Group
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
WH Smith
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

48.5% of CVS Group shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.9% of WH Smith shares are held by institutional investors. 1.5% of CVS Group shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.0% of WH Smith shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

WH Smith has higher revenue and earnings than CVS Group. WH Smith is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than CVS Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
CVS Group£712.80M1.09£20.68M£68.9016.55
WH Smith£1.59B0.35£63.01M-£96.70N/A

CVS Group has a net margin of 2.43% compared to WH Smith's net margin of -9.48%. CVS Group's return on equity of 5.91% beat WH Smith's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
CVS Group2.43% 5.91% 5.03%
WH Smith -9.48%-90.46%6.62%

CVS Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 8.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. WH Smith pays an annual dividend of GBX 17.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.7%. CVS Group pays out 12.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. WH Smith pays out -17.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. WH Smith is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

CVS Group has a beta of 1.071, indicating that its stock price is 7% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, WH Smith has a beta of 0.929, indicating that its stock price is 7% less volatile than the broader market.

CVS Group currently has a consensus price target of GBX 1,666.67, indicating a potential upside of 46.20%. WH Smith has a consensus price target of GBX 566.43, indicating a potential upside of 53.50%. Given WH Smith's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe WH Smith is more favorable than CVS Group.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
CVS Group
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67
WH Smith
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43

Summary

CVS Group beats WH Smith on 10 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding SMWH and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of LON and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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SMWH vs. The Competition

MetricWH SmithDiversified Consumer Services IndustryConsumer Discretionary SectorLON Exchange
Market Cap£555.35M£4.16B£12.24B£2.81B
Dividend Yield3.06%2.94%71.69%6.18%
P/E Ratio-3.829.7944.24366.16
Price / Sales0.3530.6292.3289,425.26
Price / Cash14.3613.4628.2127.89
Price / Book1.082.973.956.83
Net Income£63.01M£241.17M£446.16M£5.89B
7 Day Performance-0.54%-1.08%-0.88%-0.73%
1 Month Performance-3.66%-3.88%-4.46%16.59%
1 Year Performance-45.60%-8.44%-7.88%23.09%

WH Smith Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
SMWH
WH Smith
3.0085 of 5 stars
GBX 369
-0.6%
GBX 566.43
+53.5%
-45.6%£555.35M£1.59BN/A14,935
GNS
Genus
3.9586 of 5 stars
GBX 2,186
+2.5%
GBX 3,216.67
+47.1%
-14.6%£1.45B£658.10M30.79480
CPG
Compass Group
4.0435 of 5 stars
GBX 29.45
-0.3%
GBX 2,937.14
+9,873.3%
-98.8%£500.74M£48.49B0.25550,000
ALLG
ALLG.L
N/AGBX 8.09
+0.2%
N/AN/A£0.00N/AN/A140
IGG
IG Group
4.0933 of 5 stars
GBX 1,315
+1.3%
GBX 1,360
+3.4%
-7.9%£4.33B£949.10M12.512,754

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This page (LON:SMWH) was last updated on 10/3/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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