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WH Smith (SMWH) Competitors

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GBX 433.40 -11.60 (-2.61%)
As of 07/31/2026 12:01 PM Eastern

SMWH vs. GNS, CPG, KYGA, CAR, and PRP

Should you buy WH Smith stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares WH Smith with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with WH Smith include Genus (GNS), Compass Group (CPG), Kerry Group (KYGA), Carclo (CAR), and Prime People (PRP).

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 better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability, media sentiment and dividends.

Genus has a beta of 0.901, suggesting that its share price is 10% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, WH Smith has a beta of 0.922, suggesting that its share price is 8% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Genus' average media sentiment score of 0.00 equaled WH Smith'saverage media sentiment score.

Company Overall Sentiment
Genus Neutral
WH Smith Neutral

52.2% of Genus shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.9% of WH Smith shares are held by institutional investors. 0.7% of Genus shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.9% of WH Smith shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Genus presently has a consensus target price of GBX 3,216.67, suggesting a potential upside of 46.61%. WH Smith has a consensus target price of GBX 570, suggesting a potential upside of 31.52%. Given Genus' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Genus is more favorable than WH Smith.

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 4.0%. 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.

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£672M2.17£7.87M£71.0030.90
WH Smith£1.59B0.41£63.01M-£96.70N/A

Genus has a net margin of 7.07% compared to WH Smith's net margin of -9.48%. Genus' return on equity of 9.70% beat WH Smith's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Genus7.07% 9.70% 3.31%
WH Smith -9.48%-90.46%6.62%

Summary

WH Smith beats Genus on 8 of the 15 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 consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, earnings, analyst recommendations, media sentiment, valuation, profitability, dividends and institutional ownership.

WH Smith currently has a consensus target price of GBX 570, indicating a potential upside of 31.52%. Compass Group has a consensus target price of GBX 2,932.50, indicating a potential upside of 9,147.87%. 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

In the previous week, WH Smith's average media sentiment score of 0.00 equaled Compass Group'saverage media sentiment score.

Company Overall Sentiment
WH Smith Neutral
Compass Group Neutral

71.9% of WH Smith shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 68.2% of Compass Group shares are held by institutional investors. 0.9% of WH Smith shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.5% of Compass Group shares are held 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.

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£1.59B0.41£63.01M-£96.70N/A
Compass Group£48.49B0.01£1.35B£118.700.27

WH Smith has a beta of 0.922, indicating that its stock price is 8% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Compass Group has a beta of 0.654, indicating that its stock price is 35% less volatile than the broader market.

WH Smith pays an annual dividend of GBX 17.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.0%. Compass Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 66.38 per share and has a dividend yield of 209.3%. 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.

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%

Summary

Compass Group beats WH Smith on 11 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WH Smith compare to Kerry Group?

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

71.9% of WH Smith shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 42.1% of Kerry Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.9% of WH Smith shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.2% of Kerry Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Kerry Group has a net margin of 9.43% compared to WH Smith's net margin of -9.48%. Kerry Group's return on equity of 13.08% beat WH Smith's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
WH Smith-9.48% -90.46% 6.62%
Kerry Group 9.43%13.08%4.77%

In the previous week, Kerry Group had 4 more articles in the media than WH Smith. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for Kerry Group and 0 mentions for WH Smith. Kerry Group's average media sentiment score of 0.61 beat WH Smith's score of 0.00 indicating that Kerry Group is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Overall Sentiment
WH Smith Neutral
Kerry Group Positive

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
WH Smith£1.59B0.41£63.01M-£96.70N/A
Kerry Group£6.63B0.02£62.65B£399.300.21

WH Smith presently has a consensus price target of GBX 570, indicating a potential upside of 31.52%. Kerry Group has a consensus price target of GBX 99, indicating a potential upside of 19.57%. Given WH Smith's higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe WH Smith is more favorable than Kerry Group.

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
Kerry Group
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00

WH Smith has a beta of 0.922, indicating that its stock price is 8% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Kerry Group has a beta of 0.57, indicating that its stock price is 43% less volatile than the broader market.

WH Smith pays an annual dividend of GBX 17.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.0%. Kerry Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 131 per share and has a dividend yield of 158.2%. WH Smith pays out -17.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Kerry Group pays out 32.8% 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.

Summary

Kerry Group beats WH Smith on 11 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WH Smith compare to Carclo?

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

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
WH Smith£1.59B0.41£63.01M-£96.70N/A
Carclo£114.21M0.24-£3.30M£3.6010.31

Carclo has a net margin of 2.36% compared to WH Smith's net margin of -9.48%. Carclo's return on equity of -29.78% beat WH Smith's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
WH Smith-9.48% -90.46% 6.62%
Carclo 2.36%-29.78%2.73%

WH Smith has a beta of 0.922, meaning that its share price is 8% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Carclo has a beta of 0.593, meaning that its share price is 41% less volatile than the broader market.

71.9% of WH Smith shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 23.2% of Carclo shares are held by institutional investors. 0.9% of WH Smith shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 4.3% of Carclo shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, WH Smith's average media sentiment score of 0.00 equaled Carclo'saverage media sentiment score.

Company Overall Sentiment
WH Smith Neutral
Carclo Neutral

WH Smith currently has a consensus target price of GBX 570, indicating a potential upside of 31.52%. Given WH Smith's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe WH Smith is more favorable than Carclo.

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
Carclo
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
0.00

Summary

WH Smith beats Carclo on 9 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WH Smith compare to Prime People?

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

71.9% of WH Smith shares are held by institutional investors. 0.9% of WH Smith shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Prime People£19.72M0.00N/A£6.10N/A
WH Smith£1.59B0.41£63.01M-£96.70N/A

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

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Prime PeopleN/A N/A N/A
WH Smith -9.48%-90.46%6.62%

In the previous week, Prime People's average media sentiment score of 0.00 equaled WH Smith'saverage media sentiment score.

Company Overall Sentiment
Prime People Neutral
WH Smith Neutral

WH Smith has a consensus price target of GBX 570, suggesting a potential upside of 31.52%. Given WH Smith's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe WH Smith is more favorable than Prime People.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Prime People
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

Summary

WH Smith beats Prime People on 7 of the 11 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£669.73M£4.87B£13.19B£2.79B
Dividend Yield3.06%2.82%53.33%6.15%
P/E Ratio-4.4812.8947.01368.29
Price / Sales0.4120.2390.6583,501.30
Price / Cash14.3614.7318.9327.89
Price / Book1.273.494.507.04
Net Income£63.01M£239.18M£444.15M£5.89B
7 Day Performance0.32%0.50%1.42%6.05%
1 Month Performance4.54%-2.30%0.40%-0.22%
1 Year Performance-58.04%5.92%3.20%63.72%

WH Smith Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
SMWH
WH Smith
N/AGBX 433.40
-2.6%
GBX 570
+31.5%
-58.0%£669.73M£1.59BN/A14,935
GNS
Genus
3.3268 of 5 stars
GBX 2,218
-0.1%
GBX 3,216.67
+45.0%
-11.9%£1.47B£672M31.24480
CPG
Compass Group
3.6682 of 5 stars
GBX 32.32
+4.2%
GBX 2,932.50
+8,973.0%
-98.8%£549.56M£48.49B0.27550,000
KYGA
Kerry Group
4.0024 of 5 stars
GBX 83.68
+1.5%
GBX 99
+18.3%
+2.5%£133.73M£6.76B0.2121,000
CAR
Carclo
N/AGBX 33.10
+4.4%
N/A-21.7%£24.30M£114.21M9.191,059

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This page (LON:SMWH) was last updated on 8/3/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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