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WH Smith (SMWH) Competitors

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GBX 374.20 +1.60 (+0.43%)
As of 09/11/2026 12:08 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?

WH Smith (LON:SMWH) and Genus (LON:GNS) 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 media sentiment, dividends, earnings, institutional ownership, risk, profitability, valuation and analyst recommendations.

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

WH Smith pays an annual dividend of GBX 17.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.6%. Genus pays an annual dividend of GBX 32 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.5%. WH Smith pays out -17.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Genus pays out 45.1% 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.

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
WH Smith-9.48% -90.46% 6.62%
Genus 43.35%44.90%3.31%

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
WH Smith£1.59B0.36£63.01M-£96.70N/A
Genus£672M2.17£7.87M£71.0030.87

WH Smith currently has a consensus target price of GBX 570, indicating a potential upside of 52.32%. Genus has a consensus target price of GBX 3,216.67, indicating a potential upside of 46.75%. Given WH Smith's higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe WH Smith is more favorable than Genus.

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
Genus
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00

71.9% of WH Smith shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 54.8% of Genus shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.0% of WH Smith shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.7% of Genus shares are owned by company 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.

In the previous week, Genus had 12 more articles in the media than WH Smith. MarketBeat recorded 13 mentions for Genus and 1 mentions for WH Smith. Genus' average media sentiment score of 0.86 beat WH Smith's score of -0.98 indicating that Genus is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

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

Summary

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

How does WH Smith compare to Compass Group?

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

Compass Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 66.38 per share and has a dividend yield of 215.2%. WH Smith pays an annual dividend of GBX 17.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.6%. Compass Group pays out 55.9% 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.

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
Compass Group4.20% 26.12% 7.52%
WH Smith -9.48%-90.46%6.62%

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
Compass Group£48.49B0.01£1.35B£118.700.26
WH Smith£1.59B0.36£63.01M-£96.70N/A

Compass Group has a beta of 0.653, indicating that its share price is 35% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, WH Smith has a beta of 0.929, indicating that its share price is 7% less volatile than the broader market.

Compass Group currently has a consensus price target of GBX 2,937.14, suggesting a potential upside of 9,420.72%. WH Smith has a consensus price target of GBX 570, suggesting a potential upside of 52.32%. Given Compass Group's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Compass Group is more favorable than WH Smith.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Compass Group
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
8 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

68.2% of Compass Group shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.9% of WH Smith shares are held by institutional investors. 0.5% of Compass Group shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.0% 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.

In the previous week, Compass Group and Compass Group both had 1 articles in the media. Compass Group's average media sentiment score of 0.30 beat WH Smith's score of -0.98 indicating that Compass Group is being referred to more favorably in the media.

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

Summary

Compass Group beats WH Smith on 12 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WH Smith compare to ALLG.L?

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

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
WH Smith£1.59B0.36£63.01M-£96.70N/A
ALLG.LN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A

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
WH Smith-9.48% -90.46% 6.62%
ALLG.L N/A N/A N/A

71.9% of WH Smith shares are held by institutional investors. 1.0% 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 is poised for long-term growth.

WH Smith presently has a consensus target price of GBX 570, suggesting a potential upside of 52.32%. Given WH Smith's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe WH Smith is more favorable than ALLG.L.

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
ALLG.L
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
0.00

In the previous week, WH Smith and WH Smith both had 1 articles in the media. ALLG.L's average media sentiment score of 0.00 beat WH Smith's score of -0.98 indicating that ALLG.L is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

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

Summary

WH Smith beats ALLG.L on 7 of the 10 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 superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, dividends, profitability, earnings, media sentiment, valuation and risk.

In the previous week, IG Group and IG Group both had 1 articles in the media. IG Group's average media sentiment score of 0.81 beat WH Smith's score of -0.98 indicating that IG Group is being referred to more favorably in the media.

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

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£949.10M4.63£533.35M£105.1012.67
WH Smith£1.59B0.36£63.01M-£96.70N/A

74.0% of IG Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.9% of WH Smith shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.2% of IG Group 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.

IG Group currently has a consensus target price of GBX 1,338, suggesting a potential upside of 0.45%. WH Smith has a consensus target price of GBX 570, suggesting a potential upside of 52.32%. Given WH Smith's higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe WH Smith is more favorable than IG Group.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
IG Group
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
5 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

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 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 pays an annual dividend of GBX 46.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. WH Smith pays an annual dividend of GBX 17.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.6%. 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. WH Smith is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Summary

IG Group beats WH Smith on 12 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WH Smith compare to CVS Group?

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

In the previous week, WH Smith and WH Smith both had 1 articles in the media. CVS Group's average media sentiment score of 0.00 beat WH Smith's score of -0.98 indicating that CVS Group is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
WH Smith
0 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Negative
CVS Group
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 pays an annual dividend of GBX 17.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.6%. CVS Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 8.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. WH Smith pays out -17.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. CVS Group pays out 12.3% 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 net margin of 2.31% compared to WH Smith's net margin of -9.48%. CVS Group's return on equity of 5.35% beat WH Smith's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
WH Smith-9.48% -90.46% 6.62%
CVS Group 2.31%5.35%5.03%

WH Smith currently has a consensus price target of GBX 570, suggesting a potential upside of 52.32%. CVS Group has a consensus price target of GBX 1,720, suggesting a potential upside of 32.57%. Given WH Smith's higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe WH Smith is more favorable than CVS 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
CVS Group
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.80

71.9% of WH Smith shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 48.5% of CVS Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.0% of WH Smith shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.5% of CVS Group shares are owned by company 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.

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
WH Smith£1.59B0.36£63.01M-£96.70N/A
CVS Group£692.80M1.27£20.68M£68.9018.83

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

Summary

CVS Group beats WH Smith on 10 of the 17 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£563.17M£4.28B£12.71B£2.51B
Dividend Yield3.06%2.87%58.24%6.23%
P/E Ratio-3.879.9445.78366.83
Price / Sales0.3635.6593.6183,599.68
Price / Cash14.3613.6928.5627.89
Price / Book1.103.114.086.33
Net Income£63.01M£241.15M£445.67M£5.89B
7 Day Performance-2.76%-1.95%-2.31%-0.69%
1 Month Performance-12.37%-3.20%-3.96%0.18%
1 Year Performance-43.90%-6.70%-6.12%20.03%

WH Smith Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
SMWH
WH Smith
3.0757 of 5 stars
GBX 374.20
+0.4%
GBX 570
+52.3%
-45.7%£563.17M£1.59BN/A14,935
GNS
Genus
4.2394 of 5 stars
GBX 2,290
+0.5%
GBX 3,216.67
+40.5%
-18.6%£1.52B£672M32.25480
CPG
Compass Group
3.7346 of 5 stars
GBX 30.53
-1.4%
GBX 2,932.50
+9,505.3%
-98.8%£519.11M£48.49B0.26550,000
ALLG
ALLG.L
N/AGBX 8.02
-0.2%
N/AN/A£0.00N/AN/A140
IGG
IG Group
2.8764 of 5 stars
GBX 1,340
+0.8%
GBX 1,338
-0.1%
+15.0%£4.42B£949.10M12.752,754

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This page (LON:SMWH) was last updated on 9/12/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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