Wpp Plc (NYSE:WPP) Given Consensus Rating of “Hold” by Brokerages

Shares of Wpp Plc (NYSE:WPP) have earned an average rating of “Hold” from the seven analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating on the company.

Several equities analysts have recently commented on WPP shares. Citigroup restated a “neutral” rating on shares of WPP in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Barclays upgraded WPP from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, February 27th. Wall Street Zen upgraded WPP from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, March 14th. Finally, Rothschild & Co Redburn started coverage on shares of WPP in a research note on Thursday. They set a “buy” rating on the stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On WPP

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WPP. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD purchased a new stake in WPP during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $79,947,000. Bank of Montreal Can increased its stake in WPP by 385.3% during the 4th quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 451,182 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $10,134,000 after buying an additional 358,218 shares during the period. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. increased its stake in WPP by 1,082.6% during the 4th quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 254,389 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $5,714,000 after buying an additional 232,878 shares during the period. ABC Arbitrage SA purchased a new stake in WPP during the 4th quarter worth approximately $5,199,000. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its stake in WPP by 3,840.2% during the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 136,135 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $3,058,000 after buying an additional 132,680 shares during the period. 4.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

WPP Price Performance

Shares of WPP stock opened at $18.63 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $17.34 and its 200-day moving average price is $19.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 0.89. WPP has a one year low of $14.81 and a one year high of $40.66.

WPP Company Profile

WPP plc (NYSE: WPP) is a British multinational advertising and public relations company headquartered in London, England. Recognized as one of the world’s largest communications services groups, WPP provides a wide array of marketing, advertising, media investment management and data consultancy services. Through its integrated network of agencies—among them Ogilvy, Grey, GroupM and Wavemaker—the company delivers creative content, brand strategy, digital transformation and media planning solutions to clients across virtually every industry.

Established in 1971 by Martin Sorrell as Wire and Plastic Products, the firm underwent a strategic transformation in the 1980s, focusing on acquisitions that expanded its capabilities into advertising and communications.