About Diploma PLC (DPLM)
Diploma PLC is a Industrial Distribution company operating in the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. DPLM has been publicly traded since 1988, giving it 38+ years of trading history.
Diploma PLC (DPLM) has been publicly traded since 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company. It operates in the Industrial Distribution industry within the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom and employs approximately 3,390 people. With a market capitalization of £6.8 billion, DPLM is a mid-sized company with growth potential.
DPLM trades on the London Stock Exchange and is classified as a mid-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately £6.8 billion. The company employs approximately 3,390 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- £5,045.00
- Market Cap
- £6.77B
- 52-Week High
- £5,760.00
- 52-Week Low
- £3,532.00
- Sector
- Industrials
- Industry
- Industrial Distribution
DPLM Investment Performance
DPLM has declined 4.7% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a £1,000 investment in DPLM would have grown to £2,071, representing a 107.1% total return. Since its IPO in 1988, a £1,000 investment would now be worth £55,189.
£1,000 Invested in Diploma PLC (DPLM)
How much would £1,000 invested in DPLM be worth today?
What would £1,000 invested in DPLM 1 year ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Diploma PLC (DPLM) in 2025 would be worth £1,278 as of March 2026, representing a +27.8% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in DPLM 3 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Diploma PLC (DPLM) in 2023 would be worth £1,856 as of March 2026, representing a +85.6% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in DPLM 5 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Diploma PLC (DPLM) in 2021 would be worth £2,071 as of March 2026, representing a +107.1% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in DPLM 10 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Diploma PLC (DPLM) in 2016 would be worth £6,923 as of March 2026, representing a +592.3% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in DPLM at IPO be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Diploma PLC (DPLM) at IPO would be worth £55,189 as of March 2026, representing a +5418.9% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 37+ years (452 months), Diploma PLC (DPLM) has averaged a monthly return of +1.21% with a median return of +0.81%. The stock had 250 positive months (55%) and 197 negative months (44%). The best month in DPLM's history was October 1998 with a +26.6% return, while the worst was April 2000 at -45.6%. Historically, December tends to be the strongest month (averaging +2.7%), and October the weakest (-0.2%).
DPLM's longest winning streak was 9 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 6 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 2003 with a cumulative return of +55.7%, and the worst was 1997 at -44.2%.
Annual Returns
Over 38 years of trading history, Diploma PLC (DPLM) has delivered an average annual return of +15.30% with a median return of +17.95%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +11.78%. The stock posted gains in 26 years (68%) and losses in 12 years (32%).
DPLM's best year was 2003 with a +69.74% gain, while the worst was 1997 at -38.76%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 9, and the longest losing streak was 5 years. DPLM achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 22 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 6 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -4.71% | £5,294.58 | £5,045.00 |
| 2025 | +24.61% | £4,249.08 | £5,294.58 |
| 2024 | +18.67% | £3,580.64 | £4,249.08 |
| 2023 | +29.06% | £2,774.41 | £3,580.64 |
| 2022 | -17.71% | £3,371.52 | £2,774.41 |
| 2021 | +53.93% | £2,190.30 | £3,371.52 |
| 2020 | +8.32% | £2,022.13 | £2,190.30 |
| 2019 | +67.30% | £1,208.69 | £2,022.13 |
| 2018 | -2.95% | £1,245.40 | £1,208.69 |
| 2017 | +20.04% | £1,037.46 | £1,245.40 |
| 2016 | +36.56% | £759.70 | £1,037.46 |
| 2015 | +7.36% | £707.61 | £759.70 |
| 2014 | +5.06% | £673.51 | £707.61 |
| 2013 | +21.76% | £553.13 | £673.51 |
| 2012 | +63.29% | £338.75 | £553.13 |
| 2011 | +22.46% | £276.61 | £338.75 |
| 2010 | +57.06% | £176.12 | £276.61 |
| 2009 | +41.48% | £124.49 | £176.12 |
| 2008 | -32.75% | £185.12 | £124.49 |
| 2007 | +6.20% | £174.32 | £185.12 |
| 2006 | +12.05% | £155.57 | £174.32 |
| 2005 | +22.41% | £127.09 | £155.57 |
| 2004 | +21.52% | £104.58 | £127.09 |
| 2003 | +69.74% | £61.61 | £104.58 |
| 2002 | -0.92% | £62.18 | £61.61 |
| 2001 | +20.90% | £51.43 | £62.18 |
| 2000 | -29.97% | £73.45 | £51.43 |
| 1999 | +12.86% | £65.08 | £73.45 |
| 1998 | -26.73% | £88.82 | £65.08 |
| 1997 | -38.76% | £145.04 | £88.82 |
| 1996 | -6.36% | £154.89 | £145.04 |
| 1995 | -7.54% | £167.51 | £154.89 |
| 1994 | -23.21% | £218.14 | £167.51 |
| 1993 | +36.76% | £159.51 | £218.14 |
| 1992 | +53.26% | £104.08 | £159.51 |
| 1991 | +28.92% | £80.73 | £104.08 |
| 1990 | +17.24% | £68.86 | £80.73 |
| 1989 | -5.95% | £73.21 | £68.86 |
DPLM Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Diploma PLC as an investment
Valuation
DPLM currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 36.8, which is considered high relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 24.3 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 683.5. The price-to-sales ratio is 4.4.
Dividends
Diploma PLC pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 1.23%. This translates to £0.62 per share annually. The payout ratio of 44% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
DPLM has a beta of 1.03, indicating it is slightly more volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is £3532.00 to £5760.00, and it currently trades in the upper half of its 52-week range.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 15 analyst opinions, DPLM has a consensus "none" rating. The average price target of £6040.00 suggests 19.7% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: DPLM
What sector is DPLM in? ▼
DPLM operates in the Industrials sector, specifically in the Industrial Distribution industry.
How has DPLM performed historically? ▼
Over 38 years of trading history, DPLM has posted gains in 26 years (68% of the time). The best year was 2003 with a +69.7% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in DPLM? ▼
You can invest in DPLM through any brokerage account that offers access to the London Stock Exchange. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold DPLM.
Does DPLM pay dividends? ▼
Diploma PLC pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 1.23%. This translates to £0.62 per share annually. The payout ratio of 44% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
What does Diploma PLC do? ▼
Diploma PLC is a Industrial Distribution company operating in the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.
What sector is DPLM in? ▼
DPLM operates in the Industrials sector, specifically in the Industrial Distribution industry.
When did DPLM go public? ▼
Diploma PLC went public in 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would £1,000 invested in DPLM 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A £1,000 investment in DPLM five years ago would be worth approximately £2,071 today, representing a 107.1% return.
Does DPLM pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Diploma PLC pays a dividend with a current yield of 1.23%, which is £0.62 per share annually.
What is DPLM's market cap? ▼
Diploma PLC has a market capitalization of £6.8 billion, classifying it as a mid-cap company.
What is DPLM's P/E ratio? ▼
DPLM has a trailing P/E ratio of 36.8 and a forward P/E of 24.3, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is DPLM a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 15 opinions, DPLM has a consensus "none" rating. The average price target is £6040.0.
Last updated: 3/14/2026