About Whitbread plc (WTB)
Whitbread plc is a Lodging company operating in the Consumer Cyclical sector. The company is headquartered in Dunstable, United Kingdom. WTB has been publicly traded since 1988, giving it 38+ years of trading history.
Whitbread plc (WTB) has been publicly traded since 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company. It operates in the Lodging industry within the Consumer Cyclical sector. The company is headquartered in Dunstable, United Kingdom and employs approximately 33,000 people. With a market capitalization of £3.9 billion, WTB is a mid-sized company with growth potential.
WTB trades on the London Stock Exchange and is classified as a mid-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately £3.9 billion. The company employs approximately 33,000 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- £2,354.00
- Market Cap
- £3.93B
- 52-Week High
- £3,302.00
- 52-Week Low
- £2,253.00
- Sector
- Consumer Cyclical
- Industry
- Lodging
WTB Investment Performance
WTB has declined 7.7% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a £1,000 investment in WTB would have grown to £685, representing a -31.5% total return. Since its IPO in 1988, a £1,000 investment would now be worth £6,658.
£1,000 Invested in Whitbread plc (WTB)
How much would £1,000 invested in WTB be worth today?
What would £1,000 invested in WTB 1 year ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Whitbread plc (WTB) in 2025 would be worth £927 as of March 2026, representing a -7.3% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in WTB 3 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Whitbread plc (WTB) in 2023 would be worth £840 as of March 2026, representing a -16.0% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in WTB 5 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Whitbread plc (WTB) in 2021 would be worth £685 as of March 2026, representing a -31.5% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in WTB 10 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Whitbread plc (WTB) in 2016 would be worth £700 as of March 2026, representing a -30.0% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in WTB at IPO be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Whitbread plc (WTB) at IPO would be worth £6,658 as of March 2026, representing a +565.8% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 37+ years (452 months), Whitbread plc (WTB) has averaged a monthly return of +0.69% with a median return of +0.41%. The stock had 234 positive months (52%) and 217 negative months (48%). The best month in WTB's history was November 2020 with a +41.2% return, while the worst was September 2001 at -22.3%. Historically, December tends to be the strongest month (averaging +3.8%), and June the weakest (-1.8%).
WTB's longest winning streak was 7 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 7 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 2009 with a cumulative return of +50.3%, and the worst was 2008 at -38.7%.
Annual Returns
Over 38 years of trading history, Whitbread plc (WTB) has delivered an average annual return of +7.73% with a median return of +2.85%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +5.14%. The stock posted gains in 19 years (50%) and losses in 19 years (50%).
WTB's best year was 2012 with a +56.50% gain, while the worst was 2008 at -34.48%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 3, and the longest losing streak was 5 years. WTB achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 17 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 11 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -7.69% | £2,550.00 | £2,354.00 |
| 2025 | -13.41% | £2,945.03 | £2,550.00 |
| 2024 | -19.39% | £3,653.62 | £2,945.03 |
| 2023 | +42.29% | £2,567.68 | £3,653.62 |
| 2022 | -14.17% | £2,991.61 | £2,567.68 |
| 2021 | -3.39% | £3,096.49 | £2,991.61 |
| 2020 | -25.54% | £4,158.60 | £3,096.49 |
| 2019 | +5.85% | £3,928.59 | £4,158.60 |
| 2018 | +14.50% | £3,431.02 | £3,928.59 |
| 2017 | +5.96% | £3,238.10 | £3,431.02 |
| 2016 | -14.18% | £3,773.21 | £3,238.10 |
| 2015 | -7.72% | £4,088.87 | £3,773.21 |
| 2014 | +27.19% | £3,214.84 | £4,088.87 |
| 2013 | +53.32% | £2,096.81 | £3,214.84 |
| 2012 | +56.50% | £1,339.82 | £2,096.81 |
| 2011 | -12.60% | £1,532.96 | £1,339.82 |
| 2010 | +26.89% | £1,208.07 | £1,532.96 |
| 2009 | +53.93% | £784.84 | £1,208.07 |
| 2008 | -34.48% | £1,197.85 | £784.84 |
| 2007 | -25.30% | £1,603.48 | £1,197.85 |
| 2006 | +50.06% | £1,068.54 | £1,603.48 |
| 2005 | -3.74% | £1,110.08 | £1,068.54 |
| 2004 | +17.77% | £942.60 | £1,110.08 |
| 2003 | +32.94% | £709.03 | £942.60 |
| 2002 | -1.43% | £719.31 | £709.03 |
| 2001 | -0.14% | £720.28 | £719.31 |
| 2000 | -12.96% | £827.57 | £720.28 |
| 1999 | -17.81% | £1,006.92 | £827.57 |
| 1998 | -13.61% | £1,165.58 | £1,006.92 |
| 1997 | +13.39% | £1,027.91 | £1,165.58 |
| 1996 | +15.54% | £889.67 | £1,027.91 |
| 1995 | +19.20% | £746.37 | £889.67 |
| 1994 | -2.55% | £765.92 | £746.37 |
| 1993 | +35.05% | £567.13 | £765.92 |
| 1992 | +13.83% | £498.23 | £567.13 |
| 1991 | -2.29% | £509.90 | £498.23 |
| 1990 | +11.76% | £456.23 | £509.90 |
| 1989 | +30.33% | £350.05 | £456.23 |
WTB Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Whitbread plc as an investment
Valuation
WTB currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 16.5, which is considered moderate relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 11.6 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 129.3. The price-to-sales ratio is 1.4.
Dividends
Whitbread plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 4.12%. This translates to £0.97 per share annually. The payout ratio of 68% indicates moderate dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
WTB has a beta of 0.62, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is £2253.00 to £3302.00, and it currently trades near its 52-week low.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 17 analyst opinions, WTB has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of £2878.82 suggests 22.3% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: WTB
What sector is WTB in? ▼
WTB operates in the Consumer Cyclical sector, specifically in the Lodging industry. This sector includes retail, automotive, entertainment, and other consumer discretionary businesses.
How has WTB performed historically? ▼
Over 38 years of trading history, WTB has posted gains in 19 years (50% of the time). The best year was 2012 with a +56.5% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in WTB? ▼
You can invest in WTB 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 WTB.
Does WTB pay dividends? ▼
Whitbread plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 4.12%. This translates to £0.97 per share annually. The payout ratio of 68% indicates moderate dividend coverage.
What does Whitbread plc do? ▼
Whitbread plc is a Lodging company operating in the Consumer Cyclical sector. The company is headquartered in Dunstable, United Kingdom.
What sector is WTB in? ▼
WTB operates in the Consumer Cyclical sector, specifically in the Lodging industry.
When did WTB go public? ▼
Whitbread plc went public in 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would £1,000 invested in WTB 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A £1,000 investment in WTB five years ago would be worth approximately £685 today, representing a -31.5% return.
Does WTB pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Whitbread plc pays a dividend with a current yield of 4.12%, which is £0.97 per share annually.
What is WTB's market cap? ▼
Whitbread plc has a market capitalization of £3.9 billion, classifying it as a mid-cap company.
What is WTB's P/E ratio? ▼
WTB has a trailing P/E ratio of 16.5 and a forward P/E of 11.6, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is WTB a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 17 opinions, WTB has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is £2878.82.
Last updated: 3/14/2026