About WPP plc (WPP)
WPP plc is a Advertising Agencies company operating in the Communication Services sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. WPP has been publicly traded since 1995, giving it 31+ years of trading history.
WPP plc (WPP) has been publicly traded since 1995, making it a 31-year-old public company. It operates in the Advertising Agencies industry within the Communication Services sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom and employs approximately 98,655 people. With a market capitalization of £2.6 billion, WPP is a mid-sized company with growth potential.
WPP trades on the London Stock Exchange and is classified as a mid-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately £2.6 billion. The company employs approximately 98,655 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- £238.00
- Market Cap
- £2.57B
- 52-Week High
- £634.00
- 52-Week Low
- £231.83
- Sector
- Communication Services
- Industry
- Advertising Agencies
WPP Investment Performance
WPP has declined 29.5% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a £1,000 investment in WPP would have grown to £261, representing a -73.9% total return. Since its IPO in 1995, a £1,000 investment would now be worth £2,305.
£1,000 Invested in WPP plc (WPP)
How much would £1,000 invested in WPP be worth today?
What would £1,000 invested in WPP 1 year ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in WPP plc (WPP) in 2025 would be worth £383 as of March 2026, representing a -61.7% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in WPP 3 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in WPP plc (WPP) in 2023 would be worth £260 as of March 2026, representing a -74.0% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in WPP 5 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in WPP plc (WPP) in 2021 would be worth £261 as of March 2026, representing a -73.9% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in WPP 10 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in WPP plc (WPP) in 2016 would be worth £150 as of March 2026, representing a -85.0% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in WPP at IPO be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in WPP plc (WPP) at IPO would be worth £2,305 as of March 2026, representing a +130.5% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 31+ years (372 months), WPP plc (WPP) has averaged a monthly return of +0.62% with a median return of +0.75%. The stock had 199 positive months (53%) and 173 negative months (47%). The best month in WPP's history was November 1999 with a +39.4% return, while the worst was September 2001 at -28.1%. Historically, December tends to be the strongest month (averaging +4.6%), and September the weakest (-3.5%).
WPP's longest winning streak was 7 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 6 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 1999 with a cumulative return of +110.5%, and the worst was 2025 at -79.9%.
Annual Returns
Over 31 years of trading history, WPP plc (WPP) has delivered an average annual return of +7.97% with a median return of +6.10%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +1.23%. The stock posted gains in 17 years (55%) and losses in 14 years (45%).
WPP's best year was 1999 with a +168.22% gain, while the worst was 2025 at -59.18%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 4, and the longest losing streak was 3 years. WPP achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 12 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 11 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -29.48% | £337.50 | £238.00 |
| 2025 | -59.18% | £826.88 | £337.50 |
| 2024 | +9.93% | £752.16 | £826.88 |
| 2023 | -8.15% | £818.89 | £752.16 |
| 2022 | -26.71% | £1,117.26 | £818.89 |
| 2021 | +39.97% | £798.19 | £1,117.26 |
| 2020 | -24.98% | £1,063.92 | £798.19 |
| 2019 | +26.05% | £844.04 | £1,063.92 |
| 2018 | -36.84% | £1,336.28 | £844.04 |
| 2017 | -26.13% | £1,808.92 | £1,336.28 |
| 2016 | +16.22% | £1,556.46 | £1,808.92 |
| 2015 | +16.24% | £1,338.99 | £1,556.46 |
| 2014 | -2.51% | £1,373.45 | £1,338.99 |
| 2013 | +55.45% | £883.55 | £1,373.45 |
| 2012 | +31.50% | £671.89 | £883.55 |
| 2011 | -14.42% | £785.07 | £671.89 |
| 2010 | +29.56% | £605.93 | £785.07 |
| 2009 | +51.48% | £400.02 | £605.93 |
| 2008 | -37.77% | £642.83 | £400.02 |
| 2007 | -6.28% | £685.94 | £642.83 |
| 2006 | +9.79% | £624.75 | £685.94 |
| 2005 | +9.79% | £569.05 | £624.75 |
| 2004 | +4.48% | £544.65 | £569.05 |
| 2003 | +15.60% | £471.15 | £544.65 |
| 2002 | -37.57% | £754.64 | £471.15 |
| 2001 | -12.84% | £865.84 | £754.64 |
| 2000 | -11.11% | £974.08 | £865.84 |
| 1999 | +168.22% | £363.17 | £974.08 |
| 1998 | +35.71% | £267.60 | £363.17 |
| 1997 | +6.10% | £252.21 | £267.60 |
| 1996 | +54.88% | £162.84 | £252.21 |
WPP Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating WPP plc as an investment
Valuation
The forward P/E ratio is 4.3. The price-to-book ratio stands at 101.1. The price-to-sales ratio is 0.2.
Dividends
WPP plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 6.30%. This translates to £0.15 per share annually. The payout ratio of 1% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
WPP has a beta of 0.53, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is £231.83 to £634.00, and it currently trades near its 52-week low.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 13 analyst opinions, WPP has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target of £304.85 suggests 28.1% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: WPP
What sector is WPP in? ▼
WPP operates in the Communication Services sector, specifically in the Advertising Agencies industry. This sector includes telecom companies, media firms, and interactive entertainment businesses.
How has WPP performed historically? ▼
Over 31 years of trading history, WPP has posted gains in 17 years (55% of the time). The best year was 1999 with a +168.2% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in WPP? ▼
You can invest in WPP 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 WPP.
Does WPP pay dividends? ▼
WPP plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 6.30%. This translates to £0.15 per share annually. The payout ratio of 1% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
What does WPP plc do? ▼
WPP plc is a Advertising Agencies company operating in the Communication Services sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.
What sector is WPP in? ▼
WPP operates in the Communication Services sector, specifically in the Advertising Agencies industry.
When did WPP go public? ▼
WPP plc went public in 1995, making it a 31-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would £1,000 invested in WPP 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A £1,000 investment in WPP five years ago would be worth approximately £261 today, representing a -73.9% return.
Does WPP pay dividends? ▼
Yes, WPP plc pays a dividend with a current yield of 6.30%, which is £0.15 per share annually.
What is WPP's market cap? ▼
WPP plc has a market capitalization of £2.6 billion, classifying it as a mid-cap company.
Is WPP a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 13 opinions, WPP has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target is £304.85.
Last updated: 3/14/2026