WPP (NYSE:WPP) Upgraded to Equal Weight at Barclays

Barclays upgraded shares of WPP (NYSE:WPP) from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note released on Friday, MarketBeat Ratings reports.

Several other equities analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of WPP from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Citigroup began coverage on shares of WPP in a research note on Monday, January 12th. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of WPP from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Sunday, February 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of WPP in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, WPP has an average rating of “Hold”.

WPP Trading Down 1.6%

Shares of WPP stock traded down $0.29 during trading on Friday, hitting $18.58. The stock had a trading volume of 766,499 shares, compared to its average volume of 693,664. The business has a fifty day moving average of $20.65 and a two-hundred day moving average of $22.25. WPP has a fifty-two week low of $17.25 and a fifty-two week high of $41.87.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Allworth Financial LP raised its position in WPP by 38.9% during the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,852 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 519 shares during the period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its holdings in shares of WPP by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 41,521 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $1,454,000 after purchasing an additional 553 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in shares of WPP by 30.3% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,592 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 602 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its position in shares of WPP by 9.2% in the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 7,766 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $272,000 after purchasing an additional 654 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rothschild Investment LLC boosted its holdings in shares of WPP by 47.7% during the third quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 2,038 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 658 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 4.34% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about WPP

Here are the key news stories impacting WPP this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Barclays upgraded WPP from “underweight” to “equal weight”, signaling some analyst confidence that the stock is nearer fair value after the reset. Barclays upgrade via Benzinga
• Positive Sentiment: WPP says the Elevate28 plan will deliver roughly $676 million of savings and reorganise into four core divisions — a sizeable cost takeout that could help margins if execution holds. WPP launches new Elevate28 strategy
• Positive Sentiment: At least one long-form analyst note views WPP as a contrarian recovery opportunity, arguing deep valuation and cost cuts could produce significant upside over 2026–2028. Seeking Alpha contrarian thesis
• Neutral Sentiment: Management published the Q4 2025 earnings call transcript and slide deck — useful for detail on client wins/losses, margins, and the timing of cost saves (readers should check for guidance and KPI targets). Q4 2025 earnings call transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry commentary explains the shift from a holding-company model to an integrated structure and a brand refresh — strategic moves that reduce complexity but carry execution risk and transition costs. B&T on Elevate28 reset
• Negative Sentiment: WPP reported a large EPS miss (reported EPS -$0.80 vs. consensus +$2.72) despite higher revenue, highlighting accounting or one-off items and disappointing profitability. MarketBeat earnings summary
• Negative Sentiment: The board cut the final dividend sharply (from 24.4p to 7.5p) as part of the turnaround — a liquidity/return-to-shareholders negative that typically pressures sentiment. WSJ on dividend cut
• Negative Sentiment: Markets reacted negatively to the overhaul announcement (shares previously fell ~4.5% on the news) and broker commentary that the company faces structural client and AI-related risks. Proactive Investors on share reaction
• Negative Sentiment: Short interest increased materially in February (a ~41% rise month-on-month), which can amplify downward pressure and volatility while the turnaround is executed.

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.