WPP's new plans offer clearer route to growth, but 2026 will remain tough, says analyst

WPP PLC faces further earnings pressure in 2026 despite a new medium-term growth plan, according to Deutsche Bank, which has cut its price target to 425p from 510p while retaining a 'buy' rating. Following the group's full year 2025 results and strategy update last week, analyst Steve Liechti said new chief executive Cindy Rose's 'Elevate28' plan offers a clearer path to mid-term growth, which is positive for a “lowly rated stock with market sentiment at a low”.

Proactive Investors • Mar 2, 2026

WPP's CEO to merge ad agencies in turnaround plan

WPP will combine its agencies into a single company underpinned by AI and data, with four units including a new "WPP Creative", under Chief Executive Cindy Rose's strategy to turn around the ad group after operating profit fell 23%.

Reuters • Feb 26, 2026

WPP falls after unveiling AI-led turnaround plan

WPP PLC shares fell 4.5% to 260p after the advertising group unveiled a sweeping overhaul and cost-cutting plan as new chief executive Cindy Rose acknowledged recent underperformance and set out a three-year path back to growth. The group, which dropped out of the FTSE 100 in December, said it will move from a holding company structure to a single integrated company, streamlined into four operating units – WPP Media, WPP Creative, WPP Production and WPP Enterprise Solutions – across four regions.

Proactive Investors • Feb 26, 2026

WPP Overhauls Structure, Slashes Dividend in Turnaround Plan

New boss Cindy Rose outlined her plan to lift the advertising group out of the doldrums as the board cut its final dividend to 7.5 pence a share from 24.4 pence a year before.

WSJ • Feb 26, 2026

WPP plc (WPP) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

WPP plc (WPP) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

Seeking Alpha • Feb 26, 2026

WPP: WPP Is A Contrarian Play For 2026-2028

WPP plc is a speculative turnaround play with a Buy rating and a £4/share price target, reflecting deep undervaluation. WPP faces ongoing structural challenges, client losses, and slow AI adoption, but manageable debt and cost-cutting support a potential recovery. Even under conservative assumptions — negative AEPS growth, margin pressure, and a halved dividend — WPP could deliver triple-digit returns over two years.

Seeking Alpha • Feb 26, 2026

Top advertising agency WPP releases trove of confidential client data while fighting suit from ex-employee: report

One of the world's largest advertising agencies disclosed a stunning trove of seemingly confidential client data in an attempt to defend itself against accusations of operating self-enriching rebate schemes.

New York Post • Feb 24, 2026

WPP: A Fallen Advertising Giant Trading At >10% FCF Yield

WPP faces a crisis as it loses major clients and endures a 70% drop. AI disruption risk is overstated for WPP's core market. A recovery in FY2026 could re-rate the stock.

Seeking Alpha • Feb 10, 2026

Genius Sports Partners with WPP Media to Pioneer Holistic Sports Media Advertising Intelligence, Launch WPP Brand Sports Momentum Score

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Genius Sports Limited (“Genius Sports”) (NYSE:GENI) today announced a partnership with WPP Media (NYSE: WPP) to help brands invest in sports with greater precision, leveraging Genius Sports' Fan Graph and FANHub to deliver end-to-end intelligence across media planning, activation, and measurement. The partnership results in the creation of the WPP Brand Sports Momentum Score, a new intelligence tool that identifies the right sports, audiences, and moments to invest in.

Business Wire • Feb 10, 2026

Will the WPP share price rebound after the 2025 crash?

WPP share price has been in a freefall this year, making it one the top laggards in the UK stock market. It dropped to a low of 265p in November, down by 68% from its highest level in 2024.

Invezz • Dec 22, 2025