WPP (NYSE:WPP) Upgraded at Barclays

Barclays upgraded shares of WPP (NYSE:WPP) from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a report published on Friday morning, Marketbeat.com reports.

A number of other analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup assumed coverage on WPP in a research report on Monday, January 12th. They issued a “neutral” rating for the company. Zacks Research raised WPP from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, December 29th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of WPP in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of WPP from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Sunday, February 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold”.

WPP Price Performance

Shares of WPP opened at $18.58 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $20.65 and a 200-day moving average of $22.21. WPP has a one year low of $17.25 and a one year high of $41.87.

Institutional Trading of WPP

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. OLD Mission Capital LLC bought a new position in WPP during the 4th quarter worth $2,123,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. boosted its position in shares of WPP by 1,082.6% in the fourth quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 254,389 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $5,714,000 after acquiring an additional 232,878 shares during the period. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of WPP in the fourth quarter valued at about $726,000. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in WPP by 22.7% during the fourth quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 15,247 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $342,000 after acquiring an additional 2,818 shares during the period. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its position in WPP by 3,840.2% during the fourth quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 136,135 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $3,058,000 after acquiring an additional 132,680 shares during the period. 4.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

WPP News Roundup

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.