WPP stock reports a 4.7 percent H1 revenue decline
Published on 09/25/2026 at 11:07 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
WPP stock stood at GBp 380.60 in London trading on September 24, 2026. The advertising group reported a 4.7 percent like-for-like decline in first-half revenue less pass-through costs, while its restructuring plan now carries greater weight for the second half.
Revenue decline slows in Q2
According to PPC Land, WPP reported revenue less pass-through costs of GBP 4,745 million for the first half of 2026, down 4.7 percent like for like. The second quarter declined 2.8 percent, an improvement from the 6.7 percent fall in the first quarter.
That sequence matters more than the headline decline. WPP is still shrinking, but the quarterly comparison points to a slower contraction as the group reorganizes around four operating units and its Elevate28 plan.
Margin target requires a stronger H2
Headline operating margin reached 8.4 percent in the first half of 2026, compared with 8.2 percent in the first half of 2025, according to PPC Land. WPP also expects GBP 100 million of in-year Elevate28 savings during 2026 against a GBP 500 million gross annualized target by 2028.
The full-year headline operating margin guidance stands at 12 to 13 percent for 2026. With the first-half margin at 8.4 percent, the guidance places the burden of improvement on the remaining six months and makes cost execution a central measure for the stock.
Leadership change adds another test
WPP announced on September 23, 2026, that CFO Joanne Wilson will leave to become Diageo CFO, although she will remain during a transition period while WPP searches for a successor, according to Stock Titan. The company said its 2026 guidance was unchanged.
At the same time, Reuters reported on September 23, 2026, that WPP opened a 34,000-square-foot AI-assisted production facility in East London. The investment supports faster campaign production, but the near-term investor test remains whether improving efficiency can offset lower client spending.
WPP stock stays below its yearly high
WPP stock was trading at GBp 380.60 on the LSE on September 24, 2026. The combination of a 4.7 percent first-half like-for-like revenue decline, an 8.4 percent interim margin and unchanged 12 to 13 percent full-year guidance leaves execution, rather than a new forecast, as the key valuation variable.
WPP stock facts
- Company: WPP plc
- Ticker: WPP.L
- Trading venue: LSE
- Price as of September 24, 2026: GBp 380.60
- Sector / Industry: Communication Services / Advertising Agencies
- Index membership: FTSE 250
