WPP plc (NYSE:WPP) Announces Semi-Annual Dividend of $0.95

WPP plc (NYSE:WPP) announced a Semi-Annual dividend on Wednesday, August 7th, Zacks reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 11th will be paid a dividend of 0.954 per share by the business services provider on Friday, November 1st. The ex-dividend date is Friday, October 11th. This is an increase from WPP’s previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.24.

WPP has raised its dividend payment by an average of 56.8% annually over the last three years. WPP has a payout ratio of 50.2% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Research analysts expect WPP to earn $5.86 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $3.08 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 52.6%.

WPP Stock Performance

NYSE WPP opened at $43.52 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $47.66 and a 200 day simple moving average of $48.29. WPP has a twelve month low of $41.13 and a twelve month high of $54.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.86.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded WPP from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $46.00.

About WPP

WPP plc, a creative transformation company, provides communications, experience, commerce, and technology services in North America, the United Kingdom, Western Continental Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe. The company operates through three segments: Global Integrated Agencies, Public Relations, and Specialist Agencies.