WPP (NYSE:WPP) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume – Should You Buy?

WPP plc (NYSE:WPP) saw unusually-high trading volume on Monday . Approximately 361,993 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 72% from the previous session’s volume of 210,782 shares.The stock last traded at $40.07 and had previously closed at $39.77.

Analyst Ratings Changes

WPP has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on WPP in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued a “neutral” rating for the company. StockNews.com downgraded WPP from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday. Kepler Capital Markets upgraded WPP from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Finally, Barclays downgraded WPP from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy”.

WPP Trading Up 1.3%

The firm has a market capitalization of $8.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.75, a P/E/G ratio of 7.06 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $37.75 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $45.42.

WPP Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 7th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 6th will be paid a $0.9728 dividend. This represents a yield of 6.2%. This is an increase from WPP’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.95. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 6th. WPP’s dividend payout ratio is presently 8.04%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Assetmark Inc. increased its stake in WPP by 52,800.0% in the fourth quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 529 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 528 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its position in WPP by 453.5% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,179 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $61,000 after purchasing an additional 966 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group boosted its position in WPP by 3,450.0% during the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 1,917 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $73,000 after purchasing an additional 1,863 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in WPP during the first quarter valued at about $75,000. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its holdings in WPP by 57.0% in the fourth quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 2,168 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $111,000 after acquiring an additional 787 shares in the last quarter. 4.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

WPP Company Profile

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.