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Name | Symbol | Market | Type |
---|---|---|---|
WPP PLC | NYSE:WPP | NYSE | Depository Receipt |
Price Change | % Change | Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Traded | Last Trade | |
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0.55 | 1.09% | 51.07 | 51.67 | 50.97 | 51.37 | 136,066 | 01:00:00 |
Very strong Q3 performance: LFL revenue less pass-through costs +15.7% year-on-year, and +6.9% on 2019; full year guidance raised to +11.5-12.0% LFL
WPP (NYSE: WPP) today reported its 2021 Third Quarter Trading Update.
£ million
+/(-)% reported1
+/(-)% LFL2
Third Quarter
Revenue
3,240
9.1
14.7
Revenue less pass-through costs
2,640
9.9
15.7
Year to date
Revenue
9,373
9.6
15.6
Revenue less pass-through costs
7,539
6.7
12.6
Mark Read, Chief Executive Officer of WPP, said:
“Our very strong performance goes well beyond a cyclical recovery, with like-for-like growth over 2019 at 6.9% in the quarter. Clients across all sectors and geographies are making significant investments in marketing, particularly in digital media and ecommerce services. We are now above 2019 levels in all of our business lines, and with the actions we have taken over the last three years, we are even better positioned for growth.
“Our reshaped offer - which combines creativity with technology and data, through Choreograph, with the largest global media platform in GroupM - is proving its value for existing and new clients. This is reflected in the continuation of our longstanding and successful partnership with Unilever, and the growth of our relationship with Bayer. In addition, we are delighted to have won new assignments with Beiersdorf, L’Oréal, Sainsbury’s and TD Bank.
“We have also made strategic progress, creating the world’s leading board-level communications firm through the merger of Finsbury Glover Hering and SVC, and acquiring Satalia, a specialist in artificial intelligence. We continue to return excess capital to shareholders, buying back 4% of our shares so far this year. With strong client demand, a clear strategic direction and a strong balance sheet, we are well positioned to continue our momentum into 2022 and beyond.”
Overview
During the third quarter, the global communications market continued to grow strongly, and this trend was widely reflected across WPP. Our strength in media combined with our focus on digital, commerce and data is delivering very positive momentum in the business. We achieved double-digit growth in like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs in 15 of our top 20 markets and most of our agency networks. On a two-year basis, performance was led by GroupM (37% of WPP in Q3) which was up 14.6% like-for-like, and VMLY&R, which also grew double-digits. Our key agency networks, and most of our markets, delivered an improving two-year trend in Q3 compared to Q2.
In new business, we continued to perform well. Most importantly, we retained our long-term partnership with Unilever in media after a thorough review. Including the business won in China last year, we have expanded our remit with Unilever. We also grew our relationship with Bayer, adding the key markets of Germany, Russia and China to our existing media responsibilities. During the period, we won new assignments from Beiersdorf, L’Oréal, Sainsbury’s, TD Bank and Under Armour among others.
At the same time, we made strong strategic progress through mergers and acquisitions, transforming existing businesses within WPP and bringing in new capabilities to scale across the company.
Revenue in the third quarter was up 9.1% at £3.2 billion, and up 14.3% on a constant currency basis. Net changes from acquisitions and disposals had a negative impact of 0.4% on growth, leading to a like-for-like performance, excluding the impact of currency and acquisitions, of 14.7%.
Revenue less pass-through costs in the third quarter was up 9.9% year-on-year to £2.6 billion, and up 15.3% on a constant currency basis. Net changes from acquisitions and disposals had a negative impact of 0.4% on growth, leading to a like-for-like performance, excluding the impact of currency and acquisitions, of 15.7%.
Regional review
Revenue analysis
£ million
Q3 2021
Q3 2020
+/(-) % reported
+/(-) % LFL
N. America
1,143
1,087
5.2
11.8
United Kingdom
494
426
16.0
17.1
W. Cont Europe
676
587
15.1
21.1
AP, LA, AME, CEE3
927
869
6.7
12.8
Total Group
3,240
2,969
9.1
14.7
Revenue less pass-through costs analysis
£ million
Q3 2021
Q3 2020
+/(-) % reported
+/(-) % LFL
N. America
975
922
5.6
12.2
United Kingdom
362
311
16.4
16.9
W. Cont Europe
562
493
14.0
21.5
AP, LA, AME, CEE
741
675
9.9
15.6
Total Group
2,640
2,401
9.9
15.7
North America saw like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs up 12.2% in the third quarter, with strong growth in both the US and Canada. The US in particular saw a strong acceleration in its two-year LFL growth rate, from 1.8% in Q2 to 6.2% in Q3, driven mainly by GroupM.
In the United Kingdom, like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs was up 16.9% and achieved an acceleration in its two-year LFL growth rate from 1.1% in Q2 to 9.3% in Q3. AKQA Group and VMLY&R performed particularly strongly.
Western Continental Europe like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs grew by 21.5%. Performance in the region accelerated strongly, driven by Germany where broad-based growth was further boosted by a COVID-related contract. Italy continued to perform strongly while Spain and France also recovered to 2019 levels like-for-like.
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & the Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs was up 15.6%. Latin America was comfortably the strongest region, led by Brazil. Asia Pacific continued to recover more slowly, with China, Australia and several other markets still below 2019 levels.
Business sector review
During 2020, we announced that we would bring together Grey and AKQA under the AKQA Group, brought Geometry and GTB into VMLY&R, and International Healthcare into VMLY&R and Ogilvy. As a result AKQA, Geometry, GTB and International Healthcare are now reported within Global Integrated Agencies, having previously been reported within Specialist Agencies. 2020 comparable revenue and revenue less pass-through costs figures have been adjusted by a total of £229 million and £211 million respectively to reflect this change.
Revenue analysis
£ million
Q3 2021
Q3 2020
+/(-) % reported
+/(-) % LFL
Global Integrated Agencies
2,748
2,545
8.0
13.1
Public Relations
245
219
11.7
17.4
Specialist Agencies
247
205
20.7
32.7
Total Group
3,240
2,969
9.1
14.7
Revenue less pass-through costs analysis
£ million
Q3 2021
Q3 2020
+/(-) % reported
+/(-) % LFL
Global Integrated Agencies
2,185
2,016
8.3
13.5
Public Relations
231
210
10.4
16.0
Specialist Agencies
224
175
27.9
41.5
Total Group
2,640
2,401
9.9
15.7
Global Integrated Agencies like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs was up 13.5%. GroupM (37% of WPP’s revenue less pass-through costs in the third quarter) was up 19.0% like-for-like, and up 14.6% like-for-like over 2019, reflecting strong structural growth in digital and commerce media. VMLY&R was the next best performer, growing double-digits like-for-like year-on-year and over 2019. All the other agencies showed an improving two-year trend compared to the second quarter.
Public Relations like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs was up 16.0%, and up 12.6% over 2019. Demand for board-level strategic communications advice remains strong, and Specialist PR was again the best performer. Both BCW and H+K Strategies maintained strong momentum, with growth accelerating from the second quarter.
Specialist Agencies, with like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs up 41.5%, and up 21.8% on 2019, was again the best performing sector within WPP. Our Brand Consulting businesses continue to perform very well, as does CMI, our specialist healthcare media business. Growth for the sector was boosted by the COVID-related contract in Germany.
Balance sheet highlights
Average net debt in the first nine months of 2021 was £1.6 billion, compared to £2.5 billion in 2020, at 2021 exchange rates, a decrease of £0.9 billion. Net debt at 30 September 2021 was £1.6 billion, compared to £2.3 billion on 30 September 2020, or £2.6 billion at 2021 exchange rates, a decrease of £1.0 billion.
Share purchases of £458 million were made in the first nine months of the year, of which £408 million related to share buybacks. As of 27 October 2021 the total share buyback had reached £448 million.
2021 outlook
As a result of our continued strong business momentum in Q3, we are further raising our guidance for 2021:
Our current projections for foreign exchange movements imply around a 5 percentage point drag to reported revenue less pass-through costs from the strength of sterling year-on-year. As previously guided, we anticipate a small net trade working capital outflow for 2021 of £200-300 million, reflecting some normalisation from the very strong position at the end of 2020.
We expect to complete the £600 million share buyback in December. Given the strength of our balance sheet and strong cash generation, we anticipate continuing the buyback at a similar rate up to the date of our 2021 preliminary results, provisionally planned for late February 2022, at which point we will lay out our capital allocation plans for the coming year in more detail.
Appendix
Regional Review
Revenue analysis – Nine Months Year-to-Date
£ million
9M 2021
9M 2020
+/(-) % reported
+/(-) % LFL
N. America
3,327
3,264
1.9
10.7
United Kingdom
1,421
1,184
20.1
20.1
W. Cont Europe
2,017
1,680
20.0
22.7
AP, LA, AME, CEE
2,608
2,424
7.6
14.8
Total Group
9,373
8,552
9.6
15.6
Revenue less pass-through costs analysis – Nine Months Year-to-Date
£ million
9M 2021
9M 2020
+/(-) % reported
+/(-) % LFL
N. America
2,792
2,779
0.5
9.1
United Kingdom
1,042
897
16.2
16.9
W. Cont Europe
1,612
1,412
14.1
17.2
AP, LA, AME, CEE
2,093
1,981
5.7
12.3
Total Group
7,539
7,069
6.7
12.6
Business Sector Review
During 2020, we announced that we would bring together Grey and AKQA under the AKQA Group, brought Geometry and GTB into VMLY&R, and International Healthcare into VMLY&R and Ogilvy. As a result AKQA, Geometry, GTB and International Healthcare are now reported within Global Integrated Agencies, having previously been reported within Specialist Agencies. 2020 comparable revenue and revenue less pass-through costs figures have been adjusted by a total of £705 million and £646 million respectively to reflect this change.
Revenue analysis – Nine Months Year-to-Date
£ million
9M 2021
9M 2020
+/(-) % reported
+/(-) % LFL
Global Integrated Agencies
7,918
7,270
8.9
15.0
Public Relations
695
666
4.3
10.8
Specialist Agencies
760
616
23.5
27.9
Total Group
9,373
8,552
9.6
15.6
Revenue less pass-through costs analysis – Nine Months Year-to-Date
£ million
9M 2021
9M 2020
+/(-) % reported
+/(-) % LFL
Global Integrated Agencies
6,254
5,913
5.8
11.8
Public Relations
660
636
3.9
10.3
Specialist Agencies
625
520
20.1
24.9
Total Group
7,539
7,069
6.7
12.6
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
This document contains statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements give the Group’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. An investor can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘intend’, ‘will’, ‘project’, ‘plan’, ‘believe’, ‘target’ and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance.
These forward-looking statements may include, among other things, plans, objectives, projections and anticipated future economic performance based on assumptions and the like that are subject to risks and uncertainties. As such, actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors which may cause actual results to differ include but are not limited to: the unanticipated loss of a material client or key personnel, delays or reductions in client advertising budgets, shifts in industry rates of compensation, regulatory compliance costs or litigation, natural disasters or acts of terrorism, the Company’s exposure to changes in the values of other major currencies (because a substantial portion of its revenues are derived and costs incurred outside of the UK) and the overall level of economic activity in the Company’s major markets (which varies depending on, among other things, regional, national and international political and economic conditions and government regulations in the world’s advertising markets). In addition, you should consider the risks described under Item 3D ‘Risk Factors’ in the Group’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2020 and any impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic which could also cause actual results to differ from forward-looking information. In light of these and other uncertainties, the forward-looking statements included in this document should not be regarded as a representation by the Company that the Company’s plans and objectives will be achieved. Other than in accordance with its legal or regulatory obligations (including under the Market Abuse Regulation, the UK Listing Rules and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority), the Group undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The reader should, however, consult any additional disclosures that the Group may make in any documents which it publishes and/or files with the SEC. All readers, wherever located, should take note of these disclosures. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any particular expectation will be met and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements.
Any forward looking statements made by or on behalf of the Group speak only as of the date they are made and are based upon the knowledge and information available to the Directors on the date of this document.
_______________________________1 Percentage change in reported sterling.
2 Like-for-like. LFL comparisons are calculated as follows: current year, constant currency actual results (which include acquisitions from the relevant date of completion) are compared with prior year, constant currency actual results, adjusted to include the results of acquisitions and disposals for the commensurate period in the prior year.
3 Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211028005511/en/
Investors and analysts Peregrine Riviere +44 7909 907193 Caitlin Holt +44 7392 280178 Fran Butera (US) +1 914 484 1198
Media Chris Wade +44 20 7282 4600 Richard Oldworth, +44 7710 130 634 Buchanan Communications +44 20 7466 5000
wpp.com/investors
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