WPP plc (NYSE:WPP) Shares Purchased by Cerity Partners LLC

Cerity Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of WPP plc (NYSE:WPP) by 46.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,763 shares of the business services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,453 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC’s holdings in WPP were worth $369,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. CWM LLC raised its position in shares of WPP by 48.2% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 864 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 281 shares during the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in WPP by 54.0% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 973 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $43,000 after acquiring an additional 341 shares during the last quarter. CVA Family Office LLC acquired a new position in WPP in the 4th quarter valued at $49,000. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC acquired a new position in WPP in the 4th quarter valued at $111,000. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp raised its holdings in WPP by 70.3% in the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 3,286 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $156,000 after acquiring an additional 1,357 shares during the last quarter. 4.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com upgraded WPP from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. UBS Group downgraded WPP from a “buy” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $46.00.

WPP Stock Up 1.7 %

Shares of NYSE WPP opened at $50.94 on Friday. WPP plc has a 52-week low of $41.13 and a 52-week high of $59.28. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $46.84 and a 200-day moving average of $46.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.86.

WPP Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 7th will be paid a dividend of $0.244 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 7th. This represents a dividend yield of 5.3%.

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.