Wpp Plc (NYSE:WPP) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Wpp Plc (NYSE:WPP) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 3,187,080 shares, a growth of 41.1% from the January 29th total of 2,259,235 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 706,531 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.5 days. Currently, 1.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Currently, 1.5% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 706,531 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.5 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On WPP

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. OLD Mission Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of WPP during the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,123,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. grew its position in WPP by 1,082.6% in the fourth quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 254,389 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $5,714,000 after acquiring an additional 232,878 shares during the period. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in WPP during the fourth quarter worth $726,000. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its position in WPP by 22.7% in the fourth quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 15,247 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $342,000 after purchasing an additional 2,818 shares during the period. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its stake in shares of WPP by 3,840.2% in the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 136,135 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $3,058,000 after purchasing an additional 132,680 shares during the last quarter. 4.34% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

WPP Price Performance

NYSE WPP opened at $18.58 on Monday. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $20.65 and its two-hundred day moving average is $22.21. WPP has a fifty-two week low of $17.25 and a fifty-two week high of $41.87.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently issued reports on WPP shares. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of WPP from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Sunday, February 8th. Zacks Research raised shares of WPP from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Barclays upgraded WPP from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of WPP in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on WPP in a research report on Monday, January 12th. They issued a “neutral” rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold”.

Key Headlines Impacting WPP

Here are the key news stories impacting WPP this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Barclays upgraded WPP from “underweight” to “equal weight”, signaling some analyst confidence that the stock is nearer fair value after the reset. Barclays upgrade via Benzinga
• Positive Sentiment: WPP says the Elevate28 plan will deliver roughly $676 million of savings and reorganise into four core divisions — a sizeable cost takeout that could help margins if execution holds. WPP launches new Elevate28 strategy
• Positive Sentiment: At least one long-form analyst note views WPP as a contrarian recovery opportunity, arguing deep valuation and cost cuts could produce significant upside over 2026–2028. Seeking Alpha contrarian thesis
• Neutral Sentiment: Management published the Q4 2025 earnings call transcript and slide deck — useful for detail on client wins/losses, margins, and the timing of cost saves (readers should check for guidance and KPI targets). Q4 2025 earnings call transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry commentary explains the shift from a holding-company model to an integrated structure and a brand refresh — strategic moves that reduce complexity but carry execution risk and transition costs. B&T on Elevate28 reset
• Negative Sentiment: WPP reported a large EPS miss (reported EPS -$0.80 vs. consensus +$2.72) despite higher revenue, highlighting accounting or one-off items and disappointing profitability. MarketBeat earnings summary
• Negative Sentiment: The board cut the final dividend sharply (from 24.4p to 7.5p) as part of the turnaround — a liquidity/return-to-shareholders negative that typically pressures sentiment. WSJ on dividend cut
• Negative Sentiment: Markets reacted negatively to the overhaul announcement (shares previously fell ~4.5% on the news) and broker commentary that the company faces structural client and AI-related risks. Proactive Investors on share reaction
• Negative Sentiment: Short interest increased materially in February (a ~41% rise month-on-month), which can amplify downward pressure and volatility while the turnaround is executed.

About WPP

WPP plc (NYSE: WPP) is a British multinational advertising and public relations company headquartered in London, England. Recognized as one of the world’s largest communications services groups, WPP provides a wide array of marketing, advertising, media investment management and data consultancy services. Through its integrated network of agencies—among them Ogilvy, Grey, GroupM and Wavemaker—the company delivers creative content, brand strategy, digital transformation and media planning solutions to clients across virtually every industry.

Established in 1971 by Martin Sorrell as Wire and Plastic Products, the firm underwent a strategic transformation in the 1980s, focusing on acquisitions that expanded its capabilities into advertising and communications.