Improved performance in Q3; LFL revenue less
pass-through costs +0.5% (+0.7% incl. Kantar); full-year guidance
reiterated
WPP (NYSE: WPP) today reported its 2019 Third Quarter Trading
Update.
Q3
£ million1
∆ reported
∆ constant
∆ LFL
∆ LFL incl. Kantar
Reported revenue
3,291
5.2%
1.9%
1.9%
1.8%
Revenue less pass- through
costs
2,725
3.7%
0.5%
0.5%
0.7%
YTD
Reported revenue
9,659
2.8%
0.5%
0.0%
0.2%
Revenue less pass- through
costs
7,924
1.1%
-1.2%
-1.5%
-1.1%
- Improvement in Q3 in major markets and sectors
- Global Integrated Agencies back to growth in third
quarter
- Significant improvement in North America and China
- Net new business of $3.9 billion in first nine
months
Mark Read, Chief Executive Officer of WPP, said:
“WPP’s performance in the third quarter is another important
step in the strategy we outlined in December 2018 to return the
Company to sustainable growth in line with our peers in 2021.
“Our growth in Q3 is encouraging but we are focused on
delivering these longer-term goals and know there will be twists
and turns along the way. Our guidance for 2019 remains
unchanged.
“It continues to be a successful year for new business, with
major wins in the quarter including Mondelez and eBay, but just as
importantly we are growing and retaining longstanding clients, such
as the US Marine Corps and Centrica, who value the depth of our
understanding and the longevity of the relationship.
“Yesterday, WPP shareholders voted to approve the Kantar
transaction, which will further simplify our business and
significantly strengthen our balance sheet, while creating a new
partnership for Kantar’s future growth and development.
“In the last 12 months, WPP has taken decisive action and made
substantial progress on many fronts: we have fewer, stronger agency
brands; new leadership in many of our companies; enhanced central
teams supporting our companies; and a renewed commitment to
creativity, powered by technology. We have cemented our position as
the largest partner to the world’s leading technology firms and,
most importantly, the work we do continues to be highly valued by
our clients as we adapt to their changing needs in a dynamic
marketplace.”
Revenue analysis
£ million
2019
∆ reported
∆ constant3
∆ LFL4
Acquisitions
2018
∆ LFL incl. Kantar
First quarter
2,992
1.0%
-0.8%
-1.7%
0.9%
2,964
-1.3%
Second quarter
3,376
2.2%
0.3%
-0.3%
0.6%
3,303
0.1%
First half
6,368
1.6%
-0.3%
-0.9%
0.6%
6,267
-0.6%
Third quarter
3,291
5.2%
1.9%
1.9%
0.0%
3,129
1.8%
First 9 months5
9,659
2.8%
0.5%
0.0%
0.5%
9,396
0.2%
Kantar first 9 months6
1,898
2.4%
1.2%
1.3%
Group first 9 months incl.
Kantar
11,557
2.7%
0.6%
0.2%
Revenue less pass-through costs analysis
£ million
2019
∆ reported
∆ constant
∆ LFL
Acquisitions
2018
∆ LFL incl. Kantar
First quarter
2,471
-1.0%
-2.8%
-3.3%
0.5%
2,496
-2.8%
Second quarter
2,728
0.6%
-1.3%
-1.7%
0.4%
2,713
-1.4%
First half
5,199
-0.2%
-2.0%
-2.5%
0.5%
5,209
-2.0%
Third quarter
2,725
3.7%
0.5%
0.5%
0.0%
2,628
0.7%
First 9 months5
7,924
1.1%
-1.2%
-1.5%
0.3%
7,837
-1.1%
Kantar first 9 months6
1,442
1.9%
0.8%
0.8%
Group first 9 months incl.
Kantar
9,366
1.2%
-0.9%
-1.1%
Third Quarter Review
Revenue
In the third quarter of 2019, reported revenue from continuing
operations (i.e. excluding Kantar) was up 5.2% at £3.291 billion.
Revenue in constant currency was up 1.9% compared with last year,
the difference to the reported number reflecting the weakening of
the pound sterling against a number of currencies, but particularly
the US dollar. On a like-for-like basis, revenue was also up 1.9%,
compared with -0.9% in the first half. Geographically,
like-for-like revenue growth in the third quarter was stronger in
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & the Middle East and
Central & Eastern Europe, with Western Continental Europe and
the United Kingdom up strongly, partly offset by North America.
South East Asia, Latin America and the Middle East were
particularly strong with Africa and ANZ more difficult. By sector,
the Group’s Global Integrated Agencies were up strongly, but Public
Relations and the Group’s Specialist Agencies performed less
well.
In the third quarter, there was an improvement in revenue less
pass-through costs from continuing operations, with constant
currency and like-for-like growth of 0.5%, the first quarter of
growth since the second quarter of 2018, and significantly stronger
than the -2.5% in the first half. All regions showed improvement
compared with the first half.
Regional review
Revenue analysis – Third Quarter
£ million
2019
∆ reported
∆ constant7
∆ LFL8
2018
∆ LFL incl. Kantar
N. America
1,243
3.8%
-1.8%
-1.9%
1,197
-1.9%
United Kingdom
426
1.4%
1.4%
1.5%
420
1.2%
W. Cont Europe
613
4.6%
3.6%
1.9%
586
1.8%
AP, LA, AME, CEE9
1,009
9.0%
5.8%
6.9%
926
6.4%
Total Group10
3,291
5.2%
1.9%
1.9%
3,129
1.8%
Kantar11
650
3.4%
1.0%
1.4%
Group incl. Kantar
3,941
4.9%
1.7%
1.8%
Revenue less pass-through costs analysis – Third
Quarter
£ million
2019
∆ reported
∆ constant
∆ LFL
2018
∆ LFL incl. Kantar
N. America
1,034
3.2%
-2.3%
-3.5%
1,001
-3.2%
United Kingdom
334
0.6%
0.6%
3.1%
332
2.1%
W. Cont Europe
518
3.4%
2.4%
1.7%
501
1.8%
AP, LA, AME, CEE
839
5.7%
2.7%
4.0%
794
4.1%
Total Group10
2,725
3.7%
0.5%
0.5%
2,628
0.7%
Kantar11
492
3.8%
1.3%
1.6%
Group incl. Kantar
3,217
3.7%
0.6%
0.7%
North America, although still negative, improved, with
like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs from continuing
operations down 3.5%, compared with -8.8% in the first quarter and
-5.9% in the second quarter. Wunderman Thompson, VMLY&R, Grey
and AKQA showed significant improvement compared with the first
half.
The United Kingdom continued to grow, with like-for-like
revenue less pass-through costs from continuing operations up 3.1%,
compared with +2.9% in the second quarter and +1.2% for the first
half, as Wunderman Thompson, VMLY&R, BCW and AKQA showed
significant improvement.
Western Continental Europe grew for the first time this
year, with like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs from
continuing operations up 1.7% in the third quarter, compared with
-0.2% in both quarter one and quarter two. Germany, the Group’s
largest market in the region, showed significant improvement,
together with Austria, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and
Turkey, with France, Italy and the Netherlands more
challenging.
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & the Middle East and
Central & Eastern Europe was the strongest performing
region, with like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs from
continuing operations, up 4.0% in the third quarter, compared with
0.7% growth in the second quarter and 1.1% for the first half.
Latin America, the Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe
performed particularly well, with Asia Pacific and Africa more
difficult. In Asia Pacific, all of the Group’s major markets,
except China and Thailand, grew, with India, the Group’s second
largest market in the region, up over 15%. Australia & New
Zealand performed below the Group average in the third quarter,
with some of the Group’s creative and specialist businesses under
pressure.
Business sector review
Revenue analysis – Third Quarter
£ million
2019
∆ reported
∆ constant12
∆ LFL13
2018
Global Int. Agencies14
2,542
7.0%
3.7%
3.4%
2,376
Public Relations
241
6.0%
2.0%
0.4%
227
Specialist Agencies
508
-3.5%
-6.3%
-4.8%
526
Total Group15
3,291
5.2%
1.9%
1.9%
3,129
Kantar16
650
3.4%
1.0%
1.4%
629
Group incl. Kantar
3,941
4.9%
1.7%
1.8%
3,758
Revenue less pass-through costs analysis – Third
Quarter
£ million
2019
∆ reported
∆ constant
∆ LFL
2018
Global Int. Agencies
2,036
4.9%
1.7%
1.7%
1,941
Public Relations
225
4.5%
0.6%
-0.9%
215
Specialist Agencies
464
-1.7%
-4.7%
-3.4%
472
Total Group15
2,725
3.7%
0.5%
0.5%
2,628
Kantar16
492
3.8%
1.3%
1.6%
475
Group incl. Kantar
3,217
3.7%
0.6%
0.7%
3,103
In the third quarter of 2019, like-for-like revenue less
pass-through costs in the Group’s Global Integrated Agencies was up
1.7%, compared with -3.4% in quarter one and -0.3% in quarter two.
This improvement came largely from North America, the United
Kingdom and Continental Europe, with Wunderman Thompson, VMLY&R
and Grey showing significant improvement compared with the first
half. Following the merger, VMLY&R grew in the third quarter
both globally and in the United States.
Public Relations, with like-for-like revenue less pass-through
costs -0.9%, showed some improvement compared with -1.5% in the
first half and -2.6% in quarter two. This was driven by an
improving trend in the United Kingdom and Western Continental
Europe, partly offset by slightly weaker performance in North
America and Asia Pacific.
The Group’s Specialist Agencies, with like-for-like revenue less
pass-through costs down 3.4%, showed a significant improvement over
the -7.1% in quarter two and -5.7% in the first half, with
Geometry, AKQA, Brand Consulting and Commarco stronger.
Balance sheet highlights
Average net debt in the first nine months of 2019 was £4.477
billion, compared to £5.102 billion in 2018, at 2019 exchange
rates, a decrease of £625 million. This improvement is largely
explained by the disposal of various non-core associates and
subsidiaries over the last 12 months (including one of the Group’s
freehold properties in New York), which in aggregate realised £456
million. Net debt at 30 September 2019 was £4.469 billion, compared
to £4.962 billion on 30 September 2018, at 2019 exchange rates, a
decrease of £493 million.
No shares were purchased in the first 9 months of 2019.
Financial guidance
Our financial guidance for 2019 was previously given including
Kantar and remains unchanged, both including and excluding Kantar,
as follows:
- Like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs down 1.5% to
2.0%
- Headline operating margin to revenue less pass-through costs
down around 1.0 margin point on a constant currency basis
(excluding the impact of IFRS 16)
This announcement is being distributed to all owners of Ordinary
shares and American Depository Receipts. Copies are available to
the public at the Company’s registered office.
The following cautionary statement is included for safe harbour
purposes in connection with the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 introduced in the United States of America. This
announcement may contain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the US federal securities laws. These statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially including adjustments arising from the annual
audit by management and the Company’s independent auditors. For
further information on factors which could impact the Company and
the statements contained herein, please refer to public filings by
the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
statements in this announcement should be considered in light of
these risks and uncertainties.
Appendix
Regional Review
Revenue analysis – First Nine Months
£ million
2019
∆ reported
∆ constant
∆ LFL
2018
∆ LFL incl. Kantar
N. America
3,577
0.8%
-4.9%
-5.8%
3,550
-5.5%
United Kingdom
1,334
1.4%
1.4%
1.4%
1,316
1.2%
W. Cont Europe
1,876
2.2%
2.8%
1.2%
1,836
1.3%
AP, LA, AME, CEE
2,872
6.6%
5.8%
6.5%
2,694
5.9%
Total Group17
9,659
2.8%
0.5%
0.0%
9,396
0.2%
Kantar18
1,898
2.4%
1.2%
1.3%
1,855
Total Group incl. Kantar
11,557
2.7%
0.6%
0.2%
11,251
Revenue less pass-through costs analysis – First Nine
Months
£ million
2019
∆ reported
∆ constant
∆ LFL
2018
∆ LFL incl.grid Kantar
N. America
2,985
0.9%
-4.8%
-6.1%
2,959
-5.7%
United Kingdom
1,026
0.9%
0.9%
1.9%
1,018
0.8%
W. Cont Europe
1,560
0.4%
0.9%
0.4%
1,553
0.5%
AP, LA, AME, CEE
2,353
2.0%
1.4%
2.1%
2,307
2.5%
Total Group17
7,924
1.1%
-1.2%
-1.5%
7,837
-1.1%
Kantar18
1,442
1.9%
0.8%
0.8%
1,415
Total Group incl. Kantar
9,366
1.2%
-0.9%
-1.1%
9,252
Business Sector Review
Revenue analysis – First Nine Months
£ million
2019
∆ reported
∆ constant
∆ LFL
2018
Global Int Agencies
7,416
4.0%
1.7%
1.2%
7,130
Public Relations
712
4.6%
1.2%
-0.6%
681
Spec. Agencies
1,531
-3.4%
-5.5%
-5.2%
1,585
Total Group17
9,659
2.8%
0.5%
0.0%
9,396
Kantar18
1,898
2.4%
1.2%
1.3%
1,855
Group incl. Kantar
11,557
2.7%
0.6%
0.2%
11,251
Revenue less pass-through costs analysis – First Nine
Months
£ million
2019
∆ reported
∆ constant
∆ LFL
2018
Global Int Agencies
5,894
1.9%
-0.3%
-0.6%
5,786
Public Relations
667
3.4%
0.1%
-1.3%
645
Spec. Agencies
1,363
-3.1%
-5.3%
-5.3%
1,406
Total Group17
7,924
1.1%
-1.2%
-1.5%
7,837
Kantar18
1,442
1.9%
0.8%
0.8%
1,415
Group incl. Kantar
9,366
1.2%
-0.9%
-1.1%
9,252
1 As a result of the Board’s decision on
12 July to enter into an agreement to sell 60% of Kantar, Kantar is
now categorized as an “asset held for sale” in accordance with IFRS
5: Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations.
Accordingly, the Third Quarter Update reports revenue and revenue
less pass-through costs, on a geographic and sector basis,
excluding Kantar. 2018 comparators have been restated to exclude
Kantar. For transparency, we will continue to report results both
including and excluding Kantar until FY 2019.
2 Continuing operations
3 Percentage change at constant currency
exchange rates
4 Like-for-like growth at constant
currency exchange rates and excluding the effects of acquisitions
and disposals
5 Continuing operations
6 Discontinued operations
7 Percentage change at constant currency
exchange rates
8 Like-for-like growth at constant
currency exchange rates and excluding the effects of acquisitions
and disposals
9 Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa
& Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe
10 Continuing operations
11 Discontinued operations
12 Percentage change at constant currency
exchange rates
13 Like-for-like growth at constant
currency exchange rates and excluding the effects of acquisitions
and disposals
14 Global Integrated Agencies
15 Continuing operations
16 Discontinued operations
17 Continuing operations
18 Discontinued operations
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