UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_____________________
FORM 6-K
____________________
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Month of August 2026
Commission File Number: 001-38303
______________________
WPP plc
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
________________________
Sea Containers, 18 Upper Ground
London, United Kingdom SE1 9GL
(Address of principal executive offices)
_________________________
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form
20-F X Form 40-F
___
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ___
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the
submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an
attached annual report to security holders.
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ___
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the
submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report
or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must
furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which
the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the
registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules
of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s
securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is
not a press release, is not required to be and has not been
distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if
discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form
6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.
Forward-Looking Statements
The
Company may include forward-looking statements (including as
defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995) in oral or written public statements issued by or on behalf
of the Company. These forward-looking statements may include, among
other things, plans, objectives, beliefs, intentions, strategies,
projections and anticipated future economic performance based on
assumptions and the like that are subject to risks and
uncertainties. These statements can be identified by the fact that
they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They
use words such as ‘aim’, ‘anticipate’,
‘believe’, ‘estimate’,
‘expect’, ‘forecast’,
‘guidance’, ‘intend’, ‘may’,
‘will’, ‘should’, ‘potential’,
‘possible’, ‘predict’,
‘project’, ‘plan’, ‘target’,
and other words and similar references to future periods but are
not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. As such,
all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because
they relate to future events and circumstances that are beyond the
control of the Company. Actual results or outcomes may differ
materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking
statements. Therefore, you should not rely on such forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, as a
prediction of actual results or otherwise. 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, suspensions or reductions in client advertising budgets;
shifts in industry rates of compensation; regulatory compliance
costs or litigation; changes in competitive factors in the
industries in which we operate and demand for our products and
services; changes in client advertising, marketing and corporate
communications requirements; our inability to realise the future
anticipated benefits of acquisitions; failure to realise our
assumptions regarding goodwill and indefinite lived intangible
assets; natural disasters or acts of terrorism; the Company’s
ability to attract new clients; the economic and geopolitical
impact of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; the risk of
global economic downturn; slower growth, increasing interest rates
and high and sustained inflation; tariffs and other trade barriers;
supply chain issues affecting the distribution of our
clients’ products; technological changes and risks to the
security of IT and operational infrastructure, systems, data and
information resulting from increased threat of cyber and other
attacks; effectively managing the risks, challenges and
efficiencies presented by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and
Generative AI technologies and partnerships in our business; risks
related to our environmental, social and governance goals and
initiatives, including impacts from regulators and other
stakeholders, and the impact of factors outside of our control on
such goals and initiatives; 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 in Item 3D, captioned “Risk Factors” in the
Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, 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. Neither the
Company, nor any of its directors, officers or employees, provides
any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of
any events anticipated, expressed or implied in any forward-looking
statements will actually occur. Other than in accordance with its
legal or regulatory obligations (including under the Market Abuse
Regulation, the UK Listing Rules and the Disclosure and
Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority), the Company
undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
Exhibit No.
|
Description
|
|
1
|
2026 Interim Results dated 06 August 2026, prepared by WPP
plc.
|
6 August
2026
2026 Interim Results
|
|
|
|
|
H1 performance in line with expectations; Elevate28
“Stabilise” phase on track; continue to expect
improving LFL trajectory in H2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Key figures (£ million)
|
H1 2026
|
+/(-) %
reported1
|
+/(-) % LFL2
|
H1 2025
|
|
Revenue
|
6,373
|
(4.4)
|
(3.2)
|
6,663
|
|
Revenue less pass-through costs3
|
4,745
|
(5.6)
|
(4.7)
|
5,026
|
|
Reported:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit
|
261
|
18.1
|
|
221
|
|
Operating profit margin (%)4
|
4.1
|
0.8pt
|
|
3.3
|
|
Diluted EPS (p)
|
1.7
|
(57.5)
|
|
4.0
|
|
Dividends per share (p)
|
7.5
|
—
|
|
7.5
|
|
Headline3:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit
|
398
|
(3.4)
|
(2.7)
|
412
|
|
Operating profit margin (%)4
|
8.4
|
0.2pt
|
0.2pt
|
8.2
|
|
Diluted EPS (p)
|
15.1
|
(24.5)
|
|
20.0
|
|
Cashflow and balance
sheet5:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted operating cash flow pre WC3,6
|
309
|
(14.9)
|
|
363
|
|
Net cash outflow from operating activities
|
(660)
|
(36.3)
|
|
(1,036)
|
|
Adjusted net debt
|
2,935
|
(10.0)
|
|
3,261
|
|
Average adjusted net debt
|
3,304
|
(2.3)
|
|
3,383
|
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 In
this press release, not all of the figures and ratios used are
readily available from the unaudited results included in Appendix
1. Management believes these non-GAAP measures, including constant
currency and like-for-like, revenue less pass-through costs and
headline profit measures, are both useful and necessary to better
understand the Group’s results. Details of how these have
been arrived at are shown in Appendix 4.
4 Headline
operating profit margin is calculated as headline operating profit
divided by revenue less pass-through costs and reported operating
profit margin is calculated as reported operating profit divided by
revenue, with the % change expressed in margin
points.
5 The
Group adopted the IFRS 9 amendments effective 1 January 2026. This
increased cash and cash equivalents and reduced adjusted net debt
by £180m as at 1 January 2026. As at 30 June 2026,
the impact of the amendments was that cash and cash equivalents
were higher and adjusted net debt was lower by £125m.
Furthermore, the 12-month rolling average adjusted net debt as at
30 June 2026 was £114m lower, calculated by applying the
amendments for the period 1 July 2025 to 30 June
2026.
6 Adjusted operating cash
flow before working capital, as reconciled in Appendix
4.
H1 revenue of £6,373m was down 4.4% on a reported basis and
down 3.2% like-for-like (LFL), while revenue less pass-through
costs of £4,745m decreased 4.7% LFL. Q2 revenue less
pass-through costs of £2,485m was down 2.3% on a reported
basis and 2.8% LFL. Performance in the quarter benefited
particularly from an improvement in trend at WPP Media compared to
the first quarter, as well as the impact of easing comparisons. H1
reported operating profit margin was 4.1% and headline operating
profit margin was 8.4%, representing a LFL increase of 0.2pt,
helped by lower headline severance YoY and cost savings. We
continue to expect an improving LFL growth trajectory in the second
half, with LFL revenue less pass-through costs overall down low to
mid-single digits in H2, and expect FY headline operating margin to
be in the range of 12% to 13%.
Conference call at 9.00am BST/4.00am EDT:
●
Dial-in
details: For
teleconference details please pre-register before the call
at this
link
●
Webcast:
Live webcast will be
available here
Cindy Rose OBE, Chief Executive Officer of WPP, said:
“I am encouraged by our first-half performance which is in
line with our expectations. While legacy account losses continue to
weigh, Q2 saw a further sequential improvement in LFL growth,
highlighting the momentum we are building across the company and
demonstrating that our strategy to become the trusted growth
partner for the world’s leading brands is beginning to
deliver.
“We are firmly on track with Phase 1 of our Elevate28 plan to
stabilise the business. Our objective for the first half was to put
in place the building blocks of the new organisational structure
and this is now complete. We are successfully transitioning from a
complex holding company to a single, integrated company –
with four operating units across four regions, all underpinned by
WPP Open, our agentic marketing platform, which enables and
connects everything we do.
“Organic growth remains our North Star. While the turnaround
of our financial performance will take time to fully flow through,
our strong new business wins and improved client retention, as well
as progress on cost savings and portfolio actions, demonstrate that
we are building a simpler, more competitive and higher-performing
WPP.”
H1 and Q2 2026
performance
●
Revenue –
H1 revenue less pass-through costs of
£4,745m was down 5.6% reported and down 4.7% LFL. Q2 revenue
less pass-through costs of £2,485m was down 2.3% reported and
down 2.8% LFL. H1 reported revenue of £6,373m was down 4.4%,
with a LFL decline of 3.2%.
●
Business
segment and regions – Global Integrated Agencies H1 LFL
revenue less pass-through costs fell 4.7% (Q2: -2.8%) with WPP
Media declining 5.4% (Q2: -2.8%), WPP Creative declining
4.9% (Q2: -3.5%), softened by WPP
Production growing 1.6% (Q2: +1.3%). By geography, North America
declined 6.0% (Q2: -4.3%), EMEA -4.3% (Q2: -3.0%), APAC -3.8% (Q2:
+0.3%) and LATAM -1.2% (Q2: +0.9%).
●
Clients –
WPP’s top 25 clients LFL revenue
less pass-through costs was down 6.3% in the first half, with an
improving trajectory in Q2, down 3.2%. The H1 performance reflects
client assignment losses from the prior year and is against a tough
comparison. By client sector, CPG, Tech & Digital Services and
Retail continued to see LFL declines in the second quarter, however
Automotive, Healthcare and Government saw a return to
growth.
●
Operating profit –
H1 headline operating profit was
£398m, a margin of 8.4% (H1 2025: 8.2%), up 0.2pt LFL. The
improvement in margin reflects lower staff and headline severance
costs as well as cost savings, offset by the decline in revenue
less pass-through costs. H1 reported operating profit was
£261m up 18.1%, predominantly due to lower impairment charges
compared to the prior period.
●
Adjusted net debt
– 30 June 2026
adjusted net debt was £2,935m (30 June 2025:
£3,261m, 31 December 2025: £2,167m), down £326m
from 30 June 2025 including the beneficial impact of £125m due
to IFRS 9 amendments. Average adjusted net debt at 30 June
2026 was £3,304m, compared to £3,404m at 31 December
2025.
●
Dividend – The Board proposes an interim dividend of 7.5p (H1
2025: 7.5p), in line with the intention to maintain the total
annual dividend at 15.0p per share in 2026.
Progress on Elevate28
●
Structural integration: launch
of WPP Production, WPP Enterprise Solutions and unified WPP
Creative – WPP has
made significant progress in its transition from a holding company
structure to a single, integrated operating model. Following the
earlier consolidation of WPP Production, the company officially
launched its unified, tech-powered WPP Enterprise Solutions unit on
1 July to capture high-growth demand for enterprise AI
transformation. In addition, WPP Creative has restructured its
legacy infrastructure into four regional P&Ls to enable greater
interoperability and joint agency wins. Client delivery is now
organised across four streamlined operating units, with common
incentive models driving more effective cross-unit
collaboration.
●
Technology advantage: scaling
WPP Open, Open Intelligence and expanding frontier AI partnerships
– WPP Open
serves as WPP’s central operating platform, increasingly
driving day-to-day workflows, automating high-volume creative,
production and media activation. Open Intelligence, our AI-powered
data layer, is being actively deployed, driving meaningful uplift
in media performance for clients. In Q2, we expanded key strategic
technology and data partnerships with Google, Meta, and AWS to
integrate advanced predictive and generative AI tools directly into
the platform. These integrations, including a predictive Cultural
Intelligence Engine developed with Google Cloud, are already
deployed in-market to help clients act ahead of shifting consumer
trends.
●
Commercial momentum: new
business success and enhanced retention – WPP's unified, tech- and data-enabled proposition
has driven strong momentum in new business. Key first-half wins
include consolidated mandates for The Estée Lauder Companies,
Henkel, and Wendy's, alongside major integrated regional
assignments in Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific, as well as
key retentions, including Skechers across multiple markets, Tesco
in the UK and Central Europe, Huawei in China, L'Oréal in
AUNZ, Uber in APAC and Deutsche Bahn in
Germany.
●
Financial foundations: cost
savings delivery and progress on asset disposals
– We are
on track to deliver £100m of in-year savings in 2026 as part
of the broader Elevate28 programme targeting £500m in gross
annualised cost savings by 2028, unlocking capital to support
reinvestment into our primary growth engines. Furthermore, we have
made progress on the rationalisation of our portfolio, with several
non-core asset disposals. Based on activity to date we expect FY
proceeds from disposal-related activity of over £200m. We
continue to make progress on further potential asset disposals and
will provide updates as appropriate.
Financial outlook for 2026
●
LFL revenue less pass-through
costs – We
continue to expect an improving trajectory in the second half and
expect LFL revenue less pass-through costs overall to decline low
to mid-single digits in H2.
●
Headline operating profit
margin – We maintain our
full year margin expectation of 12% to 13%. This is consistent with
second half margins decreasing by up to c.200 bps year-on-year,
reflecting the phasing of our investment plans, including both
investment in growth initiatives and the rebuilding of our
incentives.
●
Adjusted operating cash flow
before working capital – We continue to anticipate adjusted operating cash
flow before working capital of £800m to
£900m.
First half 2026 overview
Revenue in the first half was £6,373m, down 4.4% from
£6,663m in H1 2025, and down 3.2% LFL. Revenue less
pass-through costs was £4,745m, down 5.6% from £5,026m in
H1 2025, and down 4.7% LFL.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Q2 2026
|
%
reported
|
%
M&A
|
%
FX
|
+/(-) % LFL
|
|
Revenue
|
3,343
|
(2.3)
|
(0.2)
|
0.2
|
(2.3)
|
|
Revenue less pass-through costs
|
2,485
|
(2.3)
|
(0.1)
|
0.6
|
(2.8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
H1 2026
|
%
reported
|
%
M&A
|
%
FX
|
+/(-) % LFL
|
|
Revenue
|
6,373
|
(4.4)
|
(0.1)
|
(1.1)
|
(3.2)
|
|
Revenue less pass-through costs
|
4,745
|
(5.6)
|
(0.1)
|
(0.8)
|
(4.7)
|
Segmental review
Business segments – revenue less pass-through
costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
+/(-) % LFL
|
Global Integrated Agencies
|
|
Q2 2026
|
(2.8)
|
|
H1 2026
|
(4.7)
|
Additional Global Integrated Agencies
business analysis1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q2 2026
|
H1 2026
|
|
|
+/(-) % LFL
|
% share, revenue less pass-through costs
|
+/(-) % LFL
|
% share, revenue less pass-through costs
|
|
WPP Media2
|
(2.8)
|
47
|
(5.4)
|
46
|
|
WPP Creative
|
(3.5)
|
48
|
(4.9)
|
49
|
|
WPP Production
|
1.3
|
5
|
1.6
|
5
|
1 Global
Integrated Agencies is the Group’s single reporting segment,
which aligns with WPP as a single, unified operating company. This
represents the aggregation of the Group’s Media, Creative
(including Enterprise Solutions) and Production businesses.
Additional analysis as above is provided for WPP Media, WPP
Creative (including Enterprise Solutions) and WPP Production.
Additional analysis related to % LFL revenue less pass-through
costs growth and % share for Enterprise Solutions will be provided
from 1 January 2027.
2 WPP
Media, which is part of the new Global Integrated Agencies
reporting segment, includes certain businesses previously within
the Specialist Agencies reporting
segment.
In total, WPP Media, WPP Creative and WPP Production declined 4.7%
in H1 (Q2: -2.8%).
WPP Media saw a LFL decline in
revenue less pass-through costs of 5.4% in H1 (Q2: -2.8%), driven
by prior year client losses, but with an improving quarterly trend
in spend from existing customers and a smaller drag from net new
business (Q1: -8.3%). Q2 also benefited from easier comparisons as
the prior period included the impact of one-off
factors.
WPP Creative, including
WPP Enterprise
Solutions, declined 4.9% (Q2:
-3.5%) as a result of lower overall client spending, albeit with a
moderately improving sequential trend supported by better new
business (Q1: -6.3%). Declines are moderating at our creative and
PR agencies, with brand and design agencies continuing to
grow.
WPP Production grew 1.6% (Q2:
1.3%) against a tough comparison continuing its improving
trajectory, supported by new business wins and strong performance
across APAC and LATAM.
Regional segments – revenue less pass-through
costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
+/(-) % LFL
|
North America
|
EMEA
|
APAC
|
LATAM
|
|
Q2 2026
|
(4.3)
|
(3.0)
|
0.3
|
0.9
|
|
H1 2026
|
(6.0)
|
(4.3)
|
(3.8)
|
(1.2)
|
North America declined by 6.0% in H1 2026, with a Q2 decline of
4.3% reflecting a quarter-on-quarter improvement due to an easing
Q2 comparison (Q2 2025: -4.6%) and an improving trend in client
spend from existing customers.
EMEA saw revenue less
pass-through costs down 4.3% in H1 and down 3.0% in Q2, consistent
with an improving sequential quarterly trend (Q1: -5.6%). Declines
in the United Kingdom (Q2: -5.5%) and Germany (Q2: -4.7%)
have moderated and both Spain and Italy saw growth in the quarter,
benefitting from easier comparisons due to prior year one-off
factors. Middle East & Africa declined 9.2% in H1 (Q2: -7.2%)
as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East
continue.
APAC was
down 3.8% in H1 2026, driven by declines in
Australia (-4.7%) and India (-2.9%), the latter impacted by the
timing of sporting events. These declines were offset by a return
to growth in China of 2.6% in H1, with Q2 growing 15.6%,
benefitting from timing factors.
LATAM declined 1.2% in H1
driven by a 6.0% decline in Brazil partially offset by growth in
Argentina. We are encouraged by improving momentum in Q2 which was
up 0.9% and stronger new business performance in the
region.
Client sector – revenue less pass-through costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q2 2026
|
H1 2026
|
H1 2026
|
|
+/(-) % LFL
|
+/(-) % LFL
|
% share, revenue less pass-through
costs1
|
|
CPG
|
(6.0)
|
(9.1)
|
27
|
|
Tech & Digital Services
|
(8.9)
|
(9.2)
|
17
|
|
Healthcare & Pharma
|
6.5
|
2.9
|
13
|
|
Automotive
|
3.6
|
(1.3)
|
11
|
|
Retail
|
(3.6)
|
(2.7)
|
9
|
|
Telecom, Media & Entertainment
|
(16.8)
|
(14.8)
|
6
|
|
Financial Services
|
(14.2)
|
(13.4)
|
6
|
|
Other
|
4.3
|
6.1
|
4
|
|
Travel & Leisure
|
(1.4)
|
(2.8)
|
4
|
|
Government, Public Sector & Non-profit
|
1.9
|
(3.8)
|
3
|
1 Proportion
of WPP revenue less
pass-through costs in H1 2026; table made up of clients
representing 81% of WPP total revenue less pass-through
costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For further information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investors and analysts
|
|
|
Media
|
|
|
Thomas Singlehurst, CFA
|
+44 7876 431922
|
|
Niken Wresniwiro
|
+44 20 7282 4600
|
|
Anthony Hamilton
|
+44 7464 532903
|
|
Louise Lacourarie
|
+44 20 7282 4600
|
|
Melissa Fung
|
'+44 7353
107064
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
irteam@wpp.com
|
wpp.com/investors
|
|
press@wpp.com
|
|
Financial results
Unaudited income statement1:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Headline
|
Reported
|
|
£ million
|
H1 2026
|
H1 2025
|
+/(-) %
|
H1 2026
|
H1 2025
|
+/(-) %
|
|
Revenue
|
6,373
|
6,663
|
(4.4)
|
6,373
|
6,663
|
(4.4)
|
|
Revenue less pass-through costs
|
4,745
|
5,026
|
(5.6)
|
4,745
|
5,026
|
(5.6)
|
|
Operating profit
|
398
|
412
|
(3.4)
|
261
|
221
|
18.1
|
|
Operating profit margin
(%)2
|
8.4%
|
8.2%
|
0.2pt
|
4.1%
|
3.3%
|
0.8pt
|
|
Earnings from associates
|
14
|
17
|
(17.6)
|
14
|
17
|
(17.6)
|
|
Profit before interest & tax
|
412
|
429
|
(4.0)
|
275
|
238
|
15.5
|
|
Net finance costs
|
(135)
|
(129)
|
(4.7)
|
(169)
|
(140)
|
(20.7)
|
|
Profit before taxation
|
277
|
300
|
(7.7)
|
106
|
98
|
8.2
|
|
Tax
|
(93)
|
(55)
|
(69.1)
|
(69)
|
(28)
|
(146.4)
|
|
Profit after taxation
|
184
|
245
|
(24.9)
|
37
|
70
|
(47.1)
|
|
Non-controlling interests
|
(18)
|
(26)
|
30.8
|
(18)
|
(26)
|
30.8
|
|
Profit attributable to shareholders
|
166
|
219
|
(24.2)
|
19
|
44
|
(56.8)
|
|
Diluted EPS (p)
|
15.1p
|
20.0p
|
(24.5)
|
1.7p
|
4.0p
|
(57.5)
|
1 Non-GAAP measures in this table are reconciled in
Appendix 4.
2 Headline operating profit margin is calculated as
headline operating profit divided by revenue less pass-through
costs and reported operating profit margin is calculated as
reported operating profit divided by revenue, with the % change
expressed in margin points.
Operating profit
Headline operating profit was £398m (H1 2025: £412m), at
a headline operating profit margin of 8.4% (H1 2025: 8.2%), 0.2
points higher on both a reported and LFL basis. This reflects a
decrease in staff costs, including lower headline severance costs
and the impact of cost savings, which has offset the decline in
revenue less pass-through costs in the period (LFL decline of
4.7%).
Total headline operating costs were down 5.8%, to £4,347m (H1
2025: £4,614m).
Staff costs of £3,469m were down 5.9% compared to the prior
period (H1 2025: £3,685m), due to a reduction in headcount
associated with prior year cost actions as well as Elevate28
restructuring activity. There have also been lower headline
severance costs in the period, which were £44m (H1 2025:
£86m). This is offset by a rebuilding of our incentive pool
with incentive costs of £130m, up 120.3% compared to the prior
period (H1 2025: £59m).
The average number of people in the Group in the first half was
97,490 compared to 105,958 in H1 2025. The total number of people
as at 30 June 2026 was 97,388 compared to 104,083 as at 30 June
2025 and 98,655 at 31 December 2025, which is a 1.3% reduction
since the start of the year.
Establishment costs of £199m were down 9.1% compared to the
prior period (H1 2025: £219m) driven by ongoing
rationalisation of our property portfolio and consolidation of
leases. Technology costs of £319m were down 6.2% due to
savings from Enterprise Technology costs, offset by stable spending
on client technology, representing our continuing investment in WPP
Open, AI and data. Personal costs of £83m were down 15.3%
driven by efficiencies in discretionary spend, and other operating
expenses of £277m were broadly flat compared to the prior
period.
Headline EBITDA (including IFRS 16 depreciation) for the period was
down 5.5% to £502m (H1 2025: £531m).
Operating profit (continued)
Reported operating profit was £261m (H1 2025: £221m) at a
reported operating profit margin of 4.1% (H1 2025: 3.3%) with the
increase primarily due to the same factors as headline operating
profit above, and also benefitting from a decrease in total
adjusting items of £137m (H1 2025: £191m).
Adjusting items include £83m of restructuring costs (H1 2025:
£40m) of which £59m is related to new Elevate28 charges
and £24m is related to historical programmes, which reflects
an expected ramp down of the prior period charges (H1 2025:
£40m). There was also amortisation and impairment of acquired
intangible assets of £26m (H1 2025: £32m) and
property-related impairment charges of £22m (H1 2025:
£5m). There were no goodwill impairment charges in the period
(H1 2025: £116m).
Net finance costs
Headline net finance costs increased by £6m to £135m (H1
2025: £129m), primarily as a result of bonds refinanced at
higher coupon rates and lower investment income, partly offset by
lower interest costs from reduced short term borrowings in H1 2026
compared to H1 2025.
Reported net finance costs were £169m (H1 2025: £140m),
including net charges of £34m (H1 2025: £11m) relating to
the revaluation and retranslation of financial
instruments.
Tax
The headline effective tax rate (based on headline profit before
tax) was 33.5% (H1 2025: 18.3%).
The headline tax rate in the first half is higher than the prior
corresponding period primarily due to a non-recurring benefit of
credits from the successful resolution of a tax matter in the prior
period.
The reported effective tax rate was 65.1% (H1 2025: 28.6%). The
reported effective tax rate is higher than the headline effective
tax rate primarily due to non-deductible losses in the income
statement.
Earnings per share (“EPS”) and dividend
Headline diluted EPS was 15.1p (H1 2025: 20.0p), a decrease of
24.5% due to lower headline operating profit, higher headline net
finance costs and a higher headline effective tax
rate.
Reported diluted EPS was 1.7p (H1 2025: 4.0p), a decrease of 57.5%
due to higher reported net finance costs and a higher reported
effective tax rate, partially offset by higher reported operating
profit.
For 2026, the Board is declaring an interim dividend of 7.5p (H1
2025: 7.5p). The record date for the interim dividend is
9 October 2026, and the dividend will be payable on
2 November 2026.
Cash flow highlights
Unaudited headline cash flow
statement1:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended (£ million)
|
30 June 2026
|
30 June 2025
|
|
Headline operating profit
|
398
|
412
|
|
Headline earnings from associates
|
14
|
17
|
|
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
|
66
|
82
|
|
Amortisation of other intangibles
|
24
|
20
|
|
Depreciation of right-of-use assets
|
98
|
101
|
|
Headline EBITDA
|
600
|
632
|
|
Less: headline earnings from associates
|
(14)
|
(17)
|
|
Repayment of lease liabilities and related interest
|
(164)
|
(170)
|
|
Non-cash compensation
|
49
|
41
|
|
Non-headline cash items (including restructuring
costs)
|
(77)
|
(35)
|
|
Capex
|
(85)
|
(88)
|
|
Adjusted operating cash flow before working capital
|
309
|
363
|
|
Working capital outflow2
|
(807)
|
(1,348)
|
|
Adjusted operating cash flow
|
(498)
|
(985)
|
|
% conversion of Headline operating profit
|
(125)%
|
(239)%
|
|
Net dividends (to minorities)/from associates
|
(8)
|
(11)
|
|
Contingent consideration liability payments
|
(14)
|
(15)
|
|
Net interest paid
|
(85)
|
(93)
|
|
Cash tax3
|
(120)
|
(168)
|
|
Adjusted free cash flow
|
(725)
|
(1,272)
|
|
Disposal proceeds
|
64
|
6
|
|
Net initial acquisition payments
|
(109)
|
(133)
|
|
Dividends
|
—
|
—
|
|
Share purchases
|
(20)
|
(92)
|
|
Adjusted net cash flow
|
(790)
|
(1,491)
|
|
Reported:
|
|
|
|
Net cash outflow from operating activities
|
(660)
|
(1,036)
|
1 The Group’s unaudited cash flow statement
and notes for the six months ended 30 June 2026 is provided in
Appendix 1 and any non-GAAP measures in this table are reconciled
in Appendix 4.
2 The Group adopted the IFRS 9 amendments effective
1 January 2026. As at 30 June 2026, the impact of the amendments
increased cash and cash equivalents and trade and other payables,
decreasing the working capital outflow in the first half of 2026,
by £180m.
3 Cash tax in H1 2025 included £43m related to
tax payments for the FGS disposal.
Adjusted operating cash outflow was £498m (H1 2025:
£985m). The main driver of the lower cash outflow period on
period was the £541m lower working capital outflow, slightly
offset by higher non-headline cash items of £77m (H1 2025:
£35m). Working capital was a net outflow of £807m (H1
2025: £1,348m), which includes a £180m benefit reflecting IFRS 9 amendments and also
reflects the usual seasonality of client activity and timing of
payments. Non-headline cash items includes £83m (H1 2025:
£40m) of cash restructuring costs partially offset by £6m
(H1 2025: £5m) of investment income received. Cash
restructuring costs comprises £59m (H1 2025: nil) of Elevate28
costs and £24m (H1 2025: £40m) of historical programme
costs.
Adjusted free cash outflow was £725m, lower than prior period
(H1 2025: £1,272m) predominantly due to lower adjusted
operating cash outflow and lower tax payments. Adjusted net cash
outflow of £790m (H1 2025: £1,491m) was lower than H1
2025 due to higher disposal proceeds, lower acquisition payments
(including for Barrows, MAP and Resolve) and lower share
purchases.
Reported net cash outflow from operating activities (see Appendix
1) decreased to £660m (H1 2025: £1,036m outflow) due to
the increase in reported operating profit and lower working capital
outflow.
Balance sheet highlights
Unaudited balance sheet
As at 30 June 2026, the Group had total equity of £2,788m
(31 December 2025: £2,772m).
Non-current assets of £10,904m were broadly flat
(31 December 2025: £10,905m) with no significant changes
in H1 2026.
Current assets of £12,671m decreased by £499m
(31 December 2025: £13,170m), principally due to a
decrease in cash and cash equivalents of £331m, and accrued
income which decreased by £80m to £2,993m.
Current liabilities of £14,638m decreased by £197m
(31 December 2025: £14,835m), principally due to trade
and other payables which decreased by £829m, partially offset
by an increase in current borrowings of £657m. The increase in
current borrowings is due to €750m of 2.375% bonds maturing
in May 2027 becoming current.
The decrease in accrued income and trade and other payables is
primarily due to the seasonality of client activity and timing of
payments, with the movement from December consistent with prior
years.
Non-current liabilities of £6,149m (31 December 2025:
£6,468m) decreased due to lower non-current borrowings, which
is primarily due to €750m of 2.375% bonds becoming current,
partially offset by the issuance of US$600m of 6.5% bonds. Further
detail on bond activity is below.
Recognised within total equity, other comprehensive income of
£39m (H1 2025: £304m loss) for the period includes a
£48m gain (H1 2025: £359m loss) for foreign exchange
differences on translation of foreign operations, and a £13m
loss (H1 2025: £88m gain) on the Group’s net investment
hedges.
Adjusted net debt1
As at 30 June 2026, the Group had cash and cash equivalents of
£2,363m (31 December 2025: £2,694m) and borrowings
of £5,345m (31 December 2025: £4,936m). The Group has
current liquidity of £4,063m (31 December 2025: £4,384m)
comprising cash and cash equivalents, bank overdrafts and undrawn
credit facilities.
As at 30 June 2026, adjusted net debt was
£2,935m2 (30 June 2025: £3,261m,
31 December 2025: £2,167m), down £326m from 30 June
2025, but up £768m since the beginning
of the year, reflecting seasonal cash outflows in the first half of
the year. Average adjusted net debt at 30 June 2026 was
£3,304m2, compared to £3,404m at
31 December 2025 and £3,383m at 30 June 2025. The
average adjusted net debt to headline EBITDA ratio in the 12 months
ended 30 June 2026 is 2.18x (12 months ended 30 June
2025: 1.98x).
The Group has a five-year Revolving Credit Facility of US$2,500m
maturing in February 2031, with no financial covenants and which
remained undrawn at 30 June 2026.
In March 2026, WPP issued US$600m of 6.5% bonds (that were swapped
to €519m at 5.45%) and matures in March 2036. The bond
raising was oversubscribed, reflecting strong investor
demand.
As at 30 June 2026, our bond portfolio had an average maturity
of 5.7 years (31 December 2025: 5.8 years) and a weighted
average coupon rate of 3.7% (31 December 2025:
3.5%).
1 Adjusted net debt is reconciled in Appendix
4.
2 The Group adopted the IFRS 9 amendments effective
1 January 2026. This increased cash and cash equivalents and
reduced adjusted net debt by £180m as at 1 January
2026. As at 30 June 2026, the impact of the amendments was that
cash and cash equivalents were higher and adjusted net debt was
lower by £125m. Furthermore, the 12-month rolling average
adjusted net debt as at 30 June 2026 was £114m lower,
calculated by applying the amendments for the period 1 July 2025 to
30 June 2026.
Financial outlook
Our guidance for 2026 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Following
first half down 4.7%, like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs
overall to decline low to mid-single digits in the second
half
Headline
operating profit margin expected to be 12% to 13%
Adjusted
operating cash flow before working capital of £800m to
£900m
|
Other 2026 modelling assumptions, consistent with our 2025
Preliminary Results release:
|
|
|
|
|
● Mergers
and acquisitions will not significantly impact revenue less
pass-through costs
|
|
● FX
impact: current rates (at 31 July 2026, with USD/GBP rate of
1.35) imply a c.0.7% drag on FY 2026 revenue less pass-through
costs
|
|
● Headline
earnings from associates of around £30m
|
|
● Non-controlling
interests of around £45m
|
|
● Headline
net finance costs of around £290m
|
|
● Headline effective tax rate1 between 33% to 34%
|
|
● Capex
of around £190m
|
|
● Total
cash restructuring costs of around £250m, consisting of
c.£190m from Elevate28 and c.£60m from historical
programmes
|
|
● In
addition, we now expect disposal-related activity to generate cash
proceeds of at least £200m
|
1
Headline tax as a % of headline profit
before tax.
Elevate28 Targets
Phase 1: Stabilise (2026) The
immediate priority is to stabilise net new business performance. We
will also execute cost saving initiatives, and take portfolio
actions to improve balance sheet flexibility.
|
|
|
|
|
● Financial goal:
Deliver positive net new business,
achieve gross run-rate savings of £250m by year-end
(equivalent to around £100m in-year gross savings) and
progress portfolio actions.
|
Phase 2: Build (2027) We will
fully implement and start to benefit from our revised go-to-market
strategy and continue to deliver benefits of the new operating
model via improved execution and further reductions in
costs.
|
|
|
|
|
● Financial goal:
Return to organic growth during 2027,
rebuild margins and reduce leverage.
|
Phase 3: Accelerate (2028 and beyond) WPP will emerge as a simpler, lower-cost,
AI-enabled business. Revenue growth will be driven by the full
integration of media, creative, production and enterprise
solutions, as well as the global scaling of agentic
workflows.
|
|
|
|
|
● Financial goal:
Accelerate organic growth, expand
margins, deliver strong cash conversion.
|
Across all three phases a priority will be to maintain an
investment-grade balance sheet.
Q2 2026 highlights
Below we highlight key developments from Q2 across the
Group:
Clients
●
WPP new
business momentum – During the second quarter,
WPP’s new business momentum continued, placing us #1 in J.P.
Morgan’s quarterly New Business Rankings (see
link).
This was driven by wins across media, creative and integrated
services, including being appointed as Henkel’s global
creative partner, added to Heineken’s global creative roster
and selected as Natura and Avon’s strategic integrated
partner for creative, media and production in LATAM. Notable media
wins include Just Eat Takeaway globally, Honda in Europe and
Wendy’s in the US. We also saw a number of important
retentions, including the renewal of Skechers across multiple
markets, media and influencer work with L'Oréal in Australia
and New Zealand and creative work for Deutsche Bahn in
Germany.
●
WPP trust
principles – WPP introduced a codified set of
trust principles as a commitment to our clients and partners that
describe how we operate (see link).
In an environment where AI is dramatically transforming the
industry and trust is increasingly in scarce supply, we believe now
is the time to be explicit about the standards we hold ourselves
to. The five principles are: (1) clients own and control their
data; (2) WPP Open is open by design; (3) consumers are people, not
IDs; (4) AI augments human creativity rather than replacing it; and
(5) we take accountability for driving our clients’
growth.
●
WPP Enterprise
Solutions expansion – In early July, WPP announced
expansion plans for WPP Enterprise Solutions and established it as
a leading growth partner for organisations navigating AI-powered
digital transformation (see link).
WPP Enterprise Solutions brings together capabilities in commerce,
consulting, content transformation, CRM, loyalty and first-party
data, customer and product experience, and engineering and
platforms to help design, build and operate the growth systems that
competitive businesses rely on. The business partners with
global brands such as IKEA, Ford, L’Oréal and
Nestlé to deliver marketing modernisation and business
transformation.
●
WPP agencies
recognised at Cannes Lions 2026 – WPP claimed the top two spots at
the 2026 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for
Creative Network of the Year with Ogilvy #1 and VML #2 (see
link)
while Burson London was named PR Agency of the Year. Across the
festival, WPP agencies collected 140 Lions – a Titanium Lion,
7 Grand Prix, 29 Gold, 40 Silver and 63 Bronze – with winning
entries representing creative talent and client partnerships from
more than 25 countries around the world. WPP Media emerged as the
most awarded media group at the festival for the second consecutive
year. VML, with support from Burson, earned the festival's most
prestigious distinction, a Titanium Lion, for
‘Oreo
Cows’.
VML, Burson and OpenMind also earned the PR Grand Prix for
‘KitKat
Heist’.
This year’s winning campaigns showcased WPP's ability to
deliver culturally resonant work that earns brands a place in
people's lives and drives measurable business
growth.
●
WPP Media
Business Intelligence releases latest ‘This Year, Next
Year’ report – In June, WPP Media Business
Intelligence published its Mid-Year Global Advertising Forecast for
2026 (see link),
projecting global ad revenue to reach $1.3 trillion with 8.9%
growth. The report notes that AI investment, both from AI native
companies and traditional advertisers, is positively impacting
advertising spend.
Technology
●
WPP launches
HEX – WPP announced the launch of HEX
(see link),
the company’s frontier studio built for the era of AI.
Comprising of approximately 50 creative technologists from diverse
backgrounds such as architecture, gaming, fine art and robotics,
HEX operates at the intersection of innovation, imagination and
craft. HEX sits within WPP Production’s content production
and innovation teams and acts simultaneously as a creative
production studio, R&D lab and consultancy. The studio
specialises in generative and agentic AI, gaming, immersive
experiences and robotics, and is already delivering innovative work
for WPP’s global client roster.
●
Meta creative
partnership – WPP was named a launch partner to
pilot Meta’s newest creative solution, integrated within WPP
Open (see link).
Meta's new creative solution is currently in testing and was built
to navigate creative strategy and optimisation for brands to
analyse and suggest improvements for creative performance. This
planned integration enables WPP teams to turn campaign performance
data into a clear creative playbook with AI, allowing marketers to
move beyond guesswork, easily identify high-performing creative,
generate new concepts and validate them with robust
testing.
●
WPP partners
with Google Cloud on AI research initiative
– WPP announced an AI research
initiative with Google Cloud (see link),
building on the company’s new Cloud and AI partnership
announced late 2025. This new research arm unites functions across
Google to reimagine the consumer journey, from audience
intelligence, to creative and content production, and measurement.
This partnership enables WPP and Google Cloud to demonstrate that
the next phase of AI empowering creatives will be defined by
research depth and human creativity. This vision is part of a much
larger partnership that integrates research workstreams into
WPP’s creative and media processes. An example of the
partnership working is recently where WPP and Google DeepMind
collaborated to solve a unique creative challenge: seamlessly
lip-syncing the iconic Duracell Bunny for a global football
campaign.
●
WPP Enterprise
Solutions strategic collaboration agreement with AWS –
In June, WPP signed a
multi-year Strategic Collaboration Agreement with Amazon Web
Services, Inc. (AWS) (see link)
to deepen WPP Enterprise Solutions' role as a specialist commerce
and customer experience partner helping enterprise brands
operationalise production-grade generative and agentic AI on AWS.
The agreement accelerates how enterprise brands close the gap
between AI experimentation and scaled business impact across
commerce, customer experience and marketing operations. WPP
Enterprise Solutions brings engineering depth and
creative-to-commerce expertise to AWS generative and agentic AI
capabilities, delivering production-grade AI systems at the speed
and scale enterprise customers need to meet consumer
demand.
People
●
Chief Strategy
Officer appointment – In June, WPP appointed Baiju Shah
as WPP's new Group Chief Strategy Officer (see link).
Baiju will lead WPP's strategy and corporate development agenda
while continuing as CEO of AKQA. In this role, he will help to
accelerate delivery of the company's long-term strategy and unlock
corporate development opportunities across WPP.
●
New Global Presidents, Client
Growth – In May,
WPP appointed WPP Media’s Toby Jenner and Ogilvy’s
Philip Heimann as Global Presidents of Client Growth. Both are part
of WPP’s Executive Committee and the global leadership teams
of their respective areas of expertise: Toby as part of the
leadership team of WPP Media and Philip of WPP Creative. They both
report to WPP’s Chief Operating Officer, Devika Bulchandani
and are responsible for executing WPP’s integrated growth
strategy hand-in-hand with the new business teams to ensure WPP is
strongly positioned to secure growth opportunities in the
market.
●
New Board
member – In late April, WPP appointed
Peter Agnefjäll to its Board as Non-Executive Director, with
effect from 11 May 2026 (see link).
Peter began his career at IKEA as a graduate trainee in 1995 and
held a number of senior positions before serving as Chief Executive
Officer and President of the IKEA Group (Ingka Holding B.V.) from
2013 to 2017. During this period, he led the company’s growth
agenda and move into omnichannel retail, new shopping and
distribution formats.
Investor materials
●
Annual and
Sustainability Reports – Our 2025
Annual Report was published in March 2026. The
report provides a comprehensive overview of WPP’s financial
results, strategy and future growth initiatives, while including
important updates on corporate governance and sustainability.
Additional context on ways WPP is working to deliver against its
ESG activities can be seen in our 2025
Sustainability Report.
●
WPP webinars
– WPP hosted a series of webinars
designed to give investors and analysts deeper insight into our
agencies, products, services and market forecasts. These sessions
featured presentations by WPP leadership and agency executives,
covering industry trends, strategic updates and business
performance. During the second quarter, we have published three
webinars on WPP Media, the latest ‘This Year, Next
Year’ report and a Cannes Lions 2026 investor session with
WPP Creative, WPP Production and WPP Open. To watch these, please
see WPP
webinars.
Detailed regional analysis
Regional – revenue analysis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Q2 2026
|
Q2 2025 (restated)1
|
+/(-) % reported
|
+/(-) % LFL
|
|
North America
|
1,253
|
1,279
|
(2.0)
|
(1.8)
|
|
EMEA
|
1,346
|
1,379
|
(2.4)
|
(2.9)
|
|
APAC
|
587
|
616
|
(4.7)
|
(2.9)
|
|
LATAM
|
157
|
146
|
7.5
|
1.3
|
|
Total Group
|
3,343
|
3,420
|
(2.3)
|
(2.3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
H1 2026
|
H1 2025 (restated)1
|
+/(-) % reported
|
+/(-) % LFL
|
|
North America
|
2,374
|
2,537
|
(6.4)
|
(3.4)
|
|
EMEA
|
2,609
|
2,650
|
(1.5)
|
(2.4)
|
|
APAC
|
1,099
|
1,188
|
(7.5)
|
(4.4)
|
|
LATAM
|
291
|
288
|
1.0
|
(2.6)
|
|
Total Group
|
6,373
|
6,663
|
(4.4)
|
(3.2)
|
Regional – revenue less pass-through costs
analysis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Q2 2026
|
Q2 2025 (restated)1
|
+/(-) % reported
|
+/(-) % LFL
|
|
North America
|
930
|
974
|
(4.5)
|
(4.3)
|
|
EMEA
|
1,024
|
1,051
|
(2.6)
|
(3.0)
|
|
APAC
|
379
|
379
|
–
|
0.3
|
|
LATAM
|
152
|
140
|
8.6
|
0.9
|
|
Total Group
|
2,485
|
2,544
|
(2.3)
|
(2.8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
H1 2026
|
H1 2025 (restated)1
|
+/(-) % reported
|
+/(-) % LFL
|
|
North America
|
1,792
|
1,966
|
(8.9)
|
(6.0)
|
|
EMEA
|
1,965
|
2,037
|
(3.5)
|
(4.3)
|
|
APAC
|
701
|
744
|
(5.8)
|
(3.8)
|
|
LATAM
|
287
|
279
|
2.9
|
(1.2)
|
|
Total Group
|
4,745
|
5,026
|
(5.6)
|
(4.7)
|
Regional – headline operating profit analysis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
H1 2026
|
% margin2
|
H1 2025 (restated)
|
% margin2
|
|
North America
|
241
|
13.4
|
281
|
14.3
|
|
EMEA
|
117
|
6.0
|
92
|
4.5
|
|
APAC
|
27
|
3.9
|
26
|
3.5
|
|
LATAM
|
13
|
4.5
|
13
|
4.7
|
|
Total Group
|
398
|
8.4
|
412
|
8.2
|
1 The Group’s
geographical areas have been reorganised. Prior year comparatives
have been restated to reflect these
changes.
2 Headline operating
profit as a percentage of revenue less pass-through
costs.
Appendix 1: Interim results for the six months ended 30 June
2026
Unaudited condensed consolidated interim income statement for the
six months ended 30 June 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Notes
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Revenue
|
2
|
6,373
|
|
6,663
|
|
|
Costs of services
|
3
|
(5,568)
|
|
(5,826)
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
805
|
|
837
|
|
|
General and administrative costs
|
3
|
(544)
|
|
(616)
|
|
|
Operating profit
|
|
261
|
|
221
|
|
|
Earnings from associates
|
|
14
|
|
17
|
|
|
Profit before interest and taxation
|
|
275
|
|
238
|
|
|
Finance and investment income
|
|
39
|
|
49
|
|
|
Finance costs
|
|
(174)
|
|
(178)
|
|
|
Revaluation and retranslation of financial instruments
|
|
(34)
|
|
(11)
|
|
|
Profit before taxation
|
2
|
106
|
|
98
|
|
|
Taxation
|
|
(69)
|
|
(28)
|
|
|
Profit for the period
|
|
37
|
|
70
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
|
Equity holders of the parent
|
|
19
|
|
44
|
|
|
Non-controlling interests
|
|
18
|
|
26
|
|
|
|
37
|
|
70
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per ordinary share
|
5
|
1.8
|
p
|
4.1
|
p
|
|
Diluted earnings per ordinary share
|
5
|
1.7
|
p
|
4.0
|
p
|
The accompanying
notes form an integral part of this unaudited condensed
consolidated interim income statement.
Unaudited condensed consolidated interim statement of
comprehensive
income for the six months ended 30 June 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Profit for the period
|
37
|
70
|
|
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or
loss:
|
|
|
|
Foreign exchange differences on translation of foreign
operations
|
48
|
(359)
|
|
(Loss)/gain on net investment hedges
|
(13)
|
88
|
|
Cash flow hedges:
|
|
|
|
Fair
value (loss)/gain arising on hedging instruments
|
(15)
|
19
|
|
Amounts
reclassified to profit or loss
|
8
|
(46)
|
|
(Loss)/gain on costs of hedging
|
(3)
|
3
|
|
|
25
|
(295)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or
loss:
|
|
|
|
Movements on equity investments held at fair value through other
comprehensive income
|
14
|
(9)
|
|
|
14
|
(9)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the period
|
39
|
(304)
|
|
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period
|
76
|
(234)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
Equity holders of the parent
|
57
|
(248)
|
|
Non-controlling interests
|
19
|
14
|
|
|
76
|
(234)
|
The accompanying notes form an
integral part of this unaudited condensed consolidated interim
statement of comprehensive income.
Unaudited condensed consolidated interim cash flow statement for
the six months ended 30 June 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Notes
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Net cash outflow from operating activities1
|
6
|
(660)
|
|
(1,036)
|
|
|
Investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisitions1
|
|
(67)
|
|
(127)
|
|
|
Disposals of investments and subsidiaries
|
|
60
|
|
5
|
|
|
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
|
|
(34)
|
|
(42)
|
|
|
Purchases of intangible assets
|
|
(51)
|
|
(46)
|
|
|
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment
|
|
4
|
|
1
|
|
|
Net cash outflow from investing activities
|
|
(88)
|
|
(209)
|
|
|
Financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
Principal elements of lease payments
|
|
(117)
|
|
(120)
|
|
|
Cash consideration for purchase of non-controlling
interests
|
|
(51)
|
|
(7)
|
|
|
Share repurchases and buybacks
|
|
(20)
|
|
(92)
|
|
|
Proceeds from borrowings
|
|
455
|
|
666
|
|
|
Repayment of borrowings
|
|
—
|
|
(418)
|
|
|
Net payment on borrowing-related derivatives
|
|
(4)
|
|
(26)
|
|
|
Financing and share issue costs
|
|
(7)
|
|
—
|
|
|
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiary
undertakings
|
|
(34)
|
|
(26)
|
|
|
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities
|
|
222
|
|
(23)
|
|
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
(526)
|
|
(1,268)
|
|
|
Foreign exchange translation of cash and cash
equivalents
|
|
(4)
|
|
(31)
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period, prior to
restatement for IFRS 9 amendments
|
|
2,526
|
|
2,467
|
|
|
Adjustment on initial application of amendments to IFRS 9 on 1
January 2026
|
1
|
180
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period, restated for IFRS
9 amendments
|
|
2,706
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
|
7
|
2,176
|
|
1,168
|
|
The
accompanying notes form an integral part of this
unaudited
condensed consolidated interim
cash flow statement.
1 Contingent consideration liability payments in
excess of the amount determined at acquisition are recorded as
operating activities.
Unaudited condensed consolidated interim balance sheet as at
30 June 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Notes
|
30 June 2026
|
31 December 2025
|
|
Non-current assets
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
7,044
|
|
6,946
|
|
Other intangible assets
|
|
746
|
|
734
|
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
|
676
|
|
724
|
|
Right-of-use assets
|
|
1,268
|
|
1,317
|
|
Interests in associates
|
|
197
|
|
231
|
|
Other investments
|
|
328
|
|
334
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
304
|
|
292
|
|
Corporate income tax recoverable
|
|
70
|
|
55
|
|
Trade and other receivables
|
|
271
|
|
272
|
|
|
10,904
|
|
10,905
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate income tax recoverable
|
|
131
|
|
124
|
|
Trade and other receivables
|
|
7,184
|
|
7,279
|
|
Accrued income and unbilled media
|
|
2,993
|
|
3,073
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
7
|
2,363
|
|
2,694
|
|
|
|
12,671
|
|
13,170
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables
|
|
(12,580)
|
|
(13,409)
|
|
Corporate income tax payable
|
|
(180)
|
|
(221)
|
|
Lease liabilities
|
|
(228)
|
|
(223)
|
|
Borrowings
|
7
|
(1,479)
|
|
(822)
|
|
Provisions for liabilities and charges
|
|
(171)
|
|
(160)
|
|
|
(14,638)
|
|
(14,835)
|
|
Net current liabilities
|
|
(1,967)
|
|
(1,665)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
|
7
|
(3,866)
|
|
(4,114)
|
|
Trade and other payables
|
|
(195)
|
|
(208)
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
(148)
|
|
(146)
|
|
Employee benefit obligations
|
|
(127)
|
|
(128)
|
|
Provisions for liabilities and charges
|
|
(204)
|
|
(199)
|
|
Lease liabilities
|
|
(1,609)
|
|
(1,673)
|
|
|
|
(6,149)
|
|
(6,468)
|
|
Net assets
|
|
2,788
|
|
2,772
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
Called-up share capital
|
|
109
|
|
109
|
|
Share premium account
|
|
579
|
|
579
|
|
Other reserves
|
|
(32)
|
|
(12)
|
|
Own shares
|
|
(190)
|
|
(188)
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
2,136
|
|
2,052
|
|
Equity shareholders’ funds
|
|
2,602
|
|
2,540
|
|
Non-controlling interests
|
|
186
|
|
232
|
|
Total equity
|
|
2,788
|
|
2,772
|
The accompanying notes form an integral part of this
unaudited
condensed consolidated interim
balance sheet.
Unaudited condensed consolidated interim statement of changes in
equity for the period ended 30 June 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Called-up
share capital
|
Share premium account
|
Other reserves
|
Own shares
|
Retained earnings1
|
Total equity
share
holders’ funds
|
Non-controlling interests
|
Total
|
|
Balance at 1 January 2025
|
109
|
579
|
151
|
(191)
|
2,827
|
3,475
|
259
|
3,734
|
|
Profit for the period
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
44
|
44
|
26
|
70
|
|
Other comprehensive loss
|
—
|
—
|
(282)
|
—
|
(10)
|
(292)
|
(12)
|
(304)
|
|
Total comprehensive (loss)/income
|
—
|
—
|
(282)
|
—
|
34
|
(248)
|
14
|
(234)
|
|
Dividends paid
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(26)
|
(26)
|
|
Non-cash share-based incentive plans (including share
options)
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
41
|
41
|
—
|
41
|
|
Tax on share-based payments
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(1)
|
(1)
|
—
|
(1)
|
|
Net movement in own shares held by ESOP Trusts
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(17)
|
(75)
|
(92)
|
—
|
(92)
|
|
Net movement of liabilities in respect of put options
|
—
|
—
|
(9)
|
—
|
—
|
(9)
|
—
|
(9)
|
|
Net movement in non-controlling interests2
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(2)
|
(2)
|
(3)
|
(5)
|
|
Total transactions with owners
|
—
|
—
|
(9)
|
(17)
|
(37)
|
(63)
|
(29)
|
(92)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 30 June 2025
|
109
|
579
|
(140)
|
(208)
|
2,824
|
3,164
|
244
|
3,408
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 1 January 2026
|
109
|
579
|
(12)
|
(188)
|
2,052
|
2,540
|
232
|
2,772
|
|
Profit for the period
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
19
|
19
|
18
|
37
|
|
Other comprehensive income
|
—
|
—
|
24
|
—
|
14
|
38
|
1
|
39
|
|
Total comprehensive income
|
—
|
—
|
24
|
—
|
33
|
57
|
19
|
76
|
|
Dividends paid
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(34)
|
(34)
|
|
Non-cash share-based incentive plans (including share
options)
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
49
|
49
|
—
|
49
|
|
Net movement in own shares held by ESOP Trusts3
|
—
|
—
|
(51)
|
(2)
|
(17)
|
(70)
|
—
|
(70)
|
|
Net movement of liabilities in respect of put options
|
—
|
—
|
7
|
—
|
10
|
17
|
—
|
17
|
|
Net movement in non-controlling interests2
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
9
|
9
|
(31)
|
(22)
|
|
Total transactions with owners
|
—
|
—
|
(44)
|
(2)
|
51
|
5
|
(65)
|
(60)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 30 June 2026
|
109
|
579
|
(32)
|
(190)
|
2,136
|
2,602
|
186
|
2,788
|
The accompanying notes form an
integral part of this unaudited condensed consolidated interim
statement of changes in equity.
1 Accumulated losses on existing equity investments
held at fair value through other comprehensive income are £394
million at 30 June 2026 (31 December 2025: £408
million).
2 Net movement in non-controlling interests
represents movements in retained earnings and non-controlling
interests arising from changes in ownership of existing
subsidiaries and recognition of non-controlling interests on new
acquisitions and derecognition of non-controlling interests on
disposals of subsidiaries.
3 Net movement in own shares held by ESOP Trusts
includes forward purchases of WPP plc’s own
shares.
Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial
statements
1. Basis of preparation
The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements
for the six months ended 30 June 2026 comply with IAS 34
Interim Financial Reporting as issued by the International
Accounting Standards Board (IASB), the Disclosure Guidance and
Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom’s
Financial Conduct Authority and with the accounting policies of WPP
plc and its subsidiaries (the Group), which were set out on pages
139 - 145 of the 2025 Annual Report and Accounts.
On 1 January 2026 the Group adopted the amendments to IFRS 9
‘Financial Instruments’, applying the modified
retrospective approach. The impact to the interim financial
statements on transition was a £180 million increase to both
cash and cash equivalents and trade and other payables, due to the
application of settlement date accounting. No other significant
changes have been made to the Group’s accounting policies in
the period ended 30 June 2026.
The tax charge for the Group is calculated in accordance with IAS
34, by applying management’s best estimate of the effective
tax rate (excluding discrete items) expected to apply to total
annual earnings, to the profit before tax for the six months ended
30 June 2026. This is then adjusted for certain discrete items
which occurred in the interim period.
The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements
are prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the
revaluation of certain financial instruments as disclosed in our
accounting policies. The unaudited condensed consolidated interim
financial statements for the six months to 30 June 2026 do not
constitute statutory accounts. The statutory accounts for the year
ended 31 December 2025, reported on by the Group’s
auditor, have been delivered to the Jersey Registrar and received
an unqualified auditors’ report.
Having considered the principal risks and uncertainties (as
outlined on pages 55 - 62 of the 2025 Annual Report and Accounts,
and summarised in Appendix 2), the directors consider it
appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in
preparing these interim financial statements. In making this
assessment, the directors have reviewed the results of latest cash
flow forecasts and have considered the results of a reverse stress
test to quantify the level of revenue less pass-through costs
decline required to utilise all of the Group's liquidity headroom
for at least a year from the date these interim financial
statements are signed, taking into account debt maturities and cost
mitigations. The likelihood of declines required to utilise all
available headroom is considered remote. None of the Group's
facilities have financial covenants.
The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements
do not include all the information and disclosures required in the
annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with
the Group’s annual consolidated financial statements as at
31 December 2025.
2. Segmental analysis
In February 2026, the Group announced an update to its operating
structure that resulted in changes during the second quarter of
2026 to the information reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision
Maker, the Group’s Chief Executive Officer, to assess
performance and allocate resources. The Group’s
organisational structure now brings together its Media, Creative
(including Enterprise Solutions) and Production operating units on
a market, regional and global scale.
Previously, the Group had three reportable segments: Global
Integrated Agencies, Public Relations and Specialist Agencies. As a
result of these changes, the reassessment of the Group’s
operating segments and aggregation of operating segments for
financial reporting purposes was performed in the second quarter of
2026, in accordance with IFRS 8 ‘Operating Segments’.
Where certain quantitative and qualitative criteria are met, IFRS 8
permits the aggregation of operating segments into a reportable
segment for disclosure in the Group’s financial statements.
In determining the Group’s reportable segment, which includes
the aggregation of operating segments, the Directors considered the
similar economic characteristics of the operating segments, their
shared client bases, the similar nature of their products or
services, their long-term margins and the Group’s
increasingly integrated operating model, amongst other
factors.
From half year 2026, the Group is organised into a single
reportable segment, Global Integrated Agencies, which comprises the
aggregation of the Group’s Media, Creative and Production
businesses. The Group’s geographical areas have also been
reorganised. Prior year comparatives have been restated to reflect
these changes. Substantially all of the Group’s revenue
arises from contracts with customers.
Reported contribution of the Global Integrated Agencies segment was
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
(restated)1
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
6,373
|
6,663
|
|
Revenue less pass-through costs2
|
4,745
|
5,026
|
|
Headline operating profit3
|
398
|
412
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusting items within IFRS operating profit4
|
(137)
|
(191)
|
|
Financing items5
|
(169)
|
(140)
|
|
Earnings from associates
|
14
|
17
|
|
Reported profit before taxation
|
106
|
98
|
1 Prior year comparatives have been restated to
reflect the organisational changes outlined
above.
2 Revenue less pass-through costs is defined and
reconciled in Appendix 4.
3 Headline operating
profit is defined in Appendix 4. A reconciliation from reported
profit before taxation to headline operating profit is also
provided in Appendix 4.
4 Adjusting items are defined and reconciled in
Appendix 4.
5 Financing items include finance and investment
income, finance costs and revaluation and retranslation of
financial instruments.
2. Segmental analysis
(continued)
Reported contributions by geographical area were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
(restated)1
|
|
Revenue2
|
|
|
|
North America3
|
2,374
|
2,537
|
|
EMEA4
|
2,609
|
2,650
|
|
APAC
|
1,099
|
1,188
|
|
LATAM
|
291
|
288
|
|
6,373
|
6,663
|
|
Revenue less pass-through
costs5
|
|
|
|
North America3
|
1,792
|
1,966
|
|
EMEA4
|
1,965
|
2,037
|
|
APAC
|
701
|
744
|
|
LATAM
|
287
|
279
|
|
4,745
|
5,026
|
|
Headline operating profit
|
|
|
|
North America3
|
241
|
281
|
|
EMEA4
|
117
|
92
|
|
APAC
|
27
|
26
|
|
LATAM
|
13
|
13
|
|
398
|
412
|
|
Adjusting items within IFRS operating profit
|
(137)
|
(191)
|
|
Financing items
|
(169)
|
(140)
|
|
Earnings from associates
|
14
|
17
|
|
Reported profit before tax
|
106
|
98
|
1 The Group’s geographical areas have been
reorganised. Prior year comparatives have been restated to reflect
these changes.
2 Interregional transactions have not been
separately disclosed as they are not
material.
3 North America
includes the US, which has revenue of £2,255 million (2025:
£2,387 million), revenue less pass-through costs of
£1,694 million (2025: £1,852 million) and headline
operating profit of £225 million (2025: £264
million).
4 EMEA includes the United Kingdom, which has
revenue of £954 million (2025: £1,011 million), revenue
less pass-through costs of £705 million (2025: £749
million) and headline operating profit of £66 million (2025:
£47 million).
5 Revenue less
pass-through costs is defined and reconciled by geographical area
in Appendix 4.
3. Costs of services and general and administrative
costs
Costs of services and general and administrative costs
include:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Staff costs1
|
3,469
|
3,685
|
|
Establishment costs
|
199
|
219
|
|
Media pass-through costs
|
1,306
|
1,279
|
|
Other costs of services and general and administrative
costs2
|
1,138
|
1,259
|
|
|
6,112
|
6,442
|
1 Additional staff costs of £51 million (2025:
£4 million) are included within Restructuring costs
below.
2 Other costs of services and general and
administrative costs include £322 million (2025: £358
million) of other pass-through costs.
Other costs of services and general and administrative costs
include the following significant items:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Goodwill impairment
|
—
|
116
|
|
Restructuring costs1
|
83
|
40
|
1 Prior year comparative has
been re-presented to include Property-related restructuring costs
excluding impairment, that was previously presented
separately.
Goodwill impairment
In the six months ended 30 June 2026, no impairment charges have
been recognised (2025: £116 million). Following the changes to
the Group’s operating structure described in Note 2, from the
second quarter of 2026 goodwill is monitored by management at the
level of WPP Media, WPP Creative and WPP Production.
Restructuring costs
Charges of £83 million (2025: £40 million) include
£59 million relating to Elevate28 and £24 million
relating to historical programmes (2025: £40
million).
4. Ordinary dividends
The Board has recommended an interim dividend of 7.5p (2025: 7.5p)
per ordinary share. This is expected to be paid on 2 November
2026 to shareholders on the register at 9 October 2026. The
Board recommended a final dividend of 7.5p per ordinary share in
respect of 2025. This was paid
on 3 July 2026.
5. Earnings per share ("EPS")
Basic EPS
The calculation of basic EPS is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Profit for the period attributable to equity holders of the
parent
(£ million)
|
19
|
44
|
|
Weighted average number of shares used in basic EPS calculation
(million)
|
1,077
|
1,077
|
|
Basic EPS
|
1.8p
|
4.1p
|
Diluted EPS
The calculation of diluted EPS is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Profit for the period attributable to equity holders of the
parent
(£ million)
|
19
|
44
|
|
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted EPS calculation
(million)
|
1,098
|
1,093
|
|
Diluted EPS
|
1.7p
|
4.0p
|
A reconciliation between the shares used in calculating basic and
diluted EPS is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Weighted average number of shares used in basic EPS
calculation
|
1,077
|
1,077
|
|
Other potentially issuable shares
|
21
|
16
|
|
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted EPS
calculation
|
1,098
|
1,093
|
At 30 June 2026 there were 1,091,394,251 (30 June 2025:
1,091,394,251) ordinary shares in issue, including 12,591,893
treasury shares (30 June 2025: 12,591,893).
6. Analysis of cash flows
The following table analyses the net cash outflow from operating
activities presented within the cash flow statement:
Net cash outflow from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Profit for the period
|
37
|
70
|
|
Taxation
|
69
|
28
|
|
Revaluation and retranslation of financial instruments
|
34
|
11
|
|
Finance costs
|
174
|
178
|
|
Finance and investment income
|
(39)
|
(49)
|
|
Earnings from associates
|
(14)
|
(17)
|
|
Operating profit
|
261
|
221
|
|
Adjustments for:
|
|
|
|
Non-cash share-based incentive plans (including share
options)
|
49
|
41
|
|
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
|
66
|
82
|
|
Depreciation of right-of-use assets
|
98
|
101
|
|
Goodwill impairment
|
—
|
116
|
|
Impairment of investments in associates
|
2
|
—
|
|
Property-related impairment charges
|
22
|
5
|
|
Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible
assets
|
26
|
32
|
|
Amortisation of other intangible assets
|
24
|
20
|
|
Losses/(gains) on disposal of investments and
subsidiaries
|
4
|
(2)
|
|
Operating cash flow before movements in working capital and
provisions
|
552
|
616
|
|
Working capital outflow1
|
(1,001)
|
(1,333)
|
|
Increase/(decrease) in provisions
|
14
|
(15)
|
|
Cash used by operations
|
(435)
|
(732)
|
|
Corporation and overseas tax paid
|
(120)
|
(168)
|
|
Interest paid on lease liabilities
|
(47)
|
(50)
|
|
Other interest and similar charges paid
|
(129)
|
(117)
|
|
Interest received
|
44
|
24
|
|
Investment income
|
6
|
5
|
|
Dividends from associates
|
26
|
15
|
|
Contingent consideration liability payments recognised in operating
activities2
|
(5)
|
(13)
|
|
Net cash outflow from operating activities
|
(660)
|
(1,036)
|
1 Prior year comparatives have been re-presented to
reflect the aggregate working capital outflow, comprising trade
receivables and accrued income, trade payables, other receivables
and other payables.
2 Contingent consideration liability payments in
excess of the amount determined at acquisition are recorded as
operating activities.
7. Cash and cash equivalents and total borrowings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
30 June 2026
|
31 December 2025
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents as presented in the consolidated balance
sheet
|
2,363
|
2,694
|
|
Bank overdrafts
|
(187)
|
(168)
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents as presented in the consolidated cash
flow statement
|
2,176
|
2,526
|
|
Borrowings due within one year (excluding bank
overdrafts)
|
(1,292)
|
(654)
|
|
Borrowings due after one year
|
(3,866)
|
(4,114)
|
|
Total borrowings (excluding bank overdrafts)
|
(5,158)
|
(4,768)
|
The Group estimates that the fair value of corporate bonds is
£4,937 million at 30 June 2026 (31 December 2025:
£4,595 million). In March 2026, WPP issued US$600 million of
6.5% senior notes, maturing in March 2036.
8. Financial Instruments - fair value
The following table provides an analysis of financial instruments
that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value,
grouped into levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair
value is observable, or based on observable inputs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
Total
|
|
30 June 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivatives in designated hedge relationships
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative assets
|
—
|
60
|
—
|
60
|
|
Derivative liabilities
|
—
|
(10)
|
—
|
(10)
|
|
Held at fair value through profit or loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money market funds
|
432
|
—
|
—
|
432
|
|
Other investments
|
97
|
—
|
172
|
269
|
|
Derivative assets
|
—
|
2
|
—
|
2
|
|
Derivative liabilities
|
—
|
(5)
|
—
|
(5)
|
|
Contingent consideration liabilities
|
—
|
(19)
|
(46)
|
(65)
|
|
Held at fair value through other comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other receivables
|
—
|
496
|
—
|
496
|
|
Other investments
|
—
|
—
|
59
|
59
|
The fair values of financial assets and liabilities are based on
quoted market prices where available. Where the market value is not
available, the Group has estimated relevant fair values on the
basis of available information from outside sources.
For all level 3 fair value measurements, a change to one or more of
these unobservable inputs to reflect a reasonably possible
alternative assumption would not result in a significant change to
the fair value.
8. Financial Instruments - fair value (continued)
Reconciliation of level 3 fair value measurements:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Contingent consideration liabilities
|
Other investments
|
|
1 January 2026
|
(39)
|
235
|
|
Losses recognised in the income statement
|
(11)
|
(21)
|
|
Gains recognised in other comprehensive income
|
—
|
14
|
|
Exchange adjustments
|
(1)
|
3
|
|
Additions
|
—
|
3
|
|
Disposals
|
—
|
(3)
|
|
Settlements
|
5
|
—
|
|
30 June 2026
|
(46)
|
231
|
9. Acquisitions
Acquisition of Barrows
On 6 January 2026, WPP acquired 100% of the issued shares of
Barrows North America Inc. (“Barrows”) from an
associate of the Group, Retail Capital Holdings Ltd
(“RCH”), for net consideration of £57 million,
paid in January 2026. The goodwill recognised on acquisition was
£52 million, which is attributable to anticipated synergies
and will not be deductible for tax purposes. The Group continues to
hold a 35% investment in RCH, and in January 2026, WPP received a
special dividend of £19 million from RCH following the Barrows
transaction.
10. Related party transactions
The Group enters into transactions with its associate undertakings.
In the six months ended 30 June 2026, revenue of £70 million
(2025: £73 million) was recognised in relation to Compas, an
associate in the USA.
The following amounts were outstanding at 30 June 2026 and
31 December 2025:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
30 June 2026
|
31 December 2025
|
|
Amounts owed by related parties
|
65
|
|
105
|
|
Amounts owed to related parties
|
(171)
|
|
(126)
|
There are no material provisions for doubtful debts relating to
these balances and no material expense has been recognised in the
income statement in relation to bad or doubtful debts for the
period ended 30 June 2026.
11. Events after the reporting period
There were no events after the reporting period that require
disclosure.
Directors’ responsibility statement
The Directors confirm that to the best of their
knowledge:
a.
the
condensed set of financial statements, which has been prepared in
accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, gives a
true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position
and profit or loss of the issuer, or the undertakings included in
the consolidation as a whole as required by DTR
4.2.4R;
b.
the
interim management report includes a fair review of the information
required by DTR 4.2.7R; and
c.
the
interim management report includes a fair review of the information
required by DTR 4.2.8R.
The names and functions of the WPP plc Board can be found
at: wpp.com/about/our-leadership/the-wpp-board
This responsibility statement is approved by the Board of Directors
and is signed on its behalf by:
J Wilson
Chief Financial Officer
6 August 2026
Independent review report to WPP plc
Report on the condensed
consolidated interim
financial statements
Our conclusion
We have reviewed WPP plc’s condensed consolidated interim
financial statements (the “interim financial
statements”) in the 2026 Interim Results of WPP plc for the
six month period ended 30 June 2026 (the
“period”).
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes
us to believe that the interim financial statements are not
prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with
International Accounting Standard 34 “Interim Financial
Reporting” as issued by the IASB and the Disclosure Guidance
and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom’s
Financial Conduct Authority.
The interim financial statements comprise:
●
the condensed consolidated interim balance sheet at 30 June
2026;
●
the condensed consolidated interim income statement for the period
then ended;
●
the condensed consolidated interim statement of comprehensive
income for the period then ended;
●
the condensed consolidated interim cash flow statement for the
period then ended;
●
the condensed consolidated interim statement of changes in equity
for the period then ended; and
●
the explanatory notes to the interim financial
statements.
The interim financial statements included in the 2026 Interim
Results of WPP plc have been prepared in accordance with
International Accounting Standard 34 "Interim Financial Reporting"
as issued by the IASB and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency
Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct
Authority.
Basis for conclusion
We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard
on Review Engagements (UK) 2410 “Review of Interim Financial
Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the
Entity” issued by the Financial Reporting Council for use in
the United Kingdom (“ISRE (UK) 2410”). A review of
interim financial information consists of making enquiries,
primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting
matters, and applying analytical and other review
procedures.
A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in
accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and,
consequently, does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would
become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in
an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit
opinion.
We have read the other information contained in the 2026 Interim
Results and considered whether it contains any apparent
misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in
the interim financial statements.
Conclusions relating to going concern
Based on our review procedures, which are less extensive than those
performed in an audit as described in the basis for conclusion
section of this report, nothing has come to our attention to
suggest that the directors have inappropriately adopted the going
concern basis of accounting or that the directors have identified
material uncertainties relating to going concern that are not
appropriately disclosed. This conclusion is based on the review
procedures performed in accordance with ISRE (UK) 2410. However,
future events or conditions may cause the group to cease to
continue as a going concern.
Independent review report to WPP plc
Responsibilities for the interim financial statements and the
review
Our responsibilities and those of the directors
The 2026 Interim Results, including the interim financial
statements, are the responsibility of, and have been approved by
the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the 2026
Interim Results in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and
Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom’s
Financial Conduct Authority. In preparing the 2026 Interim Results,
including the interim financial statements, the directors are
responsible for assessing the group’s ability to continue as
a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to
going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting
unless the directors either intend to liquidate the group or to
cease operations or have no realistic alternative but to do
so.
Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on the interim
financial statements in the 2026 Interim Results based on our
review. Our conclusion, including our conclusions relating to going
concern, is based on procedures that are less extensive than audit
procedures as described in the basis for conclusion paragraph of
this report.
Use of this report
This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and
only for the company for the purpose of complying with the
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United
Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority and for no other
purpose. We do not, in giving this conclusion, accept or assume
responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom
this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where
expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants
London
6 August 2026
Appendix 2: Principal risks and uncertainties
The Board regularly reviews the principal and emerging risks and
uncertainties affecting the Group, which were set out on pages
55–62 of the 2025 Annual Report and Accounts.
Several risks previously disclosed as stand-alone risks, such as
sanctions and environmental, social and governance (ESG), are now
embedded within broader risk categories to reflect their
interconnected nature:
●
Sanctions
risks are addressed within regulatory risk.
●
ESG
risks are integrated across multiple principal risks, including
strategic plan, client loss and concentration risks, recognising
their ongoing importance to clients and their pervasive influence
on strategy and long-term resilience.
Geopolitical tensions and the escalation of conflicts continue to
have a destabilising effect on our markets and across geographic
regions. The resulting adverse impact on the economic outlook
continues to affect clients’ confidence in making both short
and long-term investment decisions and commitments to marketing
spend. Accordingly, these risks will be considered together to
better reflect their interdependencies.
Appendix 3: 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 Company’s current expectations or
forecasts of future events.
These forward-looking statements may include, among other things,
plans, objectives, beliefs, intentions, strategies, projections and
anticipated future economic performance based on assumptions and
the like that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These
statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate
strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as
‘aim’, ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’,
‘estimate’, ‘expect’,
‘forecast’, ‘guidance’,
‘intend’, ‘may’, ‘will’,
‘should’, ‘potential’,
‘possible’, ‘predict’,
‘project’, ‘plan’, ‘target’,
and other words and similar references to future periods but are
not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. As such,
all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because
they relate to future events and circumstances that are beyond the
control of the Company. Actual results or outcomes may differ
materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking
statements. Therefore, you should not rely on such forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, as a
prediction of actual results or otherwise. 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, suspensions or reductions in client advertising budgets;
shifts in industry rates of compensation; regulatory compliance
costs or litigation; changes in competitive factors in the
industries in which we operate and demand for the Group’s
products and services; changes in client advertising, marketing and
corporate communications requirements; the Group’s inability
to realise the future anticipated benefits of acquisitions; failure
to realise the Group’s assumptions regarding goodwill and
indefinite lived intangible assets; natural disasters or acts of
terrorism; the Company’s ability to attract new clients; the
economic and geopolitical impact of conflicts; the risk of global
economic downturn; slower growth, increasing interest rates and
high and sustained inflation; tariffs and other trade barriers;
supply chain issues affecting the distribution of the Group’s
clients’ products; technological changes and risks to the
security of IT and operational infrastructure, systems, data and
information resulting from increased threat of cyber and other
attacks; effectively managing the risks, challenges and
efficiencies presented by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and
Generative AI technologies and partnerships in the Group’s
business; risks related to the Group’s environmental, social
and governance goals and initiatives, including impacts from
regulators and other stakeholders, and the impact of factors
outside of the Group’s control on such goals and initiatives;
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 in Item 3D, captioned
‘Risk Factors’ in the Company’s most recent
Annual Report on Form 20-F, which could also cause actual results
to differ from forward-looking information. Neither the Company,
nor any of its directors, officers or employees, provides any
representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of any
events anticipated, expressed or implied in any forward-looking
statements will actually occur. 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.
Other than in accordance with its legal or regulatory obligations
(including under the Market Abuse Regulation, the UK Listing Rules
and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct
Authority), the Company undertakes no obligation to update or
revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.
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 at the
time.
Appendix 4: Alternative performance measures for the period ended
30 June 2026
The Group presents alternative performance measures, including
headline operating profit, headline operating profit margin,
headline profit before interest and tax, headline profit before
tax, headline earnings, headline basic and diluted EPS, headline
EBITDA, revenue less pass-through costs, adjusted net debt and
average adjusted net debt, adjusted operating cash flow, adjusted
free cash flow and adjusted net cash flow. These are used by
management for internal performance analyses. The presentation of
these measures facilitates comparability with other companies,
although management’s measures may not be calculated in the
same way as similarly titled measures reported by other companies;
and these measures are useful in connection with discussions with
the investment community.
In the calculation of headline measures, judgement is required by
management in determining which items are considered to be large,
unusual and non-recurring such that they are to be
excluded.
The exclusion of certain adjusting items may result in headline
measures being materially higher or lower than reported earnings,
for example when significant impairments or restructuring charges
are excluded but the related benefits are included within headline
measures. Headline measures should not be considered in isolation
as they provide additional information to aid the understanding of
the Group’s financial performance.
Reconciliation of revenue to revenue less pass-through
costs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Revenue
|
6,373
|
6,663
|
|
Media pass-through costs
|
(1,306)
|
(1,279)
|
|
|
Other pass-through costs
|
(322)
|
(358)
|
|
|
Revenue less pass-through costs
|
4,745
|
5,026
|
Reconciliation of revenue to revenue less pass-through costs by
geographical area:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025 (restated)1
|
|
North America
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
2,374
|
2,537
|
|
Media pass-through costs
|
(465)
|
(416)
|
|
Other pass-through costs
|
(117)
|
(155)
|
|
Revenue less pass-through costs
|
1,792
|
1,966
|
|
|
|
|
|
EMEA
|
|
|
|
Renue
|
2,609
|
2,650
|
|
Media pass-through costs
|
(514)
|
(493)
|
|
Other pass-through costs
|
(130)
|
(120)
|
|
Revenue less pass-through costs
|
1,965
|
2,037
|
|
|
|
|
|
APAC
|
|
Revenue
|
1,099
|
1,188
|
|
Media pass-through costs
|
(323)
|
(354)
|
|
Other pass-through costs
|
(75)
|
(90)
|
|
Revenue less pass-through costs
|
701
|
744
|
|
|
|
|
LATAM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other pass-through costs
|
—
|
7
|
|
Revenue less pass-through costs
|
287
|
279
|
1 The
Group’s geographical areas have been reorganised. Prior year
comparatives have been restated to reflect these
changes.
Reconciliation of profit before taxation to headline operating
profit and headline PBIT:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Margin
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
Margin
|
|
Profit before taxation
|
106
|
|
98
|
|
|
Finance and investment income
|
(39)
|
|
(49)
|
|
|
Finance costs
|
174
|
|
178
|
|
|
Revaluation and retranslation of financial instruments
|
34
|
|
11
|
|
|
Profit before interest and taxation
|
275
|
|
238
|
|
|
Earnings from associates
|
(14)
|
|
(17)
|
|
|
Operating profit1
|
261
|
4.1
|
%
|
221
|
3.3
|
%
|
|
Goodwill impairment
|
—
|
|
116
|
|
|
Impairment of investments in associates
|
2
|
|
—
|
|
|
Property-related impairment charges
|
22
|
|
5
|
|
|
Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible
assets
|
26
|
|
32
|
|
|
Restructuring costs2
|
83
|
|
40
|
|
|
Losses/(gains) on disposal of investments and
subsidiaries
|
4
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
Headline operating profit1
|
398
|
8.4
|
%
|
412
|
8.2
|
%
|
|
Headline earnings from associates
|
14
|
|
17
|
|
|
Headline PBIT
|
412
|
8.7
|
%
|
429
|
8.5
|
%
|
1Operating profit
margin is calculated as operating profit as a percentage of
revenue. Headline operating profit margin is calculated as headline
operating profit as a percentage of revenue less pass-through
costs. Headline PBIT margin is calculated as headline PBT as a
percentage of revenue less pass-through
costs.
2Prior year comparative has
been re-presented to include Property-related restructuring costs
excluding impairment, that was previously presented
separately.
Calculation of headline EBITDA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Headline PBIT
|
412
|
429
|
|
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
|
66
|
82
|
|
Amortisation of other intangible assets
|
24
|
20
|
|
Headline EBITDA (including depreciation of right-of-use
assets)
|
502
|
531
|
|
Depreciation of right-of-use assets
|
98
|
101
|
|
Headline EBITDA
|
600
|
632
|
Headline EBITDA (including depreciation of right-of-use assets) is
used in the Group’s key leverage metric (average adjusted net
debt/headline EBITDA).
Reconciliation of profit before taxation to headline PBT and
headline earnings:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Profit before taxation
|
106
|
98
|
|
Goodwill impairment
|
—
|
116
|
|
Impairment of investments in associates
|
2
|
—
|
|
Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible
assets
|
26
|
32
|
|
Property-related impairment charges
|
22
|
5
|
|
Restructuring costs1
|
83
|
40
|
|
Losses/(gains) on disposal of investments and
subsidiaries
|
4
|
(2)
|
|
Revaluation and retranslation of financial instruments
|
34
|
11
|
|
Headline PBT
|
277
|
300
|
|
Headline tax charge
|
(93)
|
(55)
|
|
Non-controlling interests
|
(18)
|
(26)
|
|
Headline earnings
|
166
|
219
|
1 Prior year comparative has been re-presented to
include Property-related restructuring costs excluding impairment,
that was previously presented
separately.
Headline PBT and headline earnings are metrics that management use
to assess the performance of the business.
Calculation of headline net finance costs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Finance and investment income
|
(39)
|
(49)
|
|
Finance costs
|
174
|
178
|
|
Headline net finance costs
|
135
|
129
|
Calculation of headline taxation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Headline PBT
|
277
|
300
|
|
Tax charge
|
69
|
28
|
|
Tax credit relating to restructuring costs
|
25
|
10
|
|
Tax charge relating to disposal of investments and
subsidiaries
|
(1)
|
—
|
|
Tax charge relating to gains on disposal of investments and
subsidiaries in prior periods
|
(6)
|
—
|
|
Deferred tax impact of the amortisation of acquisition-related
intangible assets and liabilities
|
5
|
5
|
|
Deferred tax relating to investments in associates
|
1
|
12
|
|
Headline tax charge
|
93
|
55
|
|
Headline tax rate
|
33.5%
|
18.3%
|
The headline tax rate as a percentage of headline PBT (that
includes the share of headline results of associates) is 33.5%
(2025: 18.3%).
Earnings from associates:
Management reviews the 'earnings from associates' by assessing the
underlying component movements including 'share of profit before
interest and taxation of associates', 'share of adjusting and other
items for associates', 'share of interest and non-controlling
interests of associates', and 'share of taxation of associates',
which are derived from the income statements of the associate
undertakings. Management applies consistent principles in
determining items adjusted from headline profit, as with
subsidiaries.
The following table is an analysis of 'earnings from associates'
and underlying component movements:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Share of profit before interest and taxation
|
17
|
19
|
|
Share of adjusting and other items
|
—
|
—
|
|
Share of interest and non-controlling interests
|
2
|
3
|
|
Share of taxation
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
|
Earnings from associates
|
14
|
17
|
|
Less: share of adjusting and other items
|
—
|
—
|
|
Headline earnings from associates
|
14
|
17
|
Headline earnings per share:
The calculation of basic headline EPS is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Headline earnings (£ million)
|
166
|
219
|
|
Weighted average number of shares used in basic EPS calculation
(million) (note 5)
|
1,077
|
1,077
|
|
Basic headline EPS
|
15.4p
|
20.3p
|
The calculation of diluted headline EPS is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Headline earnings (£ million)
|
166
|
219
|
|
Weighted average number of shares used in diluted EPS calculation
(million) (note 5)
|
1,098
|
1,093
|
|
Diluted headline EPS
|
15.1p
|
20.0p
|
Adjusted net debt and average adjusted net debt:
Management believes that adjusted net debt and average adjusted net
debt are appropriate and meaningful measures of the debt levels
within the Group. Adjusted net debt is defined as cash and cash
equivalents, bank overdrafts, current and non-current borrowings,
derivative financial instruments hedging debt items, and excludes
lease liabilities, contingent and deferred consideration
liabilities in respect of the Group’s mergers and
acquisitions activities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
30 June 20261
|
31 December 2025
|
30 June 2025
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
2,363
|
2,694
|
1,437
|
|
Borrowings due within one year
|
(1,479)
|
(822)
|
(936)
|
|
Borrowings due after one year
|
(3,866)
|
(4,114)
|
(3,845)
|
|
Derivative financial instruments
|
47
|
75
|
83
|
|
Adjusted net debt
|
(2,935)
|
(2,167)
|
(3,261)
|
|
Average adjusted net debt
|
(3,304)
|
(3,404)
|
(3,383)
|
1The Group adopted the
IFRS 9 amendments effective 1 January 2026. This increased cash and
cash equivalents and reduced adjusted net debt by £180
million as at 1 January 2026. Refer to Note 1 Basis of
preparation for further details. As at 30 June 2026, the impact of
the amendments was that cash and cash equivalents were higher and
adjusted net debt was lower by £125
million.
Average adjusted net debt represents the rolling 12-month average
of the Group’s monthly adjusted net debt
balances.
Average adjusted net debt to headline EBITDA ratio:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
30 June 2026
|
31 December 2025
|
30 June 2025
|
|
Average adjusted net debt (12 month rolling)1
|
(3,304)
|
(3,404)
|
(3,383)
|
|
Headline EBITDA (including depreciation of right-of-use assets) (12
month rolling)
|
1,516
|
1,545
|
1,710
|
|
Average adjusted net debt to headline EBITDA ratio
|
2.18x
|
2.20x
|
1.98x
|
1 The 12-month rolling
average adjusted net debt as at 30 June 2026 was £114 million
lower, calculated by applying the IFRS 9 amendments for the period
1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.
The average adjusted net debt and headline EBITDA (including
depreciation of right-of-use assets) amounts used in the average
adjusted net debt to headline EBITDA (including depreciation of
right-of-use assets) ratio calculation above are for the 12 months
ended 30 June 2026, 31 December 2025 and 30 June
2025 respectively.
Reconciliation of adjusted cash flow measures
The Group bases its internal cash flow objectives on adjusted
operating cash flow, adjusted operating cash flow before working
capital, adjusted free cash flow and adjusted net cash
flow.
Reconciliation of operating cash flow, adjusted free cash flow and
adjusted net cash flow:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Net cash outflow from operating activities
|
(660)
|
(1,036)
|
|
Corporation and overseas tax paid
|
120
|
168
|
|
Interest paid on lease liabilities
|
47
|
50
|
|
Other interest and similar charges paid
|
129
|
117
|
|
Interest received
|
(44)
|
(24)
|
|
Investment income
|
(6)
|
(5)
|
|
Dividends from associates
|
(26)
|
(15)
|
|
Contingent consideration liability payments recognised in operating
activities
|
5
|
13
|
|
Cash used by operations
|
(435)
|
(732)
|
|
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
|
(34)
|
(42)
|
|
Purchase of intangible assets
|
(51)
|
(46)
|
|
Repayment of lease liabilities
|
(117)
|
(120)
|
|
Interest paid on lease liabilities
|
(47)
|
(50)
|
|
Investment income
|
6
|
5
|
|
IFRS 9 amendments impact to working capital
|
180
|
—
|
|
Adjusted operating cash flow
|
(498)
|
(985)
|
|
Corporation and overseas tax paid
|
(120)
|
(168)
|
|
Other interest and similar charges paid
|
(129)
|
(117)
|
|
Interest received
|
44
|
24
|
|
Dividends from associates
|
26
|
15
|
|
Contingent consideration liability payments
|
(14)
|
(15)
|
|
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiary
undertakings
|
(34)
|
(26)
|
|
Adjusted free cash flow
|
(725)
|
(1,272)
|
|
Net disposal proceeds
|
64
|
6
|
|
Net initial acquisition payments
|
(109)
|
(133)
|
|
Share purchases
|
(20)
|
(92)
|
|
Adjusted net cash flow
|
(790)
|
(1,491)
|
Reconciliation of adjusted operating cash flow before working
capital:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025
|
|
Adjusted operating cash flow
|
(498)
|
(985)
|
|
Less movements in working capital and provisions:
|
|
|
|
Working capital outflow1
|
1,001
|
1,333
|
|
(Increase) / decrease in provisions
|
(14)
|
15
|
|
IFRS 9 amendments impact to working capital
|
(180)
|
—
|
|
Adjusted operating cash flow before working capital
|
309
|
363
|
1Prior-year
comparatives have been re-presented to reflect the aggregation of
movements in working capital, comprising trade receivables and
accrued income, trade payables, other receivables and other
payables.
Management believes adjusted operating cash flow is a target that
can be translated into targets for operating business units that do
not have direct control of items which influence adjusted free cash
flow, such as the Group effective tax rate and leverage, and is
meaningful to investors as a measure of the degree to which
headline operating profit is converted into cash after the cost of
leased operating assets, investment in capital expenditure, and
working capital.
Reconciliation of adjusted cash flow measures
(continued)
Adjusted operating cash flow before working capital is meaningful
to investors because it excludes working capital movements which
can be volatile around period ends.
Adjusted free cash flow is meaningful to investors because it is
the measure of the Group’s funds available for
acquisition-related payments, dividends to shareholders, share
repurchases and debt repayment. The purpose of presenting adjusted
free cash flow is to indicate the ongoing cash generation within
the control of the Group after taking account of the necessary cash
expenditures of maintaining the capital and operating structure of
the Group (in the form of payments of interest, corporate taxation,
and capital expenditure).
Adjusted net cash flow is meaningful to investors because it is the
measure of the Group’s funds available for debt repayment or
to increase cash on hand after acquisition-related payments,
dividends to shareholders and share repurchases. The purpose of
presenting adjusted net cash flow is to indicate the ongoing cash
generation within the control of the Group after taking account of
the necessary cash expenditures of maintaining the capital and
operating structure of the Group (in the form of payments of
interest, corporate taxation, and capital expenditure) and after
acquisitions, dividend payments to shareholders and share
repurchases.
Constant currency and ‘like-for-like’:
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements are
presented in pounds sterling. However, the Group’s
significant international operations give rise to fluctuations in
foreign exchange rates. To neutralise foreign exchange impact and
illustrate the underlying change in revenue and profit from one
period to the next, the Group has adopted the practice of
discussing results in both reportable currency (local currency
results translated into pounds sterling at the prevailing foreign
exchange rate) and constant currency.
Management also believes that discussing like-for-like contributes
to the understanding of the Group’s performance and trends
because it allows for meaningful comparisons of the current period
to that of prior periods.
Further details of the constant currency and like-for-like methods
are outlined in the Glossary.
The following tables reconcile reported revenue growth for the
three and six months ended 30 June 2026 and 2025, including
like-for-like revenue growth for the same periods:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025 reported (H1)
|
6,663
|
|
|
Impact of exchange rate changes
|
(73)
|
(1.1)
|
%
|
|
Impact of acquisitions and disposals
|
(7)
|
(0.1)
|
%
|
|
Like-for-like growth
|
(210)
|
(3.2)
|
%
|
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026 reported (H1)
|
6,373
|
(4.4)
|
%
|
Constant currency and ‘like-for-like’
(continued):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
Three months ended 30 June 2025 reported (Q2)
|
3,420
|
|
|
Impact of exchange rate changes
|
7
|
0.2
|
%
|
|
Impact of acquisitions and disposals
|
(5)
|
(0.2)
|
%
|
|
Like-for-like growth
|
(79)
|
(2.3)
|
%
|
|
Three months ended 30 June 2026 reported (Q2)
|
3,343
|
(2.3)
|
%
|
The following tables reconcile revenue less pass-through costs
growth for the three and six months ended 30 June 2026 and 2025,
including like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs growth for
the same periods:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
|
|
|
Revenue less pass-through costs
|
|
|
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025 reported (H1)
|
5,026
|
|
|
Impact of exchange rate changes
|
(40)
|
(0.8)
|
%
|
|
Impact of acquisitions and disposals
|
(3)
|
(0.1)
|
%
|
|
Like-for-like growth
|
(238)
|
(4.7)
|
%
|
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026 reported (H1)
|
4,745
|
(5.6)
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
|
|
|
Revenue less pass-through costs
|
|
|
|
Three months ended 30 June 2025 reported (Q2)
|
2,544
|
|
|
Impact of exchange rate changes
|
16
|
0.6
|
%
|
|
Impact of acquisitions and disposals
|
(3)
|
(0.1)
|
%
|
|
Like-for-like growth
|
(72)
|
(2.8)
|
%
|
|
Three months ended 30 June 2026 reported (Q2)
|
2,485
|
(2.3)
|
%
|
The following table reconciles headline operating profit growth for
the six months ended 30 June 2026 and 2025, including
like-for-like headline operating profit growth for the same
period:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
£ million
|
Margin
|
|
|
|
Headline operating profit
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended 30 June 2025 reported (H1)
|
8.2
|
%
|
412
|
|
|
Impact of exchange rate changes
|
|
(7)
|
(1.7)
|
%
|
|
Impact of acquisitions and disposals
|
|
4
|
1.0
|
%
|
|
Like-for-like growth
|
|
(11)
|
(2.7)
|
%
|
|
Six months ended 30 June 2026 reported (H1)
|
8.4
|
%
|
398
|
(3.4)
|
%
|
Glossary
Adjusted free cash flow
Adjusted free cash flow is calculated as cash used in/generated by
operations plus dividends received from associates, interest
received, investment income received, and share option proceeds,
less corporation and overseas tax paid, interest and similar
charges paid, dividends paid to non-controlling interests in
subsidiary undertakings, repayment of lease liabilities, interest
paid on lease liabilities, contingent and deferred consideration
liability payments and purchases of property, plant and equipment
and purchases of intangible assets.
Adjusted net cash flow
Adjusted net cash flow is calculated as adjusted free cash flow (as
defined above) plus disposal proceeds, less net initial acquisition
payments, dividends and share purchases.
Adjusted net debt and average adjusted net debt
Adjusted net debt consists of cash and cash equivalents, bank
overdrafts, current and non-current borrowings, derivative
financial instruments hedging debt, and excludes lease liabilities,
contingent consideration and deferred consideration liabilities in
respect of the Group’s mergers and acquisitions activities.
Average adjusted net debt represents the rolling 12 month average
of the Group’s monthly adjusted net debt
balances.
Adjusted operating cash flow
Adjusted operating cash flow is calculated as cash used
in/generated by operations plus investment income received, and
share option proceeds, less repayment of lease liabilities,
interest paid on lease liabilities, and purchases of property,
plant and equipment and purchases of intangible
assets.
Adjusted operating cash flow before working capital
Adjusted operating cash flow before movement in trade receivables
and accrued income, trade payables, other receivables, other
payables and provisions.
Adjusting items
Adjusting items include gains/losses on disposal of investments and
subsidiaries, gains/losses on disposal of property, goodwill
impairment, other impairment charges, impairment of investments in
associates, amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible
assets, restructuring costs, property-related restructuring costs,
other transaction costs, legal provision charges/gains, revaluation
and retranslation of financial instruments and share of adjusting
and other items for associates.
Billings
Billings comprise the gross amounts billed to clients in respect of
commission-based/fee-based income together with the total of other
fees earned.
Constant currency
The Group uses US dollar-based, constant currency models to measure
performance across all jurisdictions. These are calculated by
applying budgeted 2026 exchange rates to local currency reported
results for the current and prior year, which excludes any
variances attributable to foreign exchange rate
movements.
Establishment costs
Establishment costs are costs directly related to the occupancy of
the buildings utilised by WPP. These include the depreciation of
right of use assets and leasehold improvements; and the costs of
property taxes, utilities, maintenance and facilities management
amongst others.
General and administrative costs
General and administrative costs include marketing costs, certain
professional fees, and an allocation of other costs, including
staff and establishment costs (defined above), based on the
function of employees within the Group.
Headline costs
Headline costs comprise costs of services and general
administrative costs excluding gains/losses on disposal of
investments and subsidiaries, gains/losses on disposal of property,
goodwill impairment, other impairment charges, impairment of
investments in associates, amortisation and impairment of acquired
intangible assets, restructuring costs, property-related
restructuring costs, other transaction costs, legal provision
charges/gains, revaluation and retranslation of financial
instruments and share of adjusting and other items for
associates.
Headline earnings
Headline PBT less headline tax charge and headline non-controlling
interests.
Headline earnings from associates
Earnings from associates, excluding share of adjusting and other
items for associates.
Headline EBITDA
Profit before finance income/costs and revaluation and
retranslation of financial instruments, taxation, gains/losses on
disposal of investments and subsidiaries, gains/losses on disposal
of property, goodwill impairment, impairment of investments in
associates, amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible
assets, other impairment charges, restructuring costs,
property-related restructuring costs, legal provision charges/gains
and share of adjusting and other items for associates.
Headline net finance costs
Net finance costs (as defined below) excluding revaluation and
retranslation of financial instruments.
Headline operating profit
Operating profit before gains/losses on disposal of investments and
subsidiaries, gains/losses on disposal of property, goodwill
impairment, impairment of investments in associates, amortisation
and impairment of acquired intangible assets, other impairment
charges, restructuring costs, property-related restructuring costs,
other transaction costs, and legal provision
charges/gains.
Headline operating profit margin
Headline operating profit margin is calculated as headline
operating profit (defined above) as a percentage of revenue less
pass-through costs.
Headline PBIT
Profit before net finance costs, taxation, gains/losses on disposal
of investments and subsidiaries, gains/losses on disposal of
property, goodwill impairment, impairment of investments in
associates, amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible
assets, other impairment charges, restructuring costs,
property-related restructuring costs, other transaction costs, and
legal provision charges/gains and share of adjusting and other
items for associates.
Headline PBT
Profit before taxation, gains/losses on disposal of investments and
subsidiaries, gains/losses on disposal of property, impairment of
investments in associates, goodwill impairment, amortisation and
impairment of acquired intangible assets, other impairment charges,
restructuring costs, property-related restructuring costs, other
transaction costs, and legal provision charges/gains, share of
adjusting and other items for associates, and revaluation and
retranslation of financial instruments.
Headline tax charge
Taxation excluding tax/deferred tax relating to gains/losses on
disposal of investments and subsidiaries, gains/losses on disposal
of property, acquisition-related intangible assets and liabilities,
restructuring costs, property-related restructuring costs,
investments in associates, other transaction costs and legal
provision charges/gains.
Like-for-like
Like-for-like 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.
Net finance costs
All costs related to interest expense on bank overdrafts, bonds,
bank loans, lease liabilities, swaps and revaluation and
retranslation of financial instruments less any interest income on
cash surplus and investments.
Net working capital
The movement in net working capital consists of movements in trade
receivables and accrued income, trade payables, other receivables,
other payables and provisions per the analysis of cash flows in
note 6.
Pass-through costs
Pass-through costs comprise fees paid to external suppliers when
they are engaged to perform part or all of a specific project and
are charged directly to clients. This includes the cost of media
where the Group is buying digital media for its own account on a
transparent opt-in basis and, as a result, the subsequent media
pass-through costs have to be accounted for as revenue, as well as
billings.
Revenue less pass-through costs
Revenue less pass-through costs is revenue less media and other
pass-through costs.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
WPP PLC
|
|
|
(Registrant)
|
|
Date:
06 August 2026.
|
By:
______________________
|
|
|
Balbir
Kelly-Bisla
|
|
|
Company
Secretary
|