Ireland-based advertising titan
WPP Group plc
(
WPPGY
) reported its interim results for the first half of 2012, (ended
June 30, 2012) on August 30. Diluted pro forma earnings per
share in the reported period were £0.258 ($2.03 per ADR), up 13.2%
(18.6% in constant currency) from £0.228 ($1.84 per ADR) in the
year-ago period.
Revenue
The company's reported revenue of £4,972 million ($7,841 million)
was up 5.5% compared with the year-ago period and up 6.8% on a
constant currency basis due to the strength in pound sterling
versus the US dollar and Euro.
The 5.5% year over year growth comprises a 3.6% organic growth,
3.2% growth from acquisitions and a negative 1.3% from currency
translation.
From a geographical perspective (on a constant currency basis), WPP
Group experienced a noticeable recovery in North America with
revenue of £1,748 million ($2,756.7 million), reflecting an
increase of 3.9% year over year. Revenue in the United Kingdom grew
5.6% to £591 million ($932.0 million), while revenue from the
Western Continental Europe increased 6.6% to £1,187 million
($1,871.9 million) and from Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa and
the Middle East and Central and Eastern Europe revenue soared 11.1%
to £1,446 million ($2,280.4 million).
Revenue from Public Relations and Public Affairs grew 6.3% year
over year on a constant currency basis to £459 million ($723.9
million). Branding & identity, healthcare and specialist
communications witnessed a revenue increase of 9.1% to £1,278
million ($2,015.5 million), while revenue from advertising and
media investment management increased 7.6% to £2,044 million
($3,223.5 million) while revenue from consumer insight soared 3.2%
to £1,191 million ($1,878.3 million).
Billings in the period amounted to £21,651 million ($34,144.5
million), up 1.2% compared with a year-ago period. Net new business
billings of £2,475 million ($3,903.2 million) were won during the
first half of 2012.
Margins
Gross profits increased 6.1% on a constant currency basis but
margins plummeted 50 basis points to 91.9% in the reported period.
EBITDA increased 13.0% to £682 million ($1,075.5 million) and
margins were 13.7%. Operating profit increased 13.5% to £570
million ($898.9 million) with margins of 13.5% versus 11.0% in the
year-ago period.
Balance Sheet/Cash Flow
Exiting the first half of 2012, WPP Group's net debt was £2,861
million ($4,468.2 million), down 0.6% from the year-ago period.
Capital spending in the period was £116 million ($182.9 million),
up 8.4% from the year-ago period.
The company's Board of Directors declared its first interim
dividend of £0.0880 to be payable on November 12, to shareholders
of record as of October 12, 2012. The dividend rate represents an
increase of 18% from the previous dividend rate. Dividend payout
stands at 34%, indicating gradual progress towards the company's
aim of achieving a 40% payout ratio.
The current Zacks Consensus EPS Estimates for WPP plc are $5.56 and
$6.27 for years 2012 and 2013, respectively. The estimates
represent year-over-year growth of 3.4% for 2012 and 12.7% for
2013.
We currently maintain a Neutral recommendation on the company.
WPP PLC (WPPGY): Free Stock Analysis Report
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