WPP Shares Under Pressure: Analyst Downgrade, CEO Exit, and AI Disruption

WPP shares (LON:WPP) are under pressure again today, down 2.73% through the morning session, as markets continue to sell down the advertising stock. The share price is currently trading at 507.60p, down 38.89% since the start of the year, reflecting ongoing concerns about the company's future prospects.

A downgrade from Barclays, coupled with the impending departure of CEO Mark Read and the disruptive influence of artificial intelligence, has cast a shadow over WPP's near-term performance.

• WPP stock has declined 27.9% year-to-date, reflecting investor concerns about AI disruption.
• Barclays downgraded WPP from Equal Weight to Underweight, reducing price target by 21.4% (from 700 to 550 GBp).
• WPP is investing £300 million annually in AI initiatives, including partnerships with NVIDIA and Stability AI.
• CEO Mark Read has announced his departure by end of 2025 amid these industry transformations.
• Analysts believe advertising agencies will adapt to AI disruption but will require time, investment, and execution.

Barclays lowered its rating on WPP from ‘Equal Weight' to ‘Underweight,' slashing its price target from 700 GBp to 550 GBp.

This decision, influenced by observations from the recent Cannes advertising festival, underscores growing anxieties about the impact of AI on the advertising landscape. Barclays analysts argue that AI will “profoundly and irrevocably transform the industry,” leading to continued low organic growth and inconsistent operating performance.

Their research note highlights that organic growth for the top six holding agencies has been “lackluster since 2017,” suggesting a deeper, systemic issue beyond short-term cyclical factors.

While Barclays acknowledges that agencies like WPP will eventually adapt and thrive, the transition will demand significant time, investment, and flawless execution. The firm's analysis paints a picture of an industry in the throes of a fundamental shift, where traditional agency models are increasingly challenged by AI-driven alternatives.

Adding to the uncertainty, CEO Mark Read announced his intention to step down at the end of 2025. During his tenure, Read spearheaded significant restructuring efforts, including merging agencies and investing in AI-powered marketing solutions. Despite these initiatives, WPP has struggled with stagnant growth and a shrinking market capitalization, now hovering around £6.43 billion.

The company has also ceded its position as the world's largest ad agency by revenue to France's Publicis, a symbolic blow that underscores the competitive pressures WPP faces. The rise of AI and the increasing dominance of tech giants like Meta and Alphabet in the advertising space have further complicated matters, squeezing margins and forcing agencies to rethink their value proposition.

Barclays' downgraded price continues to reflect some upside from current levels, although the rating downgrade to Underweight is more indicative of the view that the shares will underperform in the periods ahead.