WPP vs IPG

For growth investors, WPP plc (WPP) is the stronger pick with -0.

7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -1. 8% for The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (IPG). WPP plc (WPP) offers the better valuation at 5. 6x trailing P/E (7. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate WPP plc (WPP) a "Hold" — based on 13 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, WPP plc (WPP) is the cheapest at 5.

6x versus The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. at 13. 4x. On forward P/E, WPP plc is actually cheaper at 7. 5x.

Over the past 5 years, The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.

(IPG) delivered a total return of -10. 1%, compared to -57. 1% for WPP plc (WPP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: IPG returned +45. 7% versus WPP's -59. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.

(IPG) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 65β versus WPP plc's 1. 08β — meaning WPP is approximately 64% more volatile than IPG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (IPG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 109% versus 170% for WPP plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), WPP plc (WPP) is pulling ahead at -0.

7% versus -1. 8% for The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (IPG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: WPP plc grew EPS 390. 0% year-over-year, compared to -35. 8% for The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, WPP leads at 4. 8% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.

(IPG) is the more profitable company, earning 6. 4% net margin versus 3. 7% for WPP plc — meaning it keeps 6. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: IPG leads at 11. 3% versus 9. 0% for WPP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — IPG leads at 17. 0%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

On forward earnings alone, WPP plc (WPP) trades at 7.

5x forward P/E versus 7. 8x for The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. — 0. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

WPP plc (WPP) offers the highest yield at 14. 0%, versus 5. 4% for The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (IPG).

For long-horizon retirement investors, The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.

(IPG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 65), 5. 4% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (IPG: +45. 7%, WPP: -59. 0%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Communication Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.