WPP vs ICFI

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

7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -7. 3% for ICF International, Inc. (ICFI). 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 ICF International, Inc. (ICFI) a "Buy" — 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 ICF International, Inc. at 15. 1x. On forward P/E, WPP plc is actually cheaper at 7. 5x.

Over the past 5 years, ICF International, Inc.

(ICFI) delivered a total return of -16. 9%, compared to -57. 1% for WPP plc (WPP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ICFI returned +100. 5% 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), ICF International, Inc.

(ICFI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 52β versus WPP plc's 1. 08β — meaning WPP is approximately 107% more volatile than ICFI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, ICF International, Inc. (ICFI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 56% 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 -7. 3% for ICF International, Inc. (ICFI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: WPP plc grew EPS 390. 0% year-over-year, compared to -14. 9% for ICF International, 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.

ICF International, Inc.

(ICFI) is the more profitable company, earning 4. 9% net margin versus 3. 7% for WPP plc — meaning it keeps 4. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WPP leads at 9. 0% versus 8. 1% for ICFI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ICFI leads at 34. 1%, 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 10. 6x for ICF International, Inc. — 3. 1x 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 0. 8% for ICF International, Inc. (ICFI).

For long-horizon retirement investors, ICF International, Inc.

(ICFI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 52), 0. 8% yield, +100. 5% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ICFI: +100. 5%, 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (WPP (Communication Services) and ICFI (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

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.