The WPP Board has recommended an interim dividend of 12.5p (2020: 10.0p) per ordinary share. This is expected to be paid on 1 November 2021 to shareholders on the register at 15 October 2021. The Board recommended a final dividend of 14.0p per ordinary share in respect of 2020. This was paid on 9 July 2021.
Other financial highlights include:
H1 reported revenue 9.8%, LFL revenue 16.1% (Q2 26.4%)
H1 revenue less pass-through costs 5.0%, LFL revenue less pass-through costs 11.0% (up 0.5% on H1 2019)
Q2 LFL revenue less pass-through costs 19.3%: US 12.6%, UK 31.8%, Germany 20.3%, Greater China 1.4%, Australia 8.4%, India 30.0%
Q2 LFL revenue less pass-through costs on 2019 1.3%: US 1.8%, UK 1.1%, Germany 6.3%, Greater China -1.7%, Australia -13.6%, India -2.6%
Strong new business performance: $2.9 billion net new billings in H1
H1 headline operating margin 12.1%, up 3.9 pt on prior year with strong top-line growth supporting significant reinvestment in incentives
H1 headline operating margin pre incentives up 7.8 pt to 17.0%
Net debt at 30 June 2021 £1.5 billion, down £1.2 billion year-on-year reflecting good working capital management
