Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE:IPG) Now Covered by StockNews.com

StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE:IPG - Free Report) in a research note released on Monday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the business services provider's stock.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on IPG. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Interpublic Group of Companies from an "underweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and upped their price objective for the company from $26.00 to $34.00 in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Argus cut shares of Interpublic Group of Companies from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. BNP Paribas raised shares of Interpublic Group of Companies from an "underperform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $38.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, January 10th. Barclays upgraded shares of Interpublic Group of Companies from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and upped their target price for the company from $32.00 to $36.00 in a research note on Friday, January 24th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Interpublic Group of Companies from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and upped their target price for the company from $32.00 to $39.00 in a research note on Monday, January 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $33.50.

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Interpublic Group of Companies Stock Down 0.5 %

Interpublic Group of Companies stock traded down $0.12 during trading on Monday, reaching $26.53. 3,412,677 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,497,872. The company's 50-day moving average is $27.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $29.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 1.09. Interpublic Group of Companies has a 52-week low of $25.85 and a 52-week high of $33.29. The firm has a market cap of $9.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.51 and a beta of 1.14.

Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE:IPG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 12th. The business services provider reported $1.11 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.15 by ($0.04). Interpublic Group of Companies had a net margin of 6.45% and a return on equity of 27.10%. On average, analysts predict that Interpublic Group of Companies will post 2.66 earnings per share for the current year.

Interpublic Group of Companies declared that its board has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, February 12th that authorizes the company to repurchase $155.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the business services provider to repurchase up to 1.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually a sign that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Interpublic Group of Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a $0.33 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $1.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.98%. Interpublic Group of Companies's payout ratio is currently 72.13%.

Insider Activity at Interpublic Group of Companies

In related news, CFO Ellen Tobi Johnson sold 21,427 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.82, for a total transaction of $574,672.14. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 143,373 shares in the company, valued at $3,845,263.86. This trade represents a 13.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.42% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its position in Interpublic Group of Companies by 22.0% in the fourth quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 59,373 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $1,664,000 after buying an additional 10,725 shares during the last quarter. Copley Financial Group Inc. grew its position in Interpublic Group of Companies by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Copley Financial Group Inc. now owns 16,058 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $450,000 after purchasing an additional 712 shares in the last quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH purchased a new position in Interpublic Group of Companies during the 4th quarter worth approximately $11,637,000. Forum Financial Management LP grew its position in Interpublic Group of Companies by 17.2% during the 4th quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 7,612 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $213,000 after purchasing an additional 1,115 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Toronto Dominion Bank grew its position in Interpublic Group of Companies by 40.4% during the 4th quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 253,675 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $7,106,000 after purchasing an additional 73,054 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.43% of the company's stock.

About Interpublic Group of Companies

The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc provides advertising and marketing services worldwide. It operates in three segments: Media, Data & Engagement Solutions, Integrated Advertising & Creativity Led Solutions, and Specialized Communications & Experiential Solutions. The Media, Data & Engagement Solutions segment provides media and communications services, digital services and products, advertising and marketing technology, e-commerce services, data management and analytics, strategic consulting, and digital brand experience under the IPG Mediabrands, UM, Initiative, Kinesso, Acxiom, Huge, MRM, and R/GA brand names.