Financial summary charts
| 2006 | 5,908 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 6,186 |
| 2008 | 7,477 |
| 2009 | 8,684 |
| 2010 | 9,331 |
Reported revenue growth of 7.4% reflected the comparative weakness of the pound sterling against most currencies, other than the euro. On both a constant currency and like-for-like basis, revenues were up over 5%.
| 2006 | 1,002 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1,072 |
| 2008 | 1,291 |
| 2009 | 1,243 |
| 2010 | 1,439 |
Headline EBITDA (headline earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation) rose by 15.8% to £1.4 billion ($2.2 billion).
| 2006 | 859 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 928 |
| 2008 | 1,118 |
| 2009 | 1,017 |
| 2010 | 1,229 |
Headline PBIT margin was 13.2% in 2010 against 11.7% last year. Headline PBIT was up 20.8% to £1,229 million, remaining above £1 billion for the third consecutive year.
| 2006 | 41.2 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 45.8 |
| 2008 | 55.5 |
| 2009 | 44.4 |
| 2010 | 56.7 |
Diluted headline earnings per share was up almost 28% to a record 56.7p. Dividends were up 15% to 17.79p per share – an all-time high.
| 2006 | 11.5 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 11.8 |
| 2008 | 12.3 |
| 2009 | 8.9 |
| 2010 | 10.1 |
After-tax return on average capital employed rose to 10.1%, with the weighted average cost of capital falling to 6.4%.
WPP out-performed the FTSE 100 Index and continued to do well against its US-based competitors.
- 1
- The calculation of ‘headline’ measurements of performance (including headline EBITDA, headline PBIT and headline earnings) is shown in note 31 of the financial statements.
- 2
- Calculated gross of goodwill and using profit after taxation before goodwill impairment and other goodwill write-downs, revaluation of financial instruments, amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets, share of exceptional losses/gains of associates, costs incurred in 2008 in changing the corporate structure of the Group and investment gains/losses and write-downs, and adjusted to reflect taxes and net finance costs paid.
- 3
- Measured on a common currency basis.
| 2006 | 1,214 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1,458 |
| 2008 | 2,206 |
| 2009 | 3,448 |
| 2010 | 3,056 |
Net debt averaged £3.1 billion in 2010, down £0.3 billion from £3.4 billion in 2009 at 2010 exchange rates. Headline interest cover in 2010 was 6.3 times.
| 2011 | – |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 100 |
| 2013 | 514 |
| 2014 | 1,268 |
| 2015 | 429 |
| 2016 | 643 |
| 2017 | 400 |
| 2018 | – |
| 2019 | – |
| 2020 | 200 |
The Group continues to work to achieve continuity and flexibility of funding. Undrawn committed borrowing facilities are maintained in excess of peak net-borrowing levels and debt maturities are monitored closely.
| North America | 35 |
|---|---|
| UK | 12 |
| Western Continental Europe | 26 |
| Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe | 27 |
Markets outside North America now account for 65% of our revenues, up from 61% five years ago. The influence of the faster-growing markets outside North America is increasing rapidly.
| North America | 39 |
|---|---|
| UK | 13 |
| Western Continental Europe | 19 |
| Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe | 29 |
The most surprising feature of 2010 was the relatively strong performance of North America. Western Continental Europe is still feeling the effects of the recession.
| Advertising and Media Investment Management | 40 |
|---|---|
| Consumer Insight | 26 |
| Public Relations & Public Affairs | 9 |
| Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications | 25 |
Marketing services comprised 60% of our revenues in 2010, a similar proportion to 2009. It is no longer accurate to call us an advertising agency, we are a communications services company.
| Advertising and Media Investment Management | 46 |
|---|---|
| Consumer Insight | 19 |
| Public Relations & Public Affairs | 11 |
| Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications | 24 |
PBIT contributions were broadly in line with revenues, with all sectors showing a strong recovery in reported operating margins.
- 1
- Percentages are calculated on a constant currency basis. See definition in the Financial glossary.
- 2
- The calculation of headline PBIT is set out in note 31 of the financial statements.
- 3
- Interest excludes the revaluation of financial instruments.
- 4
- Includes corporate bonds, convertible bonds and bank loans payable at par value, excluding any redemption premium due, by due date.