(Boursier.com) — Publicis remains at the top at 95 euros this Friday (+0.5%), while the group presented a net income of 3.54 billion euros in the fourth quarter of 2023, organic growth of 5.7%, in line with the latest outlook communicated by the group in October.
The group expects annual organic growth in its net income of between 4% and 5%, after an increase of 5.7% in the fourth quarter of 2023. “In a particularly difficult macroeconomic context, and after six years transformation, Publicis has clearly stood out in 2023”, underlined Arthur Sadoun, Chairman of the Management Board of Publicis.
The group forecasts an operating margin rate of 18% for 2024, stable compared to 2023, including an operating expense of 100 million euros dedicated to the artificial intelligence investment plan.
Envelope filled…
Publicis anticipates organic growth in the annual range in the first quarter of 2024.
The group also plans to set an envelope of between 700 and 800 million euros dedicated to targeted acquisitions, in order to strengthen its capabilities in the fields of data, technology, commerce and AI.
A share buyback program estimated at around 200 million euros is also planned.
Publicis is finally proposing a dividend of 3.40 euros per share for the 2023 financial year, up 17% over one year…
Among the latest analyst opinions, Barclays overweights the file and even raises its target from 105 to 107 euros, while Citigroup is ‘neutral’ with a target which nevertheless increases from 91 to 100 euros. JP Morgan, for its part, overweights the stock by targeting a price of 109 euros, compared to 105 euros. Macquarie is outperforming and raising its objective from 94 to 104 euros, while AlphaValue had already returned to ‘lighten’ on Publicis with an adjusted objective from 80 to… 94.20 euros. The stock has gained more than 12% since January 1 on the Paris stock market.
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