Publicis raises full-year growth targets

(Sharecast News) - French media giant Publicis Groupe boosted full-year guidance on Thursday, despite a weak macroeconomic backdrop, following a bumper end to the first half. The Paris-based advertising, marketing and communications specialist said organic revenues rose 4.8% in the three months to June end to €3.8bn, helping left interim sales 4.7% to €7.2bn. Growth had been strong throughout its regions, Publicis noted, but especially in its two biggest markets, the US and Europe.

Interim headline diluted earnings per share rose 5.7% on a constant currency basis to €3.52.

Arthur Sadoun, chief executive, said: "Publicis has once again delivered a very strong first half of the year, accelerating on every front last quarter."

Looking ahead, the group said that "despite the ongoing macroeconomic difficulties", it now expected organic revenues to improve by between 4.5% to 5% over the full year, up from its previous guidance for between 4% and 5%.

Sadoun continued: "Beyond our sustained financial outperformance, the first half was also a period of accelerated investment, as we continued to demonstrate that our strategy is the polar opposite of our peers. We have made acquisitions in new and high-growth segments, like sports and data co-creation, to deliver what our clients truly need: connected, agentic-driven capabilities that will enable them to grow, differentiate and lead in this AI world."

Publicis has spent more than $3bn so far this year on acquisitions.

As at 1230 BST, the Paris-listed stocks were up 3%.