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Is WPP.L (WPP plc) Halal or Haram?

London Stock ExchangeCommunication ServicesAdvertising Agencies$2.87B2026-05-01
WPP.L is Haram (Not Halal)2/4 screens passed

While WPP plc's core advertising and public relations business is shariah-compliant, the stock ultimately fails AAOIFI standards due to severe financial ratio breaches. The company carries a heavily leveraged balance sheet with a Debt to Market Cap ratio of 296.8%, far exceeding the 33% limit, alongside an excessive Cash and Securities ratio of 94.0%.

Price Chart (5D)

$276.60+4.20 (+1.54%)
2026-06-092026-06-03

WPP.L — Last 7 Days

DateOpenHighLowCloseVolumeChange
2026-06-09268.30282.30266.95276.706.7M+3.13%
2026-06-08263.30266.60258.00262.202.2M-0.42%
2026-06-05269.20278.00261.70262.703.2M-2.41%
2026-06-04258.60272.66257.60271.303.6M+4.91%
2026-06-03275.50277.90264.00264.004.3M-4.17%
2026-06-02285.30289.50274.90278.205.8M-2.49%
2026-06-01275.10283.40271.70279.605.9M+1.64%

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Shariah Screening Details for WPP.L

Business Activity

Permissible

WPP plc passes the business activity screen as its core operations in marketing, media buying, and public relations are generally permissible under Islamic principles.

Debt / Market Cap

296.84%

Debt: $8.51BThreshold: ≤33%

Interest Income

0.58%

Interest: $78.0MThreshold: ≤5%

Cash & Securities

94.03%

Cash: $2.69BThreshold: ≤33%

About WPP plc (WPP.L)

WPP plc is a global powerhouse in the communication services sector, operating extensively across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The company specializes in creating comprehensive marketing campaigns, public relations strategies, and media buying services through its vast network of integrated and specialist agencies.

For Muslim investors utilizing HalalStocks.co.uk, WPP plc is currently classified as Not Halal (Haram). Although the company's primary business activities in advertising pass Islamic screening criteria, it fails critical financial screens, making it impermissible for a shariah-compliant portfolio at this time.

The primary concern for halal investors is WPP's highly leveraged balance sheet. The company's Debt to Market Cap ratio stands at an alarming 296.8%, which drastically exceeds the AAOIFI threshold of 33%, while its Cash and Securities to Market Cap ratio also fails at 94.0%. Interest income remains low and compliant at 0.58%.

Because the failure is entirely driven by financial structuring rather than haram business activities, investors should monitor WPP's debt reduction strategies. However, until these massive debt and cash ratios are brought well below the 33% threshold, the stock remains strictly off-limits for Islamic investors.

CEO

Cindy Rose Quackenbush

Employees

108,044

IPO Date

1995-03-24

Headquarters

London, GB

WPP.L Key Financial Statistics

Revenue

$13.55B

Net Income

$-215.0M

EPS (Diluted)

$-0.20

Stock Price

265.60

Beta

0.60

52-Week Range

218.5-616.2

Total Debt

$8.51B

Total Equity

$2.54B

Current Ratio

0.89

WPP.L Financial Health & Profitability

Profit Margins

Gross Margin15.8%
Operating Margin9.0%
Net Margin-1.6%

Revenue Growth (YoY)

-8.1%

Prior year: $14.74B

Net Debt

$5.81B

Cash: $2.69B — Debt: $8.51B

Frequently Asked Questions About WPP.L

Is WPP.L (WPP plc) stock halal to invest in?
Based on our AAOIFI-standard shariah screening, WPP.L is Not Halal (Haram) and is not considered permissible for Muslim investors. It failed 2 of 4 compliance screens. Its debt-to-market-cap ratio of 296.84% exceeds the ≤33% threshold. Its cash & securities ratio of 94.03% exceeds the ≤33% threshold.
What does WPP plc do?
WPP plc is a global powerhouse in the communication services sector, operating extensively across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The company specializes in creating comprehensive marketing campaigns, public relations strategies, and media buying services through its vast network of integrated and specialist agencies. For Muslim investors utilizing HalalStocks.co.uk, WPP plc is currently classified as Not Halal (Haram). Although the company's primary business activities in advertising pass Islamic screening criteria, it fails critical financial screens, making it impermissible for a shariah-compliant portfolio at this time. The primary concern for halal investors is WPP's highly leveraged balance sheet. The company's Debt to Market Cap ratio stands at an alarming 296.8%, which drastically exceeds the AAOIFI threshold of 33%, while its Cash and Securities to Market Cap ratio also fails at 94.0%. Interest income remains low and compliant at 0.58%. Because the failure is entirely driven by financial structuring rather than haram business activities, investors should monitor WPP's debt reduction strategies. However, until these massive debt and cash ratios are brought well below the 33% threshold, the stock remains strictly off-limits for Islamic investors. WPP plc operates in the Communication Services sector under the Advertising Agencies industry and is headquartered in London, GB. The company is led by CEO Cindy Rose Quackenbush and employs approximately 108,044 people.
What screening criteria were used for WPP.L?
WPP.L was screened using AAOIFI-based shariah compliance criteria. Four tests are applied: (1) Business Activity — the company's core business must not derive primary income from haram (prohibited) activities such as alcohol, gambling, tobacco, or interest-based finance. (2) Debt-to-Market-Cap — total debt must not exceed 33% of market capitalization. (3) Interest Income — interest income must not exceed 5% of total revenue. (4) Cash & Securities — cash and interest-bearing securities must not exceed 33% of market cap. WPP.L passed 2 of these 4 screens.
When was WPP.L last screened?
WPP.L was last screened on 2026-05-01. Shariah compliance status can change as companies report new financial data, acquire new businesses, or shift revenue streams. We recommend checking back periodically for the most up-to-date screening results.

Disclaimer

This shariah compliance assessment for WPP.L (WPP plc) is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or religious advice. Screening criteria are based on widely accepted AAOIFI standards, but individual scholars may differ in their opinions. Always consult with a qualified Islamic scholar and licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions. Past screening status does not guarantee future compliance. Last screened: 2026-05-01.

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