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WPP PLC is set to make way for a returning British Land Co PLC on the FTSE 100, as the advertising agency’s more than 60% share price slump this year leaves it set for a festive index relegation. According to indicative index changes published by FTSE Russell late Tuesday, there will also be a number of changes in the FTSE 250, with stock market newbies Princes Group PLC and Shawbrook Group PLC potentially on their way in. WPP’s looming relegation to the FTSE 250 Index comes hot-on-the-heels of a guidance cut late last month. The firm said it expects 2025 like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs to fall between 5.5% and 6.0%. The outlook has been cut from a 3% to 5% decline guided previously. Earlier in November, the Sunday Times reported Havas has held M&A talks with the advertising company. One source said Havas has taken an interest in the ad-buying agency WPP Media. Another source said Havas could build a chunky stake in the entire FTSE 100 listing and push for a board seat. In addition, the Sunday Times also reported that Apollo and KKR have taken an interest in pursuing a deal involving WPP. It led to an 11% bounce in the WPP share price last week Monday, but that rise proved short-lived. The Havas chief executive said the firm isn’t in talks with WPP, Bloomberg reported, citing an internal memo. Real estate investment firm British Land was relegated from the FTSE 100 in a March reshuffle. Shares are up 20% since a year-to-date low it fell to in early September. Recently-listed Princes, which produces tinned tuna and the Napolina range of Italian cooking ingredients, is set for FTSE 250 inclusion. It floated at 475 pence per share at the end of October, but shares have fallen around 5% to 447.00p since. Shawbrook Group PLC is also a recent listing. The lender, which floated at 370p a day before Princes, currently trades at 381.20p per share, up around 3% from the IPO price. Gold miner Pan African Resources PLC and identity technology provider GB Group PLC are also to join the FTSE 250. Both are to an extent new listings, having recently moved to the Main Market from AIM. Among those set to exit the FTSE 250 is Pinewood Technologies Group PLC, rounding off a short stint in the mid-cap index. The provider of software to the automotive retailing sector replaced Warehouse REIT in the index after the logistics warehouses investor was acquired by Blackstone Inc. Foresight Solar Fund Ltd, an investor in environmental infrastructure, is also set for relegation. Payments processor and retailing technology provider PayPoint PLC is also to exit. By market capitalisation, PayPoint is the smallest FTSE 250 constituent. It is worth £294.4 million, Foresight Solar is the second smallest, with a value of £355.9 million. European Opportunities Trust PLC is also among those on the chopping block. The firm’s portfolio includes pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk AS and defence company Thales SA. FTSE Russell’s indicative changes are based on data as of the market close last week Friday. The index review, announced next week Wednesday, will be based on data as of next week Tuesday. FTSE Russell noted Spectris PLC has not be included as a potential FTSE 100 promotion candidate as it is on the verge of being acquired by KKR. Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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