Havas rises on buyback announcement, 2025 forecast

Havas NV

06/03/2025 08:28

** Shares of Havas HAVAS.AS rise 7% after the French advertising agency announced a new share buyback programme and confirmed its 2025 financial guidance

** Havas proposes to repurchase up to 10% of its ordinary shares over 18 months starting from May 28

** For 2025, the company reaffirms its targets of a net revenue organic growth above 2%, an adjusted EBIT margin between 12.5% and 13.5% and a dividend payout ratio of about 40%

** "(The) buyback will be accretive and provide support for the shares," J.P. Morgan says

** JPM upgrades Havas to "overweight" from "neutral" citing an attractive valuation and a strong balance sheet providing optionality for M&A and buybacks, which should drive double-digit EPS growth

** If gains hold, Havas' shares will track their biggest single daily rise since its Amsterdam listing in December

 (Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro)

 ((gianluca.lonostro@thomsonreuters.com;))