Publicis Groupe: First Half 2026 Results

First half 2026 results

Strong Q2 accelerating to +4.8% net organic growth Continued momentum in H2 leading to guidance upgrade

July 16, 2026

• Q2 net revenue organic growth at +4.8% after Q1 at +4.5%.
  • All key regions performing well with two biggest regions, U.S. and Europe, growing organically at +5.5% and +5.0% respectively
  • New record H1 headline margin rate of 17.5% up 17 basis points year -on-year¹
  • H1 new business dynamic securing circa 200 basis points of growth on a full -year basis
• Maintaining strong momentum in H2 despite tougher comparable base :
  • Raising FY'26 net revenue organic growth guidance range to +4.5% to +5% vs. +4% to 5% previously
  • Confirming slight operating margin improvement vs. industry -high rate of 18.2% in FY’25
  • Expecting free cash flow of circa €2.2 billion²

Q2 202 6

H1 2026

(in millions of euros except per -share data and percentages)

Arthur Sadoun, Chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe:

“Publicis once again delivered a very strong first half of the year, accelerating on every front last quarter . Q2 organic net revenue growth reached +4.8%, ahead of Q1 and despite a tougher comparable base, further widening the gap with competition by c irca 610 basis points. At the same time, our headline margin reached record new heights in H1, at 17.5%, even as we doubled down on investing in bes t‑in-class capabilities, talent and AI. Last but not least, our continued momentum in new business makes us confident in sustaining our performance for the rest of t he year and beyond despite the ongoing macroeconomic difficulties. In fact, we are in a position to raise our full year organic growth guidance +4.5 -5%, up from our previous range of +4 -5%. Beyond our sustained financial outperformance, H1 was also a period of accelerated investment, as we continued to demonstrate that our strategy is the polar opposite of our peers'. Leveraging the strength of our balance sheet, we have made acquisitions in new and high -growth segments, like sports with 160over90 and data co -creation with Live Ramp, to deliver what our clients truly need: connected, agentic -driven capabilities that will enable them to grow, differentiate and lead in this AI world. It is how w e are creating value for them and why we will outperform the industry once again, for the seventh year in a row . I’d like to thank all of our clients for their continued trust, and our people for their outstanding efforts and commitment. ”

* * *

The Publicis Board of Directors met on July 15, 2026, under the chairmanship of Arthur Sadoun and approved the financial statements for the first half of 2026.

KEY FIGURES

(in millions of euros except per -share data and percentages)

3 Before LiveRamp transaction costs.

Q2 2026 REVENUE & NET REVENUE

Publicis Groupe’s revenue in Q2 2026 was 4,543 million euros, compared to 4,322 million euros in Q2 2025. Organic revenue growth reached +4.2%.

Net revenue in Q2 2026 was 3,769 million euros, compared to 3,617 million euros in Q2 2025. Organic net revenue growth reached +4.8% . Exchange rates had a negative impact of euro 60 million. Acquisitions, net of disposals, accounted for a positive impact of 41 million euros.

The Groupe’s AI -powered marketing services, representing 87% of total net revenue, continued to perform strongly, driven by rising client demand, and delivered +6.5% net revenue organic growth this quarter. This includes the Groupe’s Connected Media practice, which posted high single -digit organic growth, and Intelligent Creativity practice, which delivered low single -digit organic growth this quarter. Consistent with the IT consulting industry, reduced macroeconomic visibility continued to delay clients’ large and capex -heavy transformation projects. As a result, the Groupe’s Technology practice, representing 13% of total net revenue, was down organically by mid single digit s this quarter.

Breakdown of Q2 2026 net revenue by region

North America net revenue was +5.4% on an organic basis . The U.S., the Groupe’s largest geography, which represented 58% of total net revenue in Q2, delivered strong organic growth of +5.5%, fueled by high single -digit growth from Connected Media and mid-single -digit growth from Intelligent Creativity.

Net revenue in Europe was +5.0% orga nically. Organic growth in the U.K. was up +2.8 %. France posted +4.0% growth⁴. Germany recorded +3.1% organic growth. Central & Eastern Europe posted +17.5% organic growth, with strong growth across all practices.

Net revenue in Asia Pacific grew +2.6% on an organic basis. China performed strongly with +7.5% organic growth .

In Middle East & Africa , net revenue was down -8.3% organically as a result of the conflict in the region.

Net revenue in Latin America was up +11.0% organically . This performance was driven by double -digit growth of both Connected Media and Intelligent Creativity .

H1 2026 REVENUE & NET REVENUE

Revenue in the first half of 2026 was 8,734 million euros, compared to 8,483 million euros in the first half of 2025. Organic growth of revenue reached +5.3%.

Net revenue in the first half of 2026 was 7,229 million euros compared to 7,152million euros in the first half of 2025 . Organic growth reached +4.7% . Exchange rate variations over the perio d had a negative im pact of 328 million euros. Acquisitions, net of disposals, accounted for a positive im pact o f 87 million euros on net revenue.

Breakdown of H1 2026 net revenue by region

Net revenue in North America was up by +5.0% on an organic basis in H1 2026. The U.S. recorded a very solid +5.1%organic growth.

Europe posted +4.5% organic growth in H1 2026. The U.K. was up by +4,4%, both France and Germany were up low -single digit, and Central & Eastern Europe posted +9.3% growth on an organic basis.

Asia Pacific net revenue was up by +4.1% on an organic basis. China reported an organic growth of +9.4%.

Net revenue in the Middle East & Africa region was down by -6.8% on an organic basis, and up by +12.0% in Latin America .

ANALYSIS OF H1 2026 KEY FIGURES

Income statement

EBITDA (operating margin before depreciation and amortization) amounted to euro 1,527 million in H1 2026, compared to euro 1,501 million in H1 2025. This represents 21.1% of net revenue, versus 21.0% in H1 2025.

Personnel and freelancer costs totaled euro 4,821 million in H1 2026, compared to 4,835 million in H1 2025. As a percentage of net revenue, these costs represented 66.7% in H1 2026, compared to 67.6% in H1 2025. Restructuring costs amounted to euro 76 mill ion, up from euro 63 million in the same period in 2025.

Non personnel costs amounted to euro 1,147 million in H1 2026, versus euro 1,075 million in H1 2025, representing 15.9% of net revenue, compared to 15.0% in H1 2025. They comprised:

• Other operating expenses (excluding pass -through costs, depreciation & amortization), which amounted to euro 881 million, including euro 7 million of acquisition -related costs in connection with the acquisition of LiveRamp, compared to euro 816 million in 2025. This represented 12.2% of net revenue, compared to 11.4% in 2025.
• Depreciation and amortization expense of euro 266 million on June 30, 2026, up by euro 7 million compared to 2025, mainly linked to the Groupe's IT projects and investments.

As a result, the operating margin amounted to euro 1,261million as of June 30, 202 6, representing an operating margin rate of 17.4% in H1 2026, compared to 17.4% for the same period in 2025 . Adjusting for transaction costs associated with LiveRamp, the headline operating margin is at 17.5% in H1 2026 up 17 basis points year -on-year.

Operating margin rates by geographies were 18.5% in North America, 16.0% in Europe, 25.0% in Asia Pacific, -9.9% in Middle East & Africa and 10.6% in Latin America.

Amortization of intangibles arising from acquisitions totaled euro 109 million in H1 2026, quite stable compared to euro 106 million in the same period in 2025.

Impairment losses amounted to euro 6 million in H1 2026, includ ing a euro 6 million gain (reversal) resulting from a change in the estimated recoverable value of right -of-use assets relating to the Groupe’s real estate portfolio , as well as euro 12 million impairment loss on intangible assets. Impairment losses totaled euro 35 million in H1 2025 and related exclusively to the component link ed to the optimization of the Groupe’s real estate footprint.

Net non-current income was euro 3 million as of June 30, 2026 . At June 30, 2025 , non-current income amounted to euro 1million.

Operating income totaled euro 1,149 million in H1 2026, compared to euro 1,102 million for the same period in 2025.

The financial result , comprising the cost of net financial debt, revaluation of earn -out payments and other financial charges and income, was a net charge of euro 66 million as of June 30, 2026 , compared to a euro 5 million net charge for the same period in 2025 :

• The net charge on net financial debt was euro 6 million in H1 2026, compared to an income of euro 15 million in H1 2025. In H1 2026, it included euro 66 million of interest expense, up by euro 8 million from euro 58 million in H1 2025, and interest income of euro 60 million, down versus euro 73 million in the same period of 2025.
• Other financial income and expenses (excluding earn ‑out revaluation) were a net charge of euro 55 million in 2026, notably composed by euro 41 million interest on lease liabilities , and euro 10 million foreign exchange losses. At June 30, 2025, other financial income and expenses were a net charge of euro 58 million, notably composed by euro 44 million interest on lease liabilities and a euro 1 million income from the fair value adjustment of mutual funds.
• The revaluation of earn ‑outs payments was an expense euro 5 million as of June 30, 2026, compared to euro 38 million income in the same period of 2025.

The share in profit of equity -accounted investees, net of tax is a euro 5 million loss in H1 2026, compared to a euro 1million profit in H1 2025.

The income tax charge amounted to euro 281million on June 30, 2026 , corresponding to a forecasted effective tax rate of 25.9% for 2026 , compared to a tax charge of euro 266 million in June 30, 2025 corresponding to a forecasted effective tax rate of 25.1%.

The net income attributable to non -controlling interests is a euro 4 million profit in H1 2026. The amount was a euro 8 million profit in H1 2025.

Overall, the net income attributable to the Groupe was euro 793 million in H12026 compared to euro 824 million in H12025 .

The headline earning per share was 3.52 euros on June 30, 2026 , up by 5.7% at constant currency, compared to the same period ending June 30, 2025 .

Free cash flow

Free cash flow, excluding change in working capital requirements (WCR) , was euro 950 million as of June 30, 2026, up euro 122 million compared with the same period in 2025 (+19.9% at constant currency) , notably by the euro 84 million reduction in income taxes paid and by the growth in EBITDA, which increased by euro 26 million.

The reduction in income taxes paid to euro 266 million from euro 350 million in the first half of 2025 is mainly attributable to the United States for euro 86 million.

Repayments of lease liabilities and related interests amounted to euro 219 million in H1 2026, down euro 13 million from euro 232 million in H1 2025.

Net financial interests represented a cash outflow of euro 39 million expense in H1 2026, compared with a cash outflow of euro 22 million in the corresponding period of H1 2025, primarily due to lower financial income.

Net capital expenditures in fixed assets totaled euro 91 million in H1 2026, down from euro 115 million in H1 2025.

Net debt

Net financial debt amounted t o 1,215 million euros as of June 30, 2026 compared to a net cash position of 548 million euros at December 31, 2025 reflecting the seasonality of activity. The Groupe's last twelve months average net debt as of June 30, 2026 amounted to 1,131 million euros compared to 836 million euros as of June 30, 2025 .

ACQUISITIONS

In March 2026, the Groupe announced the acquisition of Adge.AI , a leading company in the field of content measurement and intelligence.

In April 2026, the Groupe announced the acquisition of 160over90 , the premier global sports and culture agency .

In May 2026, the Groupe entered into an agreement to acquire LiveRamp , a global data collaboration platform that enables companies to unify, manage and activate data across the digital ecosystem.

OUTLOOK

Following very strong new business gains over the last 18 months, including several sizable wins in H1 2026, the Groupe is upgrading its 2026 net revenue organic growth guidance to +4.5% to +5% for the full year, compared to +4% to +5% previously.

This guidance represents a sequential acceleration in H2 2026, when adjusting for a comparable base that is 40 basis points t ougher in H2 2025 compared to H1 2025.

In terms of its financial ratios, the Groupe is confirming its 2026 operating margin rate guidance of a slight improvement compared to the level of 18.2%of 2025 , while maintaining a high level of investment.

The Groupe expect s its 2026 free cash flow to reach circa 2.2 billion euros, compared to c. 2.1 billion euros previously, which is before change in working capital requirements and based on EUR = 1.155 USD parity.

The Groupe has all the conditions in place to sustain this performance beyond 2026, and is confirming its 2027 and 2028 objec tives for average net revenue and headline EPS growth at constant currency of at least +7% to +8% and +8% to +10% p.a. respectively .

Disclaimer

Certain information contained in this document, other than historical information, may constitute forward -looking statements or unaudited financial forecasts. These forward -looking statements and forecasts are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These forward -looking statements and forecasts are presented at the date of this document and, other than as required by applicable law, Publicis Groupe does not assume any obligation to updat e them to reflect new information or events or for any other reason. Publicis Groupe urges you to carefully consider the risk f actors that may affect its business, as set out in the Universal Registration Document filed with the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) and which is available on the website of Publicis Groupe ( www.publicisgroupe.com ), including an unfavorable economic climate, a highly competitive industry, risks associated with the confidentiality of personal data, the Groupe’s business dep endence on its management and employees, risks associated with mergers and acquisitions, risks of IT system failures and cybercrime, the possibility that our clients could seek to terminate their contracts with us on short notice, risks associated with the reorg anization of the Groupe, risks of litigation, governmental, legal and arbitration procee dings, risks associated with the Groupe’s financial rating and exposure to liquidity risks.

About Publicis Groupe - The Power of One

Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40] is a global leader in communication. The Groupe is positioned at every step of the value chain, from consulting to execution, combining marketing transformation and digital business transformation . Publicis Groupe is a privileged partner in its clients’ transformation to enhance personalization at scale. The Groupe relies on ten expertise concentrated within four main activities: Communication, Media, Data and Technology. Through a unified and fluid orga nization, its clients have a facilitated access to all its expertise in every market. Present in over 100 countries, Publicis Groupe employs around 114,000 professionals.

www.publicisgroupe.com | X: @PublicisGroupe | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Viva la Difference!

Contacts

Publicis Groupe
Amy Hadfield Director of Global Communications + 33 1 44 43 70 75 amy.hadfield@publicisgroupe.com
Jean -Michel Bonamy Deputy CFO, Investor Relations + 33 1 44 43 74 88 jean -michel.bonamy@publicisgroupe.com
Carla Foucaud Director, Investor Relations + 44 20 7830 3710 carla.foucaud@publicisgroupe.com

Appendices

Net revenue: organic growth calculation

(1) Acquisitions ( Adge, Adopt LLC, Atomic 212, Bespoke, BRW, BR Media, Captiv8, Chain Reaction, Fabric Social, Hepmil, Lotame, Moov AI, P -Value, OneSixtyOverNinety, Nucleus, The Next Ad ), net of disposals
(2) EUR = USD 1.167 average in H1 2026 vs. USD 1.093 average in H1 2025
EUR = GBP 0.867 on average in H1 2026 vs. GBP 0.842 on average in H1 2025

Definitions

Net revenue: Revenue less pass -through costs which comprise amount paid to external suppliers engaged to perform a project and charged directly to clients. These costs are mainly production and media costs, and out of pocket expenses.

Organic growth of revenue: Change in revenue excluding the impact of acquisitions, disposals and currencies.

Organic growth of net revenue: Change in net revenue excluding the impact of acquisitions, disposals and currencies.

EBITDA ( earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization): Operating margin before depreciation & amortization.

Operating margin: Revenue after personnel costs, other operating expenses (excl. non -current income and expense) and depreciation (excl. amortization of intangibles arising on acquisitions).

Operating margin rate: Operating margin as a percentage of net revenue.

Headline operating margin: Operating margin excluding costs associated with the LiveRamp acquisition.

Headline operating margin rate: Headline operating margin as a percentage of net revenue.

Headline group net income: Net income attributable to the Groupe, after elimination of impairment charges / real estate transformation expenses, amortization of intangibles arising on acquisitions, the main capital gains (or losses) on disposals , change in the fair value of financia l assets and the revaluation of earn -out costs.

EPS ( earnings per share): Group net income divided by average number of shares, not diluted.

EPS, diluted ( earnings per share, diluted): Group net income divided by average number of shares, diluted.

Headline EPS, diluted ( headline earnings per share, diluted): Headline group net income, divided by average number of shares, diluted.

Free cash flow before changes in working capital requirements: Net cash flow from operating activities less interests paid & received, repayment of lease liabilities & related interests and before changes in WCR linked to operating activities.

Free cash flow: Net cash flow from operating activities less interests paid & received, repayment of lease liabilities & related interests.

Headline free cash flow: Free cash flow excluding costs associated with the LiveRamp acquisition.

Net debt (or financial net debt ): Sum of long and short financial debt and associated derivatives, net of treasury and cash equivalents, excluding lease liability since 1st January 2018.

Average net debt: Last twelve month average of monthly net debt at end of month.

Consolidated income statement

(in millions of euros)

(1) Net revenue: Revenue less pass -through costs. Those costs are mainly production & media costs and out -of -pocket expenses. As these are items that can be passed on to clients and are not included in the scope of analysis of transactions, the net revenue ind icator is the most appropriate for measuring the Group’s operational performance.

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Consolidated balance sheet

(in millions of euros)

Consolidated statement of cash flows

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Earnings per share (basic and diluted)

Headline earnings per share (basic and diluted)

(1) Headline EPS after elimination of impairment losses, amortization of intangibles from acquisitions, the main capital gains an d losses on disposal and fair value adjustment of financial assets, the revaluation of earn-out commitments and LIve R amp acquisition costs in 2026.
(2) As of June 30, 2026, the capital gains and losses on disposals of assets and other non current items amounts to euro 3 million and the fair value adjustments of financial assets amounts to euro 1 million. As of June 30, 2025, there was no significant capital gains or losses on disposal and the fair value adjustment of financial assets amounts to 1 million .

Notes

1. Before LiveRamp transaction costs.
2. Before change in working capital requirements and based on EUR = 1.155 USD.
3. Before LiveRamp transaction costs.
4. Excluding the contributions of outdoor media activities on public transport and Le Drugstore .