S4 Capital shares rise despite increased losses and tariff concerns

Sir Martin Sorrell, the founder of advertising agency S4 Capital, announced that the company will pay its first dividend despite increasing financial losses. Shareholders will receive 1p per share, which will total around £540,000 for Sorrell. Following this announcement, S4 Capital's stock rose by 5.6 percent, reaching 34.82p. However, the company also cautioned that clients are likely to remain careful in spending due to economic uncertainties. This includes concerns over the effects of ongoing trade tensions linked to Donald Trump's tariffs. In its financial report, S4 Capital revealed a significant loss of £307 million in 2024, compared to a loss of £14.3 million the previous year. Additionally, revenue dropped by 16.8 percent to £848.2 million. In broader market news, the FTSE 100 index fell by 0.1 percent, while the FTSE 250 index saw a slight increase. Some specific companies also faced stock price changes. Wood Group shares fell after extending a deadline for a takeover offer, while sportswear retailer JD Sports saw a decline after its target price was reduced by analysts.