YOU: Margin Expansion And Dividend Progress Will Drive Shares Higher

The analyst price target for YouGov has been revised modestly lower to approximately £4.54 from about £4.52, as analysts factor in slightly weaker revenue growth expectations, partially offset by marginally improved profit margins and valuation assumptions.

Analyst Commentary

Recent revisions from Street research underscore a more cautious stance on YouGov's near term performance, even as the long term opportunity in data driven research and analytics remains intact.

Bullish Takeaways

• Bullish analysts continue to see upside potential versus the current share price, with lowered price targets still implying a meaningful premium based on normalized earnings power.
• The maintenance of Buy ratings signals confidence in YouGov's ability to execute on its strategy, particularly around scaling its data products and improving operating leverage over time.
• Supportive views highlight the resilience of the core research platform and recurring revenue streams, which are seen as underappreciated in current valuation multiples.
• Some bullish analysts view the reset in expectations as creating a cleaner base for future upgrades if growth and margin trends stabilize or modestly improve.

Bearish Takeaways

• Bearish analysts point to lowered price targets as evidence that prior growth and profitability assumptions were too optimistic, warranting a more conservative valuation framework.
• The presence of Neutral ratings, including from JPMorgan, reflects concern that near term execution risks and softer growth could cap upside until clearer reacceleration is visible.
• Margin improvement is viewed as vulnerable to ongoing investment needs in technology and sales, which could delay the timeline for achieving higher returns on capital.
• Some cautious views suggest that competitive intensity and macro driven budget scrutiny among clients may constrain YouGov's ability to sustain premium growth rates, which in turn is used to justify a reduced target price range.

What's in the News

• YouGov plc recommended a dividend of 9.25 pence per share, to be paid on 9 December 2025 to shareholders on the register as at 28 November 2025, subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting on 4 December 2025 (company announcement).
• At its Annual General Meeting on 4 December 2025, YouGov plc approved a dividend of 9.25 pence per share, confirming payment on 9 December 2025 to shareholders on the register at 28 November 2025 (AGM resolution).
• YouGov plc issued guidance for fiscal year 2026, indicating it expects modest revenue progress while absorbing the impact of incremental investment across the group (guidance statement).

Valuation Changes

• The fair value estimate has risen slightly to approximately £4.54 from about £4.52, reflecting a modestly higher intrinsic valuation.
• The discount rate has increased marginally to around 7.91 percent from roughly 7.84 percent, indicating a slightly higher assumed risk profile or required return.
• Revenue growth has edged lower to about 2.87 percent from approximately 3.02 percent, signposting a small downward revision to top line expectations.
• The net profit margin has improved modestly to roughly 7.67 percent from about 7.63 percent, incorporating slightly stronger profitability assumptions.
• The future P/E multiple has ticked up slightly to around 20.7x from roughly 20.6x, suggesting a small uplift in the valuation multiple applied to forward earnings.