WH Smith Future Growth
Future criteria checks 4/6
WH Smith is forecast to grow earnings and revenue by 52.9% and 3.8% per annum respectively. EPS is expected to grow by 47.2% per annum. Return on equity is forecast to be 24.7% in 3 years.
Key information
52.9%
Earnings growth rate
47.23%
EPS growth rate
| Specialty Retail earnings growth | 14.2% |
| Revenue growth rate | 3.8% |
| Future return on equity | 24.74% |
| Analyst coverage | Good |
| Last updated | 28 May 2026 |
Recent future growth updates
Recent updates
Narrative Update • Jun 01
SMWH: Rebased Expectations Will Support Future Upside From Travel Execution
Analysts have trimmed the WH Smith price target, with fair value moving from £8.20 to £7.00. This reflects recent target cuts across the Street and slightly more cautious assumptions on growth, margins and the discount rate.
Narrative Update • May 09
SMWH: Future Upside Will Emerge As Travel Expansion Supports Cash Generation
Narrative Update: WH Smith The analyst price target for WH Smith has been revised lower to about £6.26 from roughly £7.02. Analysts cite adjusted assumptions for fair value, discount rate, revenue growth and profit margin following a series of recent price target cuts and downgrades across the Street.Narrative Update • Apr 21
SMWH: Rebased Expectations Will Support Future Upside From Travel Execution
Narrative Update The analyst price target for WH Smith has been revised lower in recent weeks, with cuts such as £657 to £634 and £800 to £762, as analysts factor in updated expectations for growth, profitability and valuation multiples, while still seeing room for the shares at current levels. Analyst Commentary Recent research points to a more cautious stance on WH Smith overall, but the detail behind the latest target changes still highlights areas where bullish analysts see value in the story, particularly around execution in core operations and the potential for the current share price to already reflect a lot of the risk.Narrative Update • Apr 06
SMWH: Future Upside Will Emerge As Travel Expansion Drives Cash Generation
Analysts have trimmed the average price target for WH Smith by about £0.71, citing slightly lower fair value estimates, a modestly reduced revenue growth outlook, and a small reset to future P/E assumptions, as reflected in recent target cuts from £8.00 to £7.62, £6.57 to £6.34, and £6.50 to £6.00. Analyst Commentary Recent research shows a cluster of price target trims for WH Smith, with updated targets ranging from £6.00 to £7.62 and a mix of Buy and Hold ratings.
Narrative Update • Mar 23
SMWH: Future Execution Risks And Shareholder Actions Will Shape Fairly Valued Outlook
WH Smith's updated valuation reflects a trim in the analyst price target to about £5.75 from £6.00, as analysts factor in a slightly higher discount rate, more conservative revenue growth and profit margin assumptions, and a marginally higher future P/E, consistent with recent target reductions from Berenberg, Canaccord and Deutsche Bank. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates show a cautious tone around WH Smith, with several price targets adjusted to lower levels while existing ratings are largely unchanged.Narrative Update • Mar 09
SMWH: Rebased Expectations Will Support Future Upside From Capital Returns
Analysts have trimmed their average price target for WH Smith to around £7.62, down from about £8.00, citing updated views on growth, profitability and valuation, supported by recent target cuts and one upgrade in Street research. Analyst Commentary Recent research on WH Smith reflects a mix of trimmed targets and renewed optimism, with some bullish analysts highlighting reasons to stay constructive despite lower headline price objectives.Narrative Update • Feb 22
SMWH: Lowering Future P/E Will Limit Share Price Upside Potential
Analysts have trimmed their WH Smith price targets, with recent cuts such as £900 to £750 and £650 to £600, while maintaining support based on slightly adjusted assumptions for discount rates, revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E. Analyst Commentary Recent research shows a split tone, with some support for WH Smith shares alongside a series of price target reductions that flag lingering concerns around execution and growth assumptions.Narrative Update • Feb 08
SMWH: Higher Discount Rate And Margin Risks Will Constrain Future Upside
We are trimming our fair value estimate for WH Smith to 600p from 1,000p, as analysts recalibrate price targets in the 600p to 750p range and apply a higher discount rate alongside more moderate margin and P/E assumptions. Analyst Commentary Recent research on WH Smith has skewed cautious, with several bearish analysts trimming price targets into a tighter £6.00 to £7.50 band while keeping neutral ratings in place.Narrative Update • Jan 24
SMWH: Rebased Expectations Will Support Future Upside From Share Buybacks
Analysts have trimmed their price targets on WH Smith, with the fair value estimate moving from £11.66 to £8.20 as they factor in updated assumptions for revenue growth, profit margins and lower future P/E expectations. Analyst Commentary Recent research shows a mix of caution and optimism around WH Smith, with several price targets adjusted and at least one upgrade in rating.Analysis Article • Jan 20
WH Smith (LON:SMWH) Has Announced That Its Dividend Will Be Reduced To £0.06
WH Smith PLC's ( LON:SMWH ) dividend is being reduced from last year's payment covering the same period to £0.06 on the...Narrative Update • Jan 10
SMWH: Rebased Expectations Will Support Future Upside From Travel Retail Execution
Analysts have trimmed their fair value view on WH Smith, reflecting recent price target cuts from £9.00 to £7.50 and down toward £6.00, alongside updated assumptions on growth, margins and future P/E. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates show a mixed but constructive tone around WH Smith, with several firms adjusting their price targets while maintaining interest in the equity story.Analysis Article • Jan 06
WH Smith (LON:SMWH) Is Reducing Its Dividend To £0.06
WH Smith PLC ( LON:SMWH ) is reducing its dividend from last year's comparable payment to £0.06 on the 12th of...Narrative Update • Dec 25
SMWH: Future Upside Will Emerge As Travel Expansion Delivers Cash Flow
Analysts have trimmed their price targets on WH Smith, with the consensus fair value edging down to about £7.73 per share from roughly £7.78 as they balance lower discount rates and improved revenue growth expectations against modestly softer margin and valuation assumptions. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research reflects a mixed but still constructive stance on WH Smith, with price target revisions clustering between 650 GBp and 800 GBp and ratings spanning Hold to Overweight and Buy.Analysis Article • Dec 23
Market Cool On WH Smith PLC's (LON:SMWH) Revenues
It's not a stretch to say that WH Smith PLC's ( LON:SMWH ) price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of 0.5x right now seems...Narrative Update • Dec 11
SMWH: Future Upside Will Emerge As New Leadership Restores Profit Credibility
Analysts have modestly reduced their price target on WH Smith to about £7.75 from roughly £7.73 per share, reflecting higher perceived risk and mixed broker revisions that balance recent target cuts with selective upgrades. Analyst Commentary Analysts remain divided on WH Smith, with recent changes in ratings and targets highlighting both confidence in the company’s long term growth prospects and concern around near term execution risks and earnings quality.Narrative Update • Nov 27
SMWH: Long-Term Upside Will Materialize Following CEO Transition And Profit Restatement
The analyst price target for WH Smith has been reduced, with new targets falling from previous highs, for example, from 900 GBp to 750 GBp. This change is driven by analyst concerns over recent downward revisions to profit margin and revenue growth forecasts. Analyst Commentary The latest analyst notes highlight a range of views regarding WH Smith's recent performance, reflecting both cautious outlooks and some optimistic signals.Narrative Update • Nov 06
SMWH: Long-Term Potential Will Improve After Resolution Of Profit Overstatement
Analysts have slightly raised their average price target for WH Smith to £8.13 from £8.09. This change is attributed to updated profit forecasts and recent shifts in buy and hold recommendations.Analysis Article • Nov 05
Estimating The Fair Value Of WH Smith PLC (LON:SMWH)
Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, WH Smith fair value estimate is UK£6.08 Current share price of...Narrative Update • Oct 23
Analyst Sentiment Divided on WH Smith After Profit Overstatement Influences Valuation Outlook
Analysts have lowered their fair value estimate for WH Smith from £8.72 to £8.09 per share. They cite greater uncertainty in the company’s underlying profits following the recent overstatement of trading figures.Narrative Update • Sep 21
Travel Retail Focus Will Strengthen North American Presence
The consensus analyst price target for WH Smith has been reduced from £9.62 to £8.72, driven by material overstatement of trading profits, heightened concerns over profit transparency, and a widespread shift in analyst outlooks toward caution and risk mitigation. Analyst Commentary Material overstatement of trading profits has created uncertainty regarding the true profitability of the company's growth initiatives.Narrative Update • Sep 06
Travel Retail Focus Will Strengthen North American Presence
WH Smith's consensus price target was cut to £9.62 (from £10.27) as analysts flagged heightened uncertainty and risk following the identification of profit overstatement and financial inaccuracies, prompting a more cautious outlook until transparency issues are resolved. Analyst Commentary Profit overstatement identified by WH Smith, increasing uncertainty and leading to rating suspension by key brokers.Narrative Update • Aug 22
Travel Retail Focus Will Strengthen North American Presence
WH Smith's fair value has been revised downward primarily due to a higher discount rate and a modestly lower net profit margin, resulting in the consensus analyst price target dropping from £12.97 to £11.46. What's in the News Goldman Sachs suspended its rating on WH Smith due to insufficient information following the company's identification of an overstatement of profits (Periodicals).Analysis Article • Aug 22
Risks Still Elevated At These Prices As WH Smith PLC (LON:SMWH) Shares Dive 40%
The WH Smith PLC ( LON:SMWH ) share price has fared very poorly over the last month, falling by a substantial 40...Analysis Article • Aug 20
The Return Trends At WH Smith (LON:SMWH) Look Promising
LSE:SMWH 1 Year Share Price vs Fair Value Explore WH Smith's Fair Values from the Community and select yours If you're...Analysis Article • Jul 31
Calculating The Intrinsic Value Of WH Smith PLC (LON:SMWH)
Key Insights WH Smith's estimated fair value is UK£8.73 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Current share price...Analysis Article • Jul 11
At UK£10.80, Is It Time To Put WH Smith PLC (LON:SMWH) On Your Watch List?
WH Smith PLC ( LON:SMWH ), is not the largest company out there, but it led the LSE gainers with a relatively large...Analysis Article • Jun 20
WH Smith (LON:SMWH) Has Announced A Dividend Of £0.113
The board of WH Smith PLC ( LON:SMWH ) has announced that it will pay a dividend of £0.113 per share on the 31st of...Analysis Article • May 27
WH Smith PLC's (LON:SMWH) Shareholders Might Be Looking For Exit
There wouldn't be many who think WH Smith PLC's ( LON:SMWH ) price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of 0.7x is worth a mention...Analysis Article • May 08
WH Smith (LON:SMWH) Is Experiencing Growth In Returns On Capital
Did you know there are some financial metrics that can provide clues of a potential multi-bagger? Ideally, a business...Analysis Article • Apr 23
WH Smith's (LON:SMWH) Soft Earnings Don't Show The Whole Picture
The market for WH Smith PLC's ( LON:SMWH ) shares didn't move much after it posted weak earnings recently. We think...Analysis Article • Apr 19
WH Smith (LON:SMWH) Will Pay A Dividend Of £0.113
The board of WH Smith PLC ( LON:SMWH ) has announced that it will pay a dividend on the 31st of July, with investors...Analysis Article • Apr 15
Is WH Smith PLC (LON:SMWH) Trading At A 27% Discount?
Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, WH Smith fair value estimate is UK£12.96 Current share price...
New Narrative • Feb 18
Smith's Family Kitchen Launch And US Expansion Will Strengthen Market Position
WH Smith's travel business transformation and North American expansion strategy aim to increase sales and market share with rising passenger numbers.Analysis Article • Feb 14
At UK£12.38, Is It Time To Put WH Smith PLC (LON:SMWH) On Your Watch List?
WH Smith PLC ( LON:SMWH ), might not be a large cap stock, but it received a lot of attention from a substantial price...Analysis Article • Jan 12
Are Investors Undervaluing WH Smith PLC (LON:SMWH) By 28%?
Key Insights The projected fair value for WH Smith is UK£15.72 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity WH Smith's...Analysis Article • Dec 18
WH Smith (LON:SMWH) Is Paying Out A Larger Dividend Than Last Year
WH Smith PLC ( LON:SMWH ) has announced that it will be increasing its dividend from last year's comparable payment on...Analysis Article • Dec 04
WH Smith's (LON:SMWH) Shareholders Will Receive A Bigger Dividend Than Last Year
WH Smith PLC ( LON:SMWH ) has announced that it will be increasing its dividend from last year's comparable payment on...Analysis Article • Nov 16
Investors Appear Satisfied With WH Smith PLC's (LON:SMWH) Prospects
With a price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 24.3x WH Smith PLC ( LON:SMWH ) may be sending bearish signals at the...Analysis Article • Sep 24
Is Now The Time To Look At Buying WH Smith PLC (LON:SMWH)?
WH Smith PLC ( LON:SMWH ), is not the largest company out there, but it saw a significant share price rise of 27% in...Analysis Article • Aug 07
WH Smith PLC's (LON:SMWH) P/E Is On The Mark
With a price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 25.3x WH Smith PLC ( LON:SMWH ) may be sending very bearish signals at the...Analysis Article • Jun 28
WH Smith (LON:SMWH) Is Due To Pay A Dividend Of £0.11
The board of WH Smith PLC ( LON:SMWH ) has announced that it will pay a dividend of £0.11 per share on the 1st of...Analysis Article • Jun 14
WH Smith (LON:SMWH) Has Announced A Dividend Of £0.11
WH Smith PLC ( LON:SMWH ) has announced that it will pay a dividend of £0.11 per share on the 1st of August. Despite...Earnings and Revenue Growth Forecasts
| Date | Revenue | Earnings | Free Cash Flow | Cash from Op | Avg. No. Analysts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/31/2028 | 1,730 | 74 | 63 | 254 | 10 |
| 8/31/2027 | 1,650 | 59 | 55 | 240 | 11 |
| 8/31/2026 | 1,599 | 28 | -17 | 189 | 11 |
| 2/28/2026 | 1,585 | -49 | 88 | 180 | N/A |
| 11/30/2025 | 1,569 | -40 | 142 | 228 | N/A |
| 8/31/2025 | 1,553 | -31 | 195 | 276 | N/A |
| 2/28/2025 | 1,263 | 13 | 216 | 296 | N/A |
| 11/30/2024 | 1,368 | 25 | 188 | 281 | N/A |
| 8/31/2024 | 1,473 | 37 | 160 | 266 | N/A |
| 5/31/2024 | 1,889 | 66 | 140 | 269 | N/A |
| 2/29/2024 | 1,860 | 64 | 135 | 262 | N/A |
| 11/30/2023 | 1,827 | 72 | 132 | 257 | N/A |
| 8/31/2023 | 1,793 | 79 | 129 | 251 | N/A |
| 5/31/2023 | 1,722 | 73 | 110 | 223 | N/A |
| 2/28/2023 | 1,651 | 67 | 90 | 195 | N/A |
| 11/30/2022 | 1,526 | 57 | 97 | 191 | N/A |
| 8/31/2022 | 1,400 | 47 | 104 | 187 | N/A |
| 5/31/2022 | 1,237 | 6 | 80 | 152 | N/A |
| 2/28/2022 | 1,074 | -35 | 56 | 116 | N/A |
| 11/30/2021 | 980 | -58 | 56 | 108 | N/A |
| 8/31/2021 | 886 | -82 | 56 | 100 | N/A |
| 5/31/2021 | 790 | -201 | 16 | 68 | N/A |
| 2/28/2021 | 694 | -321 | -25 | 35 | N/A |
| 11/30/2020 | 858 | -280 | -11 | 58 | N/A |
| 8/31/2020 | 1,021 | -239 | 2 | 81 | N/A |
| 5/31/2020 | 1,235 | -68 | 54 | 128 | N/A |
| 2/29/2020 | 1,449 | 102 | 105 | 174 | N/A |
| 11/30/2019 | 1,423 | 104 | N/A | 162 | N/A |
| 8/31/2019 | 1,397 | 106 | N/A | 149 | N/A |
| 5/31/2019 | 1,356 | 99 | N/A | 139 | N/A |
| 2/28/2019 | 1,314 | 92 | N/A | 128 | N/A |
| 11/30/2018 | 1,288 | 100 | N/A | 136 | N/A |
| 8/31/2018 | 1,262 | 108 | N/A | 143 | N/A |
| 5/31/2018 | 1,248 | 111 | N/A | 145 | N/A |
| 2/28/2018 | 1,234 | 114 | N/A | 146 | N/A |
| 11/30/2017 | 1,234 | 115 | N/A | 147 | N/A |
| 8/31/2017 | 1,234 | 116 | N/A | 148 | N/A |
| 5/31/2017 | 1,228 | 114 | N/A | 141 | N/A |
| 2/28/2017 | 1,222 | 111 | N/A | 134 | N/A |
| 11/30/2016 | 1,217 | 110 | N/A | 134 | N/A |
| 8/31/2016 | 1,212 | 108 | N/A | 134 | N/A |
| 5/31/2016 | 1,206 | 108 | N/A | 135 | N/A |
| 2/29/2016 | 1,200 | 107 | N/A | 135 | N/A |
| 11/30/2015 | 1,189 | 104 | N/A | 140 | N/A |
| 8/31/2015 | 1,178 | 101 | N/A | 144 | N/A |
Analyst Future Growth Forecasts
Earnings vs Savings Rate: SMWH is forecast to become profitable over the next 3 years, which is considered faster growth than the savings rate (3.4%).
Earnings vs Market: SMWH is forecast to become profitable over the next 3 years, which is considered above average market growth.
High Growth Earnings: SMWH is expected to become profitable in the next 3 years.
Revenue vs Market: SMWH's revenue (3.8% per year) is forecast to grow slower than the UK market (4.5% per year).
High Growth Revenue: SMWH's revenue (3.8% per year) is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.
Earnings per Share Growth Forecasts
Future Return on Equity
Future ROE: SMWH's Return on Equity is forecast to be high in 3 years time (24.7%)
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Company Analysis and Financial Data Status
| Data | Last Updated (UTC time) |
|---|---|
| Company Analysis | 2026/06/02 09:54 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2026/06/02 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2026/02/28 |
| Annual Earnings | 2025/08/31 |
Data Sources
The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.
| Package | Data | Timeframe | Example US Source * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Financials | 10 years |
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| Analyst Consensus Estimates | +3 years |
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| Market Prices | 30 years |
| |
| Ownership | 10 years |
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| Management | 10 years |
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| Key Developments | 10 years |
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* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.
Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.
Analysis Model and Snowflake
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Industry and Sector Metrics
Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.
Analyst Sources
WH Smith PLC is covered by 26 analysts. 11 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.
| Analyst | Institution |
|---|---|
| Richard Taylor | Barclays |
| Jack Cummings | Berenberg |
| Luka Trnovsek | Berenberg |