Yougov plc (YOU) AI Stock Analysis

• Market Cap: £289.35M
• Dividend Yield: 3.68%
• Average Volume (3M): 469.92K
• Price to Earnings (P/E): 21.4
• Beta (1Y): 0.82
• Revenue Growth: 15.99%
• EPS Growth: N/A
• Country: UK
• Employees: 1,960
• Sector: Industrials
• Sector Strength: 72
• Industry: Advertising Agencies
• EPS (TTM): 0.05
• Shares Outstanding: 117,862,580
• 10 Day Avg. Volume: 680,425
• 30 Day Avg. Volume: 469,920
• PEG Ratio: 0.00
• Price to Book (P/B): 0.00
• Price to Sales (P/S): 0.00
• P/FCF Ratio: 0.00
• Enterprise Value/Market Cap: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Revenue: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Gross Profit: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Ebitda: N/A
• 1Y Price Target: £482.00
• Price Target Upside: 87.91% Upside
• Rating Consensus: Strong Buy
• Number of Analyst Covering: 4
• EPS Forecast (FY): N/A
• Revenue Forecast (FY): N/A

• Rating: 75 Outperform
• Price Target: 289.00p ▲(12.67% Upside)

Yougov plc's overall stock score reflects strong financial performance and promising strategic initiatives highlighted in the earnings call. While technical indicators show mixed signals, the company's valuation is reasonable, and its focus on innovation and AI integration positions it well for future growth. Geographic and sectoral challenges, along with increased leverage, are areas to watch.

Positive Factors

Revenue Growth

Strong revenue growth driven by full-year impact of Shopper and data product recovery indicates robust market demand and strategic execution.

Innovation and AI Integration

AI integration in methodologies enhances data reliability and client offerings, positioning YouGov for sustained competitive advantage.

Cash Flow Generation

Strong cash flow supports financial health, enabling investment in growth initiatives and providing resilience against economic fluctuations.

Negative Factors

Geographic Performance Variability

Geographic variability, particularly in Europe, poses challenges to consistent growth, requiring strategic adjustments to mitigate regional headwinds.

Debt and Deleveraging Concerns

Increased leverage necessitates careful balance between debt reduction and growth investments, impacting financial flexibility and risk profile.

Gaming Sector Decline

Continued decline in the gaming sector challenges revenue diversification, requiring focus on expanding successful sectors to offset losses.

Yougov plc Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

YouGov PLC is a global data and analytics company that specializes in market research, opinion polling, and consumer insights. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in London, YouGov operates in various sectors, including media, technology, and consumer goods, providing clients with valuable insights to drive their marketing strategies. The company's core products and services include online surveys, brand tracking, and customized research solutions, leveraging its extensive panel of respondents to deliver real-time data and analysis.

How the Company Makes Money

YouGov generates revenue through multiple key streams, primarily by offering subscription-based access to its panel data and analytics services. Clients, including businesses and organizations, pay for insights derived from YouGov's extensive survey data, which is collected from millions of respondents across various demographics. Additionally, YouGov earns revenue from bespoke research projects, where clients commission specific studies tailored to their needs. Partnerships with media organizations and advertising agencies also contribute to its earnings by enhancing the reach and utility of YouGov's data services. The company's ability to harness technology for data collection and analysis further strengthens its revenue model, making it a vital player in the market research industry.

Yougov plc Financial Statement Overview

Summary

Yougov plc demonstrates strong revenue growth and operational efficiency, but faces profitability challenges with a negative net income in 2024. The balance sheet is stable, though increased leverage requires attention. Cash flow remains strong, supporting operations and investments.

Income Statement

The company exhibits strong revenue growth, with a notable increase from 2023 to 2024. However, profitability margins have declined, indicated by the negative net income in 2024 and a significant drop in EBIT margin compared to the previous year. The gross profit margin remains robust, suggesting operational efficiency despite the profitability challenges.

Balance Sheet

The balance sheet shows a solid equity base, with a reasonable debt-to-equity ratio. However, recent increases in total debt have raised leverage, which could be a potential risk if not managed properly. The equity ratio is healthy, reflecting a good proportion of assets funded by equity capital.

Cash Flow

Cash flow generation remains strong, with consistent free cash flow over the years. Despite a decline in operating cash flow in 2024, the company maintains a solid ratio of operating cash flow to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio is favorable, indicating efficient cash generation relative to earnings.

Breakdown	TTM	Dec 2025	Dec 2024	Dec 2023	Dec 2022	Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue	388.90M	388.90M	335.30M	258.30M	221.10M	169.00M
Gross Profit	283.30M	283.30M	271.10M	199.90M	167.00M	127.50M
EBITDA	74.00M	74.00M	49.40M	70.50M	51.50M	39.70M
Net Income	13.40M	13.40M	-2.40M	34.50M	17.10M	12.50M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets	600.30M	600.30M	609.70M	304.30M	240.40M	198.50M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	54.80M	54.80M	73.60M	107.20M	37.40M	35.50M
Total Debt	221.90M	221.90M	238.80M	11.20M	12.20M	13.20M
Total Liabilities	409.20M	409.20M	426.50M	108.10M	115.40M	86.50M
Stockholders Equity	191.10M	191.10M	183.20M	196.40M	125.30M	112.70M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow	44.10M	44.10M	37.70M	42.10M	44.40M	16.60M
Operating Cash Flow	45.20M	45.20M	39.70M	59.50M	61.90M	37.70M
Investing Cash Flow	-20.70M	-20.70M	-280.90M	-17.40M	-42.90M	-23.90M
Financing Cash Flow	-42.90M	-42.90M	208.30M	29.10M	-20.00M	-11.50M

Yougov plc Technical Analysis

• Technical Analysis Sentiment: Negative
• Last Price: 256.50
• 50DMA: Negative
• 100DMA: Negative
• 200DMA: Negative
• MACD: Positive
• RSI: Neutral
• STOCH: Positive

Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:YOU, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 256.5 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 253.42, above the 50-day MA of 253.37, and below the 200-day MA of 292.46, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -2.26 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 40.83 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 15.79 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for GB:YOU.

Yougov plc Peers Comparison

Name	Overall Rating	Market Cap	P/E Ratio	ROE	Dividend Yield	Revenue Growth	EPS Growth
YOU	75 Outperform	£289.35M	21.42	7.16%	3.68%	15.99%	―
WPP	71 Outperform	£3.77B	9.90	11.44%	9.68%	-4.54%	86.79%
SYS1	69 Neutral	£27.66M	9.77	21.43%	2.29%	3.32%	-10.58%
Sector *	63 Neutral	$10.79B	15.43	7.44%	2.01%	2.89%	-14.66%
NFG	63 Neutral	£365.72M	23.00	9.53%	4.98%	-5.98%	-74.21%
CAU	56 Neutral	£62.31M	-5.77	-32.35%	4.09%	-13.72%	-361.92%
EBQ	48 Neutral	£17.93M	-1.43	-37.24%	―	-0.79%	-100.22%

Yougov plc Corporate Events

YouGov CFO Increases Stake via Dividend Reinvestment Plan

YouGov plc has disclosed that its Chief Finance Officer, Alex McIntosh, has increased his shareholding in the company through an automatic dividend reinvestment plan. On 15 December 2025, McIntosh acquired 31 ordinary shares at £2.55 each on the London Stock Exchange, bringing his total beneficial holding to 1,031 shares, equivalent to approximately 0.001% of YouGov’s issued share capital, a routine PDMR transaction that marginally strengthens insider alignment with shareholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:YOU) stock is a Buy with a £289.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Yougov plc stock, see the GB:YOU Stock Forecast page.

YouGov Sets Updated Share Capital and Voting Rights Baseline for Disclosure Rules

YouGov plc has confirmed that as of 31 December 2025 its issued share capital comprises 117,862,580 ordinary shares, with no shares held in treasury, and 651,680 of these shares held by the YouGov Employee Benefit Trust to satisfy employee share schemes. For the purposes of determining whether shareholders must disclose holdings under the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules, the company has specified 117,210,900 shares as the denominator, clarifying the basis on which investors should calculate and notify changes in their interests in the group.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:YOU) stock is a Buy with a £289.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Yougov plc stock, see the GB:YOU Stock Forecast page.

YouGov Announces Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards

YouGov plc has announced the approval of a grant of nil cost options and conditional awards over 1,223,846 ordinary shares under its Long-Term Incentive Plan 2023. This initiative, aimed at incentivizing performance over a three-year period ending July 2028, includes awards to key executives such as Alex McIntosh, the Chief Finance Officer, who received options equivalent to 72% of his base salary. The plan underscores YouGov’s commitment to aligning executive compensation with long-term company performance, potentially impacting stakeholder interests by fostering sustained growth and value creation.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:YOU) stock is a Buy with a £385.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Yougov plc stock, see the GB:YOU Stock Forecast page.

YouGov Approves Dividend at AGM, Strengthening Shareholder Value

YouGov announced that all resolutions were passed at its Annual General Meeting, including the approval of a 9.25 pence per share dividend to be paid on December 9, 2025. This decision reflects the company’s stable financial position and commitment to shareholder returns, reinforcing its standing as a trusted source of market research and data analytics.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:YOU) stock is a Buy with a £385.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Yougov plc stock, see the GB:YOU Stock Forecast page.

YouGov Announces New Board Appointment

YouGov plc has announced the appointment of Shalini Govil-Pai as an Independent Director on the Board of Prime Focus Limited. This strategic move could enhance YouGov’s industry positioning by potentially fostering new partnerships and expanding its influence in the global research and analytics market.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:YOU) stock is a Buy with a £510.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Yougov plc stock, see the GB:YOU Stock Forecast page.

YouGov Releases 2025 Annual Report and AGM Notice

YouGov plc has announced the release of its Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 July 2025, along with the Notice of its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM). These documents are available to shareholders on the company’s website. This announcement underscores YouGov’s commitment to transparency and shareholder engagement, potentially impacting its market position by reinforcing trust and reliability among its stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:YOU) stock is a Buy with a £510.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Yougov plc stock, see the GB:YOU Stock Forecast page.

YouGov Announces Total Voting Rights Update

YouGov PLC has announced its total voting rights as of October 31, 2025, with an issued share capital of 117,862,580 ordinary shares, excluding treasury shares. This announcement allows shareholders to calculate their interests in accordance with the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules, impacting how they manage their stakes in the company.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:YOU) stock is a Buy with a £510.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Yougov plc stock, see the GB:YOU Stock Forecast page.

YouGov CEO Increases Stake, Signaling Confidence in Future Prospects

YouGov plc has announced that its CEO, Stephan Shakespeare, has increased his stake in the company by purchasing additional shares, now holding a total of 1,926,423 shares, which represents approximately 1.6% of the company’s issued share capital. This move reflects confidence in the company’s future prospects and may positively influence stakeholder perceptions, reinforcing YouGov’s position as a leader in the research and data analytics industry.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:YOU) stock is a Buy with a £4.38 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Yougov plc stock, see the GB:YOU Stock Forecast page.

YouGov Director Acquires Shares, Signaling Confidence

YouGov plc announced a transaction involving Ian Griffiths, a Non-Executive Director, who purchased 19,216 ordinary shares at £2.60 each on the London Stock Exchange. This move reflects internal confidence in the company’s future prospects and could potentially influence stakeholder perceptions positively.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:YOU) stock is a Buy with a £4.38 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Yougov plc stock, see the GB:YOU Stock Forecast page.

YouGov Reports Stable FY25 Performance with Strategic Growth Initiatives

YouGov plc reported stable financial performance for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2025, with a 16% increase in revenue to £388.9 million and a 22% rise in adjusted operating profit. The company has focused on cost optimization and strategic growth initiatives, including improvements in its data products division and the integration of YouGov Shopper. Looking ahead, YouGov aims to enhance its technology and data science capabilities to drive sustainable growth and maintain its position as a leading provider of opinion data.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:YOU) stock is a Hold with a £3.85 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Yougov plc stock, see the GB:YOU Stock Forecast page.