Yougov plc (YOU) AI Stock Analysis

• Market Cap: £372.35M
• Dividend Yield: 2.83%
• Average Volume (3M): 493.60K
• Price to Earnings (P/E): 281.4
• Beta (1Y): 0.92
• Revenue Growth: 42.19%
• EPS Growth: -94.16%
• Country: UK
• Employees: 1,960
• Sector: Communication Services
• Sector Strength: 89
• Industry: Advertising Agencies
• EPS (TTM): 0.17
• Shares Outstanding: 117,091,550
• 10 Day Avg. Volume: 438,809
• 30 Day Avg. Volume: 493,598
• PEG Ratio: 0.33
• Price to Book (P/B): 5.41
• Price to Sales (P/S): 0.00
• P/FCF Ratio: 25.25
• 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: £606.25
• Price Target Upside: 87.11% Upside
• Rating Consensus: Strong Buy
• Number of Analyst Covering: 4

• Rating: 64 Neutral
• Price Target: 342.00p ▲(5.56%Upside)

YouGov plc has a strong financial position with significant revenue growth, though profitability and valuation remain concerns. Technical indicators suggest mixed short-term momentum. Corporate events show positive strategic developments that could enhance growth potential. However, the high P/E ratio indicates overvaluation risks. Investors should monitor profitability improvements and strategic execution closely.

Yougov plc Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

YouGov plc provides online market research services in the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, the Nordic countries, the Middle East, Mainland Europe, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through three divisions: Data Products, Data Services, and Custom Research. The Data Products division offers syndicated data products, which are available to clients on a subscription basis. The Data Services division provides clients with fast-turnaround services. The Custom Research division offers a range of quantitative and qualitative research services. The company is also involved in the software development and media production businesses, as well as provision of operations services. YouGov plc was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

How the Company Makes Money

YouGov makes money primarily through its subscription-based data services and custom research projects. The company's revenue model is centered around its syndicated data products, such as YouGov BrandIndex and YouGov Profiles, which clients subscribe to for ongoing consumer insights and brand performance tracking. Additionally, YouGov generates income through custom research services, where it conducts tailored surveys and data analysis projects for businesses, governments, and non-profits. Key revenue streams include client subscriptions, bespoke research contracts, and partnerships with media organizations that utilize YouGov's data for content creation. The company's digital-first approach and extensive global panel network are significant factors contributing to its earnings.

Yougov plc Financial Statement Overview

Summary

YouGov PLC exhibits strong revenue growth and stable cash flow, but profitability challenges and increased leverage pose risks. The balance sheet is solid, yet the rise in debt requires management's attention. Overall, the company is well-positioned but must focus on improving profitability and managing leverage.

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	Sep 2024	Sep 2023	Sep 2022	Sep 2021	Sep 2020
Income Statement		Total Revenue
383.90M	335.30M	258.30M	221.10M	169.00M	152.44M
	Gross Profit
283.70M	271.10M	199.90M	167.00M	127.50M	118.28M
	EBIT
34.80M	10.90M	47.60M	40.00M	25.30M	21.56M
	EBITDA
65.00M	49.40M	70.50M	51.50M	39.70M	30.77M
	Net Income Common Stockholders
1.30M	-2.40M	34.50M	17.10M	12.50M	9.60M
Balance Sheet		Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
49.80M	73.60M	107.20M	37.40M	35.50M	35.31M
	Total Assets
585.30M	609.70M	304.30M	240.40M	198.50M	178.35M
	Total Debt
229.60M	238.80M	11.20M	12.20M	13.20M	9.35M
	Net Debt
179.80M	165.20M	-96.00M	-25.20M	-22.30M	-25.96M
	Total Liabilities
404.60M	426.50M	108.10M	115.40M	86.50M	69.01M
	Stockholders Equity
181.30M	183.20M	196.40M	125.30M	112.70M	110.06M
Cash Flow		Free Cash Flow
41.40M	37.70M	42.10M	44.40M	16.60M	16.76M
	Operating Cash Flow
43.90M	39.70M	59.50M	61.90M	37.70M	35.40M
	Investing Cash Flow
-23.90M	-280.90M	-17.40M	-42.90M	-23.90M	-26.01M
	Financing Cash Flow
-23.20M	208.30M	29.10M	-20.00M	-11.50M	-9.65M

Yougov plc Technical Analysis

• Technical Analysis Sentiment: Negative
• Last Price: 324.00
• 50DMA: Positive
• 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 324 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 325.05, above the 50-day MA of 303.01, and below the 200-day MA of 375.81, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 3.08 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 49.04 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 14.33 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
PEBB	76 Outperform	£73.90M	12.14	7.08%	3.98%	0.88%	10.37%
NFG	75 Outperform	£309.33M	7.80	23.38%	1.55%	-0.66%	-26.16%
SYS1	68 Neutral	£53.93M	17.03	29.58%	1.18%	33.67%	154.85%
SAA	67 Neutral	£233.33M	18.51	33.95%	0.75%	-12.89%	―
YOU	64 Neutral	£372.35M	281.42	0.70%	2.83%	42.19%	-94.16%
Sector *	61 Neutral	$14.57B	5.94	-3.83%	7.78%	2.79%	-33.24%
SFOR	48 Neutral	£151.92M	99.88	-42.53%	―	-16.14%	-5856.63%

Yougov plc Corporate Events

YouGov PLC Announces Voting Rights and Block Listing Update

YouGov PLC announced its total voting rights and block listing return as of May 30, 2025, with an issued share capital of 117,852,819 ordinary shares. The announcement included details about the company’s employee share schemes and the balance of unallotted securities under its Deferred Share Bonus Plan. This update is significant for stakeholders to assess their interests in the company under the Financial Conduct Authority’s rules.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:YOU) stock is a Hold with a £495.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Yougov plc stock, see the GB:YOU Stock Forecast page.

Octopus Investments Increases Stake in YouGov PLC

YouGov PLC has announced a change in its major holdings, with Octopus Investments Limited increasing its voting rights in the company to 7.15% as of May 2, 2025. This acquisition of voting rights signifies a strategic move by Octopus Investments, potentially impacting YouGov’s governance and future decision-making processes, while also reflecting confidence in YouGov’s market position and growth potential.

YouGov Issues New Shares to Non-Executive Directors

YouGov plc has announced the issuance of 21,350 new ordinary shares as part of its remuneration policy, allowing Non-Executive Directors to receive a portion of their annual fee in shares instead of cash. This move reflects the company’s strategy to align the interests of its directors with those of shareholders, potentially enhancing stakeholder value. The new shares will be admitted to trading on AIM, increasing the total number of shares with voting rights to 117,851,085, which may impact shareholder calculations under regulatory rules.

YouGov PLC Updates Share Capital Structure

YouGov PLC announced that as of March 31, 2025, its issued share capital consisted of 117,829,735 ordinary shares, with 811,517 shares held by the YouGov Employee Benefit Trust for employee share schemes. This update allows shareholders to calculate their interests in accordance with the Financial Conduct Authority’s rules. This announcement reflects YouGov’s commitment to transparency and may impact shareholder decisions regarding their stakes in the company.

YouGov Reports Resilient H1 FY25 Performance Amid Strategic Shifts

YouGov reported a resilient performance for the first half of FY25, with a 34% revenue increase to £191.7 million, largely due to the inclusion of the CPS business. Despite challenges such as higher staff and data collection costs, the company maintained a stable balance sheet and continued to invest in growth areas like Data Products and AI capabilities. The company also implemented a cost optimization plan expected to save £20 million annually. Leadership changes were announced, with Stephan Shakespeare appointed as interim CEO, and the company remains focused on executing its SP3 vision to become the universal infrastructure for data sharing.

YouGov Announces Board Changes as Nick Prettejohn Steps Down

YouGov plc announced the resignation of Nick Prettejohn from its Board of Directors and as Senior Independent Director, effective immediately, as he seeks to rebalance his responsibilities. Prettejohn, who joined the board in June 2022, has been a significant contributor to the company, serving on various committees. The company is currently searching for a new Non-Executive Director to fill the vacancy. This change in the board is not expected to impact YouGov’s position as a leading provider of insights and data, as the company continues to maintain its strong reputation in the industry.