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Very strong Q4 2025 at +5.9%
Confident in delivering a 7th year of outperformance in 2026
February 3, 2026
- +5.9% Q4 organic growth, leading to +5.6% in 2025
- Solid FY performance across all regions: U.S. at +5.2%, Europe +4.2% and APAC at +5.8%
- Industry-leading financial KPIs:
- 18.2% operating margin rate, up 20 basis points year-on-year
- Headline EPS of €7.48, up 6.6% at constant currency
- Free cash flow1 at €2.0 billion, up 10.6%
- 2025 proposed dividend at €3.75 per share, up 4.2%, fully paid in cash
- Expect to outperform again for 7th consecutive year in 2026: Full year organic growth guidance of +4% to +5%
- Improving best-in-class financial ratios in 2026:
- Operating margin rate slightly above 18.2%
- Free cash flow1 at c. €2.1 billion2
FY 2025 results
| 2025 | 2025 vs 2024 | |
| Net organic growth3 | +5.6% | |
| Operating margin rate | 18.2% | +20bps |
| 2025 | 2025 vs 2024 | |
| Revenue | €17,399m | +8.5% |
| Net revenue | €14,547m | +4.2% |
| Operating margin | €2,648m | +5.1% |
| Headline diluted EPS | €7.48 | +6.6% at constant currency |
| Free cash flow1 | €2,032m | +10.6% |
Arthur Sadoun, Chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe:
“Thanks to our AI-powered growth model, we are entering our second century stronger than ever, with Q4 organic growth of +5.9%.
This led to +5.6% for the full year, an acceleration versus our 5-year organic growth CAGR, with every region delivering solid results at a time when our main competitors are expected to be negative overall.
2025 has been a year of increased investments in our AI capabilities and talent while improving on our already industry-leading margin and free cash flow. It was also a year of sustained commercial momentum as we once again topped the new business rankings.
Since the rise of GenAI three years ago, the growth model we have built means artificial intelligence is not a headwind for Publicis, but a strategic driver of growth and margin expansion. Over that period, we have increased our organic net revenue and operating profit by 20%, widening the gap with peers and growing ahead of competition by 700bps4 in 2025.
Now, looking ahead, we have one ambition: to be the industry’s Most Valuable Partner.
We will be the MVP for our clients by building agentic solutions that truly deliver business outcomes at a moment when 95% of AI projects fail. We will be the MVP for our people by treating them as our key differentiator, not a commodity, giving them the tools and training they need to progress in an AI-driven world. And we will be the MVP to our shareholders by focusing on delivering transformational growth through new addressable markets, not legacy asset consolidation.
This makes us confident in outperforming the industry for the 7th year in a row in 2026 on organic growth, while increasing margin, EPS and free cash flow.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our clients for their ongoing trust, and our people for their outstanding efforts as we build the future of our industry together.”
The Publicis Board of Directors met on February 2nd, 2026 under the chairmanship of Arthur Sadoun and approved the annual financial statements for 2025.
KEY FIGURES
| (in millions of euros except per-share data and percentages) | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 vs 2024 |
| Data from the Income and Cash Flow Statements | |||
| Net revenue | 14,547 | 13,965 | +4.2% |
| Pass-through revenue | 2,852 | 2,065 | +38.1% |
| Revenue | 17,399 | 16,030 | +8.5% |
| EBITDA | 3,168 | 3,014 | +5.1% |
| % of net revenue | 21.8% | 21.6% | +20bps |
| Operating margin | 2,648 | 2,519 | +5.1% |
| % of net revenue | 18.2% | 18.0% | +20bps |
| Operating income | 2,394 | 2,214 | +8.1% |
| Net income attributable to the Groupe | 1,653 | 1,660 | -0.4% |
| Earnings per share (EPS) | 6.58 | 6.62 | -0.6% |
| Headline diluted EPS(1) | 7.48 | 7.30 | +2.5% |
| Dividend per share(2) | 3.75 | 3.60 | +4.2% |
| Free cash flow before change in working capital requirements | 2,032 | 1,838 | +10.6% |
| (1) Net income attributable to the Groupe, adjusted for impairment losses, amortization of intangibles from acquisitions, main capital gains (or losses) on asset disposals, changes in the fair value of financial assets and earn-out re-evaluation, divided by the average number of shares on a diluted basis. (2) To be proposed to the shareholders at the AGM of May 27, 2026. |
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| (in millions of euros) | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 |
| Data from the Balance Sheet | ||
| Total assets | 40,010 | 39,854 |
| Groupe share of Shareholders’ equity | 10,447 | 11,060 |
| Net debt (net cash) | (548) | (775) |
NET REVENUE IN Q4 2025
Net revenue in Q4 2025 grew organically by +5.9% and reached 3,866 million euros, versus 3,854 million euros in Q4 2024. Exchange rates had a negative impact of 254 million euros. Acquisitions, net of disposals, accounted for a positive impact of 53 million euros.
Connected Media, representing 60% of the Groupe’s full year net revenue, continued to perform very strongly with high single-digit organic growth this quarter, driven by market share gains, increasing demand for AI-powered products and services, and new addressable markets. Intelligent Creativity, generating 26% of full year net revenue, recorded mid-single-digit growth in Q4, fueled by Production, new business wins, scope expansions and fewer cuts than anticipated in classic advertising. Technology, representing 14% of full year net revenue, posted slightly positive organic growth in Q4 and an almost flat full year performance, as anticipated due to client cautiousness seen across all IT consulting firms.
Breakdown of Q4 2025 net revenue by region
| Net revenue | Organic growth
|
||
| (in millions of euros) | Q4 2025 | Q4 2024 | |
| North America | 2,291 | 2,366 | +4.2% |
| Europe | 964 | 923 | +6.3% |
| Asia Pacific | 340 | 339 | +6.2% |
| Middle East & Africa | 133 | 111 | +25.3% |
| Latin America | 138 | 115 | +19.1% |
| Total | 3,866 | 3,854 | +5.9% |
North America net revenue was up +4.2% on an organic basis. The U.S., the Groupe’s largest geography, posted solid organic growth of +4.3% fueled by mid-single-digit growth of both Connected Media and Intelligent Creativity. Technology was almost flat on the quarter, in a context of a continued “wait-and-see” attitude from clients on digital business transformation projects.
Net revenue in Europe was up +6.3% organically. Organic growth in the U.K. was +7.2% with double-digit growth of Connected Media and mid-single-digit growth of Intelligent Creativity, while Technology posted mid-single-digit growth benefiting from positive phasing in Q4. France delivered +1.8% organic growth driven by mid-single-digit growth of both Connected Media and Intelligent Creativity. Germany accelerated to +8.9% in Q4, fueled by Connected Media’s double-digit growth. Central & Eastern Europe posted a strong +5.5% organic growth on top of +18% in Q4 2024.
Net revenue in Asia Pacific recorded +6.2% growth on an organic basis. China remained solid with +4.3% organic growth. Australia and India also contributed strongly to the region’s performance in the quarter.
In Middle East & Africa, net revenue was up +25.3% organically, driven by double-digit growth across all practices.
Net revenue in Latin America was up +19.1% organically. The region’s performance was driven by both Connected Media and Intelligent Creativity, in particular in Brazil and Argentina.
NET REVENUE IN FY 2025
Full year organic growth reached +5.6%, with net revenue of 14,547 million euros compared to 13,965 million euros in 2024. Exchange rate variations over the period had a negative impact of 497 million euros. Acquisitions, net of disposals, accounted for a positive impact of 321 million euros on net revenue.
Breakdown of FY 2025 net revenue by region
| Net revenue | Organic growth
|
||
| (in millions of euros) | 2025 | 2024 | |
| North America | 8,899 | 8,583 | +5.4% |
| Europe | 3,520 | 3,384 | +4.2% |
| Asia Pacific | 1,260 | 1,218 | +5.8% |
| Middle East & Africa | 440 | 406 | +10.8% |
| Latin America | 428 | 374 | +18.7% |
| Total | 14,547 | 13,965 | +5.6% |
Net revenue in North America was up by +5.4% on an organic basis. The U.S. recorded solid +5.2% organic growth, fueled by both Connected Media and Intelligent Creativity.
Europe posted +4.2% organic growth in 2025. The U.K. was up by +6.3% organically, France and Germany slightly down against higher comparables, while Central & Eastern Europe posted +9.7% growth on an organic basis.
Asia Pacific net revenue was up by +5.8% on an organic basis. China reported an organic growth of +6.0%.
Net revenue in the Middle East & Africa region was up by +10.8% on an organic basis and up by +18.7% in Latin America.
ANALYSIS OF FY 2025 KEY FIGURES
Income statement
Revenue was 17,399 million euros in 2025, up 8.5%, and included pass-through revenue of 2,852 million euros in 2025, compared to 2,065 million euros in 2024. Pass-through revenue represents costs that are directly re-invoiced to clients and are volatile. The increase of 2025 also resulted from the consolidation of acquisitions completed in 2024 and 2025 and the high growth in production activities in Q4 2025.
EBITDA (operating margin before depreciation and amortization) amounted to 3,168 million euros in 2025, compared to 3,014 million euros in 2024, up by +5.1%. EBITDA was 21.8% as a percentage of net revenue compared to 21.6% in 2024.
Personnel and freelancer costs totaled 9,590 million euros in 2025 from 9,224 million euros in 2024, up by +4.0%. As a percentage of net revenue, these costs represented 65.9% in 2025, compared to 66.1% in 2024. Restructuring costs were 151 million euros, up from 136 million euros in 2024.
Other costs (other than personnel and freelancer costs) totaled 5,161 million euros in 2025, compared to 4,287 million euros in 2024. Excluding pass-through costs, these costs amounted to 2,309 million euros in 2025 versus 2,222 million euros in 2024 representing 15.9% of net revenue, as in 2024. They comprised:
- Other operating expenses (excluding pass-through costs, depreciation & amortization), which amounted to 1,789 million euros, compared to 1,727 million euros in 2024. This represented 12.3% of net revenue, almost flat compared to 12.4% in 2024.
- Depreciation and amortization expense of 520 million euros in 2025, up by 25 million euros compared to 495 million euros in 2024, mainly linked to the Groupe’s IT projects and investments.
As a result, the operating margin amounted to 2,648 million euros in 2025, up by +5.1% compared to 2024, representing a record operating margin rate of 18.2% in 2025, outperforming the rate of 18.0% reached in 2024.
Operating margin rates by region were 18.5% in North America, 18.2% in Europe, 22.9% in Asia‑Pacific, 4.8% in Middle East & Africa and 12.6% in Latin America.
Amortization of intangibles arising from acquisitions totaled 212 million euros in 2025, down by 22 million euros versus 2024, related to the end of the amortization associated with some technologies.
Impairment losses amounted to 37 million euros, including exclusively the impact of real estate optimization. This was down by 49 million euros, from 86 million euros in 2024 which also included an impairment loss on intangible assets.
Net non-current expense totaled 5 million euros in 2025. In 2024, net non-current income amounted to 15 million euros mainly corresponding to the proceeds generated by the contribution of some technologies to Groupe’s equity-accounted investees.
Operating income totaled 2,394 million euros in 2025, versus 2,214 million euros in the previous year.
The financial result, comprising the cost of net financial debt and other financial charges and income, was a net charge of 100 million euros in 2025, compared to a net charge of 29 million euros in 2024:
- The net income on net financial debt was 8 million euros in 2025, compared to an income of 52 million euros in 2024. It included 115 million euros of interest expense (in line with 122 million euros in 2024), offset by interest income of 123 million euros, down from 174 million euros in 2024.
- Other financial income and expenses (excluding earn‑out revaluation) were a net charge of 108 million euros in 2025, notably composed by 86 million euro interest on lease liabilities, 20 million euro foreign exchange losses and 7 million euro income from the fair value revaluation of mutual funds. In 2024, other financial income and expenses were a net charge of 81 million euros, notably composed by 84 million euro interest on lease liabilities and 10 million euro income from the fair value adjustment of mutual funds.
The revaluation of earn‑out payments was a 59 million euro expense compared to a 35 million euro income in 2024.
The share in profit of equity-accounted investees, net of tax, was a 3 million euro profit in 2025, compared to a 2 million euro loss in 2024.
The income tax charge was 577 million euros compared to a tax charge of 549 million euros in 2024. The effective tax rate is 25.1% for 2025 compared to an effective tax rate of 24.9% for 2024.
The net income attributable to non-controlling interests is a 8 million euro profit in 2025, compared with a 9 million euro profit in 2024.
Overall, the net income attributable to the Groupe was 1,653 million euros in 2025, compared to 1,660 million euros in 2024.
Finally, the earnings per share was 6.58 euros in 2025, compared to 6.62 euros in 2024. The headline earnings per share, diluted, was 7.48 euros in 2025, compared to 7.30 euros in 2024. The increase at constant currency was +6.6%.
Free cash flow
| (in millions of euros) | 2025 | 2024 |
| EBITDA | 3,168 | 3,014 |
| Repayment of lease liabilities and related interests | (453) | (453) |
| Financial interest paid/received (net) | 26 | 69 |
| Tax paid | (536) | (655) |
| Other | 76 | 98 |
| Cash flow from operations before change in WCR | 2,281 | 2,073 |
| Investments in fixed assets (net) | (249) | (235) |
| Reported free cash flow before change in WCR | 2,032 | 1,838 |
The Groupe’s free cash flow, before change in working capital requirements, was 2,032 million euros in 2025, up 194 million euros compared to 2024, notably in relation to the EBITDA, which increased by 154 million euros.
Repayments of lease liabilities and related interests remain stable at 453 million euros both in 2025 and 2024.
Net financial interests generated a 26 million euro income in 2025, compared to a 69 million euro income in 2024.
Income tax paid amounted to 536 million euros, down 119 million euros from 655 million euros in 2024, mostly in relation to non-recurring payments in 2024 and benefit from the change in tax regulation in the U.S. in 2025.
Net investments in fixed assets amounted to 249 million euros in 2025, a slight increase compared to 235 million euros in 2024.
Net debt
Net cash position was 548 million euros as of December 31, 2025, compared to a net cash position of 775 million euros at December 31, 2024, reflecting the impact of the depreciation of the U.S. dollar versus the euro on the Groupe’s cash balances. The Groupe’s last twelve months average net debt as of December 31, 2025, amounted to 971 million euros compared to 585 million euros as of December 31, 2024.
ACQUISITIONS
In January 2025, Publicis …