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Wednesday, November 19, 2014

WPP'S Sorrell eyes higher dividend payout ratio, (NYSE: MS)

WPP Chief Executive Martin Sorrell said on Wednesday he would like, as a large shareholder, to see the payout ratio for the advertising group's dividend increase to 50 percent from the current target of 45 percent. Speaking at the Morgan Stanley Tech, Media and Telecoms conference, Sorrell said the board would discuss a new target of 50 percent if it hits its target for this year of 45 percent."We have said that we will try to get to 45 percent pay out ratio this year, that will probably happen, and then the board will have to sit down and decide whether they will go beyond 45 percent."From my point of view as a significant shareholder in WPP, with most of my net worth being tied up in the company, personally I would like to see an increase to 50 percent but whether that carries the board or not is another case."He said going above that did not make sense.

Morgan Stanley is a global financial services company that, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, provides its products and services to a range of clients and customers, including corporations, governments, financial institutions and individuals. Shares of MS fell by 0.37% or $-0.13/share to $35.47. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $28.31 and as high as $36.44. On average, 9958410 shares of MS exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 5319593.



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