3 Advertising & Marketing Stocks to Buy From a Thriving Industry

Industry Overview - The Zacks Advertising and Marketing industry includes a wide range of services such as advertising, branding, digital marketing, and healthcare marketing, with major players like Interpublic and Omnicom [2] - The pandemic has significantly changed how industry players operate, leading to a focus on strategic initiatives and demand sources in the post-pandemic era [2] Economic Indicators - The economy showed resilience with a GDP growth of 3% in Q2 2025, following a 0.5% decline in Q1, and non-manufacturing activities remained strong as indicated by the Services PMI staying above 50% for 12 of the last 13 months [3] Demand and Revenue Trends - The industry is mature with stable demand for services, and revenues, income, and cash flows are expected to gradually return to pre-pandemic levels, supporting stable dividends for most players [4] - Digital marketing is gaining traction as consumers spend more time on digital platforms, positioning agencies that offer these services for growth [5] Industry Performance - The Zacks Advertising and Marketing industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 71, placing it in the top 29% of 246 Zacks industries, indicating solid near-term prospects [6] - Over the past year, the industry has underperformed the S&P 500, declining 32% compared to the S&P 500's growth of 16% [7] Valuation Metrics - The industry is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 9X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 22.85X and the sector's 21.73X [10] Company Highlights - Interpublic: The company benefits from a diverse workforce and has shown commitment to shareholder returns, paying dividends of $479.1 million in 2024 and 2023, indicating confidence in its business [13][14] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Interpublic's 2025 EPS has increased by 9.5% to $2.88, with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [15] - Omnicom: The company offers a broad range of services and focuses on consumer-centric solutions, which helps in driving stable and growing revenues [19] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Omnicom's 2025 bottom line has been revised upwards by 2% to $8.48, with a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [20] - Clear Channel Outdoor: The company reported a 7% year-over-year revenue increase, driven by digital advertising, and has nearly 90% of upcoming revenues under contract, positioning it for continued financial strength [23] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Clear Channel Outdoor's 2025 bottom line has been revised upwards by more than 100% to 11 cents, with a Zacks Rank of 2 [24]