Only Three Advertising Firms Defy 2025 Market Slump Amid Sector Chaos
The advertising sector has struggled in 2025, with most companies recording losses. Only three firms—CyberAgent, Informa, and Magnite—have managed to post positive returns in communication so far this year. Meanwhile, the broader communications services sector has performed strongly, rising nearly 22%.
CyberAgent leads the advertising sector with a year-to-date gain of 54.19%. The Japanese firm stands out as the top performer in a challenging communication market. Informa follows with a 19.09% increase, while Magnite rounds out the positive returns at 3.33%.
Most advertising stocks, however, have faced steep declines. WPP plc has dropped by 56.34%, with its secondary listing (WPPGF) falling slightly further to -56.61%. The Trade Desk has suffered even more, losing 67.40% of its value since the start of the year. Despite these struggles, the communications services sector as a whole has thrived. Up 21.9% year-to-date, it ranks as the second-best performing sector in the S&P 500. This contrast highlights the uneven performance within the broader media and advertising landscape.
The advertising industry’s 2025 results show sharp divides. CyberAgent, Informa, and Magnite remain the only firms with gains, while heavy losses dominate elsewhere. The sector’s struggles come even as communications services overall achieve strong growth.
