WPP's, OMC's 3Q Raises Hopes For IPG

Strong industry profit reports last week lifted expectations for Interpublic Group, which releases its third-quarter numbers Wednesday.

“Given the results of Omnicom and WPP, there’s more confidence in industry improvement, so there could be a pleasant surprise from IPG,” said Alexia Quadrani, a Bear Stearns analyst. However, she did not rule out unpleasant surprises either. “A lot of things are happening at this company. It’s a turnaround in progress and, while there are encouraging signs and they’ve made steps forward, it’s still a very complicated, long process.”