The risk factors described below, together with the other information concerning Publicis Groupe and its consolidated financial statements included in this Universal Registration Document should be carefully considered before making an investment in the shares or other securities of Publicis Groupe. This section covers the main risks to which Publicis Groupe feels exposed to, as of the date of this Universal Registration Document. Each one of the risk factors may have a negative impact on the Groupe’s earnings and financial position as well as on its share price or financial instruments. Other risks and uncertainties of which Publicis is unaware of or which are not currently considered to be significant could also have a negative impact on the Groupe.
In accordance with the provisions of article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, in each of the risk categories mentioned below, risks are presented in descending order of significance according to the Groupe’s assessment at the date of this document. The risk factors considered the most significant are presented first, following an assessment of their potential impact and likelihood after taking into account the mitigating measures implemented. The significance of the risks, as assessed by Publicis Groupe, may be amended at any time in light of changes in the Groupe’s activities and circumstances.
At the filing date of this Universal Registration Document, the geopolitical environment remains marked by the continued conflict in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine. The Groupe’s direct exposure to these conflict countries is low (less than 0.4% of revenue).
The United States has initiated many changes, in particular through Executive Orders. These cover various aspects of economic life and may impact the Groupe’s operations, its clients and partners in the United States and other countries. As of the date of this Universal Registration Document, the Groupe, like all economic players, is unable to assess their impact on its activities.
The Groupe risk mapping exercise, carried out in the last quarter of 2024, did not reveal any major risks after considering the mitigating measures in place. The methodology used is detailed in Section 2.2.4 “Risk management framework”.
In general, all the risks identified below must be considered in light of the consequences of a very uncertain geopolitical and macroeconomic context.
Categories | Risk factors | Potential impact | Page number | Topic addressed in the Sustainability reports |
---|---|---|---|---|
Industry-related risks | Industry-related risks Risk factors Particular sensitivity to the economic and geopolitical conditions |
Industry-related risks Potential impact High |
Industry-related risks Page number 41 |
Industry-related risks Topic addressed in the Sustainability reports
|
Categories Highlycompetitive industry |
Risk factors High |
Potential impact 41 |
Page number
|
|
Operational risks | Operational risks Risk factors Cybercrimeand IT systems failures |
Operational risks Potential impact High |
Operational risks Page number 42 |
Operational risks Topic addressed inthe Sustainability reports
|
Categories Risksassociated with client portfolios |
Risk factors High |
Potential impact 43 |
Page number 4.1.9 |
|
Categories Risksrelated to employees |
Risk factors Medium |
Potential impact 45 |
Page number 4.1.9 |
|
Categories Risksrelated to mergers and acquisitions |
Risk factors Medium |
Potential impact 46 |
Page number 4.1.9 |
|
Categories Risksrelated to artificial intelligence |
Risk factors Medium |
Potential impact 48 |
Page number
|
|
Regulatory and legal risks | Regulatory and legal risks Risk factors Personaldata confidentiality |
Regulatory and legal risks Potential impact High |
Regulatory and legal risks Page number 44 |
Regulatory and legal risks Topic addressed inthe Sustainability reports 4.1.9 |
Categories Risksof litigation, governmental, legal and arbitration proceedings |
Risk factors Medium |
Potential impact 47 |
Page number 4.1.9 |
|
Financial risks | Financial risks Risk factors Groupe’sliquidity and financial rating |
Financial risks Potential impact Low |
Financial risks Page number 48 |
Financial risks Topic addressed in the Sustainability reports
|
(1) [ESRS 2 SBM-3-48 (a)]