IPG’s fate to be sealed this week

The Interpublic Group is expected to file financial results for 2004 and the first two quarters of 2005 on Friday.

Commentators have noted that there is an outside chance the organisation could be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange.

IPG has been preparing investors for the possibility that auditors of the company will issue a qualified report, which could be grounds for the US Securities Exchange Committee to delist the organisation.

Industry commentators accept this action is unlikely, but, if it is enforced, it would have serious implications for the future of the group, which owns FutureBrand and Jack Morton Worldwide.

Earlier this month IPG announced it will restate its earnings for the past six quarters on 30 September, on the back of accounting errors and employee misconduct (DW 22 September).