WPP reports sharp upturn in July trading

LONDON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Britain's WPP, theworld's biggest advertising company, said it expected to hit itsfull-year net sales and margin targets after seeing a sharpupturn in trading in July.

WPP, which handles the advertising needs of brands such asFord and Unilever, reported a 2.3 percent rise in first halflike-for-like net sales, in line with forecasts, and a 3.7percent jump in July, which it said indicated a likely strongerthird quarter.

The group, one of Britain's best known companies and run byMartin Sorrell, said as a result it expected to hit its targetof full-year net sales growth of over 3 percent, helped by anexpected stronger second half.

It also reiterated its target for an improvement in theoperating margin of 0.3 margin points. (Reporting by Kate Holton; editing by Sarah Young)