Shares of Barclays PLC (LON:BARC – Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the seven ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and six have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is GBX 575.
Several analysts have issued reports on BARC shares. Shore Capital Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Barclays in a research note on Tuesday, April 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Barclays from GBX 575 to GBX 550 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a GBX 590 price target on shares of Barclays in a report on Wednesday. Citigroup increased their price objective on Barclays from GBX 505 to GBX 510 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Berenberg Bank reissued a “buy” rating and set a GBX 620 price objective on shares of Barclays in a research note on Wednesday.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Barclays
Barclays Trading Up 0.2%
Barclays (LON:BARC – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 28th. The financial services provider reported GBX 30.70 EPS for the quarter. Barclays had a net margin of 25.61% and a return on equity of 10.11%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Barclays will post 39.1062802 earnings per share for the current year.
Insider Transactions at Barclays
In other Barclays news, insider Julia Wilson acquired 2,033 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 497 per share, with a total value of £10,104.01. Also, insider Dawn Fitzpatrick acquired 2,307 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 497 per share, for a total transaction of £11,465.79. Over the last quarter, insiders have bought 27,498 shares of company stock worth $13,666,506. 0.27% of the stock is owned by insiders.
Key Stories Impacting Barclays
Here are the key news stories impacting Barclays this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Share buyback supports returns: Barclays launched a programme to repurchase up to £1 billion of stock. The buyback should reduce excess capital, potentially lift earnings per share and reinforce shareholder returns. Barclays Launches £1bn Share Buy-back
- Positive Sentiment: Broad insider buying: Barclays directors and senior figures, including Chairman Nigel Higgins, bought shares at approximately GBX 497. The purchases offer a modest confidence signal following the bank’s recent results, although the transactions are relatively small compared with the company’s market value. Barclays Insider Purchases
- Positive Sentiment: Analyst support remains favorable: Deutsche Bank and Jefferies reaffirmed “buy” ratings, while JPMorgan raised its target to GBX 610 and Berenberg maintained a GBX 620 objective. The reported consensus target of GBX 545 also remains above recent trading levels, implying additional potential upside. Barclays Consensus Price Target
- Positive Sentiment: Potentially favorable bank regulation: Former Barclays CEO Bob Diamond said the Clarity Act could be beneficial for banks over time, adding to optimism about the sector’s longer-term regulatory environment. Bob Diamond on the Clarity Act
- Neutral Sentiment: Mixed broker revisions: JPMorgan raised its target and Citigroup moved its target to GBX 510 while retaining a “neutral” rating. RBC reduced its target from GBX 575 to GBX 550 but kept an “outperform” recommendation. RBC Barclays Target Revision
- Negative Sentiment: Political and valuation risks: Calls for higher taxes on UK banks after Barclays’ profits increased could constrain future earnings and capital returns. Separate commentary also questioned whether the bank’s recent results fully justify its valuation, potentially limiting further gains. UK Bank Tax Pressure
About Barclays
Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through Barclays UK and Barclays International division segments. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services. In addition, the company engages in securities dealing activities. The company was formerly known as Barclays Bank Limited and changed its name to Barclays PLC in January 1985.
See Also
- Five stocks we like better than Barclays
- Popular’s Earnings Beat Shows Why This Bank Stock Keeps Climbing
- ABB’s Rotork Deal Could Put These Flow Control Stocks Back in Focus
- GE HealthCare Stock Climbs on Vital Diagnostics Demand
- Lost in Space: Why Aerospace Valuations Are Plummeting Right Now
Receive News & Ratings for Barclays Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barclays and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
