Barclays (LON:BARC) Earns “Buy” Rating from Jefferies Financial Group

Barclays (LON:BARC)‘s stock had its “buy” rating restated by equities research analysts at Jefferies Financial Group in a research note issued on Monday, Marketbeat.com reports. They currently have a GBX 600 price objective on the financial services provider’s stock. Jefferies Financial Group‘s target price would indicate a potential upside of 42.81% from the company’s previous close.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “buy” rating and set a GBX 570 price objective on shares of Barclays in a research note on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Barclays from GBX 610 to GBX 620 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 15th. Berenberg Bank reiterated a “buy” rating and set a GBX 620 price target on shares of Barclays in a report on Friday. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a GBX 550 price objective on shares of Barclays in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. Finally, Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Barclays from GBX 510 to GBX 500 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Barclays has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of GBX 576.67.

Barclays Trading Up 0.3%

BARC opened at GBX 420.15 on Monday. Barclays has a 12 month low of GBX 361.35 and a 12 month high of GBX 538.30. The business’s 50-day moving average price is GBX 466.64 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 464.26. The company has a market cap of £56.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.70, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 0.91.

Barclays (LON:BARC) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 22nd. The financial services provider reported GBX 12.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Barclays had a return on equity of 10.79% and a net margin of 26.02%. Equities research analysts forecast that Barclays will post 39.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Barclays

In other news, insider Anna Cross sold 461,588 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 521, for a total value of £2,404,873.48. Corporate insiders own 0.34% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Barclays

Here are the key news stories impacting Barclays this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support remains strong: Jefferies reaffirmed its “buy” rating and set a GBX 600 price target, implying substantial upside from recent trading levels. Jefferies Barclays price target
• Positive Sentiment: Q3 momentum highlighted: Barclays’ earnings call reportedly pointed to profitable momentum, which may reinforce confidence in the bank’s earnings outlook and support its relatively low valuation. Barclays earnings call
• Positive Sentiment: Cost-cutting and AI focus: Reports that Barclays plans to eliminate approximately 5,000 jobs by the end of 2026 amid automation could improve efficiency and margins, while the appointment of Anita Tanna as chief AI officer signals increased investment in technology.
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader market and research activity: Barclays analysts’ bullish Tesla research and commentary on fuel prices and bond-market trading increase the firm’s market visibility, but these developments have little immediate effect on Barclays PLC’s own earnings.
• Negative Sentiment: Execution and reputation risks remain: Large-scale layoffs could create disruption, employee-relations issues and near-term restructuring costs. A report alleging improper reuse of customer bank details also presents a reputational risk, although no specific financial impact was cited. Barclays layoffs report

Barclays Company Profile

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.