Barclays PLC (LON:BARC) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of Barclays PLC (LON:BARC) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the seven ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is GBX 575.

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Berenberg Bank restated a “buy” rating and set a GBX 620 price objective on shares of Barclays in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Citigroup increased their target price on Barclays from GBX 505 to GBX 510 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a GBX 590 price target on shares of Barclays in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Barclays from GBX 600 to GBX 610 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a GBX 550 price objective on shares of Barclays in a report on Wednesday, August 12th.

Key Barclays News

Here are the key news stories impacting Barclays this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Brokerages assigned Barclays a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating, which may support investor confidence in the shares. The stock’s valuation also remains relatively modest at about 10 times expected earnings. Barclays PLC Receives Consensus Rating of Moderate Buy from Brokerages
• Neutral Sentiment: Barclays research said extreme heat is changing spending and operating plans among UK businesses and consumers. The findings could have implications for lending demand, consumer activity and companies’ costs, but the report does not provide a direct change to Barclays’ earnings outlook. Barclays Says Extreme Heat Is Altering the Behavior of UK Businesses and Consumers
• Neutral Sentiment: Barclays strategists described equities as being in a critical phase ahead of Nvidia’s earnings and the Jackson Hole symposium. The comments reflect broader market-risk concerns rather than a specific fundamental development at Barclays. Equities in a Critical Phase Ahead of Nvidia Earnings and Jackson Hole
• Neutral Sentiment: A CNBC interview featuring Barclays’ Kristin Peterson adds visibility for the bank, but the available headline does not disclose a material financial update or guidance change. CNBC Interview with Barclays’ Kristin Peterson

Barclays Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of LON BARC opened at GBX 496.20 on Thursday. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is GBX 512.73 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 462.69. Barclays has a 52-week low of GBX 352.85 and a 52-week high of GBX 538.30. The stock has a market capitalization of £66.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.27, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 0.88.

Barclays (LON:BARC) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The financial services provider reported GBX 30.70 EPS for the quarter. Barclays had a return on equity of 10.11% and a net margin of 25.61%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Barclays will post 39.1062802 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Brian Shea bought 2,393 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 497 per share, for a total transaction of £11,893.21. Also, insider Dawn Fitzpatrick purchased 2,307 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 497 per share, for a total transaction of £11,465.79. Insiders acquired a total of 27,498 shares of company stock worth $13,666,506 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.35% of the company’s stock.

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.