Barclays PLC (LON:BARC) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Barclays PLC (LON:BARC) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the seven research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is GBX 578.33.

Several analysts have recently weighed in on BARC shares. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Barclays from GBX 505 to GBX 510 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Berenberg Bank reissued a “buy” rating and set a GBX 620 price target on shares of Barclays in a report on Thursday, September 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Barclays from GBX 590 to GBX 600 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Barclays from GBX 610 to GBX 620 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 15th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “buy” rating and set a GBX 570 target price on shares of Barclays in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th.

Key Headlines Impacting Barclays

Here are the key news stories impacting Barclays this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Barclays’ banking analyst Jason Goldberg said the third quarter could be among the sector’s strongest, reinforcing expectations for solid trading performance. The bank’s latest half-year results also showed stronger income, a higher dividend and plans for a new share buyback. Third quarter will be one of the best we’ve seen, say Barclays’ Jason Goldberg on banking sector
• Positive Sentiment: Barclays expects the Bank of England to raise rates in November and February as inflation risks intensify. Higher rates can support banks’ net interest income, although the benefit depends on deposit pricing and credit conditions. BoE Maintains 3.75% Rate as Barclays Anticipates Two Upcoming Increases
• Neutral Sentiment: Chief Executive C.S. Venkatakrishnan disclosed transactions involving Barclays American Depositary Shares. The filing concerns a transfer of holdings and does not, based on the available details, clearly indicate a change in management’s view of the company. Barclays CEO Venkatakrishnan Discloses Transfer of ADS Holdings
• Negative Sentiment: The immediate pressure appears largely market-driven: rising government bond yields, volatile oil prices and a weaker tone across London financial stocks are weighing on cyclical banks. An earlier move to a neutral-equivalent analyst rating may also be limiting near-term upside after Barclays’ strong run. Barclays Shares Slip as Risk-Off Mood and Earlier Downgrade Weigh on Sentiment
• Negative Sentiment: Thousands of Barclays employees are opposing tighter return-to-office requirements and seeking compensation for commuting costs. The dispute could create reputational, retention and operating-cost risks, although its direct financial impact is currently unclear. Barclays hit by staff backlash over return-to-office rules

Barclays Price Performance

LON:BARC opened at GBX 473.35 on Monday. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is GBX 504.21 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 465.04. Barclays has a 1-year low of GBX 353.55 and a 1-year high of GBX 538.30. The firm has a market cap of £63.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 0.87.

Barclays (LON:BARC) last announced 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%. As a group, analysts expect that Barclays will post 39.1062802 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Barclays news, insider Mary Mack acquired 2,160 shares of the business’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 £10,735.20. Also, insider Robert Berry acquired 1,908 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 497 per share, with a total value of £9,482.76. Over the last ninety days, insiders acquired 27,498 shares of company stock worth $13,666,506. Corporate insiders own 0.34% 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.