Barclays’ (BARC) “Buy” Rating Reiterated at Jefferies Financial Group

by · The Cerbat Gem

Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed their buy rating on shares of Barclays (LON:BARC – Free Report) in a research report released on Wednesday morning,Digital Look reports. They currently have a GBX 590 target price on the financial services provider’s stock.

BARC has been the subject of several other reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Barclays from GBX 600 to GBX 610 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price objective on Barclays from GBX 575 to GBX 550 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Shore Capital Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Barclays in a report on Tuesday, April 28th. Berenberg Bank restated a “buy” rating and issued a GBX 620 price target on shares of Barclays in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Barclays from GBX 505 to GBX 510 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of GBX 575.

Read Our Latest Analysis on BARC

Barclays Price Performance

Shares of BARC opened at GBX 511.71 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of £69.01 billion, a PE ratio of 11.79, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 0.88. The company’s 50-day moving average is GBX 495.16 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 459.59. Barclays has a fifty-two week low of GBX 352.65 and a fifty-two week high of GBX 538.30.

Barclays (LON:BARC – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The financial services provider reported GBX 30.70 earnings per share for the quarter. Barclays had a net margin of 25.61% and a return on equity of 10.11%. Analysts predict that Barclays will post 39.1062802 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Dawn Fitzpatrick purchased 2,307 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 28th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 497 per share, with a total value of £11,465.79. Also, insider Mary Mack acquired 2,160 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 28th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 497 per share, with a total value of £10,735.20. Insiders have purchased 27,498 shares of company stock valued at $13,666,506 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.27% of the company’s stock.

Key Barclays News

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

Barclays Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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.

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