Barclays (LON:BARC) Hits New 12-Month High - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• Barclays PLC shares reached a new 12-month high of GBX 379.90 ($5.14) during trading, with a significant volume of 223,909,719 shares exchanged.
• Several analysts have increased their price targets for Barclays, with JPMorgan Chase** raising theirs to GBX 500** and **Royal Bank Of Canada** to **GBX 435**, reflecting positive market sentiment.
• Insider activity is notable, with purchases totaling over **£11,126** from two executives, showcasing confidence in the company's future performance.

Barclays PLC (LON:BARC - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as GBX 379.90 ($5.14) and last traded at GBX 379.50 ($5.14), with a volume of 223909719 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 375.05 ($5.08).

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on Barclays from GBX 355 to GBX 435 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Barclays from GBX 420 to GBX 500 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday. Shore Capital boosted their price objective on Barclays from GBX 395 to GBX 410 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on Barclays from GBX 405 to GBX 455 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 26th. Finally, Citigroup cut Barclays to a "neutral" rating and boosted their price objective for the company from GBX 360 to GBX 366 in a report on Friday, July 18th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Barclays currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of GBX 424.33.

Barclays Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of £53.24 billion, a PE ratio of 937.16, a PEG ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 360.53 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 323.11.

Barclays (LON:BARC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 29th. The financial services provider reported GBX 11.70 earnings per share for the quarter. Barclays had a return on equity of 6.97% and a net margin of 19.54%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Barclays PLC will post 39.1062802 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Dawn Fitzpatrick acquired 2,999 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 30th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 371 per share, for a total transaction of £11,126.29. Also, insider John Kingman acquired 2,325 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 30th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 371 per share, with a total value of £8,625.75. Over the last ninety days, insiders bought 98,837 shares of company stock worth $33,407,827 and sold 789,945 shares worth $292,933,656. Company insiders own 0.27% 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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.