Barclays (LON:BARC) Sets New 1-Year High - Here's Why

Key Points

• Barclays PLC reached a new 52-week high of GBX 388.65 ($5.27), currently trading at GBX 384.25 ($5.21) with significant trading volume.
• Analysts have mixed predictions for Barclays, with five giving it a "Buy" rating and a consensus target price of GBX 424.33 following various upgrades and downgrades.
• The company reported a net margin of 19.54% with a quarterly earnings per share of GBX 11.70, and insiders have recently sold and purchased company shares, indicating active interest from management.

Barclays PLC (LON:BARC - Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as GBX 388.65 ($5.24) and last traded at GBX 384.25 ($5.18), with a volume of 502693813 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 384.55 ($5.18).

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently commented on BARC. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Barclays from GBX 405 to GBX 455 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 26th. Shore Capital upped their price target on shares of Barclays from GBX 395 to GBX 410 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a "buy" rating and set a GBX 380 price target on shares of Barclays in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price target on shares of Barclays from GBX 355 to GBX 435 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Barclays from GBX 420 to GBX 500 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 9th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of GBX 424.33.

Barclays Trading Up 0.6%

The business's fifty day moving average price is GBX 366.51 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 327.12. The company has a market capitalization of £53.86 billion, a P/E ratio of 948.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.15 and a beta of 1.36.

Barclays (LON:BARC - Get Free Report) last posted 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 net margin of 19.54% and a return on equity of 6.97%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Barclays PLC will post 39.1062802 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Barclays

In other news, insider John Kingman bought 2,325 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 30th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 371 per share, with a total value of £8,625.75. Also, insider Marc Moses purchased 2,074 shares of Barclays stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 30th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 371 per share, with a total value of £7,694.54. Insiders have purchased a total of 26,377 shares of company stock worth $9,785,867 in the last ninety days. 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.