Entropy Technologies LP Raises Position in Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS)

Key Points

• Entropy Technologies LP significantly increased its stake in Barclays PLC by acquiring 127,228 shares, raising its total holdings to 137,861 shares worth approximately $2.12 million.
• Barclays reported a quarterly earnings per share of $0.62, exceeding analyst expectations, with revenues reaching $9.58 billion for the quarter.
• The company recently announced a semi-annual dividend of $0.1557 per share, with a yield of 210.0% and a payout ratio of 14.29%.

Entropy Technologies LP boosted its stake in shares of Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS - Free Report) by 1,196.5% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 137,861 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 127,228 shares during the period. Entropy Technologies LP's holdings in Barclays were worth $2,118,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Barclays by 8,088.1% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 882,108 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $13,549,000 after acquiring an additional 871,335 shares during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. acquired a new position in Barclays during the first quarter worth approximately $12,809,000. Townsquare Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of Barclays by 4.3% during the first quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 67,737 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $1,040,000 after buying an additional 2,780 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new position in Barclays during the 1st quarter worth $40,000. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI boosted its stake in shares of Barclays by 0.5% in the first quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 839,533 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $12,887,000 after buying an additional 4,482 shares in the last quarter. 3.39% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Barclays Trading Up 0.5%

Shares of Barclays stock traded up $0.11 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $20.56. 8,518,792 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 17,468,133. Barclays PLC has a 52-week low of $11.22 and a 52-week high of $20.56. The company has a fifty day moving average of $18.68 and a 200-day moving average of $16.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $72.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 1.15.

Barclays (NYSE:BCS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 29th. The financial services provider reported $0.62 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.50 by $0.12. Barclays had a net margin of 22.11% and a return on equity of 8.49%. The company had revenue of $9.58 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.06 billion. Sell-side analysts forecast that Barclays PLC will post 2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Barclays Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 8th will be given a $0.1557 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 8th. This represents a dividend yield of 210.0%. Barclays's dividend payout ratio is presently 14.29%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BCS has been the subject of several research reports. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an "overweight" rating on shares of Barclays in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Barclays in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Citigroup cut Barclays from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, July 18th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Barclays from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, July 13th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy".

Barclays Company Profile

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.