Lloyds Banking Group (LON:LLOY) Share Price Crosses Above 200-Day Moving Average - Here's What Happened

Lloyds Banking Group plc (LON:LLOY - Get Free Report) shares crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Thursday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 66.64 ($0.90) and traded as high as GBX 76.66 ($1.04). Lloyds Banking Group shares last traded at GBX 75.96 ($1.03), with a volume of 43,289,852 shares traded.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on LLOY shares. Shore Capital reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Citigroup increased their price target on Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 61 ($0.83) to GBX 71 ($0.96) and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 6th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 62 ($0.84) to GBX 71 ($0.96) and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Lloyds Banking Group currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of GBX 64.25 ($0.87).

Lloyds Banking Group Stock Performance

The firm's 50 day moving average price is GBX 74.52 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 66.80. The firm has a market capitalization of £45.40 billion, a PE ratio of 9.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.23.

Lloyds Banking Group (LON:LLOY - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, May 2nd. The financial services provider reported GBX 1.70 ($0.02) earnings per share for the quarter. Lloyds Banking Group had a net margin of 16.66% and a return on equity of 11.22%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Lloyds Banking Group plc will post 7.3199528 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider William Chalmers bought 152,181 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 20th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 76 ($1.03) per share, for a total transaction of £115,657.56 ($156,590.25). Also, insider Charlie Nunn purchased 238,593 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Friday, June 20th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 76 ($1.03) per share, with a total value of £181,330.68 ($245,505.93). Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the company's stock.

Lloyds Banking Group Company Profile

We are the largest UK retail and commercial financial services provider with over 25 million customers and a presence in nearly every community. The Group's main business activities are retail and commercial banking, general insurance and long-term savings, provided through the largest branch network and digital bank in the UK, with well recognised brands including Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland and Scottish Widows. Our shares are quoted on the London and New York stock exchanges and we are one of the largest companies in the FTSE 100 index.