Lloyds Banking Group PLC (NYSE:LYG) Given Consensus Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Key Points

• Lloyds Banking Group PLC has received an average "Moderate Buy" recommendation from seven analysts, with ratings varying from hold to strong buy.
• Recently released quarterly earnings showed that Lloyds reported earnings per share of $0.14, beating expectations of $0.10, with a revenue of $6.13 billion significantly above the anticipated $4.86 billion.
• In an upcoming dividend declaration, shareholders will receive $0.0655 per share, reflecting a dividend yield of 370.0% and a payout ratio of 32.50%.

Lloyds Banking Group PLC (NYSE:LYG - Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the seven analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company.

Several brokerages recently commented on LYG. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised Lloyds Banking Group from a "hold" rating to a "moderate buy" rating in a report on Thursday, July 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Lloyds Banking Group from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Lloyds Banking Group from an "underweight" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, August 1st. Wall Street Zen raised Lloyds Banking Group from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, July 26th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised Lloyds Banking Group from a "sector perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, August 4th.

Lloyds Banking Group Stock Performance

LYG opened at $4.57 on Tuesday. The business's 50 day moving average is $4.28 and its 200-day moving average is $3.96. The stock has a market cap of $68.39 billion, a PE ratio of 11.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a current ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68. Lloyds Banking Group has a twelve month low of $2.56 and a twelve month high of $4.62.

Lloyds Banking Group (NYSE:LYG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The financial services provider reported $0.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.10 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $6.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.86 billion. Lloyds Banking Group had a return on equity of 9.28% and a net margin of 17.51%. On average, analysts predict that Lloyds Banking Group will post 0.27 earnings per share for the current year.

Lloyds Banking Group Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 19th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 4th will be issued a $0.0655 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 4th. This represents a dividend yield of 370.0%. Lloyds Banking Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 32.50%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Riversedge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 10.5% in the second quarter. Riversedge Advisors LLC now owns 25,680 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $109,000 after buying an additional 2,433 shares in the last quarter. Jackson Thornton Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 20.4% in the first quarter. Jackson Thornton Wealth Management LLC now owns 15,168 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $57,000 after buying an additional 2,573 shares in the last quarter. Drive Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 6.8% in the second quarter. Drive Wealth Management LLC now owns 41,065 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $175,000 after buying an additional 2,599 shares in the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC increased its holdings in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 16.2% in the second quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 18,778 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $80,000 after buying an additional 2,613 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Perigon Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 4.5% in the first quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 61,411 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $235,000 after buying an additional 2,617 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 2.15% of the company's stock.

Lloyds Banking Group Company Profile

Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates in three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal customers.

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