Latest news with #BarclaysPLCBCS
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Barclays Rises 32.3% YTD: Is it the Right Time to Buy the Stock?
Year to date, shares of Barclays PLC BCS have risen 32.3%. The stock has outperformed the S&P 500 index, the Zacks Finance sector, and the industry. Meanwhile, it has underperformed its close peer, Deutsche Bank DB, while outperforming HSBC Holdings PLC HSBC. Year-to-Date Price Performance Image Source: Zacks Investment Research However, lingering uncertainty around tariff policies continues to pose risks. Given this backdrop, let's assess whether Barclays stock is a lucrative bet or not. Restructuring Efforts to Boost Profitability: Barclays has been taking steps to divest unprofitable/less profitable operations and save expenses through business streamlining, while deploying capital into higher revenue-generating February 2025, Barclays sold its consumer finance business in Germany. Last year, the company transformed its operating divisions and divested its Italian mortgage portfolio and $1.1 billion in credit card these efforts, Barclays recorded gross savings of £1 billion in 2024 and £150 million in the first quarter of 2025. The company aims to achieve gross efficiency savings of £0.5 billion this year. By 2026, management expects total gross efficiency savings to be £2 billion and the cost-to-income ratio to be in the high 50s. Its first-quarter 2025 cost-to-income ratio was 57%.The company is investing these savings in high-growth businesses and markets. This April, Barclays entered into a collaboration with Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. to reshape its payment acceptance business with plans to inject roughly £400 million. In March, the bank had announced a capital injection of more than INR2,300 crore (£210 million) into its India operations, following an injection of almost INR3,000 crore (£300 million) in 2021. Last year, the company acquired Tesco's retail banking business, which complements its existing business. In 2023, Barclays acquired Kensington Mortgage, which bolstered its mortgage redeployment of capital into higher-growth businesses and markets through improving efficiency is a multifaceted approach to boosting profitability. Barclays remains committed to this approach, which is likely to help improve profitability over Capital Distributions: As of March 31, 2025, Barclays' liquidity coverage ratio and net stable funding ratio were 175.3% and 136.2%, respectively, well above the regulatory requirements. This indicates a solid liquidity and funding profile. Thus, a solid balance sheet position supports its enhanced capital company has been paying dividends regularly and plans to keep the total dividend payout stable at the 2023 level, with progressive dividend plans to return at least £10 billion of capital to shareholders between 2024 and 2026 through dividends and share buybacks, with a continued preference for bank has increased dividends six times in the past five years with an annualized growth rate of 45.04%. It has a dividend payout ratio of 28%. Barclays Dividend Yield Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Over the past two months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings per share has been revised 6.2% and 3% upward to $2.23 and $2.73, respectively. Estimate Revision Trend Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Barclays' 2025 and 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 21.2% and 22.6%, respectively. (Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.) BCS stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price/earnings (P/E) of 7.17X. This is below the industry's 9.4X, reflecting an attractive valuation. Price-to-Earnings F12M Image Source: Zacks Investment Research On the other hand, Deutsche Bank and HSBC have a forward P/E of 8.31X and 8.64X, respectively. This reflects that Barclays is trading at a discount compared to its peers. Entering 2025, a major rebound in mergers and acquisitions (M&As) was expected, with deal-making activities likely to grow in the mid-20s. This optimism stemmed from pent-up demand, stabilizing or declining interest rates, tightening credit spreads, and strong public market valuations. Also, the Trump administration was perceived as business-friendly, with an expected removal of stringent oversight that could mark the end of the prolonged regulatory of these has transpired till now. Deal-making activities have been muted as ambiguity over the tariff and ensuing trade war has resulted in extreme market volatility. These developments have led to economic uncertainty. Against such a backdrop, companies are rethinking their M&A plans despite stabilizing rates and having significant investible management expects investment banking risk-weighted assets (RWAs) to be 50% of the Group RWAs in 2026. Further, the delay in the M&A rebound will impact the IB business of other global banks, including HSBC and Deutsche Bank, impacting revenue growth to some extent. Barclays' restructuring efforts to boost efficiency and redeployment of capital to higher revenue-generating businesses are likely to help the company's financials. Further, a solid liquidity profile enables sustainable capital distributions. Bullish analyst sentiments and attractive valuations are other the bank's core operating performance remains a concern. Net interest income (NII) and net fee, commission, and other income have been witnessing a volatile trend over the last several quarters owing to a tough operating backdrop. Though NII and net fee, commission, and other income rose in 2024 and in the first quarter of 2025, in light of structural hedges and Tesco bank buyout, the uncertainty about the performance of the capital markets might weigh on the company's top line, which makes us apprehensive about its growth prospects. Further, the likelihood of a significant IB rebound this year remains low amid concerns regarding tariff policies, making BCS stock a cautious shareholders may benefit from holding for strong long-term returns, while potential investors should wait for greater macroeconomic clarity before taking a currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Barclays PLC (BCS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (DB) : Free Stock Analysis Report HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Barclays Plans to Trim IB Workforce by More Than 200 to Reduce Costs
Barclays PLC BCS intends to reduce 3% of its workforce in the investment banking (IB) division in the upcoming days. This is part of CEO C.S. Venkatakrishnan's plan to boost the division's profitability. This was reported by Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter. More than 200 employees in IB, global markets and research will likely be affected. These would also include managing directors, among the most senior roles. These job cuts aim to expand the bank's capability to invest in priority areas, one of the people familiar with the matter stated. Barclays has been focused on gaining market share in European rates, equity derivatives and securitized product trading. During its investor update last year, the company stated that these efforts are anticipated to boost revenues by £500 million by IB, the company is aiming to grow its revenues from equity capital markets and mergers and acquisitions, with a specific focus on the health care, industrial, technology, and energy transition it is prioritizing growth in other areas, Barclays remains committed to its transatlantic IB model, despite ongoing investor pressure over the years.A Barclays spokesperson stated, 'Like other banks, we regularly assess our talent pool as part of our routine operations to ensure ongoing investment in key focus areas.' This move aligns with Barclays' ongoing efforts to improve efficiency through streamlining business operations and focusing on core April 2025, it announced a collaboration with Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. to transform its payment acceptance business. Further, in February 2025, it divested its Germany-based consumer finance business. In November 2024, the company acquired Tesco's retail banking business and changed its operating divisions effective in the first quarter of the past six months, Barclays shares have gained 36.3% compared with the industry's growth of 23.1%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Currently, BCS carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Last week, a source familiar with the matter said that Citigroup C will cut about 3,500 jobs at two of its technology centers in China by the start of the fourth quarter of 2025. The reduction will take place at the China Citi Solution Centres in Shanghai and of the jobs that are being cut are full-time. Citigroup mentioned that some of the roles would be moved to its technology centers elsewhere without specifying the number of jobs or move is part of the bank's strategy to simplify and reduce its global technology operations to improve data after shutting its retail banking business in the United States in 2021, HSBC Holdings PLC HSBC is now set to close its business banking division in the country. This announcement comes amid the company's ongoing business simplification efforts and accelerated shift toward the Asia and Middle East regions. This was first reported by move will likely affect nearly 4,500 HSBC clients. The bank will aid the impacted clients in transitioning to a suitable alternative provider and will continue to serve some clients in the Mid-Market and Global Network Banking Business. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Citigroup Inc. (C) : Free Stock Analysis Report Barclays PLC (BCS) : Free Stock Analysis Report HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 Best Breakout Stocks to Add to Your Portfolio Right Away
An active investing strategy involves searching for breakout stocks in a specific price range. When choosing breakout stocks, consider selling if the price falls below the lower band and holding for gains if it exceeds the upper band. To that end, Barclays PLC BCS, NatWest Group plc NWG, and Aris Mining Corporation ARMN have been selected as the breakout stocks for today. To pick a breakout stock, calculate support and resistance levels. A support level is the lower bound for stock movements, while a resistance level refers to the maximum price it trades at within a considerable period. In other words, the demand for a stock is at its lowest at its support level, which means that most traders are willing to sell it. Many traders are prepared to go long on the stock at the resistance level, meaning they would like to add these to their portfolios. The key to identifying breakout stocks is to zero in on those on the verge of a breakout or those that have just broken above the resistance level. The primary risk associated with such a strategy is that the decision to buy an apparent breakout candidate has been incorrectly timed. When a stock moves above the resistance level, it should be a highly prized commodity for traders. However, whether such a breakout is genuine is another matter altogether. For a bona fide breakout, the stock's earlier resistance barrier should become its new support level. This only happens if the trading channel that has been established is tested by observing long-term price trends. The strength of the support and resistance levels can be ascertained only through such a study. Despite the risk of misidentification, correctly identifying such stocks can yield considerable returns, even at a price that may not seem attractive at first glance. • Percentage price change over four weeks between 10% and 20% (Stocks showing considerable price increases but whose gains are not excessive.) • Current Price /52-Week High greater than or equal to 0.9 (Stocks trading 90% close to their 52-week highs.) • Zacks Rank equal to #1 (Only Strong Buy rated stocks can get through.) Whether the market is good or bad, stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) have a proven history of outperformance. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. • Beta for 60 months less than or equal to 2 (Stocks that move more than the broader market but within a reasonable limit.) • Current price less than or equal to $20 (Stocks reasonably priced.) These criteria narrow the universe of more than 6,853 stocks to only nine. Here are the top three stocks: Barclays provides financial services worldwide. BCS anticipates an earnings growth rate of 21.2% for the current year. NatWest Group provides banking and financial services globally to individuals, businesses and institutions. NWG expects an earnings growth rate of 17.3% this year. Aris Mining Corporation acquires, explores, develops and operates gold properties in Canada, Colombia and Guyana. ARMN expects an earnings growth rate of 226.5% for the current year. You can get the rest of the stocks on this list by signing up now for your 2-week free trial to the Research Wizard and start using this screen in your own trading. Further, you can also create your own strategies and test them first before taking the investment plunge. The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out. Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today. Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks' portfolios and strategies are available at: Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Barclays PLC (BCS) : Free Stock Analysis Report NatWest Group plc (NWG) : Free Stock Analysis Report Aris Mining Corporation (ARMN) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
