Barclays (LON:BARC) Reaches New 1-Year High - Should You Buy?

Barclays PLC (LON:BARC) achieved a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday, reaching a peak of GBX 300.85 ($3.76) and concluding at GBX 300.10 ($3.75), with a trading volume of 198,447,234 shares. This marks a noteworthy increases from its previous close of GBX 295.30 ($3.69).

Wall Street Analysts Expect Growth

Recently, several equity research analysts have shared their insights regarding Barclays. Shore Capital reaffirmed a "buy" rating on the company's shares in a report dated January 30. Furthermore, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Barclays from GBX 350 ($4.38) to GBX 360 ($4.50) while assigning it an "overweight" rating in a report dated January 13. According to MarketBeat.com, seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation, resulting in an average consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of GBX 294 ($3.68).

Barclays Stock Performance

The firm has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 272.70 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 247. Its current market capitalization stands at £43.71 billion. Additionally, it has a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,158.65 and a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.15. The stock has a beta of 1.36, indicating higher volatility compared to the market.

Insider Activity

In recent insider activity, Anna Cross, a company insider, sold 40,197 shares of Barclays stock on December 12. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 270 ($3.38), totaling £108,531.90 ($135,681.84). It is important to note that company insiders own approximately 1.47% of Barclays' stock.

Understanding Barclays

Barclays PLC is a multinational financial services provider offering a range of services across the UK, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through two main divisions: Barclays UK and Barclays International, providing services such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management.

Investment Considerations

Before deciding whether to invest in Barclays, it is essential to consider insights from top-rated research analysts. MarketBeat regularly tracks the recommendations of these analysts. Interestingly, while Barclays holds a "Buy" rating, analysts have identified five other stocks that they believe present better investment opportunities.

To explore these stocks further, consider reviewing expert analysis and investment strategies. You can gain additional insights by looking into the reports focusing on market trends and potential growth opportunities in various sectors.

Barclays, Stocks, Analysts