Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) have earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the six analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company.

Several brokerages recently commented on BCS. Citigroup cut Barclays from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, July 18th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of Barclays in a report on Wednesday, July 30th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Barclays from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday, July 13th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Barclays in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Barclays

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mark Sheptoff Financial Planning LLC acquired a new position in Barclays in the second quarter worth $28,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new position in Barclays during the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. Elequin Capital LP bought a new stake in Barclays during the 1st quarter worth about $30,000. Wealthquest Corp acquired a new stake in Barclays in the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Zions Bancorporation National Association UT bought a new position in shares of Barclays in the first quarter worth about $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 3.39% of the company’s stock.

Barclays Trading Up 0.6%

Shares of BCS stock opened at $20.06 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $70.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 1.15. Barclays has a 1 year low of $11.22 and a 1 year high of $20.08. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $18.58 and its 200 day simple moving average is $16.65. The company has a current ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.70.

Barclays (NYSE:BCS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 29th. The financial services provider reported $0.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.12. The company had revenue of $9.58 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.06 billion. Barclays had a net margin of 22.11% and a return on equity of 8.49%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Barclays will post 2 EPS for the current year.

Barclays Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 8th will be issued 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%.

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.