Lloyds Banking Group PLC (NYSE:LYG) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Lloyds Banking Group PLC (NYSE:LYG) has been given a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the thirteen analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and seven have given a buy recommendation to the company.

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Thursday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut Lloyds Banking Group from a “moderate buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday. Wall Street Zen downgraded Lloyds Banking Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, July 4th. Weiss Ratings lowered Lloyds Banking Group from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Monday, May 11th. Finally, UBS Group upgraded Lloyds Banking Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 30th.

Lloyds Banking Group Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of LYG stock opened at $5.97 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.09, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a current ratio of 0.56. The stock has a market capitalization of $87.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 0.87. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $5.59 and a 200 day moving average price of $5.50. Lloyds Banking Group has a fifty-two week low of $4.05 and a fifty-two week high of $6.34.

Lloyds Banking Group (NYSE:LYG) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, March 31st. The financial services provider reported $0.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Lloyds Banking Group had a net margin of 25.11% and a return on equity of 10.63%. The company had revenue of $6.87 billion for the quarter. Equities research analysts predict that Lloyds Banking Group will post 0.53 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lloyds Banking Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 131.2% during the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 5,137 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 2,915 shares during the last quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. grew its stake in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 47.3% during the fourth quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 6,386 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 2,051 shares in the last quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Lloyds Banking Group in the fourth quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Manchester Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Lloyds Banking Group by 1,216.6% in the fourth quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 8,163 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 7,543 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.15% of the company’s stock.

About Lloyds Banking Group

Lloyds Banking Group plc is a UK-based banking and financial services company that provides a broad range of retail, commercial and insurance products. Its principal consumer-facing brands include Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland, through which it offers current accounts, savings, mortgages, credit cards and personal loans. The group also delivers services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and larger corporate clients, supplying business accounts, lending, payments and cash-management solutions.

In addition to core banking, Lloyds operates a significant wealth and insurance arm under the Scottish Widows brand, offering life insurance, pensions, investment and retirement planning products.