StockNews.com Upgrades Barclays (NYSE:BCS) to Strong-Buy

Barclays (NYSE:BCS) was upgraded by StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report issued on Thursday.

Several other research analysts have also recently weighed in on BCS. Kepler Capital Markets initiated coverage on shares of Barclays in a report on Thursday, September 5th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Barclays in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock.

Barclays Trading Down 0.1 %

NYSE:BCS opened at $13.21 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $48.09 billion, a PE ratio of 8.99 and a beta of 1.41. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $12.33 and its 200 day moving average is $11.61. Barclays has a 12 month low of $6.83 and a 12 month high of $13.57.

Barclays (NYSE:BCS) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The financial services provider reported $0.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Barclays had a net margin of 17.83% and a return on equity of 6.30%. The business had revenue of $8.52 billion for the quarter. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.42 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Barclays will post 1.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Barclays by 1,362.1% during the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 19,682,115 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $210,762,000 after buying an additional 18,335,937 shares during the period. FMR LLC boosted its position in Barclays by 11.6% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 6,432,007 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $78,149,000 after buying an additional 667,498 shares during the period. Raymond James & Associates boosted its position in Barclays by 11.9% during the third quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 4,007,379 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $48,690,000 after buying an additional 426,815 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its position in Barclays by 190.9% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 3,661,086 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $39,210,000 after buying an additional 2,402,500 shares during the period. Finally, Natixis Advisors LLC boosted its position in Barclays by 286.1% during the third quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 3,565,033 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $43,315,000 after buying an additional 2,641,608 shares during the period. 3.39% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Barclays

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.