Barclays Bank PLCBCSCOMMENTJan 27, 2017Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Jun 04, 2026. Market Open.
UK banking sits somewhere between the Swedish/Canadian model and the US model. Fewer players, strong and well-protected balance sheets, growing organically. It's OK, but you are exposed to the UK and its pressures on consumers, housing, and the economy. Valuation is OK. He'd prefer a Canadian pick. Yield is 2.9%.
Best European bank? European banking is difficult, given negative interest rates. Best in class is Barclay's for its investing banking business or Lloyd's Banking. There should be more consolidation here, but it's difficult in Europe (look at ATD'B trying to buy Carrefour this month).
Lloyds (LLOY-LN) and/or Barclays (BCS-N)? Some of the European banks will generally follow the US banks up a couple of years later. When the US went into Armageddon, they lowered rates and exported capital, and that caused rates globally to go down. The Europeans with the UK raised rates within a year. So, he thinks this will be the same, but if the US starts to raise rates aggressively, that could speed up the process where higher interest rates in Europe make sense. This one has a little more international exposure. He would consider looking at Banco Santander (SAN-N), which survived relatively well during the crisis.