Stockchase Opinions

Chris Lowe, BA, MBA Barclays Bank PLC BCS-N BUY Aug 06, 2004

Rumors of a takeover bid by Citibank. Price is increasing on these rumors. 5% dividend.
$37.420

Stock price when the opinion was issued

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DON'T BUY
More focused in London, but also in the Eurozone, where there is a negative interest rate. There could be more downside on the pound if there is a hard Brexit. Would look into U.S. banks.
COMMENT
British banks have been hit badly due to negative sentiment for Brexit. Barclay has had management issues and we've seen political in-fighting. Would prefer Lloyd's. As long as there is Brexit uncertainty, this will be volatile.
WEAK BUY

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).

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TOP PICK
Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly BCS is one of the UK's top retail banks and is well diversified across personal, corporate, investment banking, credit and wealth management. It trades at 6x earnings compared to peers at 12x. With a good earnings outlook, its PEG ratio is only 0.18 and it trades below book value. It has a small dividend, backed by a payout ratio of only 10% of cashflow and it is building its cash reserve holdings. We would buy this with a stop loss at $8.25 looking to achieve $12.50 -- upside potential over 25%. Yield 0.61% (Analysts’ price target is $12.54)
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TOP PICK
Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O’Reilly We reiterate BCS as a TOP PICK. The UK top ranked retail bank is well diversified across personal, corporate, investment banking, credit and wealth management. It trades at 7x earnings compared to peers at 14x and it trades below book value. It has a small dividend, backed by a payout ratio of 50% of cashflow and it is building its cash reserve holdings. We would buy this with a stop loss at $9.25 looking to achieve $12.50 -- upside potential over 16%. Yield 2.05% (Analysts’ price target is $12.46)
SELL
He sold Barclay's because the loan business is slowing, maybe caused by Brexit, and this will harm ROE, which he pegs at 8% vs. the industry's 10%. At least, Barclay's gives investors exposure to international markets. He sees better opportunities elsewhere.
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PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Oct 07/21, Up 1%)Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly Our PAST TOP PICK with BCS is progressing well. We now recommend trailing up the stop (from $8.25) to $9.50.
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This is a Panic-proof Portfolio opinion which is available only for Premium members

Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020.
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PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Oct 07/21, Up 11.9%)Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly Our PAST TOP PICK with BCS is progressing well. We now recommend trailing up the stop (from $9.25) to $10.25.
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This is a Panic-proof Portfolio opinion which is available only for Premium members

Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020.
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Oct 07/21, Down 3.7%)Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly Our PAST TOP PICK with BCS has triggered its stop at $10.25. To remain disciplined, we recommend covering the position at this time. This will result in a net investment loss of 1%, when combined with the previous buy recommendation.
DON'T BUY

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%.