Lloyds Banking Group plc (LON:LLOY) Given Average Recommendation of “Hold” by Analysts

Lloyds Banking Group plc (LON:LLOY) has been given an average rating of “Hold” by the nine analysts that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have issued a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is GBX 107.78.

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 100 to GBX 120 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on shares of Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 100 to GBX 110 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Shore Capital Group cut Lloyds Banking Group to a “sell” rating and upped their price target for the company from GBX 84 to GBX 91 in a report on Monday, February 2nd. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a GBX 103 price objective on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 98 to GBX 106 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd.

Lloyds Banking Group Stock Performance

Shares of LON LLOY opened at GBX 104.80 on Thursday. Lloyds Banking Group has a 1 year low of GBX 60.78 and a 1 year high of GBX 114.60. The firm has a market cap of £61.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.19, a PEG ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.23. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 101.46 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 91.40.

Lloyds Banking Group (LON:LLOY) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The financial services provider reported GBX 7 earnings per share for the quarter. Lloyds Banking Group had a return on equity of 11.22% and a net margin of 16.66%. On average, research analysts predict that Lloyds Banking Group will post 7.3199528 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Trending Headlines about Lloyds Banking Group

Here are the key news stories impacting Lloyds Banking Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Ongoing share buybacks — Lloyds announced two recent repurchases: 12 million shares cancelled (17 Feb) and a further 5 million repurchased (18 Feb). These reduce share count, are EPS-accretive and signal capital return focus, supporting the stock and dividend outlook. Lloyds Banking Group Buys Back and Cancels 12 Million Shares Lloyds Banking Group Buys Back 5 Million Shares for Cancellation
• Positive Sentiment: Cash return timeline — Coverage notes highlight 9 April as a date income-focused investors should mark (likely dividend/return-related), reinforcing the stock’s appeal to yield-seeking holders. That calendar signal can support demand from income investors. Income investors interested in the Lloyds share price should mark the calendar for 9 April
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst price target — Broker consensus recently published a GBX 107.78 target, modestly above current levels, offering a slight analyst-implied upside but not a major re-rating catalyst on its own. Lloyds Banking Group plc (LON:LLOY) Receives GBX 107.78 Consensus PT from Brokerages
• Neutral Sentiment: Sale of Scottish Widows Europe — Lloyds is disposing of its Scottish Widows Europe unit to Chesnara, generating cash and simplifying the group. Deal values reported vary across outlets; the transaction appears modest relative to Lloyds’ market cap, so impact is incremental. U.K.’s Chesnara to Buy Lloyds’ Scottish Widows Europe in $130 Million Cash Deal
• Neutral Sentiment: Payments insight piece — Coverage on how customers are paying provides useful context on consumer behaviour and digital adoption, but it’s more industry color than a direct stock driver. Lloyds Banking Group: what you learn when you watch how people pay
• Negative Sentiment: Staff data controversy — Lloyds’ CEO has acknowledged concerns about use of staff data in pay negotiations, raising governance and reputational risks. Negative headlines on employment practices can pressure sentiment, especially if regulatory scrutiny follows. Lloyds boss accepts concern over use of staff data in pay talks

Lloyds Banking Group Company Profile

We are the largest UK retail and commercial financial services provider with over 25 million customers and a presence in nearly every community.

The Group’s main business activities are retail and commercial banking, general insurance and long-term savings, provided through the largest branch network and digital bank in the UK, with well recognised brands including Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland and Scottish Widows.

Our shares are quoted on the London and New York stock exchanges and we are one of the largest companies in the FTSE 100 index.