Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 11,460,000 shares, an increase of 35.0% from the December 31st total of 8,490,000 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 11,350,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.0 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BCS has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Barclays in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded Barclays from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Barclays

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Choreo LLC lifted its stake in Barclays by 1.7% in the fourth quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 46,860 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $623,000 after buying an additional 802 shares during the period. M&T Bank Corp lifted its position in shares of Barclays by 4.7% during the 3rd quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 20,568 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $250,000 after acquiring an additional 918 shares during the period. Apollon Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Barclays by 10.0% during the third quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 11,826 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $144,000 after acquiring an additional 1,075 shares in the last quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC grew its holdings in Barclays by 32.4% in the third quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 4,624 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 1,132 shares during the period. Finally, Certuity LLC increased its stake in Barclays by 11.0% in the fourth quarter. Certuity LLC now owns 11,435 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $152,000 after purchasing an additional 1,134 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 3.39% of the company’s stock.

Barclays Stock Down 0.8 %

Barclays stock opened at $14.69 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $52.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.99, a PEG ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.41. Barclays has a 52-week low of $7.07 and a 52-week high of $14.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.67, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a current ratio of 1.35. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $13.58 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $12.65.

Barclays Company Profile

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.