Barclays has raised its full-year 2026 group income target to approximately £31.5 billion, up from a previous estimate of £31 billion.
The revision follows strong second-quarter and first-half financial results, driven by growth in investment banking and trading.
The British lender reported a 17 percent year-on-year increase in pre-tax profit for the first half of 2026, reaching £6.1 billion.
Second-quarter profit before tax rose 31 percent compared to the same period last year, to £3.3 billion.
Key Drivers of Growth
Second-quarter investment banking revenue increased 20 percent, supported by a 32 percent gain in banking fees and underwriting income, as well as a 45 percent surge in equities trading income.
Private Bank and Wealth Management revenue also recorded a 5 percent increase during the quarter.
For the first half of 2026, earnings per share climbed 24 percent to 30.7p, while the bank's return on average tangible shareholders' equity rose to 14.8 percent from 13.2 percent a year earlier.
Barclays declared a first-half dividend payout of 5.9p per share, up from 3p in the first half of 2025.
The institution also announced a £1 billion share buyback program for the second quarter.
Analyst consensus currently places the 12-month share price target for Barclays at 572p, reflecting an estimated 13 percent upside from its current market price.
The stock has gained approximately 40 percent over the past year, trading at a price-to-earnings ratio below 10 based on pre-guidance consensus forecasts of 53p per share for 2026.
