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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
