Lloyds Banking Group (LON:LLOY) Reaches New 12-Month High - Time to Buy?

Shares of Lloyds Banking Group plc (LON:LLOY) hit a new 52-week high on Thursday, trading at a maximum value of GBX 193 ($2.48) before closing at GBX 73.36 ($0.94). The trading volume was substantial, with 242,791,766 shares exchanged.

Recent Analyst Ratings

Several analysts have reviewed Lloyds Banking Group recently. On February 20th, Shore Capital reaffirmed a "hold" rating for the stock. Meanwhile, JPMorgan Chase & Co. adjusted their target price from GBX 62 ($0.80) to GBX 71 ($0.91), maintaining an "underweight" rating. Citigroup also raised their price target from GBX 61 ($0.79) to GBX 71 ($0.91), giving the stock a "buy" rating on March 6th. Overall, one analyst has issued a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, and one has rated it as a buy. According to MarketBeat, the average rating for the stock is "Hold" with a consensus price target of GBX 62.40 ($0.80).

Stock Performance Overview

Lloyds Banking Group has a market capitalization of £44.39 billion and boasts a P/E ratio of 9.26 along with a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.84. The stock's recent 50-day simple moving average is GBX 66.14, while the 200-day moving average stands at GBX 59.69.

The last earnings report on February 20th revealed an earnings per share (EPS) of GBX 6.30 ($0.08) for the recent quarter. The company showed a return on equity of 11.22%, with a net margin of 16.66%. Analysts estimate an EPS of approximately 7.32 for the current fiscal year.

Dividend Increase Announcement

In positive news, Lloyds Banking Group announced an increase in dividends, set to be paid on Tuesday, May 20th. Shareholders on record as of Thursday, April 10th will receive a dividend of GBX 2.11 ($0.03), up from the previous dividend of GBX 1.06. This new dividend reflects a yield of 3.01%, with a payout ratio currently at 37.95%.

Insider Transactions

On March 21st, insider William Chalmers sold 11,338 shares at an average price of GBX 70 ($0.90), generating total proceeds of about £7,936.60 ($10,218.36). Currently, corporate insiders hold approximately 0.17% of the stock.

Company Overview

Lloyds Banking Group is the leading retail and commercial financial services provider in the UK, serving over 25 million customers. Its diverse offerings include retail banking, commercial banking, insurance, and long-term savings solutions delivered through its extensive branch and digital network, featuring well-known brands such as Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, and Scottish Widows. The company is listed on both the London and New York stock exchanges and ranks among the largest firms in the FTSE 100 index.

Investment Considerations

If you're contemplating investing in Lloyds Banking Group, it is essential to consider various factors. MarketBeat has researched and identified multiple top-rated analysts suggesting stocks that may offer better opportunities than Lloyds at this moment, even though the company maintains a current "Hold" rating.

Lloyds, Banking, Stocks