Barclays to home in on AI as profit jumps and boss handed £15m pay packet

Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “Barclays has put in a strong showing this morning, beating profit expectations, posting a firmer capital position and lifting its longer-term targets above market forecasts.

“Top-line performance was led by US card spending and a solid investment banking performance, with trading holding up well against peers even as advisory fees lagged, helping offset higher costs.

“With its capital buffer ahead of expectations and management targeting returns above 14 per cent by 2028 alongside more than £15 billion of shareholder payouts, the results point to growing confidence in the strategy.

“Investors should be pleased with these results, delivering better profits and clearer momentum while still trading at a discount to European rivals.”