Share research

Barclays (Q4 Results): good numbers, expanded guidance

A strong set of results for Barclays, alongside expanded medium term guidance, was met with a relatively flat market reaction.
Barclays - profits up, impairment charges increase

No recommendation - No news or research item is a personal recommendation to deal. All investments can fall as well as rise in value so you could get back less than you invest.

Prices delayed by at least 15 minutes

Barclays reported a 2% rise in fourth quarter total income to £7.1bn (£6.9bn expected).

Profit before tax increased 12% year-on-year to £1.9bn (£1.7bn expected), as income growth was partially offset by a 1% rise in total operating expenses.

Credit impairment charges fell 25% year-on-year to £535mn (£597mn expected), with default rates remaining at expected levels.

Capital levels strengthened with the CET1 ratio improving from 13.6% to 14.3% (14.0% expected), or 14.0% after the £1.0bn buyback announced today. This brings total capital returns for 2025 to £3.7bn.

Guidance for 2026 points to headline income of £31bn. Barclays expects to return more than £15bn to shareholders over 2026-28.

The shares were broadly flat in early trading.

Our view

HL view to follow.

Barclays key facts

All ratios are sourced from LSEG Datastream, based on previous day’s closing values. Please remember yields are variable and not a reliable indicator of future income. Keep in mind key figures shouldn’t be looked at on their own – it’s important to understand the big picture.

This article is original Hargreaves Lansdown content, published by Hargreaves Lansdown. It was correct as at the date of publication, and our views may have changed since then. Unless otherwise stated estimates, including prospective yields, are a consensus of analyst forecasts provided by LSEG. These estimates are not a reliable indicator of future performance. Yields are variable and not guaranteed. Investments rise and fall in value so investors could make a loss.

This article is not advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any investment. No view is given on the present or future value or price of any investment, and investors should form their own view on any proposed investment.

Latest from Share research
Weekly Newsletter
Sign up for Share insight. Get our Share research team’s key takeaways from the week’s news and articles direct to your inbox every Friday.
Written by
Matt-Britzman
Matt Britzman
Senior Equity Analyst

Matt is a Senior Equity Analyst on the share research team, providing up-to-date research and analysis on individual companies and wider sectors. He is a CFA Charterholder and also holds the Investment Management Certificate.

Our content review process
The aim of Hargreaves Lansdown's financial content review process is to ensure accuracy, clarity, and comprehensiveness of all published materials
Article history
Published: 10th February 2026