.

Drop on results looks well overdone. -13p

What do yar think?

Plenty of opportunity to trade this one today.

But no response, am I the only one who bothered on here today with this one?

Shares in Barclays PLC have been upgraded to 'buy' from 'hold' on valuation by Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, dealers said.

The German broker noted that the shares have fallen too far recently, although told clients that it does not feel Barclays is a likely takeover candidate because management appears to have emotional and historic attachment to the business.

The number of Buy recommendations on Barclays is increasing, the shares return a good dividend historically and still have growth and the potential of being taken over by a large International Bank in contrast to what Dresdner says as it is less exposed to the property market and has good international interests and of course Barclays Capital, my guess would be an American bank within the next five yrs.

'...does not feel Barclays is a likely takeover candidate because management appears to have emotional and historic attachment to the business.'

Many would have said the same for Boots not so long ago!

Yes, it's a ridiculous comment, since when have directors ever had any emotions or attachment? lol

Another Bullish statement on Barclays yesterday, this time from Morgan Stanley

Bid rumours persist, no smoke without fire - it will happen someday as Barclays are undervalued. My bet is an American Bank will gobble them up.

"Shares in Barclays added 12.5p to 584p after CSFB upgraded its reported earnings-per-share forecasts by 5% for 2005 to 54.3p and by 2% for 2006 to 60.6p. The broker said that the upgrades reflected stronger performances from Barclays Capital, BGI and UK Retail Banking, where it forecasts pre-tax profits would rise 5% to 991 million pounds. CSFB downgraded its forecasts for Barclaycard by 5% to 659 million pounds. The Swiss broker maintained its "outperform" rating and 740p target."

Do you do any work rob...hee...hee.

Hello Biccode - is that who I think it is? send me an email you old dog. Looing good for 7.50 this yr?

Don't know your email and you have changed your mobile. Mine hasn't though.

Max 7 this year

With the name Biccode...could be any one of 20 people..eh Trebor!

BARC could possibly hit 800p is a bid is made this year.

Results have been leaked, much better than expected ? The 7.50 target this yr is easily attainable, now undervalued.

Divi. day today for all us BARC holders.
Newspaper reports about takeover gossips seem to have died down. Will price drop as people lose interest?

I think it is Ok as long as the market generally is.

i have been holding these since the beginning of the year and see them as a core holding with the vague potential of being a t/o target ..... they have performed well all year and look to continue to do so

Is this fall from around 700 to 640 a temporary setback or is there a particular reason? The gossip about takeover seems to have died down!

The fall seems to be related to an alleged 500m loss by BARC's commodity tradres or similar .... BARC say the rumour is rubbish, but no doubt all will emerge in due course .... Meanwhile, I am happy to keep running my rather more modest profit.

BARC Q1 Trading update on Friday should clear matters up and perhaps give us all a clue regarding direction.

From today's Times.
Barclays may go to FSA over rumours
By Patrick Hosking, Investment Editor
BARCLAYS is threatening to call for an official inquiry into possible short-selling of its shares by traders spreading false rumours about losses in its investment banking arm. (Full story below)
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,9063-2201229,00.html

From a chart point of view, BARC may well be a good buy, assuming it can break through the (slowly rising) 200 MDA ..... I see that sp is now at the bottom of its Bollinger Band range, though I confess I would like some enlightenment as to how those are formed.

Cynic perhaps this real BARC thread should be revived as the "loony tunes" have hijacked the other one.

Hear Hear, loony tunes.

Must be right yorky if you are here, do they still have gas street lighting in halifax.