Barclays stock climbs 1.15% as buybacks and technical strength drive momentum

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Barclays up 1.15% at GBX 485.30

Highlights

Barclays repurchased and cancelled over 3.5 million ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price near 479 pence per share in January 2026.
The share buybacks will reduce Barclays' total share capital, resulting in an issued share count between 13.84 billion and 13.85 billion, with none held in treasury.
Market focus remains on regulatory disclosures, including changes in Barclays' major shareholdings and the impact of a proposed U.S. credit card interest rate cap on the bank's profits.

Buyback-driven share reduction amid U.S. regulatory scrutiny

Barclays continued its share buyback program, repurchasing and cancelling over 3.5 million ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price near 479 pence per share, which will reduce the company's total share capital and can enhance its earnings per share. The buybacks were executed in January 2026 and resulted in an issued share count between 13.84 billion and 13.85 billion, with none held in treasury. Market attention also focused on regulatory disclosures, including recent changes in Barclays' major shareholdings and the impact of a proposed U.S. policy to cap credit card interest rates, given the significance of the U.S. credit card segment to the bank’s profits.

Bullish structure as momentum indicators confirm continued strength

GBX 485.30 is well above the MA-20 at GBX 473.01, the MA-50 at GBX 441.64, and the MA-200 at GBX 367.78, confirming a strong bullish structure in the short, medium, and long term. The nearest dynamic support is the Ichimoku Kijun at GBX 461.38, while MA-50 at GBX 441.64 offers additional support. Momentum indicators remain firmly positive, with MACD signaling a strong buy and ADX above 30, reflecting persistent upward strength. The RSI at 63.10 suggests bullish momentum without reaching classic overbought territory, while Stochastic RSI shows an oversold reading, pointing to a short-term reset amid an otherwise strong trend. Bull/Bear Power indicates buyers are clearly dominant, reinforced by an "Overbought" signal, and the Awesome Oscillator remains neutral. The day saw a gap up from a previous close of GBX 479.80 to an open at GBX 484.18, with the current price now near the upper end of today’s range and up 1.15%. Intraday volatility is moderate, with continued strength toward the session’s highs. There is a slight divergence between Stochastic RSI and other momentum indicators, but intraday direction and daily gains support the overall bullish tone.

High upside probability with breakout potential if resistance clears

For the coming week, the projected range is adjusted to GBX 475.00 – 495.00, reflecting typical blue-chip volatility and keeping the price action within 4% above and below the current level. Based on the strong cluster of "Buy" signals across RSI, ADX, MACD, and weekly Moving Averages, there is a very high probability (more than 80%) of a price increase, making a decline much less likely. The baseline scenario is sideways consolidation between support near GBX 475.00 and resistance near GBX 495.00. A bullish scenario would see a breakout above GBX 495.00, with momentum extending gains toward GBX 500.00, while a bearish outcome remains unlikely but would arise if prices drop below support at GBX 475.00, exposing the next level near the Ichimoku Kijun at GBX 461.38.

Anton Kharitonov, analyst at Traders Union, sees Barclays maintaining short-term bullish momentum above key moving averages, yet notes the risk posed by regulatory uncertainty in the U.S. credit card market. He believes the ongoing buyback program may provide some EPS support, but stresses that technical signals and sentiment could quickly shift if GBX 475.00 support fails. Base case remains consolidation between GBX 475.00 and GBX 495.00, with any downside exposing GBX 461.38. "Until GBX 475.00 is broken convincingly, I remain cautious and prepared for a sideways move rather than strong upside."

Previously it was reported that Barclays PLC is trading above key moving averages with strong bullish momentum, supported by positive signals from MACD, ADX, and other trend indicators. The technical structure remains favorable, though caution is advised as the price approaches resistance near the upper end of its recent range.

Source of Data: BARC Price Analysis by TU

The analysis is based on a proprietary model combining technical, on-chain, and expert data. Not investment advice. See methodology

The information is based on forecasts and does not constitute investment advice or a guarantee of future results. Market conditions may change. See our Disclaimer and Editorial Integrity for details.