Topic: How To Invest

Q: Patrick: May I get your views on Barclays bank? Thank you.

Article Excerpt

A: Barclays plc (ADR), $8.66, symbol BCS on New York (ADRs outstanding: 4.3 billion; Market cap: $37.0 billion; www.barclays.com), is a U.K.-based bank and financial services company that provides retail banking, credit cards, corporate and investment banking and wealth management services. It operates through two main businesses: Barclays UK and Barclays International. The Barclays UK division comprises the U.K. retail banking operations, the U.K. consumer credit card business, U.K. wealth management and corporate banking for smaller businesses. The Barclays International operations include the corporate banking franchise, the investment bank, the U.S. and international cards business, and international wealth management. Barclays was founded on July 20, 1896, and is headquartered in London. The stock has its main listing on the London exchange under the symbol BARC. The bank is now the subject of activist pressure: New York-based activist Sherborne Investors bought a 5.5% stake in Barclays last year and wants to get its chief executive, Edward Bramson, a seat on Barclays’ board. Shareholders vote…